Chapter 4

Happiness can be found in even the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light

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Blossom stands in front of the funeral home in a simple black dress that ends at her mid-thigh and her hair let loose. She watches as strangers go through the door to see her brother. She is angry at them-they're only here to be here, they don't actually care.

"Aren't you going in?" a voice asks. Blossom turns to three boys. All of them are in black suits with green, blue, and red ties.

"Soon," she says weakly, glancing over her shoulder as more strangers walk in. "I wish my mom just made it family."

"But then others wouldn't get to say their goodbyes," Boomer says sadly.

"These people aren't here to say goodbye," Blossom says spitefully, glaring as an elderly couple walks in.

"Yes, some might not be, but a lot of us are," Butch corrects, coming next to her shoulder.

"Sure," she says harshly, walking forward. Butch calls out to her to come back, but Brick puts a hand on his brothers shoulder, shaking his head and turning away. The two boys cast sad glances out at their friend and turn after their eldest brother.

Blossom walks through the door, slightly surprised to see the massive amount of people milling like lost sad sheep in the halls. She frowns in distaste and pushes her way past people, trying to make it to the viewing room.

"Blossom! Blossom Rose!" a familiar voice yells. Blossom stops, turning to see her mother running up to her, the two elderly people from before right after her. "Blossom this is your Aunt Margret and Uncle Joe!"

Blossom stares in shock as she recalls memories of them. Her relatives. She shakes her head, tears filling her vision and runs away from them, ignoring her mother's calls to stop.

Finally out of breath Blossom slips past a door, going into a room with many chairs. She stops short as she spots a wooden casket on top of a podium. Inside, she knew, her brother lay to rest. She turns around and plops into a seat, placing her head in her hands. Tears prickle at her eyes and she let's them dribble onto her cheeks, marking their trek.

"I thought I'd find you here," a voice says, making Blossom jump and turn. She sees her sister bounce off from a wall, walking towards her. She was in the same outfit as Blossom, with her hair also down.

"What're...you doing here?" Blossom asks, sniffing and wiping away tears. Berserk smiles sadly and sits next to her sister, wrapping an arm around the back of her chair.

"My little sister needs me, so here I am," she says with a light humorless laugh. Blossom doesn't even smile.

"John needed you, why weren't you there for him?" she counters, staring up at the closed coffin. Berserk let's out a puff of air, letting the smile slide from her face and leans back in the chair.

"Has anyone ever told you the story of the three little pigs?" Berserk asks. Blossom rolls her eyes, wiping away her tears and stands up.

"I don't have time for fables, Berserk," Blossom says bitterly, turning to leave. Berserk grabs her hand, pulling her gently back into the chair.

"I'm pretty sure you've never heard this version," she whispers with a smile. Blossom doesn't smile but she stays put. "Once upon a time there were three little pigs. The oldest one was protective, the middle one was cheerful and happy, and the third one was smart beyond comparison. One day the oldest pig was looking around for her sister and missed picking up John-I mean the third little pig."

"Berserk, this isn't a story of the three little pigs. This is the story of why John died," Blossom says without emotion. Berserk sighs in defeat and twists in her chair towards Blossom.

"It was my fault. Brick was late and I got curious so I went to look for him. I didn't realize it was already time to pick up John and he started to walk home by himself. He didn't look before crossing a street and a car hit him," Berserk says slowly, her voice filling up with more sadness.

"Brick didn't tell you he was going to the arcade?" Blossom asks. Berserk raises an eyebrow at Blossom and blinks I confusion.

"You knew where he was?" she asks in astonishment.

"He came up to me after school and asked to tag along. He said you already knew," Blossom says slowly, what really happened dawning on her. Her cheeks flush in agitation and anger swells inside of her. It was his fault John was dead.

"I know what your thinking Blossom...you can't blame it on him," Berserk says quietly, placing a hand on her sister's shoulder. Blossom shrugs it off and stands up.

"It is his fault! I can and I will!" she shouts. Berserk stares sadly at Blossom while she breaths deeply in anger. Finally she stops and stares at the casket, tears filling her eyes. Berserk stands up and pulls her younger sister into a hug. "He's gone...he's really gone..."

"I know," Berserk coos softly, digging her face into Blossom's hair. Blossom shoves her face into her sister and cries, sobbing so loudly she was sure people could hear them from the hall. "I know."

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Brick stands next to his brother, leaning up against the wall while waiting to go in.

"Have you seem Blossom? Her mom said she ran off and hasn't been seen since," Butch gasps, running up to the pair. Boomer's head picks up in surprise and Brick furrows his eyes, fear for the girl coiling up in his chest. With his memories back, Blossom was now the most important person in the world.

"Does she have any clue where Blossom is?" Brick asks, pushing off the wall. Butch opens his mouth to speak but he's cut off.

"I'm right here," all the boys turn, shocked to see their usually cheerful friend with tear stains going down her cheeks.

"Are you okay?" Boomer asks sympathetically. Blossom rolls her eyes, giving off a weak and totally fake laugh.

"I'm fine," she assures them, dragging her hand across her cheek. Butch and Boomer smile, but Brick just nods, not really believing her.

"When are they letting us in?" Boomer asks quietly. Blossom blinks at him and then let's out a loose laugh. The boys turn to each other and frown in confusion.

"I'm sorry, I just..." Blossom turns and coughs into her hand, running her fingers through her hair. She turns back to the boys and smiles kindly. "In a few minutes."

"Are you really going in?" Butch asks in sad astonishment, placing a caring hand on his friend's shoulder. Blossom laughs lightly and grabs his hand, squeezing it tightly. Brick flinches slightly, but manages to keep a straight face.

"I have to. Like you said, how else would I be able to say goodbye?" She asks with a small tired smile. Brick frowns a little deeper as the doors open and the crowd mills in. Blossom grips tighter to Butch's hand and grabs Boomer's before heading in.

Brick grimaces and sighs in defeat, following after them. He should've known that the other night meant nothing. She was tired and sad, he was desperate. Butch and Boomer are her friends, not him.

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Blossom joins her family at the front and takes her seat next to Berserk. Berserk moves her hand over and loops her fingers through Blossom's cold hand. Blossom squeezes her back, embracing her warmth. A man in complete black with pale almost white skin walks up to the podium before John's casket and clears his throat, lightly tapping on the mic. Blossom frowns and instantly decides she doesn't like him.

"Good evening ladies and gentleman! Today is a very sad day, but it is also a good day. Today we lost a friend, a boy, a companion...a brother," he looks directly at Blossom with a sad smile before turning back to the general crowd. "But today little Jonathan is sent up to heaven, and as the gospel says; he shall walk the streets of gold and drink from the fountains of pure ness."

Blossom turns to look over her shoulder at the family a few rows behind them. All three boys sit still and watch the boring man spit out his boring words intently. She gives a half a smile as she thinks of what great friends they are.

Brick turns away from the boring man suddenly and looks at Blossom. Blossom's eyes go wide, as do his, both shocked to see the other staring at them. Blossom quickly turns around and stares up at the man, her heart thumping rapidly. Blossom tightly closes her eyes, pushing away all thoughts of Brick, and releases a calming breath, returning her attention back to the man.

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"And now the Jerson family shall come up to say a few last words," the man says. Everyone starts to clap and Boomer jumps from the seat next to brick, his arm hitting Butch who jumps to his feet in surprise. Everyone stares at Butch and he smiles, clapping quickly and sliding down into his seat.

"You guys did not seriously fall asleep!" Brick hisses, glancing up as Blossom and her family go to stand before the casket.

"Sorry," Butch and Boomer whisper together, looks of guilt spreading over their faces. Brick opens his mouth to say more when he feels a hard slap on his left arm. He turns quickly, stopping in surprise when he sees a shriveled old lady glaring daggers at him.

"Show some respect, boy!" she hisses, slapping him again and turning back to the front. Brick turns back to his brothers and rubs his sore arm. He casts them one final glare before turning back to the front.

Berserk climbs up to the podium, looking down at the crowd before her. She takes a deep breath and starts talking about how John was an amazing brother, and how she would miss him forever. By the end of her small but moving speech she has tears going down her cheeks. She wipes them away and steps down, letting Blossom take her place.

"Well, I'm not very good at these things, but I'll try to keep your eyes dry," she starts, earning a few laughs. She lightly chuckles herself and brushes away a loose strand of hair. "I'll be honest, the last few days have been kinda blurred. My body is physically and emotionally drained, and I pretty much can't feel anything.

"When I came here I was angry; angry at my sister, at myself, at...everything. I felt broken, that my life would be destroyed, over, but then I remembered something." Blossom pauses and glances around the room. "A while ago my best friend in the whole world moved away. I was sad and mad, just like I am now. I felt like the world was against me, that it hated me...and then my sister reminded me of something very important. That no matter what happened if always have her. I'd have her, my brother, my mom, and my dad. And now I still have them. John is gone, and that hurts, but I know I won't be hurting alone. I'll never be alone." she finishes. The crowd cheers and claps, making Blossom smile. She steps off the podium and turns towards the casket, looking down at her resting brother. "I love you, John."

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