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JOSIE
Nine Days Later
It’s sweltering hot and my dress clings to my skin as I take my seat at the front row. Wearing black certainly makes this day even hotter. Rows and rows of white chairs are gathered at the edge of the church.
Somebody collapses into the chair beside me with a sigh. I glance at Nick. His face is still bruised from what happened, but they’ve faded significantly. He rests a hand on my knee briefly, glancing down at my strapped ankle.
“How are you holding up?” he asks.
Everything that has happened between us seems like a distant memory. He has been so kind and supportive through everything. For the first time in what feels like forever, we honestly are friends.
Jess fills the empty seat behind him. When she reaches for his hand, he takes it. I watch her thin fingers slide between his. I’m glad they’re trying again. Guilt plagues me over what I did to sabotage them, but I can’t think about that now. It’s all worked out for the best. I just made some stupid mistakes along the way.
Everything that seemed so important before just doesn’t anymore.
I looked around at the withdrawn faces and downward frowns of mourners gathered.
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “I feel … numb.”
“Might be the best thing, really.”
I roll the funeral program between my fingers. That whole night is a blur in my mind. I remember everything, but weirdly none of it. Sweat slides down my neck and I collect it on my finger and wipe it on the skirt of my dress.
“And you?” I ask.
“I’m okay.”
It’s too bright. Everything feels off. I swallow and fold my leg over the other, my skin sticking to the seat.
“If everyone could please take their seats,” a voice announces.
Warm tears slide down my cheeks.
Let’s get this over with.
