Bridging Hearts (DNF)

Chapter Seventeen - The Weight of Goodbye

Fanart is not mine.

George's POV:

The sun is shining, but it feels wrong like the day shouldn't be this bright. The funeral is outside, in a small, quiet garden surrounded by tall oak trees. It's beautiful and almost peaceful but it doesn't match how I feel. There's a gentle breeze and rustling leaves, but it can't drown out the whispers of grief around me.

The casket is open, and I can see Emily's face, serene, almost like she's sleeping. I wish she would just wake up, sit up, and make some joke about all this, but she doesn't. She's gone, and seeing her like this, dressed in her favorite blue dress, with flowers surrounding her, makes it all too real.

I'm standing at the front, next to Aunt Susan, who looks like she's been drained of life. Her eyes are swollen, and red from crying, she's afraid to let go. I can see the pain on her face, a pain I can't even begin to imagine. I hold her hand, and she squeezes it tight, like she's clinging to me for strength she can't find in herself. I wish I could give her more, but I feel like I'm falling apart too.

Clay stands next to me, his hand on my back, steady and warm. He hasn't said much, but he's been here, and that's what I need right now. I glance around and see his family, standing a few rows back. His mom is hugging Mia, who looks completely heartbroken. I remember how close she and Emily had become, how they'd spend hours together talking and laughing. Mia looks like she's struggling to hold back tears, and it makes my chest ache even more.

It's like I'm underwater, everything muffled and distant. My mind is stuck, replaying the last few days, trying to make sense of everything. I keep thinking about the last time I saw Emily, the way she smiled at me before she went upstairs. I wish I had known. I wish I had done something, anything, to stop this.

I glance at Clay, and he meets my eyes. There's a sadness there, a deep understanding, and I know he's thinking about his brother. He knows what this feels like, and I think that's why he's been so gentle with me, so patient. I lean into him, just enough to feel his strength, and he doesn't pull away.

As the service goes on, people start to come forward to say their goodbyes. Aunt Susan is first, leaning down to kiss Emily's forehead, her hands trembling. I can hear her whispering something to her, but I can't make out the words. I look away because I feel like I'm intruding on a moment that's too private, too painful.

Eventually, Mia walks up, her eyes filled with tears. Her lip quivers as she tries to remain strong; I feel the tears sting my eyes as I watch her grab her hand, kissing it gently.

When it's my turn, I walk up slowly, my legs heavy. I look down at Emily, at her peaceful face, and it hits me all over again that she's dead. I reach out, my hand shaking, and brush a strand of hair away from her face. "I'm sorry," I whisper. I just wish I could have done more and seen how much she was hurting.

I stand there for a moment, letting the tears fall, and then I feel Clay's hand on my shoulder, grounding me. I take a shakey breath, and I know I have to step back, to let the others say goodbye. But it feels impossible. If I move, I'm letting her go, and I'll never see her again.

---

Clay's POV:

I can see how much George is hurting, and it tears me apart. I want to say something, to make it better, but I know there are no words that can fix this. I remember how I felt when my brother died, how nothing anyone said could take away that ache, that emptiness. I just hope that by being here, by standing next to him, I can help a little.

I watch as George steps away from the casket, his face crumpling as he tries to hold it together. I'm right there, ready to catch him if he passes out or something, and he leans into me, his body shaking with quiet sobs as he cries. I wrap my arm around him, pulling him close, and I can feel his pain, raw and overwhelming.

Mia is standing with my mom, and I can see she's barely holding it together. She and Emily had gotten so close, closer than I ever expected. I remember how they'd spend hours in Mia's room together. It feels strange to think Emily's gone, that Mia won't have her anymore. My sister has always been a bit tough, and a little aggressive, but now she looks so fragile, like she might break if someone even touches her.

There's a long, heavy silence. People start to walk away, but Geroge stays frozen, staring at the casket I don't push him to move or speak. I just stand there, my arm around him, and let him take his time. I know what it feels like to hold on, even when you know you can't.

Eventually, Aunt Susan walks over, her eyes red and puffy, and she touches George's arm.

"It's time, honey," she says softly, her words barely above a whisper. George nods, but I can tell it's taking everything in him to pull himself away.

As we start to walk away, George stops, looking back one last time. I know he's trying to find some way to say goodbye, but I don't think there is a right way. I squeeze his and, and he looks up at me, his eyes glassy.

"It's okay to say goodbye," I tell him. "I'll always be here, George."

Word Count: 972 :)