I'll Never Tell

Chapter 7

SEVEN

　

　

Lexy’s palms were sweating as she sat in the funeral home. Her breathing was shallow, and her heart was slamming against her rib cage. She knew she should go up there and sit with Brydan’s family, but she couldn’t make her legs move. She knew once the casket came into view she would completely lose it.

“You ready?” Mila asks, standing at the end of the pew.

Ready, she thinks to herself, I’ll never be ready for this.

Lexy nodded her head slowly, not making eye contact with Mila. When she stood, she caught a glimpse of the front of the casket. Her chest constricted tightly as Mila grabbed her hand, and led her down the aisle. Her eyes began to sting with hot tears as Brydan’s parents came into view. Brydan’s mom curled up in a chair, eyes puffy and red, with mascara running down her cheeks. His dad was standing next to her, holding her hand, dark sunglasses hiding his eyes. Melanie was nowhere in sight, and Lexy worried where Brydan’s sister could be.

Thoughts of Brydan’s sister slipped away as Lexy got closer to Brydan’s parents. Her throat was burning and her vision was becoming blurrier and blurrier. Before Lexy could change her mind, and escape, she was wrapped into a tight hug by Mrs. Vanderhall.

“I love you Lexy, and so did Brydan.” Mrs. Vanderhall whispered weakly into Lexy’s hair.

“I love you too.” she chokes out, feeling her legs wanting to give out.

When Mrs. Vanderhall pulled away from the hug Lexy really saw her this time. It looked like she had aged ten years in just a few days, she looked weak and fragile. Ready to break at any moment.

“Hey, Lex.” Mr. Vanderhall said in a shaky voice, pulling Lexy into a hug.

“Hi.” she replied weakly, returning his hug.

Lexy had avoided looking at the casket where Brydan lay for a while now, but there was no avoiding it now. Before Lexy could take a hesitant step forward she felt an arm drape over her shoulders. When she looked up her eyes met with Luke’s who was giving her a comforting smile.

Together, Luke and Lexy, walked up to Brydan’s caskets. Lexy couldn’t look at the picture of Brydan that sat upon it, looking so happy and full of life. It was too painful to bare.

Her eyes swept over the dark blue casket. Her chest constricted tightly again, and she felt as if she couldn’t breathe. Before she could pull herself together again, she let out a gasping sob that wracked her whole body. Her legs gave this time, and she began to fall to the ground, but before she could, Luke caught her around the waist, and pulled her into his chest.

Luke picked her up bridal style as Lexy wept into his neck. He sat down the pew in the front row, with Lexy on his lap.

Shuddering sobs shook throughout Lexy’s body as she sat in Luke’s lap. When Lexy would try to contain her sobs, she felt as if she would hyperventilate. At these moments, Luke would rub her back. “It’s okay, Lex. Let it out.”

That’s all the encouragement she needed to start sobbing again. Luke was starting to worry about Lexy, and ushered Lexy’s dad over.

“What do I do?” he asks warily.

“She should probably go home. This is too much for her.” Lexy’s dad says, looking at his broken daughter.

“I could take her.” Luke offered.

“Well, that would be a big help. Me and Lexy’s mom agreed to help gather the flowers and take them to their house after this is over.” he said.