Finding Copeland

Chapter 1.

It was the same old thing. Old music playing in the background to keep the silent outburst of crying from the audience. I know this isn't how he would've wanted it. Hell, this isn't how I wanted to be remembered as either. Who would be? This wasn't a real image. It was just painted makeup that they'd put on you. Afterwards, you'd be six feet under with only bugs to see your identity then.

I'm telling you this isn't right. I walked up to the receding casket and laid down a daisy on his lifeless pale cold body. He always said roses were for people who didn't seek any adventure, they wanted the typical fairytale ending with a white veil and a black tux. He hated that idea. Although his idea of a wedding was classic rock music and everyone in the backyard while the grill was going . He was definitely different from anyone else; he was different in a devilishly good way.

My mom walked me outside after the ceremony where his parents were. His mother was sitting on a concrete bench, her hands pressed against her face. She was crying. Her husband placed his arm around her, little did he know he forgot to wipe the lipstick off before his funeral had started. Damn these people.

Nothing says "Rest in Peace Tyler Rolland" like his name written in bland cursive on a small upfront chalkboard. His mother grabbed my hand, she smiled kindly "Thank you, Copeland. You were his dearest friend. I cannot thank you enough for keeping our son out of trouble". Too bad I couldn't keep him alive.

She let my hand go and silently cried into her palm. My mother walked us to the car. I got into the passenger seat and took out my pink hair from its hair binder. I shook my head to let the curling hair fall to my shoulders. This day needs to get over with quicker. My heart thudded against my chest.

My mother placed her hand on mine "Are you okay?" She asked.

How was I supposed to be okay? I just lost my only friend. I nodded my head anyways. She wouldn't know the difference.

White flakes of snow started falling. They eventually got bigger. The road slowly became blanketed with a white coat. It was the only thing that became beautiful to me. The only thing that was beautiful.

"Oh come on, Copeland. It's only for tonight"  I couldn't resist his pleading smile. "Fine, but it seems sketchy to me. Just don't expect me to come pick you up if some random kid decides to take your car and your keys". He rolled his eyes at me and grabbed his black hoodie and keys.

"I'll text you later, night" he walked out of my front door and into his car. Pulling out of the drive way I watched out of my kitchen window. He stopped at the end of my driveway, rolled down his window and waved at me. I waved back and smiled at him rolling my eyes at how cheesy he could be sometimes.

That was the last time I saw him alive.

"Wake up! Copeland! Wake up!" My mother urged me to wake up. She shook my body awake. My vision still clouded with black circles as I got into an upright position. "Mom, what are you talking about?" I asked still sleepy, "Have you seen Tyler lately or even heard from him tonight?" My mother looks rushed and stressed out, and she was still wearing her robe.

"Mom, what happened to Tyler?" I asked, "They found him passed out in a dive in bar, he was knocked out cold when they found him"  She started talking into the phone that she had gotten out of her pocket. "Mrs. Rolland wants you to go over there so they can talk to you".

Damn.

The snow had turned into a storm. The road was barely visible. My mom looked in her mirrors, "Do you see who's behind us?" She asked. I looked back, it was a white car. The car almost blended in with the storm. My mom sped up more "He should've turned a while ago, I think he's following us" I looked back one more time, I saw a little glimpse of a man in a black hoodie; maybe it wasn't black.

I felt our car swerve to the left a little. "Damn, iced roads" One more slip. The car's breaks squeaked. It went off the road. We were hurdling towards a tree. My mother put her arm over me, shielding me. Crash.