Attraction

23.

The sound of soft piano music can be heard playing in the distance, weeping of mourners, quiet sniffles, and I can see an enchanting low of candles around me in the dim lit room. I'm trying to blink away the few tears that come to my eyes but I find it difficult, I don't want to cry in front of these people- I want to appear strong for everyone else.

A few people come up to the microphone and say a few words about Jessie, fond memories included. Some turn and gently place their hands on the closed casket but I can't bring myself to move.
I feel so stunned, so sad, Jessie's life has ended and it isn't fair- she was so young and so lovely. A middle aged woman makes her way to me and gives my hand a soft shake. She looks familiar to me until I remember this is Nancy, Jessie's mother.
My heart immediately aches for her.

"You must be Willow." I can tell she's trying to fight back her tears, I smile and bite down on my tongue trying to be brave. I swallow the painful lump that seems to be growing in my throat.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you." My voice stays soft, tranquil. "I'm so sorry..." I apologetically speak. She gives me a broken smile that tries to mask the pain in her eyes.

"Thank you for coming, I know it would have meant a lot to Jessie...We are going to find who did this to her. Don't give up hope, sweetie." Her words cause the lump in my throat to ache, I force a smile as she turns to walk away.

I make my way out of the room and into the next over to the horderves table where meat and cheese trays are seen with salad, colorful fruit and vegetables on trays, and plastic cups beside a large water cooler dispenser.

I grab a plastic cup and fill it with water, sipping it slowly. My back presses against the wall as my eyes close- a heavy sigh leaving my lips.
There's so much food here, I am hungry yet I can't bring myself to eat. Jessie really is gone and the realization that she's not coming back is slowly but surely sinking in. There won't be anymore times of seeing her at work, no texts, no friendly greetings—Her life was stolen from her.

Her family has to be so devastated, I can't even imagine losing a child nor to I ever want to know what that is like, my heart breaks for them. So many people seemed to love her and she of course loved them, she really seemed to care about Liam.
Where is Liam? I don't even know what he looks like now that I think about it, Jessie never showed me a picture of the two of them unfortunately. But where is he?

Jessie went to go have food with Liam the day he
came to Forks, where is Liam? Why didn't he show up to her funeral? I move from the wall and grab my phone as I go to Jessie's Facebook, I search Liam's name in her friends list but it says the account has been deactivated- a frown of confusion forms on my face. A sigh leaves my lips, I have so many unanswered questions about what's happened to Jessie.

My phone begins to ring and I look down to see the dreaded unknown caller once more disturbing my peace- I quickly decline the call, my chest begins to rise and fall quickly as my heart thuds.
A slender blonde walks over to the table and grabs a small plate while putting some dip and veggies on it. Her hair has the lightest streaks in it, her hair is pulled back in a pretty updo, her fitting black slacks and dress shirt compliment her hazel eyes.

She glances over at me. "How did you know Jessie?" She asks me, he voice is low and elegant.

"We worked together." I reply quietly, she smiles to herself.

"How did you know her?" I ask curious now.

"She used to be my girlfriend." The woman responds as she takes another bite of a carrot.

"Oh, I'm sorry—"

"Don't be. She was cheating on me with some guy." She shrugs and rolls her eyes. "I'm here for her mom, not her." She takes a step closer to me, her eyes piercing into my own.

"The Jessie you thought you knew- was a facade. That girl had a whole world of other things that she was doing. I don't think any of us actually knew her-I sure as hell didn't." She turns around and walks away with grace and poise, her heels lightly clicking behind her. She stops walking and turns to face me again.
"I'm Regina."

A small smile plays on my lips. "Willow."

"Nice to meet you, Willow. See you around." She gives a side smile before disappearing out of the doors.

I close my car door and stare down at the steering wheel feeling tired and drained. Andrea offered to let me have the day off from work since she knew the funeral was today- I took the rest of the day off of course. The drive home is silent except for the sound of the rain patting against my car and the radio.

And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
I'll take your breath away
And after I'd, wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear

Through this world I've stumbled
So many times betrayed
Trying to find an honest word
To find the truth enslaved
Oh you speak to me in riddles and
You speak to me in rhymes
My body aches to breathe your breath
Your words keep me alive

I shut off the radio and hear the sound of my phone ringing, I glance down to see the unknown caller on my screen once more. Feeling annoyed and partly curious if there is some sort of a connection here between Jessie and whoever keeps calling me, I park my car in a nearby empty parking lot at a abandoned gas station.

"What?!" I snap as I press the phone to my ear.
A low chuckle can be heard.

"I knew you would answer eventually." He says in the same distorted voice. My heart is pounding in my chest at this point but I don't care, I want to find out who this is once and for all.

"Who is this?" I'm trying to stay calm and collected.

"You'll find out soon enough." The voice almost growls; it sends a chill up my spine.

"What did you do to Jessie?!" I raise my voice at him.

"Who is Jessie?" The humor in this voice can be heard clear as day. He is toying with me.

"Stop it! I know you know what I'm talking about. Stop it. You've been calling me for almost a month. There was screaming the first time you called me- what did you do to that person?!" I continue shouting at him.

Silence. I can't even hear the sound of breathing on the other line and for a moment I think he has hung up the phone.

"You must be so cold, it's getting dark out. You'd best get back home and stay warm." He ignores my question—of course. The phone beeps as he hangs up on me leaving me feelings adrenaline and fear.

I need to find out who this is, I need answers about where Jessie disappeared to for those days and I want to know where Liam is. Maybe he did show up the her funeral and I just didn't know it? How could I know? I have no idea what he looks like, perhaps he did show up and sit next to Nancy to comfort her for all I know, or maybe he was too upset to show up.