WhenILoveYa-ff:

WhenILoveYa-FF: Chapter 46

Rita

Waking up for the funeral was the hardest thing that I ever had to do. For the past week, I had been walking around like a zombie. How could she be gone? We were just with her. I had spent so much time trying to figure out my love life, I didn't realize that I had been neglecting my best friend. Crazy thing is, I think I'm all cried out. I can't let out any more tears at this point, and believe me I've tried.

"Rita, are you okay?" Lauren pops her head into the bathroom of the church. Her eyes are puffy, and her nose as red and my eyes. "Your mom was looking for you."

I push my hair behind my ear. "I'm just taking a breather. I needed to get away, you know."

"I understand", she says shutting the door behind her, "I just can't believe she's gone."

Before I can reply, there is a knock at the door. My mom pops her head into the bathroom, with my nephew in her arms. Her face is red, and she has tears in her eyes. "Are you two okay? The eulogies are going on right now, and I thought you would like to say something."

I nod, "We're coming mom." I give Lauren a look, and she grabs a hold of my hand. We walk out of the bathroom, heading into the plush layout of my best friend's funeral. I will never get used to saying something like that. Everything is trimmed in pink or white, with an accent of silver. There are pictures of her all over the church, and a beautiful pink casket containing her body. She looks so beautiful. It always looks as if she is sleeping. Her hair is cascading around her, like a sea of locks, her glossy pink lips are full and shimmery, and her cheeks are as rosy as a summer morning. She looks so peaceful. I miss her so much.

"Rita!" I turn to see Mijo calling my name. "Come here girl!" He smiles pulling me into a hug. He holds me tight kissing the top of my head.

"How are you holding up?" I ask as we pull away from the hug. "Your eyes are bloodshot red."

He shakes his head. "As good as any of us can. Robb had to step out for a while, he's not handling this too well."

"And Chris?" I ask with raised brows.

Mijo looks around. "I saw him getting dressed, but I don't know where he's at. You know he hates funerals, so he might be outside. Me and Keeis just been back here giving the family some space."

I give Keeis a smile, and he does the same. I say my goodbye's and head up to the front with my mom, sister, and the family. I slide into the pew and then Lauren. We sit and watch as the family says a few words about my best friend who is now gone.

Chris

I sit in the very back, and avoid everyone. Funerals really make me uncomfortable. I see Rita up front, and she looks just as beautiful as ever. I would go up there, but I would just be in the way.

"Hello, are you a friend of the family?" an older lady says, taping me on the shoulder. "I've watched you looking at that group of youngsters this whole time."

I nod, "Yes ma'am, I was very close with Sevyn."

"Then why are you back here? Go up front with the family, I know they would love to see you." She touches my cheek. "I know funerals are hard, but remember this is a time when those people up front need you the most. This is the last time you will see her. Go ahead and say goodbye."

I smile at her standing. She gives me a hug, and sends me off on my way. I walk down the aisle, and the sight of Sevyn's casket is closer and closer. I look from my left to right, as friends and family greet me, sending encouraging words my way. I pass Rita's row, and can feel her eyes on me the entire time. I'm about 5 feet away from Sevyn, and it's like something stops me. I can't continue. I see her face, and she looks so.... alive. I've seen her sleep, and she looks the exact same way. She can't be gone! She was so young. The guilty feeling in the pit of my stomach starts to boil. Did my uncle really do this?