A/N: Hallo :)
I just wanted to take a quick pause from the story and let you know I created a Spotify playlist based on this story. Its still in progress but is about 7 hours so far.
Its called "We love a Tortured artist" (Named after the story) and My profile is Boogie
It'll be mentioned a little bit later on when we actually meet Xavier, which I promise is coming soon.
I figured I would actually make it into an actual playlist of songs that Ophelia listens to (Aka all the songs I listen to really) rather than just have it live in the story so I hope you guys like it <3
"What the hell is right..." I responded back to him. I finished what was left in my mug. "It was a rough night."
Denis was stilled wide eyed and staring at me, but he regained himself enough to pick the donut up and continued eating it.
"Do you want a hug or something, I mean..." I shot him a sharp look.
"No, I'm fine, I don't need anyone to feel sorry for me."
I looked down at my hands. In reality the feeling of needing to know who did this was gnawing away at my stomach. It felt like at any moment the feeling would claw its way out of me . I shook my head.
"I brought you here, one to explain, and two... drag you along with me to say goodbye to everything I loved in this town."
"Oh, okay cool... Wait, am I one of those things? Will we have to say goodbye." I looked over at the boy whom I considered to be my best friend. His blond hair, which closely matched mine, was slicked into spikes and he had powdered sugar all over his already pale face. I smiled.
"Eventually, yes we will have to say goodbye, but not yet, not until after the funeral." I choked on the word. I felt my face getting hot and I took a deep breath. "After that, I leave almost immediately." I whispered past the lump in my throat.
"But I don't want to have to say goodbye, I'm no good at them." I sighed and handed him a napkin. I pointed at his face and he wiped his mouth.
"Don't be soft of me now, Denis. It's only Tuesday, I leave on Monday."
"I'm not looking forward to it."
I stood up and put a ten dollar bill under the coffee cup, and on the way out, I put another 20 in the tip jar.
"okay so where exactly are we going? I'm guessing the cemetery, library, book store of fifth?"
"Those are just a few. Callahan gave me two hundred dollars for this week, but this is the only time I plan on being out, so were also going thrift shopping seeing as I have zero clothes to my name."
"Well to be fair, you do love thrift shops, especially Norgon's."
"Yeah..." I sighed. "I'm gonna miss that place."
We both walked out into the early June air. It wasn't too warm yet, but it wasn't cold either, but it was muggy from the rain yesterday and that was what I hated.
We walked along the sidewalk in silence. That was what I loved in our friendship.
Not every second had to be filled with unimportant conversation.
The first place we went was exactly what Denis had said. Not only was it the closest to us, but it was arguably the most important. It was where we had met.
"This place brings back so many memories... but is it bad that it still gives me the heebie jeebies?"
"There's nothing to be scared of..."
"Oh no you're right were just trespassing on dead peoples graves."
"The dead aren't scary, just misunderstood. And were not trespassing, its a public space, besides were not doing anything wrong. If we went grave stomping that would be a different story."
I stomped on the ground and walked away. Denis groaned behind me and I chuckled.
"Don't do that, I don't want to be haunted."
"You're so naïve Denis. No ones going to haunt you." I walked to the specific grave I was looking for and sat down in front of it. Denis sat next to me.
"I remember you fought so hard to get his grave in here."
"Just because he wasn't human, does not mean he shouldn't be allowed in the cemetery, I'm just glad they took pity on me."
"Frank deserved a good grave." I nodded and smiled. I ran my hand over my dogs grave.
"I remember when I forced you to sleep out here with me." Denis laughed.
"Your parents were all for it but mine were having a heart attack." I laughed along with him.
"I'm going to miss you Ophelia." I looked at the ground and nodded. The lump in my throat returned.
"Me too, Denis."
I stood up and led Denis out of the cemetery.
For the next few hours we sat in a library and a book store, and many other of my favorite places in town. I said my goodbyes to the people who worked there, who knew me by name from how frequently I went there.
At around 5 o' clock we made our way into the dark store that was Norgon's. No one, no matter how hard they tried, could change my mind.
Norgon's was the best store in town.
Denis and I looked through the racks of clothing for 30 minutes and after some great finds, and some awful ones presented by Denis, we walked to the front to check out.
As we waited in line I spotted a long black dress in one of the isles. I handed the huge pile of clothes I was holding to Denis and went to go grab it.
I needed something to wear to the funeral.
I walked back to Denis, who was now at the front of the line, and put the dress and everything else on the counter.
I spent 87 dollars and walked away with three large bags of clothing.
We spent two hours in Norgon's and by the time we got out, it was seven.
"Are you going home now?" Denis asked. I shook my head.
"There was one more place I wanted to go. Do you think you could drive?" Denis nodded, and we headed back to the diner where he had left his car.
I threw the bags into the trunk and got into the passenger side of the black car. I gave him the directions, and soon enough we were making our way up the long driveway to my house.
I got out at the top and stared over the wreckage being illuminated by the setting sun.
"Oh my god." Denis stood beside me and looked at the destroyed house with me. "Ophelia, I'm-"
"I don't need your pity Denis." I cut him off, he sighed but quieted.
There was a new border of police tape and little orange flags dotted the ground. Callahan must've been here today.
I turned on my heal and walked back to the car.
"Wait, that... that's it?" I looked over my shoulder and nodded.
"I just wanted to say my final goodbyes to it."
"Oh."
We both got back into the car and I had Denis drive me all the Way back to Callahan's house. He helped me get the bags up to the front door. The Chiefs car wasn't there yet, so he must've still been at work.
We got the bags up to the guest bedroom and made our way back downstairs. We stood by the door.
"Thank you for coming with me today, it means a lot to me."
"Well, you're my best friend, besides you would've done it for me." I nodded.
"Will you come with me to the funeral?" Denis sighed softly and smiled.
"Well how else would I say goodbye to you?" He asked. I was relieved. It would be nice to have a familiar face next to me in the sea of unknown family members.
"Alright well, you should probably go before Callahan comes back, I don't want him to be suspicious."
"Of us?" I nodded and we both looked at each other. Immediately we busted out laughing at the thought of Callahan thinking we were together.
"I mean maybe if I weren't as gay as gay could be, but until then you're out of luck."
"Yeah right," I rolled my eyes at him. We both put our hands out and did our secret handshake and Denis headed back to his car.
I watched him drive away and closed the door softly.
Now that I was alone I could feel the sinking feeling of having nothing sink back in. I could feel the tears begin to choke me up and I quickly ran up the stairs to the room.