Twenty-Two (H.S)

Chapter 46

"I'm not sure I can do this" Luke shook his head. All of us had decided to meet in the hangout before the celebration for Calum and Luke wasn't handling it very well. "What if I say the wrong thing?"

"Hey Luke" I said grabbing ahold of his shoulder "No one is going to judge you on what you say or how you're feeling today, let yourself feel whatever you want to feel and don't ever forget that we're all here for you"

"No one is alone today" Cruze added.

"We're celebrating what a great friend Cal was today, so let's honor his memory" Ash chimed in. We shared a shot each, cheersing to Cal of course, before heading out to the lake.

Luke, Mike and Ash had decided they wanted to bury Cal there which was perfect in my opinion. H and I walked hand in hand for the short journey there, neither one of us even needing to speak but both comforted in each other anyway.

The ceremony part went nothing like how a usual funeral would go but somehow it just seemed like the perfect way to honor Cal. Luke and Mike both spoke and there wasn't a dry eye once they were finished.

"Most of you knew Cal to be the nice guy around here who would help anyone out in a heartbeat and that's certainly true but he had another side that was just reserved for us" Mike guestured between himself and Luke "He could be a sassy mother fucker at times" The crowd laughed at the unexpected cussing "He always put us in our place, he was the mediator, the brother I never had. He was a great listener and was always there for me whenever I needed it and I'm forever grateful to have known him although I wish I got longer with him the time we had was the best, I'll miss you and I love you forever Cal-pal" Mike stepped aside and let Luke have his time to speak.

"Cal I'm never going to forget you and I never want to, you helped me through some real shit and I for sure wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you. We constantly bickered over what feels like now to be the most stupid shit but we always found a way to compromise and have what we both wanted, you with your pineapple pizza and me wanting cheese, so we'd do half and half. Thank you for helping Mike and I sort our shit out back in high school and thank you for always believing in me even when I didn't believe in myself. There will always be a Calum sized hole in my heart, a place reserved just for you. Thank you for just being you and not giving a single fuck about what anyone else thinks, I love you my best friend, rest easy Cal"

H had organised a group of the Maori men from the compound to do a Haka as they lowered the coffin into the ground, I hid my face in H's chest while this was happening and he wrapped his arms around me to comfort me. Everyone else left and it was just the main group of us stood there for ages, we chatted away sharing stories and comforting each other until the sun started to set. It was beautiful but one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life.

When all the adults had disappeared no one knew what had happened to them so there was still a possibility that they were still alive and could technically come back whenever but this was so much more permanent, Calum was gone and he wasn't coming back.

We all slowly made our way back to the hangout where Maeve and set everything up for us, there was delicious spread of the most random foods ever, Luke had insisted on having all of Cal's favourite foods even though he wasn't a fan of most of them. There was way too much hawaiian pizza to be deemed fit but it was a must according to Luke, there was apples, fresh apple juice, cups of tea, french fries and a bunch of other snacks all specially made by Maeve.

"And the highly requested ice cream" Maeve said placing a container of mint choc chip ice cream on the table along with some bowls and spoons.

"Thank you so much Maeve, a feast fit for a king, Cal would love it" Mike gave her a side hug. She must've worked really hard on making all of this food.

"You're staying right?" I asked as she walked past.

"I don't think..." She started to say but I cut her off. I knew the boys wouldn't mind at all and for a fact I knew one of them in particular would be grateful she was here.

"Dont worry about it, stay" I smiled back at her.

The next few hours went by in a blur of music, drinks, conversations and food. Calum's favourite song,I Miss You, was on replay, the boys singing along.

The air still felt heavy with the loss of Cal but I didn't think that would change for quite some time. All of us had been through a lot in our lives but it didn't mean this was any easier to go through and I couldn't help but think about H and what if he hadn't have come back, we'd be having a double funeral and things would never ever be the same.

"Are you okay?" Avery asked plonking down beside me on the couch.

"Just thinking about everything I guess" I gave her a half assed smile.

"I'm always here" She said putting her arm over my shoulder, I leant over and placed my head on her shoulder.

"I know, thanks Av" I noticed she was drinking apple juice and not alcohol which was very unlike her. "What's with the apple juice?"

"Oh this" She held up the cup "Is banging" She took a sip to prove her point and I laughed a little "Besides someone has to look after Nate" I looked over and sure enough Nate had joined in the game of beer pong with Luke, Mike and Ash. It made me sad a little because that would've been Cal usually. The amount of times I had played beer pong with Cal, Ash and Mike should be illegal.

"That's true, he sucks at beer pong so he'll be crawling to bed even if it is only across the path" I laughed.

"That's for sure" Avery agreed. We sat there for some time just taking in the atmosphere of our friends and I don't think I could be more grateful for the best group of friends anyone ever had.

The hours went by and I was starting to feel tired so I made my way over to H who was stood with Jax while they watched the game of beer pong.

"You all goods love" H pulled me into his side and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Yeah I'm just tired so I'm gonna head to bed"

"I'll come with you" He offered "I'm tired too"