Rachel couldn't sleep all night. Today was the day of Tommy's funeral. Rachel and Manny spent the whole night together trying to process how painful it is going to be for both of them to attend. Rachel wanted to spend the entire day in her bed, but she knew she couldn't. It was already June and school was soon ending, the heat made the start of the day even worse.
"Come on Rachel, you have to get up and get ready now," Manny said to her with a drawn-out smile. She sighed. Rachel knew what she had to do, she just wasn't mentally or physically prepared for it. Manny held his hand out and Rachel almost instantly grabbed it, engulfing the warmth of his hand into hers.
"Thank you," He said to her as he pulled her in for a hug.
"Don't mention it" She said with a chuckle as she pulled away to begin the search for dresses. Her closet was filled with dresses she could wear for ANY occasion except a funeral. Manny got dressed way before her, he was dressed in a white suit with black pants and dress shoes. He looked more amazing than he ever did.
"You look incredible," Rachel said to him as she quickly looked him in the eyes. She watched his cheeks get red.
"Thank you," He said once again as he smiled from ear to ear. She couldn't help but wonder how madly in love she was with him. After minutes of looking for a dress, she finally found one. A short, black dress with an open back. She loved it, she would never wear it at a funeral but it just felt right for her to do. She undressed and threw her clothes into her laundry bin, then continued to fit into the dress. It was tight fitted, but it made her happy because it helped her curves and made them look wonderful. Manny scanned her from head to toe, analyzing her body in awe.
"You're so gorgeous," He said to her as he pulled her into him. She kissed his lips so softly, it made her fall more in love with him.
She couldn't even thank him.
"I love you," He said in a soft whisper.
"I love you too," She said back with a long smile. He was the only person to make her feel something, something other than pain that has accumulated up her entire life.
Andrea began to come up the stairs.
"I know we are ready," Rachel said. Andrea sighed and walked back down the steps. Rachel let go of Manny and let him brush her hair. He was so gentle, making sure he didn't hurt her. When he finished, he kissed her head and put his fingers through her hair. They gave each other their hands and walked downstairs to see Andrea sitting on the couch waiting.
"About time to go," She said as she looked down at her phone. Rachel and Manny opened the door and exited the house. They both walked to the car and Manny opened the door for her.
"Thank you," She said with a smile as she sat down and buckled in the seatbelt. Manny closed the door for her and walked to the other side of the car. Andrea got into the car and set everything up for the hour-long drive. It was silent, not because it was awkward but because it was a sad day not just for Rachel.
The hour drive felt longer than an hour. Rachel watched Manny as he fell asleep with his head on her shoulder. She played with his beautiful brown hair, smiling through every curl and through every bump in the road. She stared out of the window, watching the cars drive by imagining their life stories and where they are going at that exact moment. Andrea pulled into the funeral home building and found a parking space.
"Baby, we're here," Rachel said as she kissed his head. He lifted his head from her shoulder and looked at her in her eyes with a smile. She unbuckled her seatbelt and exited the car. She listened to the click of the doors locking. Manny walked beside her, wiping his eyes from his nap. Rachel and Manny walked inside and as soon as she entered the building, her heart sank. It was extremely cold, she wasn't expecting it to be so cold inside. Before they went inside, Rachel took a deep breath and grabbed Manny's hand for comfort. She kissed his hand and hugged him. He patted her back and rubbed it back and forth until she was ready to let go.
"I'm ready," She said with a smile. He nodded and grabbed her hand. They both walked inside the room and it felt so awkward. It was close family and friends but it was mainly his family there. There was no Emma to be found.
"Figures she isn't here" Manny whispered as they found seats with their names on them. Andrea sat next to Rachel, although Rachel only wanted to be next to Manny. They started their speeches and tears instantly formed in Rachel's eyes. His mom was speaking about him and how great of a son he was. It brought tears to everyone's eyes. It was quite heartbreaking. Rachel crosses her legs as she listens to the speech.
"Next, we would like to bring up one of Tommy's closest friends. Her name is Rachel. Rachel may you please come up?" Rachel smiled and stood up, fixing her dress. She walked up to the podium and watched everyone as they stared at her. Before she started to speak she saw this blue box on top of the piano that was beside the podium.
"I met Tommy in my first-period math class. It was my first day back after experiencing the death of my little sister. He made my day and made me laugh when I needed it. He was so sweet and calming. He was the one who got me and my boyfriend together. I miss him so much. I know you all do too" She said with tears forming in her eyes.
"Tommy created something just for you" His mom handed Rachel the blue box. Rachel thanked her and smiled as she walked back to her seat.
"You did so good baby," Manny said as he watched her sit down next to him. He smiled at her beauty.
"Thank you," She said with a beaming smile as she grabbed his hand. She was curious about the box, she had no idea what was in it. She wanted to open it so bad but she knew she shouldn't, at least not there.
The rest of the funeral went by and Rachel and Manny got to say their official last goodbyes. She felt so empty, but at least she had Manny by her side. They exited the building shortly after and they got into the car to drive back to Rachel's. Manny didn't want to go home, he never did. Rachel held the box in her hands as Manny looked out the dark window. The drive home was quick, maybe because Rachel dozed off for a few minutes. Manny opened the car door for her and poked her in the nose.
"Cutie," he said with a smile. She smiled and got out of the car thanking him. He closed the door and walked inside with her. Rachel said goodnight to her mom and headed upstairs immediately to open the box. She took off her dress and slipped into a pair of shorts and a small t-shirt and jumped into her bed.
"Look at this with me," Rachel said with a smile. Manny nodded his head and jumped into her bed next to her. He cuddled up next to her and watched her as she slowly opened the box. The box had a note, a blue bracelet, and a necklace in it. She tilted her head.
"I fell in love with you the second I laid my eyes on you. I'm sorry I did this. You couldn't save me and I couldn't save myself either"