Always Awake

Chapter 16

I looked in my bedroom mirror, straightening up my floaty black dress. It was made out of a soft, silky fabric with lace on the chest part. My hair was twirled into light curls. I applied a creamy pink lipstick, and I left the house.

Cameron was waiting outside for me in a pristine black tuxedo. Some people could of thought he was going to a wedding, but in fact the opposite, a funeral.

"Ready?" He asked.

I nodded, and followed him down the road. My mood was dangerously low, today wasn't going to be a good day. Jack had been invited but I wasn't sure if he was going to show at all.

The church was in the distance, several people were walking in, holding bunches of flowers. They all looked like complete stangers, only pretending to care about him. It's funny that, people only seem to care if someone is cool or dead.

I don't know how I was going to get through it, I still hadn't recovered. It has almost been one month. "You seem awful quiet" Cameron said, I shrugged. He didn't respond. "It's kind of expected isn't it?" I finally said. He looked at me puzzled. "Well, why would I be cheery at such an event?"

"I don't know, you seem more grim than everyone else"

"He was my friend" I said firmly.

I left Cameron, and picked up the pace. The cemetary was packed out. Who were all these people? There was a few white tables, stacked with bite-size sandwiches, crisps, cocktail sausages, and tall jugs of blackcurrant cordial. I didn't see anyone I knew. I scanned through the groups of people, searching for a familiar face. Nothing.

I turned around, Cameron was already swamped by girls. I was beginning to wonder whether they only came because he was going. Everyone knew he was because I was, and mum forced him to come, to make sure I was okay.

I stood in the same place, staring at all the foood on the table. Why did they have party food at a funeral?

I suddenly felt a cold, bony hand touch my shoulder. I jumped. "Sorry love, I didn't mean to scare you" said a soft voice. I didn't know who this woman was. I felt like I had seen her before though. "I am Kim, Zak's mum" she smiled hopefully. Then I saw it, the resemblance between her and Zak. She had those chocolatey creamy eyes, her skin was golden and glowing. Although she had a few aged lines, creased on her face. Her hair was spiralled into some kind of fancy style. "Hi" I said quietly. She hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry, I know Zak was a close friend" she said, both hands perched on my shoulders. Not far away, a man was behind her, Graham I guessed. Everyone began to walk where it was actually being held.

Three strong, muscular, toned boys along with Graham were carrying the casket. All three of them looked so much like Zak, brothers I thought. I was still with Kim, her eyes followed the casket. "Those are all of Zak's older brothers...apart from Graham of course" she chuckled. I continued to watch, it travel down the path, weave through some graves. Everyone gathered around the casket, glancing down at it. I looked up, everyone had blank expressions.

I couldn't believe it, Maddie and Jasmine were there. Why? They hardly knew him...All he was to them, was some good looking guy, flirting, and selling smoothies. It was sad though, I know they would of comforted me and helped me through this time if they were still my friends. I had forgotten how much I did miss them.

After the service, everyone was milling about, sipping cordial and eating sandwiches off paper plates. Turns out, Jack didn't come. I understood why but I was still disappointed. I was tempted to go and try speak with Maddie and Jas, but it probably wouldn't end well.

I needed some time alone, I walked over to the wall at the edge of the cemetary and took a seat on the wall. I hadn't cried for ages, since his death. I didn't know why, I have never felt so sad and empty in my life. But right then, I knew I was going to. First one tear rolled down my cheek, then another, until I was balling. Now slumped down on the mud, in amongst all the leaves and twigs.

I was staring at the ground now, two pairs of girls feet were getting closer. One was wearing heels, their toe nails painted crimson, the other had a pair of black flat pumps. "Ellie?" Spoke a familiar voice. Jasmine. I looked up.

"Oh Ellie!" She cried. "Your makeup has run!". Jas took a tissue out of her purse. Maddie was still standing, while Jas was crouched down beside me. "Mads, give it up" Jas scolded. She huffed, unfolded her arms, and sat on a small rock. "I missed you guys"  I began. "We missed you too" Jasmine replied, giving me a quick hug. Maddie cleared her throat. "We can be friends again...provided that you stop seeing Jack" she grimaced.