Chapter Two

Chapter Two

I just stood, staring at myself in the mirror. Looking over my outfit of choice, it was as good as anything else. Mum gave her seal of approval, and it was… nice, I guess? But at the end of the day, It was a dress I brought for a reason, I’ll wear it once and then hide it away in my closet and never wear it again. How could I? The painful memories that will be attached to it after today. I never wanted to even see it again, let alone wear it. 

With a final nod of self-approval, I walked over to the dresser and slid on the bracelets and put in the earrings when there was another knock at the door. 

‘Come in!’. I called, attacking the earring backs as Cory opened the door and came in, closing it behind himself. I couldn’t help but take a moment to look him over. He was wearing a black suit with a matching black shirt underneath. His top few buttons were open, exposing the beginning of his chest tattoo. The familiar feeling of attraction started to bubble up in my stomach and I had to look away from my brother. 

‘You didn't come down for breakfast’. I just shrugged and walked back over to my mirror. I heard him put something down on the side and turned for a quick look, it looked like a bacon sandwich, before turning back again, ‘So I brought you something to eat before we go’. 

‘I’m not hungry’. I told him as he appeared behind me, my eyes locking on his for a moment before he took the necklace from my hand and put it around my neck, I held my hair up out of the way as he fastened it at the back. Thanking him before spinning to bravely look at him. 

‘You have to eat’. He told me softly, raising his hand to gently stoke my cheek. An act that I’m sure was just a loving motion of an older brother, attempting to comfort his little sister, but the second his skin touched mine, it was like little electric kisses pricking my skin. 

‘I will later’. I responded. He opened his arms, and against my better judgment, I moved into them, resting my head on his chest, hearing his heart thumping under my cheek. I let out a silent sigh, feeling so.. So safe in his arms.

‘How are you feeling?’ 

‘How do you think? We knew this day would come, but I just… I just…’ I kept trailing off, not sure how to even put into words how I was feeling, but he just squeezed me tighter. 

‘I know’. He kissed the top of my head and held me for a few more moments before, all too soon, he pulled away and dropped his arms. I wiped away the fresh tears on the back of my hand and turned to look at myself again in the mirror. Luckily, my investment into the best waterproof make-up I could find was holding up well. ‘Eat something, we will be going soon’. He ordered, but there was a tiny hint of playfulness in his tone before he left, leaving me alone again. 

I looked over at the Bacon sandwich, sitting proudly on my table, and my stomach instantly rumbled. I hadn’t eaten a thing yesterday, and I guess that choice was coming back to bite me now. Giving up, I walked over and picked the plate up, sitting down on my bed, I took a big bite and quickly let out a loud moan as the tasty, greasy sandwich hit my taste buds. 

God, it was good. 

I finished it in less than a minute, and prayed that it didn’t make me feel sick in the process. Thankfully, it didn’t and before too long, mum was shouting up the stairs for me to hurry as the cars taking us to the church would be arriving soon… 

…which meant dad would be arriving soon, in his coffin… in his hearse. 

Suddenly, it felt like I had a cannonball in my stomach. Large and heavy, weighing me down. 

‘Piper!? Come on!’. She shouted again. Standing up, I grabbed my cardigan and headed out of my room, down the stairs to where Mum was waiting. She looked nice in a simple black dress and boots, and I followed her into the lounge where Cory, Sarah and a few other members of our family were waiting. Most were heading straight to the church, but a few of my close family had decided to come here first. 

I said my ‘’Hellos’’ and accepted people's comforting words, but I mostly tuned them out. In fact I sat down next to Cory and just stayed silent. Staring at a random spot on the floor, praying no one else would try to talk to me. 

I was only snapped out of my own little world when I felt a hand on my knee and gazed over to see Cory giving me a small smile. I smiled back before my eyes darted over his shoulder to Sarah. She didn’t smile. She offered no hint of comfort; she just… glared. 

‘Nice to see you again Sarah’. I told her, sarcasm dripping from my words like venom. 

‘Like-wise’. She returned in the same tone before pulling her phone out of her handbag and turning her attention to that instead. 

Alright then. Shaking my head, I was about to stand up and head to the kitchen to get a drink when a knock at the front door made the whole room plunge into silence. Mum went over and opened the door, revealing a man standing there in a dark suit and tophat. He said something to her in a tone so low, I couldn’t hear, but it was obvious who this was… 

Dad was here. 

Mum turned and looked at all, and we started gathering our things and making our way out to the cars. I was in the first car with mum, Cory and Sarah, directly behind the hearse and once everyone else was in their cars too, we set off on a slow journey to the church…