Our 3rd World

Chapter 19: The Funeral

Chapter 19: (Preston's POV)

*A Week Later, the day of the Funeral*

Today is the day. The day when Rob will finally be put to rest. His death has had an impact on all of us. Hopefully after today things will get better for all of us. Especially Cassie. She seemed to be hit the hardest. Well.... beside me anyway... and Rob's sister, Liz, who is coming today. Maybe by seeing Liz, Cassie will feel better! But who knows? I try to clear my mind and just focus on today's events. Ok so, today what do I need to do? 1) Eat breakfast, 2) Wake up Cassie, 3) Retrieve Liz from airport,4) Get ready for the funeral, 5) Make sure Cassie is ready at the same time, 6) Go to funeral, and 7) Come home and cry. First things first I need to get out of bed... I manage to drag myself out of bed and make my way over the kitchen. I decide to make Rob's favorite breakfast meal, so I make pancakes! The pancakes don't take long to make and I'm able to eat them in under 30 minutes. Everything today leading up to the funeral is going to go by quick hopefully. I put my dishes in the sink and head over to Cassie's room. I don't bother knocking because I know she's asleep. I put my hand on her shoulder and shake her lightly. "C'mon Cassie we need to get Liz from the airport" I tell her. Cassie's deep brown eyes flutter open and she sighs. "But I'm so comfortable," she complains. I roll my eyes and once again tell her we need to get Liz. That perked her right up! "Liz! Oh my gosh I forgot!" She exclaims. I laugh while she throws off her blankets and runs over to her dresser. "Get out! So I can change!" She snaps. Well, someone's moody.

I leave her room and get dressed myself. I throw on a blue muscle tank top and a pair of khaki shorts. While I wait for Cassie I lace up my sneakers. Finally, after 10 minutes Cassie walks out of the room. "Sorry, I took a shower as well.." She mumbles. I can tell because her hair looks darker and she put it up in a very messy bun. "Let's go!" She cheers afterward. Cassie links arms with me and drags me downstairs. "Good morning! Where are you 2 headed?" Sadie asks, popping up from behind the counter. "Liz is at the airport, so we're going to pick her up!" Cassie explains to her. Sadie nods her head and waves goodbye as we leave. "Can you walk any faster?" I ask. Gosh she is surprisingly hyper now. "Yes! Now c'mon! I want to see my friend!" Cassie pulls me to the car and asks if she can drive. "Cassie, the roads are different here, I'm not sure I trust you driving.." I say to her. Cassie let's out a "Pssssh" sound and jumps into the driver side. "To bad big brother! Im driving!" She exclaims. I decide not to argue knowing it will get me no where and get into the passenger side.

*1 Hour Later*

On the way back I drove, being that on the way there Cassie almost killed us! Anyway, Liz is here now. She explains to us how her and JC are 'in love' and that they are going steady now. Oh god.. While they blabber I make us lunch. During the lunch making process, there's a knock on the door. "Cassie! Can you get that!" I yell. "No! You get it!" She yells back. I roll my eyes and walk over to the door. "Hi! We are here to come get ready!" Sadie exclaims. Cassie obviously hears everyone, so she runs over. "Sadie! C'mon! I want you to meet Liz!" She exclaims, ignoring Phil and Dan. The 2 of them run off and the boys follow me into the kitchen. "Well, she seems happy" Phil smiles. It's nice to see that he likes her for her. "Not for long. She'll be complaining when she has to put on that dress" I explain. Dan helps me with lunch and we call the girls into the lounge where we are eating. Cassie runs in with Liz on her back and with Sadie behind them. "Get off of me little leach!!" Cassie shrieks.

"Never!!" Liz protests. Sadie kicks Cassie's foot and they all fall. "Hey guys" Sadie smiles. Dan let's out a huff of air and continues to eat. The 6 of us finish up lunch quickly, with only small talk coming from the girls. Then after lunch Liz rushes Cassie and Sadie into Cassie's room, so they can get ready. That instantly puts Cassie in a bad mood. "But I don't want too!" "Liz no! "Stoop" "leave me alone" and "I just want to be on tumblr!" was all we heard while getting ready. "Good god what are they doing?" Dan asks. "Sounds like Liz is trying to make Cassie put on a dress, or makeup, or doing her hair. Phil chuckles and says he'll check on them. Once he's out of the room, Dan shuts the door. "Okay, while he's out of the room, I'm telling you this now. He really loves your sister! It's like almost obsessive! But cute in a way.." Dan spills. "Yea, ok" I nod my head and fix my bow tie. Rob loved bow ties... Dan looks at me in shock and says "You have no reaction to that?" I just nod my head again and put on my dress shoes. Dan shakes his head, while we exit the room. Phil pounds on Cassie's door and from inside it we can hear screaming. "LIZ! STOP! I DON'T WANT TO WEAR IT!!!" Cassie screams. Sadie pops out of the room and pretty much collapses on the ground laughing. "Oh my god! Those two are hilarious!" She exclaims. Dan helps her up and smiles. "You look great" He says shyly to Sadie. Sadie's faces becomes red and she says "Thanks, you look nice too.." As we stand there awkwardly, Liz walks out. "You better be in that damn dress when I get back!" She yells. Phil reaches for the door knob, but Liz smacks his hand. "She's changing! You can't go in there!" Liz snaps. She storms down the hall and comes back with her make up kit. "Move peasants" She scoffs, slipping away into the room. As the door closes, Cassie screams, "NO!!! LIZ PLEASE! I DON'T WANT THE MAKE UP!" Sadie decides she wants to watch Cassie be in pain, so she walks into the room as well. "Why can't we go in?" Phil asks. "Because we can't" Dan sticks out his tongue and sighs. Then the crying starts. It obviously Cassie. "Stop crying your ruining your make up!" Liz demands. Phil and Dan giggle and finally Liz just gives up. "I'm done! if you don't want to look pretty then fine!" Cassie walks out of the room with a smile on her face and says "Mission accomplished."

*At Funeral*

The funeral was dreadfully sad. It also happens to be raining. Yay... Cassie sits next to me and holds my hand. "It's okay" She whispers. I ignore her and listen to the priest talk. Cassie continues to tell me it's okay and that things will get better. So I snap at her. "Cassie! Stop! You know that's not true!" I whisper/yell at her. She looks taken back and scoots closer to Phil. Phil glances at her and smiles. "You okay?" he asks. "No." Cassie turns to me then turns her attention to Liz who is now speaking. She tells everyone about her amazing brother and begins to cry. Not being able to finish, she steps off the pedestal. Cassie is called up next. She rises from her seat and gives Phil's hand one last squeeze. She walks with pride in her step and stands on the pedestal. "Rob was like a second brother to me. He helped me through hard times and was always there when I needed a friend. Even recently he and my brother asked me to move here with them and that has greatly helped me. But over the years, he became more and more like family to me. So, today as I stand here I'm not afraid to say that he is my brother. It breaks my heart that he is now gone. But now he is able to explore the oblivion that is far from our reach. He was a true warrior and pushed through every second," She manages to say with out breaking down. Cassie steps down and walks back. Her step is off and her eyes are tear filled. As she takes her seat, she begins to cry. I pat her shoulder and Phil hugs her. I try to comfort her some more, but then I'm called up. I gulp and head over to the little wooden pedestal. My hands shake and my breathing is uneven.

"Rob was an amazing person. He was always happy and was ready to face any challenge that attacked him. He was a truly great friend. Rob was such a good friend I began to love him. Over time the feelings grew and knowing that he was gay I asked him out. Surprisingly he said yes! Over these past 3 years the love continued to grow. The light never burned out and it still burns in my heart. But overall, even though he wasn't able to give me infinity, it lasted while it could. Our infinity was short, but it was good enough for me. After Rob's death my heart shattered and it still remains that way. But I know he is always here in someway and that he wants me to continue to live happily with out him. So this is my final goodbye." I crack a small smile and walk back to my seat. The priest ends the service and Rob's coffin is lowered into the ground. Cassie throws in a chunk of dirt and continues to cry while Phil holds her. All around me people cry. It's hard to tell wether or not it's tears or just the rain, but for most it's tears. Even Sadie cries. Dan hugs her and cries himself. The only person who seems to not be crying is me. I guess I was the only one able to let go. I'm the only one who was able to say "Good bye" forever...