rain [2]

nine

play song when I say

Julia:

today is the day I lay my best friend to rest.

the last day I see his face.

"julia"

I look up from my lap and I see daniel standing at the door.

"hmm?" I respond.

as I said, I haven't really talked to anyone. it's basically like jonah took my ability to speak with him. I want to talk, but it feels like if I do— i'll break instantly.

he sits down beside me and places his hand on top of mine. stroking his thumb over my knuckles.

"I know it's hard. I know what you're feeling, he was my best friend too. I know it hurts way worse, but I promise it will get better. yes, it will hurt for awhile but sooner or later— i'll see that beautiful smile again" his voice cracks and I look up and I see a tear roll down his cheek.

I sigh and swipe it away, leaving my hand on his cheek. he takes his free hand and places it on top of mine.

"I love you" he lightly kisses my lips

"i love you too" I whisper

PLAY SONG 💜💛

{}

"thank you all for coming." the priest says

"we are here today, to remember a wonderful life. Jonah Marais Roth Franzich" I feel the tears start to come at the mention of his name.

"he was a bright soul, with the biggest smile you could ever imagine. he gave the greatest hugs" we all laugh at that one, agreeing mostly.

"we are now going to have volunteers speak" he says.

he steps to the side and the first person to come up is his mom.

"Hi i'm Jonah's mother. I just first wanted to say thank you all for coming. and for showing your love to my boy" she says.

"Jonah was born on a bright afternoon, he was a very good baby. never really cried, was well behaved. jonah met his first friend in first grade. she was the cutest little girl you could ever see. her name was julia. she helped my son through so much, his depression, his break ups, and just she always a friend. I don't think he would've gotten where he was, if it weren't for julia always encouraging him to go on. please let my baby rest easy" her voice cracks.

I walk up to her and engulf her into a big hug.

"thank you" she cries.

I push my head into her shoulder and we rock back and forth.

the same hug.

she rubs my arm and whispers in my ear

"you're gonna be okay" I smile lightly at her.

she walks away from me and I look up to the front. hesitant at first, but i walked up to the podium. I see the casket, opened. there was jonah, he didn't look like his warm self. he was pale. I touched his hand, and he wasn't warm like he always is. my hands start to shake and my throat tightens.

"H-H-" my voice cracked.

I feel my face become hot and I look for a familiar persons face in the crowd.

daniel.

" you got this " he mouths to me

I breathe in and then let it all out.

"H-Hi my name is Julia. i've been best friends with jonah ever since I could really remember anything. when I first got the call about him being hurt, I dropped everything and I went to the hospital. not knowing if my bestfriend was going to be a-alright. when I got there, I waited for hours. I snapped at my family, I cried. but then I got to see him, he made a big smile as soon as I walked in. I left for the night, thinking he's gonna be okay. i'm not gonna lose him. then I got another call at 3:15 am, saying jonah wasn't doing well. I left daniel and my children at home. when I got there, I didn't believe corbyn when he told me he didn't make it. because I didn't want to believe he was gone. the last thing I have of home left. gone. I know this isn't supposed to be a sad speech, but this has been the only thing going through my head the past week. I stopped talking, and i've stayed in my room, excluding myself. but with jonah, he was always there for me, and i feel empty because he's not anymore, there to make me laugh, by poking my sides or hugging me. that damn hug man, it felt like a warm fuzzy blanket was wrapped around you. please let jonah rest in peace." I say and everyone begins to clap.

I stop in my tracks, and there's not a dry face in the church.

"rest easy j" I put my finger to the sky

"i'll see you again one day"