Chapter 4 - Memorial
I sighed irritated as I looked at my phone to check the time.
I had one hour to find a bloody dress.
I was standing outside a store I was pretty sure would have some nice dresses at a reasonable price.
I didn't even have to worry about telling dad about going to the funeral. I didn't hear him get back last night and I'm pretty sure that he just came back for a minute to grab some weapons and leave a small note for me which just read:
Found the other hunter. Will be out all day. Feel free to use the money for food and stuff.
I was used to these small notes, little scribbled words that he always left for me when he wasn't going to be back for a whole day. When he wasn't going to take me on his hunt.
I usually just went for a run or check to see what was on TV. But not today.
Today I was going to go to April's dad's funeral, and I was going to help her get through her pain just like how I had to get through it when my mom died. But I wasn't going to let her be alone like I was.
I walked into the small store, a little bell signalling my arrival. I went to the rack and pulled out the cheapest one. It was actually pretty decent and looked like it would be nice on me. After I found my size I brought it using all my strength not to role my eyes at the lady behind the cash register who kept complimenting how good the dress would look on me.
When I handed her the cash, it felt like it weighed a tonne and I felt like I was handing her stolen money. Which I hoped to god, wasn't the case.
"I just love this design, it will hang on you so beautifully. I like how it's tight at the top and then flows out at the bottom."
I snapped at her, getting real sick of her annoying voice.
"Well it's for a funeral, so the day isn't really about me." I said coldly.
Her eyes widened and I could already hear the apology coming on.
"Can I just have the receipt please?"
---
When I was fully dressed I had to walk all the way to the church in flats because dad had taken the Jeep.
My feet started to hurt and I cursed dad for not telling me what he was up to.
When I got the church the place was swarming with people. I put on my best small smile and went to walk inside before something caught my eye.
My dad's Jeep was parked in the parking lot.
I frowned. What the hell was he doing here.
I went inside the huge church, my eyes flickering around, searching for any sign of April or my father.
To my surprise I found Matt instead.
He smiled at me and I walked up to him. He was standing next to an aisle, a boy about the same height as him stood beside him.
"Hey Matt, you clean up good!" I said, trying not to be too cheery as other people around me were quietly crying.
"So do you," he said with a smirk.
"I'm really happy you came. April is going to feel better with you here." He said.
"Happy to be here... Well not happy.. But... um"
He chuckled quietly. "This is Jeremy," He gestured to the boy next to him.
"Hi I'm Charlie."
"Nice to meet you." He said. Jeremy had light brown hair and dark eyes. He looked so familiar, like I had seen him before and I felt like I could already bare my soul to him, even though I hadn't even spoken to him properly.
"Have we.. Um.. Met before?" he asked.
"I... I don't know?" I answered honestly.
He shrugged and smiled. "Oh well, probably not,"
I smiled back and turned to Matt.
"Have you seen April?" I asked, looking around not able to see her.
He frowned and looked around. "She was sitting there before, but maybe it was just all too much to handle," he said sadly. I sighed. Poor girl.
The bell started ringing and everyone started to sit down.
"Ladies first," said Jeremy with a smirk. He gestured down the seats.
I sat down and Jeremy sat next to me. Matt sat on his other side, he eyes wondering over the crowd searching for someone.
"So you're going to Mystic Falls High School?" Jeremy asked. There were hushed conversations that hang in the air.
I turned to him. "Yep. Do you go there?"
He smiled, "Yeah – hopefully I'll see you,"
I wasn't sure if his tone was friendly or flirty so I just grinned trying not to blush. "Hopefully,"
His smile left his face as a tall, brunette who seemed to be gasping for air sat next to Matt. She looked horrible, with black bags under her eyes and her pale skin reflecting off the light.
"Hey Elena, you okay?" Matt asked quietly. There was no hiding the alarm in his voice.
She nodded.
Jeremy tensed next to me as he watched the girl with concern.
"Hey, April was looking for you?" Jeremy said. My ears pricked up when there was a mention of April.
"Where is she?" Elena gasped looking around, not being able to sit still.
"I... Don't know." answered Jeremy.
That seemed to be the end of the conversation because soft music of violins started playing and a women that looked like in her mid-40's in a purple dress stood up at the microphone.
"Before we begin the mass, we'd like to open the floor to anyone who would like to share a memory about our late friends on the town council." Her soft voice drifted through the now- silence and I felt myself shift in my seat. I didn't know any of these people that had died, and yet I felt incredibly sad that something that horrible could happen to so many people.
"I know that April Young wanted to say a few words about her dad," she paused. "April?"
I looked around searching for her.
I hadn't seen my dad anywhere and I hoped he wasn't here.
"April? Are you still here honey?"
It was quiet besides the shift in peoples seats as they looked around for any sign of April. My stomach dropped, poor April.
When the lady was sure that she wasn't there she spoke up.
"Is there anyone else you would like to share a memory about Pastor Young?"
I sighed as no one said anything. This was exactly was April was dreading.
I heard Elena next to Matt stand up and I watched her as she walked up to the microphone.
She looked like she hadn't slept in weeks.
"Wonderful," said the lady.
Elena stood in front of everyone, and I hoped to god she didn't fall over.
