The Rising (final book of The Call series) ~ TMNT Fanfiction

Chapter 3: Notes

Leo's POV:

It's kind of odd to have a funeral in the summertime. Not that I would know, considering how I've never been to a funeral in my life. But when you think of a funeral, you think of rain and dark clouds and crying. There's a lot of crying, but there are no darkened skies or rain drops. It's only ten AM, and it's already up to seventy degrees, bound to get hotter.

We sit in the church from nine-thirty until eleven. Lots of people speak, but none of them are Lexi or Rose. In fact, none of those that speak look to be under the age of thirty or so. I don't even really know who they are.

I'd expected there to be a larger crowd. I don't even have to ask the question, when I hear Master Splinter whisper, "I think that the Kings would rather have close friends and family here, opposed to many, many people." I don't ask any questions after that and I try to make it seem like I'm not still curious.

Casey drives and April sits in the passenger seat, sniffling and wiping her tears. April had expressed to us how much more she could have done to show Benj that she cared; she started to blame herself. And that was the most ridiculous thing that I'd ever heard.

When I get out of the car, I finally see Lexi. Her curly blonde hair is pinned back halfway and her arms are crossed tightly against her chest.  

I'm afraid to approach her. What am I supposed to say? I have come closer without realizing. Even from the distance that I was at, I can tell that she isn't wearing makeup. She always said that it's pointless to wear makeup at funerals because you always just cry it off anyway.

She laughed when she had told me that. I can imagine she wouldn't have laughed if she knew that the next funeral she'd go to would be for her little brother.

The actual service goes quickly. A man I don't recognize gives a prayer and it's over before I know it. I hear a few people say things like, "I'm so sorry for your loss..." or "Benj was a great young man." But I know that it probably isn't helping them. Saying those things isn't going to bring him back. 

Lexi has her arm around Rose for most of the service. Rose cries the whole time, and even though I see some tears flow down Lexi's own face, they are few and far between. She just holds onto Rose, rubbing her back gently. Afterwards, Emmeline joins them. Emmeline has also been crying. Lexi hugs her mother tightly. They look like three broken pieces trying to squeeze back together. 

Trying.

But Lexi doesn't cry out. Her tears are quiet. She does not resemble the person that I saw on that awful day when everything changed. I watch her and I know that she is building walls as we speak. She is shutting down so that she can be brave. She doesn't want to be seen as weak, and I could see that from a mile away. Because the girl with the biggest heart in the world hardly cries at her brother's funeral.

She is burying what she is feeling. And she's burying it deep.

Rose and Emmeline are swept away by somebody that I've never seen, but Lexi stays at the grave. I see her respond with a sad smile to anyone that tries to talk to her, but she doesn't really seem to intent on starting a conversation. Like before, I'd unknowingly neared her. It's a habit that I can't break. I need to be near her and know that she's safe; even if she doesn't want me around.

I watch Lexi for a few more moments. She just sits there at the grave, mumbling under her breath. It could have been a prayer, or she might have just been talking to Benj. Minutes later, an older woman approaches her. The woman has dark gray hair and her eyes seem to shine with a light I can't explain.

"Alexandra, stand." Her voice is calm and comforting. It has the most soothing touch to it and even though she isn't addressing me, I still feel comforted by it. I'm surprised when Lexi follows the old woman's orders. And a little bit (just a tad bit), I watch her walls come down.