Written by Gabriella
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Cameron's POV
My hand moves, almost involuntarily, to Scarlet's face. I kiss her back with the most gentle touch.
As I pull away from her, her eyes open, exposing the now-dried makeup crusted on her cheeks. "Do you, um, wanna clean up inside?" I ask her, softly. I was still trying to collect myself from the kiss. I think everything was fluttering inside me.
"Yeah." Scarlet faintly lets out.
I help stand her back up as she brushes the grass and dirt off her legs. For the longest time, neither one of us looked at eachother. I look around my yard to see if anyone would have seen what just went down minutes ago. Luckily, there was nobody in sight.
As she steps inside the house, I go to the TV and turn on the news. It was about Cass. I waited until the bathroom door was completely closed before turning up the volume.
"...A young woman was found dead in the Days Inn motel, just yesterday after she missed her checkout time by an hour. Cleaning staff found her in the room's bathtub surrounded in blood. The true cause of death is still under investigation. Funeral services are being held for immediate family and friends this Thursday, at All Saints Cemetery."
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I put my hand to my forehead and turned the TV off in one click. Scarlet came out of the bathroom and sat next to me; the ends of her hair were wet. She wrapped her hands around my waist and laid her head on my shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, Cam."
I put one hand on her face and pull her lips to mine, kissing her.
"We will get through this together." I manage to say with tears welling up in my eyes. "I am going to the funeral on Thursday. I'll drive you if you want." I ask. She nods her head 'yes'.
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Day of Cass' Funeral
We followed the funeral procession all the way through the city, and even past her childhood house, which choked me up inside. When the hearse finally made it to the Cemetery, Scarlet burst into tears, while I was just trying to hold it back long enough until we got the the plot.
Scarlet was dressed in a short, black-lace dress. She had thick, dark makeup, which was starting to run, but that was understandable. I saw my parents. Oh how devastated they looked. As much as a pain in the ass Cass was, she is still family. No parent ever wants to bury their child. They shouldn't have to.
The priest stood to the side of Cass' white and gold casket. White shows that there is a young girl inside. And while Cass' was not pure, which is also what white symbolises, she didn't deserve to die this young. Bushels of flowers laid on top, decorating the plot and casket. Everyone was asked to place a different color flower on her casket. Scarlet and I were given a light blue rose. Light blue is symbolic for health, healing, tranquility, understanding and softness. As I lay the flower on top, I feel as if I am laying a part of me on top with her. That I should crawl in the coffin with her as she is laid in the ground, forever. My parents both laid an aqua-colored flower on her coffin. The color aqua represents emotional healing and protection. The protection that my parents were unable to give her.
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As the priest gives his final words, I take Scarlet in my arms and hold where she belongs. We turn around and go back to the car, where I then start to drive her home.
Minutes pass. The car ride is silent.
"Um... Cam?" She asks me. I glance in her direction and give her a reassuring smile. "Yeah?" I say back. "Would it be okay if I stay at your house tonight?"
"I don't see why not." I say back, and she finds comfort in that fact. I would do anything for Scarlet. Because I now know the meaning of a friend. You never really know when times like these will happen. But when they do, your friend will catch you when you fall.
I feel honored to be that friend.
