Told By Us (Completed)

The funeral

       My mom decided to let my dad take care of all the funeral stuff, cost, insurance, everything. She just handed it over. I didn't even know we had insurance. Anyway I may be wrong, but I think my dad is worried about her. I wouldn't care anymore. It's to late to feel sympathy for that woman.

I put on a black blouse with a black and white striped vest. I Had some black jeans that went with the shirt so I put them on. With my black and white high tops. I sat in the front row and watched as my mother cried over Juna's lifeless body.

There were so many questions that I wanted to scream out. Why weren't you there! What's more important then us! Why! Just why? There was probably no answer. I was just going to have to deal with it myself. Much like I already was. I don't know why, but the day Juna first handed me money to pay the rent popped into my head.

" Hey sis, I've been thinking and I wanted to help out around here."

It made me laugh, because he had just turned 15 and he was always so lazy.

" Haha.. your kidding right," I snickered. But his face expression never changed. " Juna your serious."

He removed his hand from behind his back. Which I didn't even notice at first and pulled out cash.

" Yes, I'm serious. I want a better life for us."

He sounded so grown up even then. He sounded like mom, when I was his age.

" Juna I understand that, trust me I do, but isn't an education more worth while."

" Jamie you and I both know that I'm not going to make it anywhere in school, that's always been you."

" Not at all Juna, your the smartest, funniest, kindest kid I know. I wouldn't change that for the world if I were you. That type of personality makes it far in this world."

" Does it?" He grinned. I pulled him in close that day. I think we let the subject go. Well I let it go. And now look where we're at. Burying him. My dad wanted to play his favorite song, but I asked to keep it as far away from the funeral as possible. So that made a gap in the timing of the funeral. Aliani walked up to the podium.

" Hello, friends, family and other's who may have known Juna Brown." Ailani looked at me before continuing her condolence. " In all honesty when I heard about what happen I couldn't believe it. I went up to my room and I texted Jamie that night. I didn't know where to begin. So I just typed. And that's what I'm going to do today. I'll talk letting the right words flow from my lips. Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until its become a memory." Aliani looked at me once more.

" You know Helen Keller once said ' death is no more then passing from one room to the next. But there's a difference for me you know. Because in the other room I shall be able to see.' And in this case I can see that I've been stupid. And I'd really love if Jamie would be my friend again. So I can support and be her strength."

My face softened at her words. My hands shook. My mind rattled. She came down from the podium and stretched a hand out to me. My dad put his hand on my shoulder.

" You've got a good one," he whispered.

I took her hand. I hugged her tightly. She hugged me even tighter. I felt home again. My pain was still there, but as I nuzzled in her shoulder she cried softly.

" it's good to have you back," she cried.

" It's good to be back," I sighed.

Mellow came up and held us both. That big giant. Nearly crushed us to death. So frail and yet so strong. It was good to have them both back. After the other speech's they closed the casket and we went to the grave yard.

Mellow and Ailani invited me out for pizza and I couldn't say no even if I wanted too. We all ordered a pepperoni and pineapple pizza. Not my favorite, but Mellow and Ailani loved that type of stuff. We sat down and caught up. They told me about the whole Myah situation.

" Guys I already knew," I confessed

" What! how," Mellow said surprised.

" I opened the box earlier September 1st."

" Cheater," Ailani muttered.

" How! I was curious to see what was in there."

We all just ended up in laughter. Even after a hard day these guys seem to make everything lighten up a bit. I missed them more then I thought I did. I got a text on my phone that made my mood change a little.

" It's Yonkas.. come to the park. I've got news."

What could the gossip girl possible have to tell me.

  I made up an excuse to why I had to leave early. Ailani looked at me worried, while Mellow stuffed his face. I reassured her as best as possible. For some reason I thought it was best to go alone. I didn't want Ailani telling me not to make any wrong decisions, or something like an adult would say.

  When I was finally able to get to the park Yonkas was leaning on the fence. I walked up to her. I leaned against the fence myself. She didn't take her eyes off of her phone. I rolled my eyes.

  " Yonkas why am I here," I questioned.

  " Funny you should ask that." She turns around putting her elbows on the fence.

" I got some news that I think you might be interested in."

" Well.. what is it?"

" it's about the drive-by Juna was caught up in." My eyes went wide. I was suddenly more into the conversation.

" Tell me what you know," I commanded.

" Here take this, tell no one that you got it from me." She handed me a small white envelope. Then she vanished down the side walk.

I ran home as fast as I could. I couldn't wait to see what was in it. Whatever it was I was praying it was the answer to my question. Who had done it. It would make my soul feel some type of release to know. Yonkas knew about everything which was good. Sometimes she would tell everybody's business, but I'm starting to think that's how Issa has leverage on everybody.

I went home. Ran to my room down the hall and flopped down on my bed. I held the envelope tight. I hesitated. What if it was nothing to look forward too. I was more then grateful to have it, but nervous all together. I took a deep breath as I slowly opened it. I held my breath. I took out a CD. I released my breath.

" Juna's killer," was written on the top. I went into the living room where the DVD player was and put it in. I sat back on the catch once again holding my breath. Noni and Dania popped up on the screen. They were in the girl's bathroom at our school.

" You gone end it or do I have too," Dania said.

" I got this man chill out," Noni responded. She lifted up her shirt revealing a gun."

" Juna has to go down tonight. Stack gone stop letting that little dude get all the glory," Dania says angrily.

" I know. And I know exactly where he is."

The video ended. So it was Noni. It wasn't just some freak accident. It was on purpose.
He was the actual target. Now that I think about it she came to our school and immediately start talking to us and us only. I couldn't believe it. And when she talked to me she only ever talked about Juna. Now wonder she only hung with Chill! Chill was so open about what we did during the day, that we didn't even see it coming.

Now that I knew who it was, I had a new perspective. It was time for a change. I was going to avenge my brother. I didn't know how, but I know for a fact that he deserves justice. Letting the police handle it wasn't an option. It was now my new formed mission. An unstoppable one.