The Funeral

Jesse POV

"It is with great sadness that I stand up here today. When my sister, Kathryn passed away it was devastating, but I immediately began to put some words on paper. Writing this eulogy to my sister has helped me deal with the grief and I hope it can help you too" I could hear my mum sobbing hysterically in the background. Chocking back my own I continued. "My sister and I were close in age; she was only two years younger than me. Because of this we shared a lot of the same friends and were very close. Kathryn was a very bright girl who was successful at whatever she attempted. Even though my sister was a brilliant person who was very strong willed I always looked out for her. I was happy to help her whenever she needed me, even though she was usually determined to solve problems on her own" The tears I had been holding back began to flow freely down my face and the rain fell harder "It is so sad that Kathryn's life ended so early . It is hard to accept that she will no longer be with us. She had a loving family and friends who would do anything for her. No one was prepared for this tragedy and it can be difficult to understand how life works sometimes. I have never been a big believer in heaven but I know that wherever she is, she is at peace. Her memory will live on in our hearts forever" as I stood and stared at the grave. People one by one left. Even my mother left the thought of burying her only daughter was too much to bare. And so I was left alone flashbacks of that night played in my head the look of pain on her face when she looked at me. The paramedics telling me that she was gone just as more tears fell I felt a hand on my shoulder I looked up into the teary eyes of Crystal, beside her was Orion. Melissa left with the others. It was now the 3/4 of us stood there not willing to say goodbye to her. It was all quiet until Orion spoke almost inaudibly "I can't believe she is gone. I keep expecting her to jump up and tell us it's all a big joke" I stood up and without words embraced both Orion and Crystal into a hug after a few moments we broke the hug "whatever happens next promise we will all stick together?" I asked them both Orion and Crystal nodded simultaneously and then answered "Promise" with one last hug we all took another look towards Kathryn's grave.

The mud had became wet and sludgy. After a few moments Crystal took my hand and Orion my shoulder they gently led me home. I spent the entire afternoon curled up with a hot chocolate, staring out the window at the rain. I missed Kathryn, so much. As long as she was in the hospital I could sort of pretend she would one day get better but now she was six feet beneath the cold ground and I would never see her again. Never hear her laugh or see that goofy smile of hers. I placed my mug on the coffee table and ascended the stairs. I walked along the hallway until I reached Kathryn's room. Nobody has been in there since she died. I slowly open the door and smelt the air, strange I know but the room smelt of Kathryn it made me feel as if she was still here. I sat on her bed still unmade smiling to myself the memories playing in my head, on the nightstand was a photo album all the Nostalgic memories came flooding back they were hazy but there all the same Beautiful memories that made me feel sad but happy at the same time. I remember laying in the garden pointing out the different stars, Kathryn staring wide eyed and lovingly at the them she would get so ticked off if she couldn't name one although that as rare. I slowly turned the page revealing a 4 year old Kathryn swinging on a rope swing that I had made for her at the time to me it was just rope a worthless object but to Kathryn it was so much more it was the one thing they got her a little closer to the sky. The one place that she could escape to. I often heard her in her older years on the swing singing to make the long moonlit sky fly by. Putting the photo album down I went to my room a rummage through my chest of drawers I finally found what I was looking for. I pulled out the object carefully tracing each bead, I sat down on bed, bracelet still in hand my hand tightly clasping the object closing my eyes I lent back at put my head on my pillow remembering the day Kathryn made it for me.

(Memory)

"Jesse!Jesse" little Kathryn came through the excited. Older Jesse smiled at his younger sister. "Look what I made for you with Auntie June" little Kathryn held a small bracelet made from pasta shells and beads spelling out Jesse's name. Kathryn looked at Jesse waiting to see his reaction. He gently took it from Kathryn and put It on his wrist "I love it! Thank you Kathryn" Kathryn smiled and jumped on Jesse's lap. Jesse held onto Kathryn and stood up with her still in his arms Kathryn started giggling uncontrollably. The faint voices of their parents arguing could be heard in the background Kathryn stopped laughing and buried her head deeper into Jesse's neck. Jesse carried Kathryn up to his room and closed the door so they couldn't hear the arguing he gently placed Kathryn on his bed "Jesse? Why does mummy and daddy shout at each other?" Jesse didn't know what to say to comfort his younger sister he simply sat next to her a let her cuddle into his side until she fell asleep. He gently moved her so she was losing down on his bed. He bent down and moved some stray hair from her face and whispered "No matter what happens I will always look after you. I will protect you and make sure nobody hurts you" he gently kissed her cheek.

(End of Memory)

I was crying at this point there was suddenly a knock at the door I wiped my eyes with back of my sleeve and quickly slipped the bracelet on my wrist. Making sure I was presentable I opened the door a boy I didn't recognise stood there "Hello can I help you?" I said my voice still wavering. The boy looked up just noticing I had answered the door "I'm sorry I'm new to the neighbourhood, I saw you come home earlier and you looked sad. I was just wondering if you needed someone to talk to. I mean sometimes talking to someone who isn't involved helps. I'm sorry if you think I'm intruding you can tell me to get lost if you want. I just wanted to check" The kept rambling on "No it's fine Urm my..my name is Jesse I held my hand out for the boy to shake " my name is Mason" the boy smiled. "Would you like to come in? Your right I could do with talking to someone" I stood to the side allowing the boy to walk in. Mason must have noticed all the flowers and cards as his facial expressions changed "oh I'm sorry" I let a slight smile pass my lips "it's ok" I motion for Mason to follow me to the kitchen "If you don't mind me asking who was it?" I knew what he was talking about "My little sister" I said any trace of a smile I had was gone Mason nodded as if in understanding he walked over to the photo taken of Me and Kathryn that was on the fireplace "Is this her?" I walked up beside him "yeah that's Kathryn" I moved towards the kitchen "do you want a drink?" I asked he politely said no before following me into the living room. I sat first and he followed "Do you wanna talk about it?" I frowned and shook my head no. He gave a sad smile and changed subject which I was thankful for "Let's get to know each other.. I mean if your up to it that is" I have him a nod and a small smile he smiled back "alright Il start. My name is Mason Burford. I'm 18 and I just moved here from Canada. I love the solar system and anything star related what about you?" I couldn't help but smile he reminded me Kathryn "ok my name is Jesse Douglas. I am also 18 I have lived here my whole life. I play guitar" Mason was smiling "play something" I looked and him confused "Play something on the guitar. Please" he gave me puppy dog eyes. It's weird it's almost as if we have know each other ages. "Ok what song?" I asked as I grabbed my guitar from the side "anything" he urged me on. I began strumming the guitar playing the only song I could think of


"Some people laugh, some people cry

Some people live, some people die

Some people run, right into the fire

Some people hide their every desire

I looked at Mason he was smiling. I looked back down focusing on the song

(I know I missed some out but didn't fit with the story line)

"Some people fight, some people fall

Others pretend they don't care at all

If you wanna fight I'll stand right beside you

The day that you fall I'll be right behind you

To pick up the pieces"


I didn't realise I was crying until I saw a tear land on the guitar. Mason also realised and surprised me by hugging me. "I'm sorry, that was Kathryn's favourite song" he smiled "it's fine, Can I give you some advice? Something my gran told me when m brother died" I gave him a quick nod "Tears shed for another person is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of pure heart. Don't be afraid to cry don't be afraid to shout scream because keeping it all locked in, believing thinking positive can help can all make it worse" He now had his arm on my shoulder stopping me from crying "I don't want to be but I'm angry at her for leaving me and then I feel terrible why should I feel angry? She didn't mean to leave but I do and I hate myself for it" Mason kept holding me "it's ok to be angry. It's ok to Hate her. When my brother died I hated him for it. I hated him how dare he leave me. How could he think I could do this without him. But after a while it got better. Yes sometimes I still hate him for going but it does get better" I gave him a hug and thanked him. Suddenly the door opened and Ed came in followed by mum. My mum didn't say a word a went straight upstairs Ed noticed me and came in I gave him a smile just noticing Mason he introduced himself "Hello son,my names Ed. Jesse's step dad. Who might you be?" Mason let my arm go and stood up offering his hand "Mason sir Mason Burford I just moved here" Ed shook his hand and turned to me "I'm going to go and keep an eye on your mum.will you be ok down here?" I gave him a nod and he walked upstairs. Mason turned to me "I should get going. Here's my number if you need to talk" he handed me a slip of paper and walked towards the door "Bye Mason and thanks I really needed that" he gave me a smile "Anytime" with one last wave he left. I smiled to myself and closed the door I turned only to be greeted by Orion and Crystal "Hey mate. We thought you may need some company" I smiled at Orion "Do you think you could take us to the studio?" Orion gave a comforting a smile "course I can come here" Orion motioned for me to grab his arm which I did "Close your eyes, don't want you passing out again" I did as instructed and felt a soft breeze "you can open them now" came Orion's voice. I opened my eyes to the familiar sight it's exactly the same as we left it various books sprawled across the room. I slowly made my way to the staircase where various photos had been placed.

There were photos of Kathryn and Orion together, photos of the family and my personal favourite one that was taken when we went to visit Crystals family on Starletta. I jumped at the sound of Orion's voice "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you guys" I whipped my head around and Orion was looking at the photo of him and Kathryn with tears in his eyes "It wasn't your fault you know that right?" Orion kept looking at the photo "Orion!" He turned towards me "She was my Girlfriend and I couldn't protect her because I was asleep" I felt bad for the guy he woke he two days after the incident. turns out Cygnus used a sleeping dust on him. Crystal had joined us as we all sat on the stair case. Silence fell around the room I grabbed the railing to the staircase and before I could continued further I had this strange feeling. I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to regain balance I could Orion and Crystal in the background asking if I was ok but I couldn't answer. A hazy image appeared two figures appeared both were a blur as the scene zoomed in I was able to make out the figures one was Mason stood In his front of his house playing with a football his back was facing the second figure. The second figure came in to view Cygnus the second figure was Cygnus. He stood behind Mason who was still oblivious. Cygnus had a stone in his hand and raised it above Masons head. Mason turned around just noticing before he could make a run for it a purple ring encased him his eyes suddenly changed colour and he fell to the floor. The image stopped and my eyes flew open. Crystal and Orion were looking at me with confused faces. I couldn't get the image out of my head but I knew I had to get to Mason and Fast. "Orion I need you to take me home.. Now" he continued looking at me like I he two heads "I will explain things later but right now we need to go. Im not letting what happened to Kathryn to happen again" I could tell he was about to what i was on about but I gave him pleading looks he seemed to give in. With a large sigh he took mine and Crystals hand and again whisked us away.