On Wednesday morning, Keanna White was declared no longer persisting. Tribulation has become my eternal state of being since then. My best friend. Dead. Just like that. I've lost everyone I hold dear to me. 

Keanna's service is held on Sunday. Since it's too risky to bring her parents out to Miami, I'm in charge of the entire service. The speech, the parting prayer, everything is planned by my hands. I guess Rylan does deserve some credit, but only for putting together the video that is Keanna's life in a span of ten minutes of heartwarming photographs.

It's a gloomy afternoon, the time of her funeral. Needless to say, the turnout isn't that big as those of the norm. None of those warrior vampires show up. They never knew her. The only people in attendance are those who she knew. From the casket, I watch as the rest of the group make their way down the endless hill that towers over the crystal creek. 

Donning fabrics of black, their heads are hung low as they approach like an army of zombies. I look down at Keanna, all cozy in her tight confinement of velvet toppings. She's at peace with earth at the moment, as some may say. Her brilliant barrels tucked into a braid tucked behind her neck. A jaundiced complexion has replaced the skin once kissed ever so immaculately by the sun. 

One by one they approach the casket, and gaze down at the corpse with somber eyes. Grace can't even contain herself. After seeing Keanna all lifeless, she takes off into run up the hill, bursting out with vehement sobs. I keep taking deep breaths and keep telling myself I'm going to be okay.  

As the last of the group is seated, I clear my throat. Solemn eyes make contact with mine. I convince myself to keep my composure. "Please stand as we recite the Lord's Prayer." They all stand, connecting hand by hand. Their eyes are closed and we speak in unison. 

Hands drop to our sides as the last syllables exit our tongues. Nothing is left but silence. I stand there for a moment, trying to remember what I'm supposed to say next. After moments of stuttering, I finally come to remember. "Thank you, everyone, for taking time out of your lives to come and celebrate the life of Keanna Bethany White." 

When there's no response, I decide it's most appropriate for me to move onto Keanna's eulogy. 

"Keanna, she was the brightest ray of sunshine I'd ever met. She saw the even smallest glint of light in the worst of times, she had a smile that could on for miles and never stop. She was the bestest friend anyone could ever ask for.

"Keanna saw past everyone's flaws, she'd make everyone laugh, she'd get you a gift for your birthday even if you told her not to. She was the only one I've ever cried in front of. She was amazing and sure enough, she did not deserve to die like she did. But when all's said and done, Keanna will be remembered by everyone she loved.

"I remember once, Keanna told me that tragedy is another way of making us stronger. Keanna wouldn't want us to be in eternal remorse but rather celebrating all the good that happened. Celebrate all the times she built us back up after heartbreak, all the binge-watching marathons we had together instead of going to Wolfcoming or Wolf Prom, everything really. Here's to all the good times we had with Keanna White." 

I step away from the casket to let Kyran go on to tell the story of when he and Keanna failed miserably trying to play tennis in gym class together. I remember that the ball was hit so fast that it hit Kyran in the face and gave him a black eye. Keanna and I laughed so hard later that night as we retold the turn of events that day. 

I sit next to Rylan in the back of the audience. His arm drapes across my shoulder as I lean up against him. Other than Athan via letters, Rylan's the only who has been here for me this week. Who was the shoulder I leaned on when I found out Keanna was dead? Rylan. Who was the person who never left the room in the day I needed to heal my leg? Rylan. All I can say is, Rylan's a good friend, but I can't tell him that after his beautiful speech. 

Eileene is up next and tells the story of how Keanna exactly helped bring her and Kyran together as a couple. It then hits me that Kyran and Eileene started dating before their Matching Ceremony. I guess it makes me see the two in a different light. 

Then the worse fact occurs to me - Athan hasn't even looked at me once during the funeral. The thought bugs me throughout the rest of the funeral. I get back to my feet after the last story of Keanna and go to close the covers to the coffin as the others starts to head inside. It has begun to rain outside. 

I stare down at the coffin. Beautiful Keanna, kind Keanna is dead. My wobbling legs bring crash to the grass in tears. She's gone. My yowls are louder than they usually are. The sadness trapped inside of me just let's loose after so many days of holding a good guard. 

The one fact I don't realize - Rylan hasn't left. "Betrys -" 

"She's dead," I say. I choke down on my words, vehement sobs escaping my lunges. "Rylan, she's dead."  

After helping me back onto my feet as tremble with loud sobs, he pulls me into a deep hug. I don't care how much effort I put into it, I just need someone to be here for me. Even if it is Rylan Elderton. I compose myself as I finally manage to gain the gumption to let go, but only for a split second. 

When I was young, Sabia always told me that a split second of pause can lead to a mass of great destruction. A split second can cause someone to rethink their entire moral compass. A split second can lead empires to crash down into dust. A split second can lead a woman into putting her lips on the wrong man. 

A split second and I'm down the dark path itself. My lips are Rylan and I don't pull back. I let the kiss happen. Each and every utter perfection doesn't compare to our moment. Even as it continues, I keep replaying the kiss over and over in my brain. Only when I see Athan approaching do I pull away. 

"Beatrice." Athan doesn't seem to get past stammering. "I - How - What - When - Why?"

I'm soaking wet, I'm in the middle of a remorseful blush, and I kissed my ex-boyfriend in full notice that my actual boyfriend was watching. I'm pathetic. 

"I'm vulnerable, okay," I explain. My eyes pry their way down to my cream-colored flats, an unusual twist to my usual combat boots. I don't want to face Athan after I screwed up. "Rylan is the only one who  has been here for me this week. I mean, where were you when I needed you the most? Oh right, off with the friends trying to avoid me. How can we even be dating if we don't even know how to communicate with each other?" 

I feel Athan's breath trail down my neck. I barely manage to look up into his red eyes. They're sharp instead of their usual softness that peeks my curiosity. His voice is shaking and soft. "Are you breaking up with me." 

"Yes," I say with a tone of gloom that rarely inhabits me. "I made a mistake, but I guess I should've saw it coming the moment we dated for a day and then didn't see each other for a week. That's all we ever really do."

"Are you saying what I'm think you're saying?" Rylan's voice then reenters the scene. Oh, right. He's still here. "You're in love with me?" 

"No," I hiss. I bring myself into an upright position to glare at him. "I was vulnerable. What part of that do you not get? You wanted me to kill Athan, if I remember correctly. You're an Elderton. The name implies its meaning - 'permanently in the friend zone with an Ochoa.' It's time I try figuring out what I want in life instead of throwing myself at the first opportunity I see. It's time I start living for myself instead someone else." 

I march back into the facility, satisfied with myself and make a triumphant exit to my cubicle. Sabia would be so proud of me if she could've seen me break it off from the two and set the rules. She always was for self-fulfilment. And Keanna, if she were alive, she'd be scheduling a girls' night out almost as soon as possible. 

~

I'm sorry for such a sad chapter. As for what I have to say, I will announce here that Project Hybrid has an official schedule. Updates are always going to happen on Mondays and Wednesdays. And as for the gif of the week, may I have a drum roll please? 

*drum roll* 

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Here's the gif of the week: 

If you liked this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks. 

X Shay