The Orphan

Chapter Forty-Nine

Autumn-

My will power to get up this morning was close to zero out of ten, ten being wanting to get out of bed.

But i knew this was going to be the last time i would see Ryder, this would be the last time i could touch his face, say goodbye...

I rummaged through my clothes throwing all my outfits on the floor.

"I have nothing!" i hissed to myself.

What do you even wear to a funeral?!

A knock came at the door, i didn't want to answer, i just wanted to find a dress...

"Autumn? Autumn, what are you doing?!" i spun around to see Tori's confused face.

"Can you help me find a dress?" i begged.

The corners of her lips faced upwards as she grinned, "of course!" she ran to hug me.

It warmed my heart to see her smile again.

"Lets see..." she began taking things from the pile on the ground and looking at them before throwing them into a no or maybe pile.

Seeing Tori at what she does best made me happy, and for the first time in a week, i smiled...

***

Tori drove steadily along the twisted path to the service.

It took us an extra ten minutes but i think she was just worried i'd freak out and throw myself out of the car.

Which i wouldn't, i needed to see him one last time.

As i got out of the truck i looked down at my Red dress, it was my prom dress.

Tori came around and took my hand for reassurance.

"You ok?"

I nodded although i wasn't completely sure.

At the moment, i felt nothing.

I took little Sam's hand as she hopped out of the truck along with Anthony.

We all took in a deep breath before walking through the cemetery gates.

It didn't look like we were heading to a funeral, but i didn't want it to, we didn't want it to,everyone wore anything but black.

***

Chase walked up to me, i hadn't seen him since i warned him if i ever saw him again i'd get a restraining order.

"Autumn..." he began.

I wasn't in the mood to fight, i still hated his guts for what he said though.

"...I've been in rehab the past few weeks, Ryder actually made me go, they told me i should start apologizing to people i hurt...when i was relapsing..." he stated nervously, "...Autumn i'm sorry for what i said, that wasn't me, you know that." he apologized.

I thought it over, "did you mean it?" i questioned curiously.

"Honestly?"

I nodded.

He swallowed shyly, "yes, but it was still wrong."

"You were saying the truth, people say telling the truth is right not wrong." i debated his apology.

"Yeah but... there are ways of going about telling the truth and what i did wasn't it." he stated.

I nodded, "thats a pretty good answer, you're forgiven."

There was lack of emotion in anything and everything I said now. Like a curse.

He smiled happily before guiding me to a seat.