𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 - 𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫

✘ 47 ✘

[Teagan]

Today was the day everyone had dreaded, Seña's funeral. I let out a sigh as I flattened my black dress and pushed my flat ironed hair back, looking into the mirror.

Bang.

All I hear is the sound of the gun shots echoing in my head. All I see is Seña's lifeless body. One of my best friends is gone.

My eyes watered at the thought. I let out a shaky breathe and looked up, trying to keep the tears from falling. I bit my lip and walked downstairs, where Kent and my mom were, also dressed in black. They looked up at me sadly. My mom was close with Joan, Lyla & Seña's mom, they also both loved Seña very much.

"I'm going to take a ride before I go. . . Meet you guys there?" I questioned as I walked to the door, grabbing my keys.

"Yeah, honey. . . Drive safe. I love you." My mom called out as I walked out.

"I love you too." I called back, closing the door and getting in my truck, starting up the engine. I pulled out of my drive way and began driving. I knew exactly where I was going. This wouldn't just be any ride.

I pulled up to the prison of Charlotte and immediately hopped out of my truck, slamming the door and walking in. I walked up to the front desk and cleared my throat. "Here to visit Jermiah Matthews." I stated.

"Name?" The woman questioned, looking up.

"Teagan Matthews." I spoke as I pulled out my ID and slid it to her.

She looked at it and then her computer, before nodding and sliding it back to me. "Visiting door is to your right," She handed me the visitors pass.

I thanked her and stuck on my visitors pass, before walking into the room with the glass that separated the visitors and the prisoners. I watched as a officer escorted Jermiah to the seat in front of a glass. I walked over and sat down in front of him.

He slowly looked up at me. I could tell he was shocked to see me. I picked up the black phone resting on the wall and brought it to my ear. He reflected my actions. "Teagan. . . He trailed off.

"Today I get to bury one of my best friends. Someone I've been close with for about 10 years of my life, some you called your niece." I spoke. My voice cold and harsh.

"Teag—."

"No," I shook my head. "I'm going to speak." My nostrils flared as I raised a picture that I was holding in my hand. "Seña Beer," I began as I showed him a picture of Seña. "This 18 year old girl that you murdered? Has a twin, Lyla, someone else that you called your niece. This 18 year old has. . . had a family." My voice cracked.

"Tee—."

"Stop talking!" I rose my voice. "And you didn't even aim at Seña, you aimed at Ciara Jones. . . Someone you basically raised. . . Someone who now has a son, and a fiancé." I said as tears pricked my eyes.

He grew quiet, before shaking his head. "Teagan, I've been struggling with dru—."

"I did too, Jermiah! 6 months I was in a fucking mental hospital! And you? Someone who raised me for 15 years? You didn't give a shit." I shook my head, wiping the few tears that have fallen. I stood up, the phone still on my ear. "I will have kids, I will get married, I will succeed. I will never leave my kids. Biological or not. I can and will do better than you. Consider this the last time you ever see me. Have fun rotting behind these bars." I slammed the phone back on the wall and looked at him hard, before walking out.

*

I pulled up to the funeral home and hopped out of my truck, walking up to it. I walked in and was greeted by Frankie, Lyla & Seña's big brother. "Tee. . ." He frowned before hugging me tightly.

I let out a shaky breathe and hugged him back tightly. "How are you?" I whispered.

He pulled back and sighed, "I'm trying to be strong for mom, nonna, and Lyla. . . It just hurts. . ."

I nodded, "I know. . . I'm here." I rested my hand on his shoulder and rubbed it lightly before walking in farther. I spotted Madison, who had her baby girl, Ryley in her hands, with her brother and mom.

Then i spotted Cj. We made eye contact before walking up to each other and clinging on to each other, as if it was the last time we'd ever hug. "I love you." My voice cracked.

"I love you, Tee." She sniffled as we rocked. I pulled away lightly. "I'm so sorry for everything."

"Don't be, It's fine. I could never stay mad at you. . ." I trailed off, my eyes trailing to Hayes. "I'm going to go sit with Hayes, are you okay?"

She nodded and wiped her eyes, "Yeah. The service is about to start." She spoke before letting go of me reluctantly. It felt as if every time I selected with someone I loved, it would be the last time I saw them. I don't know how I'm going to go to Juliard.

I walked over to Hayes and sat next to him. "Hey. . ." I said softly.

His eyes were red. You could tell he's been crying all night. We all have been for the last few days. "Hey. . ." He spoke barely above a whisper. I let out a sigh before scooting closer to him and resting my head on his shoulder. I caught my moms gaze and gave her a sad smile.

The service began. Frankie gave a speech. Mad. Joan. Nonna. . . Then Lyla. She walked up by Seña's casket and looked up at everyone, before lookng back down. "I don't know where to begin. . ." She began, her voice cracking. "Seña wasn't just my sister. She was my best friend, my twin, my rock. . . we shared everything. . ." Tears began spilling down my face. I felt Hayes wrap his arm around me and pull me closer.

"I wrote a song for her, I didn't think I would be able to perform it. . . But nonna wanted me too, and of course I would for her, for Seña." She whispered before walking over to the microphone and began singing. "When raindrops fell, down from the sky. . ."

My breathe hitched. The room was filled with sobs and cries as Lyla sung. I turned my head and cried on Hayes shoulder. This shouldn't be happening. We haven't even graduated yet. . .

Lyla finished and sat down in between Frankie and Johnson, looking down and not speaking.

The service finished and they closed the casket, beginning to take her out. "Mommy, why are they taking Auntie Seña away in that box?" I heard Lydia question Kim.

Kim and Skate looked at each other, then back to Lydia. "Baby. . . You'll understand one day, she's asleep."

"But she can't go!!" She began crying, trying to squirm out of Kim's grip. A few tears ran down Kim's face as she held Lydia firmly, rocking and shushing her.

We all got up and headed outside to head home. "Lyla, if you need any of us just call. . . Please." I spoke softly to Lyla as we all huddled by her. She nodded slowly before breaking down.

We all got into one big group hug, crying together. "She's never coming back." Lyla sobbed. Madelaine frowned and held onto her, as they both continued to cry.

"Baby, she's looking over you. . . With your dad, you have two guardian angels now. . ." Johnson trailed off. Lyla looked up and hugged onto him tightly. He let out a sigh and rocked her lightly.

"Just call me. . ." I rubbed her back. She nodded, before walking away and sitting on Frankie's tail gate. The gang just stood there for a second, looking at one another. Before hugging each and every one of each other. Magcon gang came down too.

One day we'll get past this.

Maybe not.

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