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Chapter 2

Kyle Henderson. There are many things to say about him. First he is biggest player at Madison High. He is a starter on the basketball team. He is known for the rumors about his extensive sex life and the reason he is here is because he was Thomas' cousin.

"Amen."

The preacher had just finished his prayer and Kyle and I hadn't broken eye contact. I wonder if his little basketball brain even has a reason to be starting at me. On the other hand I don't really have a reason to be starting at him beside the fact that he started it. We don't break eye contact until my eyes shift from his eyes to Thomas' coffin being lowered into the hole in the ground.

"Sweetheart, everything will be okay. I know right now it doesn't seem that way but it will." My mother whispers into my ear. I hadn't realized that I had been squeezing her hand since they started lowering Thomas.

"I know, Mom. Thank you for being here. For always being here." I said releasing her hand. Her smile made it all the way to her eyes, which lately has been rare. The funeral ended and people began to leave. My mother and Travis left. Sarah and her husband Brian left. Vanessa and Veronica left. They were all heading back to the Fields' home for the reception. But no matter how many times I tried I could force myself to leave. I just sat there watching as a cloud of black dresses and suits surrounds me leaving with sad faces. I must have closed my eyes trying to block out the darkness, because when I opened my eyes again I was alone. Well almost, Kyle Henderson was still sitting in his spot across from me, still looking at me.

"Can I help you?" I asked hoping the answer was 'no'. You have only been staring at me for the past 30 minutes so you better have a damn good reason. You're supposed to be grieving your cousin like the rest of the town not starting at me the whole fucking funeral.

"No, probably not." He responded blankly. Oh this guy seriously did not just say that.

"Okay, well is there a reason you've been starting at me for the past 30 minutes cause it's kinda starting to freak me out."

"Well, I mean your Francesca right?" He asked rising from his seat and walking towards my side.

"It's Frankie." I answered. "And you're Kyle Henderson. So now since that has been established mind telling me why you were staring at me?"

He just started laughing. What the hell is so funny? Those green eyes might be able to charm their way into multiple girls pants but he doesn't get to just start at me for a good 30 minutes and then laugh.

"What is so funny?" I ask rolling my eyes.

"Just you. You're extremely defensive." He said still laughing. "I had heard you had more of a sense of humor."

This is exactly how I imagined my day going. Bury my best friend, check. Make it through the funeral, check. Get stared at by dead best friend's cousin, check. All I need next is to punch someone and run away and my Monday will be complete.

"And where did you hear that? You don't even know me." I responded sharply. This kid thinks I'm just gonna laugh this off, he is sadly mistaken.

"Thomas of course. He talked about you all the time."

And with that he turned and walked away without an explanation. I hadn't even notice he had placed an envelop with my name in Thomas' handwriting in the seat next to me until he was long gone.