"We're gathered here today to mourn the death of 3 of Chicago's finest soldiers, Lou Adams, Noah Macintosh and Jackson Thorn. They died in battle, trying to serve and save the citizens of Chicago, and the place home.
Lou George was a quiet girl, known and loved by everyone around her. Her father, Joseph George, couldn't be here with us today on the account of this ceremony being too difficult to attend. Lou was the assistant of Luis Black, the Mayor of Chicago. He called Lou determined, smart and sweet. She was a pleasure to see every morning and be the first person he'd greet in the morning. Rest in Peace.
Noah Macintosh was half of a set of twins. His brother, Max, having the identical personality and traits as Noah. He was intelligent, talented with guns and a true leader. He died in self-sacrifice, allowing himself to die for the guaranteed lives of his group members. His parents, Willow and Beau Macintosh will miss him dearly, and will never stop loving him. Rest in Peace.
Jackson Thorn was a handsome man, a talented huntsmen and generous person. He died in a raid of a house which saved his cousin, Harper Thorn-Peters. He died in honour, a part of the reason his group is home safely now. His sister, Antoinette Thorn says he was truly the greatest man she's ever known, and there will never be anyone who could be a better friend to her then he was. His parents, Hudson and Emmeline Thorn-Peters say they will always remember him as the brave man he was. Rest in Peace.
There will be a celebratory dinner in the Main Hall in city centre to remember these citizens, and celebrate their lives." My father finished. Surrounding me were crying parents, all hugging each other.
I stand awkwardly next to Amelia, who was holding Max's hand. She had apparently forgiven him since he hit her a week and a half ago. I secretly hoped she was just being kind until the funeral was over. I couldn't stand them being together after what he did; made me feel sick. If Rosie was here she would never have let her stay with him, but sisters can convince each other of anything, brothers on the other hand cannot.
I excuse myself and begin the walk to main hall. I feel someone tug on the cuff of my jacket, and turn to see Sam behind me.
"Hey man." Sam said awkwardly; almost as if he ran into me and not purposely stopped me.
"Sam?" I was surprised to see him talking to me. The whole Thorn-Peters family had been kind of distant to me since we got back; and I don't blame them.
"How you doing?" He asked as we began to walk again.
"I'm fine; and you?" I frowned, looking at my shoes.
"Doing good, doing good." He nodded. "So look Luis -"
"I really don't want to talk about Harper." I interrupted, stopping in the middle of the walk way. "Like really don't."
"I wasn't going to." He put his hands up in surrender, shaking his head. "Wasn't even going to mention her."
"Okay?" I said. "Then what did you want?"
"I wanted to tell you – uh -" he took a deep breath, balling his fists. "I wanted to tell you that Lou had been training me as an assistant in case she was to unfortunately die, and she wanted me to take over from her."
"You want to be my assistant?" I asked. He nodded. "And you're asking to take Lou's job at her funeral because?"
"Because she trained me for it."
"And you couldn't wait until tomorrow?" I asked. He clenched his jaw, nodding slightly.
"Yep." He nodded. "I could've done that."
"Exactly." I said, beginning to resume walking away from him.
"Wait Luis," He called, "Do I have the job?"
"You start tomorrow." I called, chuckling slightly to myself. We all got to the main hall and sat down at our tables. We feasted on the finer things available such as chicken and a limited supply of vegetables. There was even a dance floor, but I don't dance.
"I heard what you did." Someone said behind me. I turned, looking up to see Ruby standing there. I smiled as she sat down beside me in an empty chair. "We're very grateful."
"Sam is a good kid." I smiled.
"Not about Sam." She shook her head. I frowned, crossing my arms. "About Harper."
"What did I do to Harper?" I asked.
"You set her straight." She said.
"Excuse me?"
"The other day when you told her you'd never be with her again." She smiled. "It really went through this time. She's actually listened."
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"She's asking about other boys." Ruby smiled. I froze, my mouth slightly open. She was talking about other boys; already? There's maybe 200 people in Chicago, so I must know the guys she's talking about. I haven't even looked at another girl.
"Good for her then." I said awkwardly. It's been what, 6 days? I can't believe this.
"You were never right for her Luis." She shook her head. "You were too calm, whereas she is adventurous. She's loud, you're quiet. She's caring -"
"I'm going to stop you right there Ruby." I stood, looking down at her. "Harper and I had a great relationship; an amazing relationship if you will. We were near perfect for each other, so I would just like to ask you as kindly as I possibly could to back the fuck off." I snapped.
"How dare you speak to me like that?" Ruby shouted, standing. The music stopped at the sound of her shrill voice echoing, and everyone looked over at us.
"Mum?" Margo asked. I looked over to her to see Harper standing with her, her brow creased in concern.
"What's going on?" My Dad asked.
"You want to know?" I asked. "Do you all want to know?"
"Luis don't." Harper hissed.
"I love Harper." I shouted. "I love Harper, and I will always love Harper. I don't need people telling me we shouldn't have broken up, or that we should've broken up. That was our choice, it was between us. And to all of you who think we weren't good for each other, well you can go and shove it up your ass. We were perfect."
"Luis."
"I don't need to be with Harper to love her. There will not be a day where I don't love Harper. So now that you all know everything about our relationship, how about we get back to celebrating the lives of the people that died saving us." I finished, looking back at Ruby. "Eat some more chicken, it'll be the last time in a while for you." I said, then I walked off and out the back door.
"Luis!" Someone called my name but I ignored them. I got out to the back porch, almost tripping down the stairs. I jumped them, landing wobbly on my feet.
"Luis." I recognised Harper's voice. I turned, seeing her standing on the porch. For a second she looked like the girl she used to be, but then my eyes cleared and standing there was the same thin, fragile figure I met in Columbus.
"Other guys?" I shouted. She crossed her arms as the cold wind hit her, her eyes averting away from mine. "Already."
"My Mother doesn't know what she's talking about."
"I think she does." I nodded. I didn't want to fight; I just wanted to get out. "Congratulations Harper; I hope you and whoever else you're interested in have a blast."
"You're being immature." She snapped.
"No I'm actually being very mature." I said. "I'm telling you that I'm happy for you. Go and find a man who suits you, who brings out your good side and hopefully can give you Jacob, Henry and Mathilde."
"Luis -"
"I was having doubts Harper about calling this – us off; but they're gone now." I said. "Go back to the party, hopefully your new love interest is in there and you can dance with him."
"Seriously?"
"Go on." I said. "Tell him I said hi."
"Fine!" She snapped. "I will, and when I'm with him tonight, I won't be thinking of you."
"Good to know!" I yelled, and she stamped her foot, turning and walking back into the party. "Me? Immature? Fuck off." I said, kicking the dirt underneath my foot before stalking off into the darkness of the streets.
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