After That Night: Until Dawn Fanfiction

Chapter Fifteen

Chris

I can feel the suspense and tension in the room building as Mr. Washington opens his mouth to speak.

"Well," Mr. Washington explains, "with the memorial service being in just a few days, Mrs. Washington and I realized that we could use your guys' help."

Mrs. Washington nods in agreement, turning to look at me. "And Bob and I decided that we definitely want you and Sam to speak at the memorial service. Will you do it?"

I look at Sam, then back at Mrs. Washington. "Yeah. I'll definitely do it."

Mrs. Washington beams at me, tears brimming her eyes. "Thank you. Sam?"

Sam just looks at me, a question in her eyes. I know what she's thinking. She's afraid. She's afraid that she won't do them justice or that she'll break down on stage.

But she needs to realize that none of those things matters. The only thing that matters is that we honor our friends and their parents' wishes.

I try to tell her this through my eyes and a slight smile, and although she might not have grasped its full meaning, she understands because she looks at Mrs. Washington and says, "I'll do it too."

Mrs. Washington smiles the biggest smile that we've seen her use in a while. "Thank you, both of you."

Mr. Washington speaks up. "As for the rest of you, we would appreciate all of your guys' help with setting up the church for the memorial service and planning it. We got the invitations made and sent before with the time, date, and place. We brought them with us to give you guys in person after breakfast."

"If you don't want to help us with the memorial service, Bob and I would understand, but we'd appreciate it if you attended the service," Mrs. Washington says.

We all share a look, Jess being the one to speak up for all of us. "We would all love to help you out."

Mr. and Mrs. Washington share a smile.

"We really appreciate that," Mr. Washington assures us.

And with that, we're all eating breakfast together, the subject of the deaths of our loved ones set aside for now as we enjoy this time together.

But it doesn't last long.

Right after breakfast and for the next few days, the memorial service is the subject of every conversation and almost every activity.

Then the day arrives.

When I wake up, I get dressed in a black shirt and black slacks, combing my hair back with gel.

Once I'm fully ready with teeth brushed and my glasses washed, I exit the bathroom to find Ashley already ready in her black dress.

"Chris?" Ashley asks.

"Yeah, Ash?"

"Can you help me curl my hair?"

I wrinkle my forehead in confusion. "Well, sure, but I won't be any good at it."

She nods. "I know. I just want someone there with me right now."

"Alright, Ash. Alright. I got you."

I follow her into the bathroom, knowing that today is going to be one of the hardest days of our lives.

Sam

When I wake up, I quickly get ready in my black skirt, leggings, and blouse, keeping my hair down. I have to make sure that I'm early to the memorial service. Mr. and Mrs. Washington want Chris and I to be the ones to give people the program as they come in. The card we made for them is with Ashley, but she'll be coming with Chris.