Audrey didn't made it.
Her condition was critical. It was a head-on car accident on the way to the wedding.
When I heard the news, I felt my heart drop. I can say the same with Eren. He was truly horrified, shocked. A total mix of emotions.
We waited until the end of reception, not saying a word about the news, not wanting to ruin the joyous atmosphere.
Me and Eren just showed small smiles, not full ones. Good thing no one noticed, they were too engulfed in happiness, and we don't want to break it.
After the event, me and Eren changed clothes and went straight to the hospital where Audrey was confined.
Running through the white hallways like madmen, it reminded me of the day my grandmother died.
As we reached her room, she's there, but no longer alive. Her parents was crying on their knees beside her hospital bed, clinging and holding onto her lifeless body as if she would disappear once they let go.
Audrey laid there, her eyes closed. A bandage wrapped around her head with a small blood stain seeping through the white cloth. Wounds and covered her arms and several scratches grazed on her face. She's completely lifeless.
My hands went up to cover my mouth as I gasp, feeling the tears flooding my eyes. It all poured out and I cried.
Eren held me close to him, his arms wrapped around me. He was shaking, and choking back cries as he did. I buried my face on his chest as I cried and he rubs my back in the most comforting way he could despite his condition.
I wrapped my arms around him, wanting to return the action of comfort. We both stayed in that position until we calmed down.
Audrey. The girl whom became my friend after all the events that almost changed my life, just went away, gone, like sand on your palm being blown away by the wind.
The funeral was held days after, and by that time, everyone knew the sad news. Me and Eren visited on the first day.
The place was designed with white and blue flowers. Audrey's casket was placed at the front. It was a black with gold casket with the top part open for people to see her.
We walked over, I took a deep breathe before gazing at her through the glass of the coffin. I never liked looking in caskets, it makes me feel more sad. I usually gaze in them once, and never look again.
As I look through the glass, Audrey lay there, completely different from when I saw her in the hospital. Her eyes closed, light make up was placed on her.
Her black hair was fixed neatly, sprawled around her as she lay. Her hands held a bouquet to her upper chest and she wore a navy blue lace dress. She's looks so beautiful and so peaceful as if shes only sleeping.
"She looks so peaceful.." Eren said silently beside me, I gave his hand a small squeeze as I smile slightly.
"Yeah...I wonder if she's okay..." I said like we're talking about her and she's just asleep.
I felt a small tap on my shoulder and turned around. It was Audrey's parents. They both look so tired. Her mother has bags under her eyes and her dad looks so stressed.
"A-ah, hello Mr. and Mrs. Craig" Eren said, stepping forward to them. Her mother waved her hand dismissively.
"You can call me our first names, Eren" her voice was cracked and tired as she talked.
She turned to me "Is this?...[f/n]?" she asked. I nodded and showed a small smile, even though these are the ones that really caused our break-up, I should still show respect.
"Y-yes I am" I replied. She showed me a sad smile.
"You really are beautiful, now I understand why Eren chose you" she said, gazing briefly at Eren whom blushed a bit at the statement. I felt embarrassed myself.
"Thank you.." I said. She sighed and looked at me and Eren together with her husband.
"Eren....[f/n].....we're really, really sorry about what we did" she said, her gaze shifting between me and Eren.
"We craved too much for our own desires and..." her Dad continued but he ended up, trailing off and sighing. He pinched the bridge of his nose like he was about to cry and is choking it back. "We got mad and..." he sighed again.'
Mrs. Craig rubs his shoulder and whispered 'go and sit, I'll take care of this'. Mr. Craig nodded and want back to the pew and sat on his spot.
Mrs. Craig took a deep breath "We're really sorry, truly we are.." she continued "...for everything that caused you trouble we are sorry" she was on the verge of crying.
She looks like Audrey when she cried to me that night. So as if it was her, I went to Mrs. Craig and hugged her lightly and patted her back gently.
"Its okay..." I said as I pulled back away slightly and gave her a small smile "that doesn't matter anymore..." I continued "what matter is what you choose to do right now" I said.
She smiled and wiped away her tears. Eren stood by me and took my hand in his "Its all okay now, Mrs. Rachelle" he said. So that's her first name.
She nodded, and smiled at us. "Thank you. Thank you to the both of you. I hope your love will bloom more" she said happily.
"And congratulations" she said. Me and Eren chuckled.
"Thank you"
After the funeral, me and Eren went back. He's supposed to drop me off to my house. Once we're done packing our things, we'll be moving to the apartment we found.
He pulled over in front of our house. After turning off the engine, he leaned his back on his seat and we sat there in silence for a while.
I can still feel the sadness in me after knowing of what happened to Audrey. I can tell Eren felt sad too. I reach over and took his hand in mine. He responded quickly, intertwining our fingers and holding it tight. Its a simple gesture just to know we're here for each other.
"Are you okay?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"half of me is, half of me not" i replied. I heard him chuckle lightly.
"Want me to make half of you okay?" he asked. I laugh slightly.
"Whats that supposed to mean?"
"This"
He pushed himself from his seat and leaned over to my side. He cupped my face gently in his hand. I blushed at the sudden action and just gone with it.
He rested his forehead against mine, smiling as those teal eyes of his look into my [e/c] ones.
"I love you" he said, leaning a bit more that his nose was already grazing mines, I giggle silently. I love this side of him that only I can see.
"I love you too" I whispered back. He grinned and leaned in and kissed me sweetly.
I kissed back, wrapping my arms around his torso, holding him closer. Every kiss was grew passionate, taking my breath away in a second. We continued to kiss until he was hovering over me as I sat on my seat.
I ran a hand through his hair as I kiss him. My lips part and I felt his soft tongue enter my mouth. I blushed at this and let him continue.
The heated make-out session continued and it drove me crazy. Both of us pulled away, gasping for air. My gaze shifted to my house and I chuckled.
"We'll continue this again in some time" I said. He chuckled and nodded .
"Yeah"
After his getting off me, we fixed ourselves and went out of the car.
We reach my porch and I turned to him, "so, tomorrow, we'll be moving in to our apartment right?" I asked, smiling.
"Yeah, I can't wait" he said grinning like a kid. I giggled at this.
We kissed once more and we pulled away later on.
"Goodnight, Eren"
"Goodnight, [f/n]"
After walking into the house and going up to my room, I watch Eren drive away from my bedroom window. I smiled.
I looked around my room, everything's cleared out and and my stuffs were fixed in boxes, ready move out tomorrow. I sighed in content.
Who knew, after all these events, me and Eren would still fall back together. Everything was too crazy when I came back here, but then, I guess that craziness led to something as beautiful as this.
Hanji, Mikasa...everyone..Eren...Audrey. They were all part of it. I'm really happy that I came back after all this.
Even though Audrey passed away, she's still the most bravest person I've ever met. Its all thanks to her. Though its sad to see her go, well, its part of life. Dying is.
The thing that matters is Audrey fixed all the things she has to fix and be happy before she died. She died without grudges. She died free from everything. And I can see her right now, smiling whenever I close my eyes.
I guess, after all this, It doesn't hurts to love again. This is all I wanted. All we wanted. Family and Friends. And there's Eren to love and to start my new life with. I don't care, I can love him all over and over again.