Chapter 8

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Heyyy! this chapter is quite a bit shorter than the others. I am having to type it up on my phone until I have access to a computer. It may take longer to update. Enjoy!

Marley's funeral was in two days. Lyra was trying to keep herself composed but it was proving to be harder than she thought. Coping with the loss of her best friend was proving to be very hard. "I just wish she was still here," Lyra muttered to Kain over the phone. Lyra was beginning to crack. The stress was becoming to much. Between school and Marley's death, she had finally lost all hope.

Lyra's father heard the news about Marley and demanded to see Lyra. Lyra, having not much of a choice, gave in. "What do you want?" Lyra asked her father as she sat down with Kain. He was of course handcuffed. Lyra's father was trying to turn his life around. He realized that what he did was wrong, very...very wrong. He realized that he should be dead because of what he did. He hadn't done drugs or drank for almost seven months.

"I wanted to say that...what I did was uncalled for, it was selfish, mean, and I know I put you through hell. I'm sorry...I'm so sorry," Lyra's hard look softened. He made her feel worthless, scared her, and most of all he broke her. Even so...he was still her father and at one point in her life...she loved him to the moon and back. "With your mother passing away...God...I can't believe I did that to you...I don't deserve you...I don't deserve to be called you're father anymore...I know that...but you are still my daughter...and I love you," He said. Lyra's hard shell was beginning to crack. But it wasn't quite broken yet.

"You're right..you don't deserve to be called my dad anymore, you don't deserve me.. You hurt me, made me feel like I was worthless, I was terrified, I was depressed, I have no self confidence because of you," She said. It all came out quite a bit more rude than she had meant it. Her father hung his head in shame. He finally came to terms with what he'd done.
"I understand if you wont forgive me. I did terrible things to you that I know I shouldn't have," He said. He finally looked up. There was a look in his eyes she hadn't seen for the longest time. Remorse. She hadn't seen that since her mother passed. Tears cascaded down his face. "God I'm a terrible father," He whispered. That was the final blow. Lyra looked at her father with sympathy.

Kain watched with silence. He didn't want to ruin the moment..even if he hated the man sitting in front of them with a burning passion. Lyra couldn't find any hint that her father may be lying. He was actually telling the truth. "I can forgive you..but it will take a lot to earn my trust back," Lyra said. He looked up.
"I understand," He stated softly. The guards took him back to his cell. Lyra and Kain left. Lya was silent the entire way home. Kain took his leave once he got Lyra home.

Lyra walked into her bedroom. She sat on her bed and thought about her father. 'Why did she forgive him?' 'Why did she let him break her walls?' She laid back and fell asleep on the subject.

The next morning Lyra was awakened by Her alarm. She grudgingly got out of bed and walked to the kitchen where she saw Lina, marley's mom sitting at the table. She had red puffy eyes. Her hair was in tangles. In her hands she held a cup of coffee. Lyra sat beside her.

Lyra got ready for Marley's funeral. She and Lina headed outside. The day was bright and shining. The flowers were blooming. The wind blew warmly around Lyra. It was the complete opposite of Lyra's mood. As the funeral came to a close Lyra was the last one to talk about her best friend.

"Marley...was my first best friend. We grew up together...I just wanted to say...that she will be heavily missed," Lyra began to cry here. Big fat glistening tears fell down her cheeks. "She...she was my best friend and sister, and she will always be in my heart," Lyra finished.

After the day was over, Lyra stood in Marley's room, holding the picture of her and Marley when they were kids. Her vision faded into memories of Marley. The first time they met, till the end. Lyra broke down. "Marley...why did you have to go?" She cried. Lina who heard all the commotion, walked into the room. She went to Lyra and gave her a motherly hug. "I can't believe she's gone," Lyra whispered through tears.
"I know  it's hard...but it will get better," Lina said softly. The two sat in Marleys room the rest of the day.

Lyra met Kain, Jax, and Ranea at the cafe. They got their coffee's save for Ranea who settled for some tea. The four of them sat and talked trying to keep the mood light. Lyra mentally thanked them for that, till the question came. "How are you holding up Lyra?" Ranea asked. Lyra could only shake her head. She was afraid if she said anything she might burst into tears again. Kain looked over to Lyra. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Jax offered a sad smile. "It's hard...believe me I know that, but I'll get through it..." Lyra said more trying to convince herself than just telling her friends.

Lyra decided to head home. She didn't want to break down in the cage again. She sat on her bed, more memories of her and Marley came to her mind. She let them take over. Memories of her, Marley and Kain. Then adding in Jax and Ranea. Some were sad, some were happy. Lyra closed her eyes and was taken into the warm, welcoming arms of sleep.

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