Vampire Princess

Chapter Thirty-Six: Getting Back Together

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound… That saved a wretch like me… I once was lost but now I’m found… ‘Twas blind but now I see…”

I couldn’t bring to sing this song. Not because I want to disrespect Heather in her own funeral. But I just don’t like singing this song. It reminded me how much I miss Heather so much.

Jerome was sitting on the front as Heather’s coffin was being buried six feet underneath us. He was wearing shades, but I know he was crying. Roxanne stood beside him, holding his hand. I was sitting beside my parents, not knowing where to go. I felt so lonely, now that Heather’s not here anymore. She was also beside me for five years and now she’s gone.

Garret was sitting beside Philip, Flynn and Xayranne across us. He was avoiding me the whole time and in truth, I wasn’t ready to talk to him just yet. Plus he needed time with his own lost. Philip decided to cremate Fiona’s body. They had their own private ceremony yesterday.

Ashley and her father were sent to jail. My dad promised me that they would rot in jail, but I know he would keep them safe... well, as safe as they could be in jail. Dad could be a very strict person but I know he would not let Ashley and Richard die for a simple mistake. Though it wasn’t really a mistake, but more of a “wrong choice.”

The song eventually ended and most of the people began to disperse. Mom patted my shoulder comfortingly and smiled sadly at me. “Do you want to stay for a while?” she asked softly. She knew how important Heather was to me.

I nodded. “Yes. I’ll just see you guys later.”

“Okay. Be safe, Melanie,” she whispered and kissed me on the cheek. My dad hugged me and then they both left.

The only ones who stayed behind were Jerome and Roxanne. With a sigh, I walked over to them and Jerome glanced at me. I smiled tightly. “Hi.”

“Melanie,” he said.

We didn’t say anything after that and I pulled him into a hug. I felt him hug me back and I closed my eyes, burying my face on his shoulder. I don’t know how Jerome felt at that moment, since I never lost a family member before. But I do know it was tough for him. He and Heather were so close with each other. Since they lost their parents, they were always there for each other… and now she’s gone.

Jerome pulled away and he smiled slightly at me. “Thanks,” he mumbled.

“Heather is—was,” I corrected myself, “a good person. She will be always in my heart.”

He looked down at the ground before us. “I know wherever she is right now, she’s happy and contented,” he told me.

Roxanne wrapped her hand on his arm and snuggled closer to him. “I don’t know Heather that much,” she said, somewhat guilty. “I mean, it’s already January and I have only met her at June. But during that little time I got to know her… I knew she was a good person. And even though she must have been working for Fiona, well… that didn’t change my perspective of her.”

I nodded, silently agreeing with her. I felt that Jerome and Roxanne needed a moment so I cleared my throat, preparing to leave. “Listen, I have to go. I know you need some time with your sister,” I told Jerome.

Jerome slowly nodded his head. “Thank you, Melanie. You’ve been a good friend of my sister. Without her, I would have never met you. And without you, I would have never met Roxanne,” he said and squeezed Roxanne’s hand softly.

I smiled. “Heather was a really good person, that’s why I immediately chose her as a friend,” I replied. I bade them goodbye and turned to leave.