I Knew You Once

Chapter 12

"Julia." My mom comes into the hallway I was in. "Are you okay?"

I sit there on the floor with my head buried in my knees, crying. "He's gone, mom. He's gone." I cry even more.

"No, sweetie." My mom comes down to my level. "He's not gone."

I look up with tears on my face. "What do you mean?"

She is on her knees. "He's right in here." She points to my chest. "He is always with you, in your heart."

I start to sob and hug my mom. "I'm  already missing him so much. I don't know how I'm gonna live without him. I can't go on."

"Yes you can." She pats my back.

"Hey, apple pie." My dad comes into the hallway.

I let go of my mom and look at my dad. "Daddy." I say with a crying voice.

"Come here." He reaches out his arms for a hug.

He holds me tight and I do the same. "Everything's gonna be okay."

"Yeah." I think of Mason. Those were always his words. He believed and hoped for the best. I guess with all that, it was his time to go.

"Come on, sweetie." My mom says. "We have somewhere else to be."

"Okay." I look through the room window and at Mason. "I love you with all my heart."

We walk out of the hospital and into the car. I sit there silent and looking out the window. I see Mason's face in the reflection and I see his bright smile. I put my hand on the window and see the image vanish. A tear drop is released from my eye.

As I look out the window, I see many trees pass by. The trees go one by one, then there are piles of people in black. We are here. We're at Sophia's funeral. Then I remember. I remember the fear Mason and I shared. The brave risks Sophia gave. And the hate Bryan showed. I remember.

I get out of the car and into the church. I got dressed in one of the rooms and took a seat in the back of the church afterwards. They are saying their goodbyes. Sophia's mom is now up. She is speaking.

My dad grabs my arm. I turn quickly to face him, for I was startled. "What's wrong?" I ask.

"Who is that woman?"

"That's Sophia's mom."

"Are you sure?"

"I think so. Sophia is Bryan's sister and Bryan called that lady his mom."

My dad looks puzzled. "How can that be?"

"Um... what do you mean?"

"That's John's wife."

"Who's John?"

"Mason's dad."

"What?" I am confused. "No. That's not right."

"It is."

"Are you trying to say that Bryan is Mason's brother?"

"Possibly."

"But... I thought... I thought Mason's mom is in rehab."

"Well, apparently she's out."

I look to my left and see a man. A familiar man. The man! The man from the photo! "Dad." I call.

"What is it?"

"Remember that man Mason showed us in the photo? The one who helped Mason at his dad's funeral."

"Yeah... what about him?"

"He's right there." I look to my left.

"Where?"

"Right there." I move my head to point to the left. "He's standing right there!" I yell quietly.

"Oh! I see him!"

People turn around with anger. "Shh!" They all say in unison.

"Oops! Sorry!"

"Shh!" They say again.

My dad covers his mouth. "Sorry!" He whispers this time.

I shake my head. My dad shrugs his shoulders and puts his hands up in a 'What?' position.

Finally, it was time to go outside and bury the body. This was when I had to provide my speech. I didn't have one. I walked to the front and stood near the minister.

I just have to say what I feel, think, and know. "Sophia. I didn't know her. I just knew her name. Then, I saw her face. Then, I saw her personality. She was brave, kind, and caring. No. That's not right. She is brave, kind, and caring. You may think she's gone, but... she's not. She's right here." I point to my chest and smile at my mom. "In your heart. She is always by your side. We love you Sophia." I pick up the dirt and sprinkle it on the casket.

The funeral is over. I get into the car and we drive home. I see Mason's face again. I miss him. I need him. I love him. "Dad, can you drive to Mason's house first?"

"Um... Yeah. Sure thing." He gives a smile. He makes a U-Turn to Mason's house.

We are there in 15 minutes. I get out of the car and my parents wait. I walk in the house and go into Mason's room. My tears fall as I enter. I look at his bed. This is where he'd lay and dream. I look at his desk. This is where he'd think. I look at his clothes. It was picked out and ready for graduation day. I grab his clothes and hug them tight remembering his smell. "I miss you." I whisper.

I sit at his desk. I pull open his drawers. There are crumbled pieces of paper inside. I unfold one.

It says:

My life is Julia.

She is my all.

I can't lose her.

I need her.

She is my sun.

My water.

My air.

If I die without her, burn me to ashes.

I have left her alone. It was my time to go. We weren't meant to be. She is sent to find a new.

Put my ashes where the sky is mostly blue. The clouds are always white. And the wind is nowhere... For I can remain in that place and watch over my life, Julia.

I cry as I finish the sentence. Okay. I will. You will be cremated. Heaven is where you'll go. Your ashes will be in your desired place.

I leave Mason's house and get into the car. "Ready to go?" My mom asks.

"Yeah." I smile at her.

She smiles back.

My dad drives us home. I go inside the house. "I'm going to bed." I tell my parents.

"Goodnight!" My parents say at the same time.

I take a warm shower and remember Mason's wet T-shirt. After my shower, I brush my teeth and put on my PJ's. I get into bed. I remember Mason's warm kiss. Finally, I fall asleep.My alarm goes off. 7:30 am. Ugh! I put on my pre- graduation clothes and do my hair. I grab my phone to call Mason. Then I remember. Oh, yeah. I put my phone in my back pocket and go downstairs. I see my dad's car keys on the counter. I grab them and go to the garage.

I get into the car, click the button to open the garage door, and start the engine. I start driving to school. I drove pass 6 green lights already! Why! Where's the red light! On the 7th green light I stop as if it were red. There are cars honking behind me.

"Go! What's the matter with you!" A man yells from behind.

I don't move. The light turns red. I step on the gas pedal. I run the red light. Three cars drive out of control and are coming my way. I don't flinch. I don't move. I stay there, in one...spo-.