This is War

Chapter 22

Chapter 22 - Natalie's P.O.V 

Sitting on my bed, I tried to remember what it was like when Nate and I were kids. I'd be playing at the park by myself because Nate and I didn't get along then and he said that older boys like him and his friends didn't play with little girls like me. 

At first I cried, but then I built a bridge and got over it and played by myself. I was smarter as a six-year-old than I was as a seventeen-year-old. 

Gram was watching us at the park that day, way before cancer buried itself in her body, and she came over to me, her white hair curly and her eyes kind as they twinkled down at me with her smiling face. She had asked me why Nate wouldn't let me play with them and I explained it to her. She was ready to go up to him and reprimand him, but I stopped her and told her that I didn't mind it, playing by myself was better because I, myself got to make everything up. 

I got to choose whether I was playing in a castle or in a dark forest. When I played alone, I was in charge. 

She had laughed, told me that sometimes it's better to play with other friends though, because two minds are greater than one. 

Coming back to reality, I wiped a stray tear from my cheek and headed into my bathroom where I stared at my reflection. My hair was a mess, my face ugly and makeup-free. I was wearing a black t-shirt over my cotton pajama shorts. Taking in a deep breath, I prepared myself mentally for the day ahead of me. 

Pulling out my curling iron, I got to work on my hair, leaving it down in perfect ringlets. After curling my hair for about twenty minutes, I began my makeup. I kept it pretty simple, just some foundation, a little bit of cover up. I applied some mascara and left it at that; no doubt it'd be gone by the end of today. 

Huffing, I picked up the dress off of the bed and held it up. It was just solid black, a half-sleeved top half and a loose, flowing bottom half that stopped about mid-thigh. Slipping it on, I added and black and white necklace that Gram had gotten me on my birthday a few years ago. 

Finishing the look with my black pumps and a few bracelets, I grabbed my black clutch and slowly made my way down the stairs. 

If I was being completely honest, I didn't want to go to this. 

"Hi honey," Dad smiled at me, eyes red from crying and he kissed me on the forehead.

I let out a breath, "Hey dad." 

"Let's just get today over with," Nate suggested, walking in and tightening his black tie. He and dad were both wearing all black suits, save their white button ups. Mom was wearing a tight black dress that looked like you'd wear it to an office job. 

I agreed, "Yeah. Let's go." 

We all climbed into dad's car and began the drive down to the funeral home. Somberly stepping out, I looked up at the front entrance where a large picture of her was sitting. Holding back the tears, I continued past it, Nate and my parents right behind me. 

When I walked in, I was flooded with relief when I saw all of my friends standing there. 

"Natalie!" Kate cried and rushed over to me, enveloping me in a bone-crushing hug. I gave them all hugs and once we went through the cycle, I pulled back and did my best to muster up a smile. 

"Thanks for coming guys," I say, completely sincere. 

Olivia frowned, "Of course. Are you okay?" 

I've been asked that a lot. 

"I'm not over her yet, I'll probably never get completely over Gram," I tell them, "but it's been getting better. It hurts a little less each day." 

They gave me sad smiles as piano music began to start and took their seats. I made my way up the aisle and sat down next to Nate in the front row. He took my hand and squeezed it. The pastor at Gram's old church stood up in front of everyone. A lot of people had come down to pay their respects to Gram-- more than I was expecting. 

"We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of a truly incredible woman," the pastor began, "Agatha Brooks. She was a caring and gentle mother, a loving grandmother, a widow. Agatha was so many things, none of them bad. I do believe that if anyone in this town was an angel in disguise, it was her. She was taken away from us on September 26th, 2013 at 5:21 PM by cancer. She had such a kind heart and will be missed greatly.

At this time, any family member of Agatha's may come up and say a few words about her," The pastor finishes up. 

Without realizing what I'm doing, I stand up and make my way up to the podium, next to the pastor. 

There's no going back now. 

He gave me a smile and I did my best to return it before facing the large group of people before me. 

"Agatha was my grandmother, but Nate, my brother, and I would always just call her Gram. She was my best friend, my teacher, my partner in crime, my grandmother and so much more. Whatever and whoever I needed, she took care of me. She was my guardian angel. I miss her so much, and I'll always miss her. We all will. She always knew the right things to say and do and she'd never hurt a fly. She was amazing and I'm sure she's watching us from above right now as we sit here, crying over him. And I'm also sure that she's probably telling me to stop crying and pull myself together," I let out a weak chuckle, wiping away the tears off of my face, "So that's what I'm going to do. It won't be easy and it's going to take a while, but I'll eventually stop crying over you, Gram. I miss you." 

I whispered my last three words before stepping down at taking a seat. Everyone clapped and I think I even saw some people crying while I was talking. 

Nate stood up and gave a speech of his own. His was shorter than mine but still very moving. Mom and dad couldn't make themselves get up and say a few words, so the pastor finished the ceremony with a quote from the bible, Gram's favorite, and it was over. 

Standing up, I let out a shaky breath before walking back over to my friends. Dylan pulled me into a hug, mumbling something about poor things but I wasn't focused on that. I was focused on the dirty blonde head that was walking down the front steps of the building, away from me. 

It didn't make any sense, but it was unmistakable. 

What was Noah Hall doing at Gram's funeral? 

∞

a/n: kind of a sad, boring chapter that I'm not really happy with but Oh well. I'm hoping the next chapter will come out better. picture of Natalie's dress to the right > or up top if you're on the app ha.