branch angst

wearing all black

branch's pov:

2 weeks after floyd's death.

i stared at myself in the mirror. my brothers had been kind enough to get me a new one. i wanted to look away so bad. but i stared straight at my reflection as i continued to adjust my tie. i didn't know how to tie it together. it looked wonky, and different strings shot out at places they shouldn't be. but i didn't want to ask anyone to help.

everyone else was also getting ready for the funeral.

i wore all black, starting with my new tuxedo and ending with my ankle long pants. underneath i had a set of multi colored socks (one of poppy's gifts). i couldn't help but giggle at the odd looking pair of socks.

i can't tell you much about the past few weeks. i slept a lot, and i cried even more. poppy came to visit me once or twice but i ushered her away each time. none of my brothers made an attempt to comfort me and i don't blame them. they wanted comfort too.

i snapped out of my thoughts and sat criss-cross on the floor. i stared at myself in the mirror. this was the first time i had even thought to look in the mirror since i'd gotten it. each time i look in any mirror i get this odd frightful feeling at the pit of my stomach. and i had that same feeling now. but i just kept staring.

bruce's pov:

i'd been sleeping at the bunker for two weeks now. brandy understood why. i was so lucky to have her. i was still in the bunker; i was sat on my bed with my navy blue phone in my hands.

i was texting brandy, and then each one of my children. it's kind of a tradition in my family. if we're not there to say it to each other, instead we text each other good morning. i smiled at each text. it gave me this warm and fuzzy feeling that i had so many people who loved me.

but just two weeks ago i lost one person who loved me. it stings to say it out loud. i thought that after the whole velvet and veneer thing i wouldn't have to worry about floyd's safety anymore. but i was so so wrong. i wish i had been there when it all happened. maybe i could of done something.

john dory's pov:

i was still laid back in my bed. the covers were pulled up to my head; showering me in complete and total darkness.

i hadn't prepared at all for the funeral. not yet. i was still in my fuzzy monkey pajamas.

i hadn't been out of my room except for when i wanted to eat. well, i guess that's what everyone was doing. i wasn't special. but i feel so special and i just can't explain why.

it's not special in a good way. it's special in a way that makes me different from others. does that make sense?? probably not. i haven't talked to a troll in weeks! i'm probably nearly as insane as branch right now.

haha.

sorry that wasn't funny.

clay's pov:

i was pacing my room back and forth. i didn't want to go to floyd's funeral. that's like.. accepting he's dead!! and i can't do that. not yet. especially because i still can't shake the feeling that this is all my fault.

although my brothers had assured me that none of this was my fault.. i couldn't help but take at least partial blame for the incident. i know jules is the one who killed him. but i was the one who stepped forward!! i-

my phone lit up with a notification.

i scurried over to where my phone sat next to my table. it was a text from viva, in a group chat.

'are you guys ready to go? we're outside the bunker.' -viva

i began to text but john dory answered first.

'give us a second. we'll be out in a minute.' -john

i could hear john dory rummaging to get out of bed in the next room over. i shut my phone off and headed over to branch's room.

branch's pov:

i heard two soft knocks on the door.

"come in." i squeaked while scurrying to get off of the floor.

clay opened the door slowly; looking me up and down with a soft smile on his face.

"did you need help with that?" he asked while pointing towards my tie.

i stifled a laugh. "yes please."

he giggled and inched closer to me; taking ahold of the tie.

he unknotted it completely before beginning to tie it all over again. i tapped my fingers against my leg awkwardly.. i just couldn't figure out what to say.

"is viva here yet?" i asked in an attempt to fill the silence.

clay nodded his head. "yeah. john might take a while though, i think he just got out of bed."

"i'm glad i'm not the only nervous one." i sighed.

clay looked at me; the tie had been finished.

"don't be nervous. it's just.. it's just a funeral." clay responded shakily.

he was clearly nervous too.

thats the end pf the chapter!!