Happily

Chapter 4

The church bells rung, warning people to be quiet, for the funeral was about to begin. Voices soon became quiet, silent even.

Everyone in this small church has come here to say goodbye to Lauren. They all knew her in someway, even some of her teachers were there. I wonder if they will miss her desperately, like I am and will for the rest of my life.

I look around the church, and look at different faces that I can't put names on. Some look familiar, but I don't really know most of them. It's strange to think that so many people cared about Lauren, because no one really came and visited her in the hospital. Lauren and I rarely ever had visitors besides our parents and siblings. That's why I believed we became so close, because we were usually so lonely.

My thoughts slowly drifted away as a small sob escaped Lauren's mom, Mrs. Clark's, mouth. It echoes around this tiny building, giving everyone an uncomfortable, upset feeling.

Mr. Clark got out of the pew and started to walk up to the microphone.

"We would like to thank you for coming to this church for Lauren, for caring about her. She was an amazing girl, who died too young. She had so many plans to do when she aged a little further. Leukemia is a terrible disease to have. No child, should suffer from cancer." His voice was low and weak, barely a whisper.

When he finished his short speech, he hurriedly walked away from the microphone, back into his seat.

The part that I have been dreading has finally began.

Five men and Lauren's brother start down the aisle, carrying Lauren's new home, and her body. The coffin is purple with pink flowers spread across the lid. That made me furious, because I knew Lauren would absolutely hate it. If she was alive, and if this wasn't her funeral she would say something funny about that coffin, to make people less dreary. Another reason why I loved her so much.

The funeral kept on going, but my mind stopped. I thought of all the times me and Lauren got in trouble together, had sleepovers (even though we both lived in the hospital), and every fun memory we had together.

***

I was in my car with my teary-eyed parents heading back to the children's hospital.

"Jill, I think you're making Carter kind of... uncomfortable." My father whispered to my mother, thinking I couldn't hear. She quickly wiped away the few drops of water off of her red puffy cheeks.

"Carter, are you alright? I know how hard it was for you to go to that funeral." My mom said barely over a whisper.

"I am ok." I reply trying to make myself believe what I had just openly spoke.

"If you need to talk, love, I am right here."

"I know."

I really just want to be up in my room right now. I know my mom is trying to make me feel better, but she's making me more upset and I am getting annoyed by her high pitched voice.

"Lets stop to get food, Dan." My mom say to my father. He nods in reply, giving me no choice but to go.

"Hun, where do you prefer to eat?" My father asked me.

"I don't want to."

"Don't want to what?"

"Obviously eat. Can you please just drop me off back at the hospital. I am not feeling well." I reply, which is only half true. I don't feel really well, not because I feel weak like they think I am, but more because I don't want them to talk to me about Lauren.

"Umm... sure. I.. are you alright?"

"Yes, I just have an upset stomach." Which is also true.

"Ok."

When we finally reach the children's hospital, five minutes later, I quickly grab my breathing tank and walk up to the main entrance. I don't wait for my parents I just start to head up to my room, taking the elevator of course. A nurse hops into the small area with me as well, making me want to leave the elevator and take the stairs, but I know my lungs would give up on me.

"Have you heard?" The nurse interrupts my thoughts.

"Uhh, about what?"

"I am guessing you didn't," she chuckles, "well I heard that a band is coming to perform here tomorrow."

"Oh, cool. Do you know what they are called..?" I say, actually uninterested.

"One Direction."

"I have never heard of them before." Which I say seriously. I don't think I heard of them or of there songs before.

When the door slides open I basically run out of if and head towards my room dragging my breathing tank along with me.

Room 27 is mine. It has been mine for almost 5 months now. Sometimes I miss my old room at home, but when I was there it seemed like everyone pitied me. I hate that feeling, when everyone feels bad for you. That's why I love this place, which is so unlike other people's opinions in hospitals. No one can feel bad for me, because all of the patients in this area if the hospital have cancer.

It's so much fun to talk about how much we despise cancer. It's one thing I look forward to doing every Saturday night. Well it used to be anyway. Since Lauren won't be attending I .probably won't either.

I walk into my bathroom and turn in the cold sink water. The cold sensation hits my fragile hands, and then touches my cheeks. I wipe of all if the sadness by that touch. I clear my thoughts, and think of something happy.

"Lauren, why, out of all people, did this have to happen to you?" I say aloud.

I knew, at the back if my mind, that she wouldn't answer, but I still hoped I could here her small, yet still very loud voice.

After I basically go mentally insane for five seconds, I grab my phone and head towards my actually very comfortable hospital bed.

"Siri, what is One Edition?"

"No matches found," my phones robotic voice replies.

She said One Edition. Didn't she? One Edition. One Distribute? Uhhh what can it b-

One Direction.

"Siri, what is One Direction?"

"Here are some links."

With that, I clicked on the first link shown. It brought me up to, if I must say so myself my favorite website, YouTube.

Music started to play, and immediately sounded familiar. The song kept on going, until it reaches it's chorus, which I happily joined in on.

"Baby you light up my world like nobody else, the way that you flipped you hair gets me overwhelmed.." I sang along with my computer.

I can't believe I didn't remember the name of the band who sang this song.

Although, I am having trouble feeling any emotion besides sadness, I think I am actually excited for tomorrow. Well that's the first.