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KRYSTAL’S FUNERAL WAS two weeks later, after the autopsy. It was revealed that she’d been raped and then strangled. Unfortunately, they didn’t have enough evidence to arrest anyone, so the investigation was still open.
Trevor and Tank both attended the funeral, even though Krystal’s mother had tried banning anyone associated with the Gold Vipers. She blamed them directly for her daughter’s murder. When the time came, however, she allowed them to attend, too grief-stricken to care about anything else other than the fact that she was burying her daughter.
When it was time for me to speak during the eulogy, my eyes met Trevor’s for a brief second. He nodded, but I looked away, my heart heavy for everything I’d lost in the last two weeks.
“I met Krystal in the sixth grade,” I said, reading from the piece of paper in front of me. I knew the words by heart, but I couldn’t look at anyone. I knew I’d start to cry. “I was new in school and very nervous. After the teacher introduced me in class, I went to go take a seat when a boy stuck out his foot. I tripped, landing on my face, dropping my books and everything else. Of course, everyone laughed. Well, everyone but the teacher and Krystal, I guess.” I smiled through my tears and went on. “She beat him up after school that day. Actually punched out one of his teeth, because of the way he’d tried to humiliate me. The funny thing was, they were going steady.”
Some people chuckled.
“That was Krystal, though. She had a heart and she’d stick up for you, no matter what.” I sniffled. “If you were her friend, you’d be one for life. If you were a guy in her life, well, you didn’t want to piss her off or you might have ended up with dentures.”
More chuckles.
“Anyway,” I looked up. “Although she’s gone, I know she’s looking down at us today, wondering if her hair was done right or they used the right color of lipstick.” I smiled sadly and looked over at Tiffany and Claudia. “Remember when she went through that phase of wearing blue lipstick? I still don’t know what that was about.”
They both nodded, smiling through their tears.
I took a deep breath. “Anyway, Krystal, we’re going to miss seeing you laugh and smile, but we’ll always feel you in our hearts. Always. I love you and I already miss you so very much,” I said, my voice cracking. “I only wish I would have told you how much when you were still alive.”
My eyes were blurred with tears and I couldn’t read the rest. Wiping my face with the back of my hand, I picked up my sheet of paper and hurried away from the podium.
“You did good, honey,” whispered my mom as I sat down next to her. “I’m sure Krystal thought so, too.”
I didn’t say anything, I was too choked up.
When the funeral was over, we all drove to the cemetery, where she was laid to rest. As I put a rose on her coffin, I looked up to find Trevor standing on the other side, watching me. I had to admit, he looked incredibly handsome, especially in the dark suit he was wearing.
I quickly looked away.
“I have to get back to the shop,” said Vanda, as we walked back to the car with Jim, who’d also attended the funeral. They’d already been on a couple more dates, and were becoming very close. I could tell by the way that she looked at him.
“I’ll drive you,” he said. “That way, Adriana can go to the reception.”
“Thanks,” she said, digging into her purse. “Here are the keys. Are you okay to drive?”
“Yes. Of course.”
She looked past me and her eyes hardened. “I still can’t believe those two had the audacity to show up.”
I turned around to see Trevor and Tank walking toward their motorcycles. Tank’s expression was unreadable now, but I had seen tears in his eyes when they lowered her casket. He’d definitely had feelings for her.
“I can’t believe they’re riding bikes in this weather,” said Jim. “It must be forty degrees. That’s got to be cold.”
I shrugged.
“He didn’t try talking to you, did he?” she asked as we reached the two cars, which were parked next to each other.
“No,” I said. He’d been respectful to my wishes, even though he hadn’t understood them.
“So, that’s it? You don’t want to see me again?” he’d said, after I’d given him the news.
“I just can’t see you again.”
“Why?”
“Because of what happened. Krystal is dead. DEAD. I can’t get caught up in that kind of... world.”
“You know I’d never put you in any kind of danger.”
“Trevor, your entire world is ‘danger’. Whether you want to admit it or not.”
“I’m not ready to let you go,” he’d said, his eyes burning into mine. “You’ve gotten under my skin. You’re all I think about.”
“You know what I’m thinking about? My best friend. She’s dead – and why? Because of some senseless gang warfare she didn’t want any part of, either. I don’t want to be next. I don’t want to die.”
“You aren’t going to die.”
“How can you be certain?”
“I won’t let them near you.”
“That’s a gallant thought, but you can’t protect me every hour of the day.”
“They’re going to pay for what they did and then, I promise, you won’t have to worry about it.”
“See, that’s exactly what I do have to worry about. Retaliation. First them and then you. It’s going to go on and on. I just want to live my life without having to worry about getting kidnapped or shot, Trevor. Don’t you understand?”
He sighed.
“Trevor, please... respect my wishes and... stay away from me.”
“That’s just it. I don’t know if I can do that.”
“You have to try. If you’re not even willing, then you’re not the man I thought you were.”
“Ouch.”
“I’m serious.”
He’d finally relented, even though it had been hard for both of us. I knew I wasn’t in love with him, but there was something between us. Something fierce.
She nodded. “Good. I’m glad.”
I sighed. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Be careful. Don’t drink and drive.”
“Yes, mother,” I said, my voice hollow.
“Don’t drink too much and drive,” corrected Jim, smiling. “One glass of wine won’t hurt.”
I winked at him and got into the car.
Mom waved at me as she slid into Jim’s car.
Stealing another glance across the parking lot at Trevor, I tried ignoring the pangs in my chest. I wasn’t a fool. I knew that I longed to be with him, even after everything that had happened. Feel his arms around me. But, it was over and both of us had to accept it.
I started the engine and drove to the reception.