Divine Chaos (#wattys2017)

Chapter 6 - Last Goodbyes and First Hello's

*AN: This chapter is dedicated to KayLee9308 who is a close friend of mine and joined Wattpad recently. Thanks for all the reviews and co-editing, hun! A star you are indeed!!!

I am also officially celebrating 154 reads as of today, 25 July 2017 and I want to thank all of you for your wonderful support - and for sticking around while I edited some of the previous chapters.

Please comment and vote if this chapter is deserving* and share with friends.

Have fun reading!*

Jordan's older brother had been in charge of notifying everyone of the funeral arrangements, but since Jenna and Claire had been two of her closest friends, they received a call from Mrs Theresa Bailey, personally. She had also extended an invitation to come over for tea to the both of them, adding that she wanted to speak with them.

Jenna and Claire had accepted her invitation, and thus went to Jordan's house - the previous day. They took with them some home-made roast beef, made lovingly by Claire's kind mother, Olivia Thompson - which Mrs Bailey gladly accepted. Mrs Bailey had embraced both of the girls in tight hugs, thanking them for coming. They had reminisced about all the sleep-overs Jenna and Claire had had with Jordan, all the memorable birthdays and even school plays and recitals. Mrs Bailey thanked them for being an integral part of Jordan's youth. It was also in this moment that she asked the girls if they would mind to be pallbearers at the funeral - an honor which Jenna and Claire would never refuse.

As they said their goodbyes, Mrs Bailey asked them to wait 'just a second' as she retrieved 'something' she wanted each of the girls to have - which almost remained forgotten. Jenna and Claire had tidied up their cups while they waited for Mrs Bailey to return - and when she did, her eyes were flooded with suppressed mournful tears.

She handed each of them a jewelry box then - from Tiffany's - and when the girls had enquired about these generous gifts, she explained in a teary voice: "These were the items Jordan wore - I sent them in to be cleaned... I wouldn't be able to keep them, but I know you girls will treasure these as much as Jordan had. I thought that these would be the best way to thank you - by giving each of you a piece of... Of my baby girl..." and with that she burst into tears once more.

Jenna and Claire had joined her crying then - and in that moment they understood why tears were said to cleanse the soul - truly appreciative of the thoughtful gift she had given them. They waited until they were home before opening these truly sentimental gifts.

Jenna stood staring at her pale reflection in the floor-to-ceiling length mirror in the room she shared with Claire. Her eyes were red and puffy from the buckets of tears that had passed through them since the news broadcast that informed everyone of Jordan's death - and Cassidy's disappearance, who hasn't been found as of yet. Yesterday's visit to the Bailey house had also played a huge role in her tearful state.

She had decided against make-up save for a little water proof mascara which Claire had insisted on. Jenna wore mainly black - a black dress with lacy sleeves (it was the only 'formal' dress she had brought with to college, though was meant for graduation. Certainly not a funeral...); barely opaque black stockings; and black stiletto pumps. Even her coat was black. The only contrast was her mane of red hair, which made her face look even paler.

The only jewelry she wore (besides the studex earrings she only took off to clean) was the gift from Mrs Bailey - Jordan's golden locket, in the shape of a compass which contained a photo of the five friends: Jordan; Jenna herself; Claire; and Cassidy; Ethan stood behind the girls, leaning his arms on Jenna and Claire's shoulders. As she was about to put the locket on, Jenna noticed an inscription on the back, and suddenly she was overcome with sadness and mourning at the loss of her friend.