The Complication

~Chapter 20~

Sadie POV

        Drake’s funeral was today. I was dressed in a pretty black dress; which normally I would love a reason to wear, today however it looked to depressing. Today, everything looked too depressing.

        My dad drove to Jay’s house and respectfully stayed in the car while I entered the dingy little house to get him.

        “Jay?” I called out, opening the door.

        “I’m here,” he said, his voice dead.

Jay came into the room, looking stunning in his black tuxedo. I gave him a sad smile; I knew this was hard for him. We linked arms and I guided him to the car.

Just the sight of the funeral made me want to cry. Madison and Lucas were sitting in a corner, clinging to each other, bawling. Brendon was holding Bridgette’s hand as she cried on his shoulder. Kyle and Miranda were there too, Miranda was crying even harder than Lucas, and Kyle was standing alone, a sad expression on his face.

Kyle saw me looking at him, and gave a small wave, and what I think was supposed to be a reassuring smile. The effect was ruined by the sadness in his eyes. I held Jay tightly, letting him know I was there, and I always would be.

I kept looking around for familiar face. I gasped when I saw Leslie. She wasn’t crying, not a single tear, but her face was set like stone in a look that radiated defiance. I knew from the look on her face that if someone said Drake was dead she’d deny it. In her eyes Drake was still alive and this funeral was all a bad dream that she would wake up from.

Eventually, the time came when we each had to go up and say a few words about Drake. I was dreading this part, because I didn’t think I could trust myself not to cry. I was called up first. At least it was closed coffin, or else I don’t think I would have done it.

I swallowed hard and began, “Drake, I haven’t known you for very long, but I feel like I’ve know you forever. I’m so sorry we sent you to get Leslie. In a way, I feel like it’s my fault for organizing the birthday party in the first place. I am really, really sorry.

 You were such a good guy, always making people laugh, and always there when someone needed you... even if they didn’t know they needed you. I just really wish you could have lived a long happy life, because I know you would have helped a lot of people live happy lives too, thank you,” I walked over to Jay and hugged him, letting my tears fall freely.

Lucas POV

Oh God, I can’t do this, Lucas thought as he walked behind Drake’s coffin. Pull it together Lucas, he warned himself and cleared his throat.

“Drake, you were a great friend. You were always there when I needed help with something or needed praise from someone. I will miss you so much I-I- I’m sorry, I can’t do this,” he broke down in tears and turned away from the crowd.

Bridgette POV

“I knew Drake for a long time, but we weren’t really... friends, until lately. I regret that, Drake is a loyal friend and I’m sure would have done just about anything if I asked him nicely enough,” Bridgette was started to choke up, and forced herself not to cry, it would ruin her perfectly done makeup.

“I’m so sorry, Drake, about all of the things I said to you before, I didn’t mean any of that, I guess I was just jealous that you had someone that you were in love with and that was in love with you. I wish I’d never made fun of you, I am so sorry,” the tears were coming, time to get out of the spotlight.

Miranda POV

“Drake, I know I was a total bitch in the last few days before you died. You don’t know how much I wish I could rewind and be nicer to you guys. Maybe if I hadn’t been stupid, I would have been there with Leslie and could have warned you. I’m sorry, Drake.”

Brendon POV

“I shouldn’t have said those things to you, to any of you. Honestly though, I know what I was doing was wrong, and I’m done with bullying. I wish you could be here to see me, I haven’t insulted anyone in a whole week,” he gave a watery smile to the casket and stepped down. A single tear trailed down his face.

Madison POV

She was crying through her whole speech, “I wish you could be here, Drake, to see how much your friends love you. You were way too young and had way to much promise to die. Why, god? Why would you take away one of our friends from us? Why?” She bent over crying and Lucas actually worked up the nerve to get up there. He slid his arm around her waist and guided her back to her seat.

Leslie POV

She walked up there, with everyone staring at her. She was supposed to give a speech... but how could she do that when Drake never actually died? All these people were lying, this coffin was empty. It was all a cruel practical joke.  She prepared herself to give a speech to the empty coffin when suddenly she realized that the coffin wasn’t empty. She’s seen him die; Drake had died in her arms. There was no more denying. She hadn’t wanted to cry, because Drake wouldn’t want her to cry... but Drake wasn’t here to see her now. She collapsed to the floor, finally letting the tears, and her doubts about Drake’s death, flow out of her.