| Title: Getting Reacquainted Author: Priscilla Chapter 1 Jane sat on her black leather couch, gazing through the pictures in the old album. She'd found it while cleaning out her attic for spring and immediately brought it down to her living room. As she turned the page, her eyes caught a splash of color.... red. Looking down at the thirteen-year-old picture she smiled, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes unexpectedly. How long had it been since she'd seen him last? Too long that's for sure. Gavin Rossdale was now somewhere off in the States, "living out his dreams" his sister had once told her. Jane hadn't really understood what Elizabeth was trying to tell her but didn't press the issue by asking questions. She only represented the past in Gavin's life and he was obviously looking towards his future. Jane shook her head as if to shake the bitter taste the memories brought, turning the page on the emotional picture, away from view, away from mind. Then she wished she hadn't done it at all. The picture was about 7 years old, staring up at her as a testament to what they'd once meant to each other. Jane, Wesley and Gavin, the three musketeers, best friends for life. She remembered the day it was taken like it was yesterday. ******************************** The warmth of the sun a welcome change to the usually dreary London weather. Three families come together to celebrate her birthday, Gavin and his family, Wesley and his family and of course her own, laughing, dancing, and sharing great food. But with all the happiness the day had brought, it would all end with an underlined sadness. Gavin was moving away, to experience the United States and it's music, his true love. That was the last time they were together. ******************************** Jane sighed and wiped at her misty eyes, shutting the old photo album as she got up. She looked out her flat's bay windows to the London landscape as she passed them and went to the kitchen to make herself some tea. She put some water in the kettle and just as she was about to put it on the stove, the phone started to ring. Jane quickly put the kettle on the flame and half walked half jogged to get to the phone. "Hello?" She asked breathlessly when she picked up. There was sobbing on the other end and Jane became instantly worried. "Hello?" She asked again only a little louder. "Jane? It'ss mum. I-" "Mum it's so good to hear your voice! How have you been?!" Jane asked interrupting her mother in mid sentence. "Jane I ha-have s-something to tell you." Jane could barely get the gist of what her mother was trying to tell her through her sobs but whatever it was, it was not good. "What's happened mum? Tell me." "Wesley's dead sweetheart." Was all her mother got to choke out before her pain filled sobs over took her. Jane was shocked, could swear she'd felt the color drain out of her face as her mother's words sunk in. She had just visited Wesley a month ago, had spent most of their time together catching up. How could her best friend be gone now? She couldn't, would not believe it until she saw it for herself. "Jane, honey?" Her mother asked on the phone, concern thickening her accented voice. "Where are you mum?" "We're here in Kilbourn. Wesley's mother called us about an hour ago." "I'll be right there." Was all she managed to say before she hung up. It had to be a mistake. It was all a big misunderstanding. Title: Getting Reacquainted Author: Priscilla Chapter 2 As soon as she'd hung up the phone, Jane made a mad dash for the stairs that led up to her bedroom in search for a change of clothes and whatever else she might need for her trip. She opened her closet door and grabbed the shoulder strap bag off of the high shelf, placing it open on the bed. Jane searched through for things to put in; it was always kind of cold in London so she opted mostly for sweaters and jeans. A couple of minutes later Jane thought she had everything she would need, but still did a mental check. Jeans-check, Sweaters-check, underwear and socks-check, shoes-check, deodorant-check, toothbrush and paste-check, hair stuff-check, everything seemed to be there but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Jane walked over to her open closet again, looking for she didn't know what, but still searching. Then her eyes fell on the black lace. Tears sprung to her eyes as she grazed her palm over the soft fabric of the dress. Wesley had given it to her as a Christmas present. He told her that he'd bought it after he caught her staring at it at the mall. It was a simple spaghetti strap dress, black satin and lace. Jane pulled it out of the closet and placed it in the bag. Once that packing was done, she went into the bathroom and took a quick shower, changing into fresh clothes. After picking her hair up into a ponytail, she locked all the doors and windows of the house, picked up her bag and purse and locked the front door behind her. It was funny, Kilbourn never locked to desolate and deserted before. The silence was killing her, allowing all sorts of things to come into her mind making her want to pull over the side of the road and start bawling. But she had to remain strong, until she found out the truth. Jane turned on the radio in search of a distraction. The song playing, she instantly recognized. It was an old song, "Don't Cry" off of Guns N Roses' "Illusion Part 1 album. About thirty minutes later, she arrived at Wesley's parent's house. She got out of the car and walked up the front steps to ring the bell. She didn't know what she would find on the other end and it was making her nervous. Wesley's father opened the door, looking like a shadow of the man she'd seen just a month ago. Had aged ten years over night it seemed, but in the midst of his obvious grief, he still found a smile to give her and she smiled back stepping up to give him a hug. "How are you girl?" "I should be asking you the same thing." "Ahhh, well, I'm as well as can be expected I guess. Still trying to make some sense of this." She looked down at the floor then, not sure how to react to that. What should she say? Do? How should she act around these people? Wesley wasn't gone....... His father broke into her train of thought suddenly when he noticed she'd gotten really quiet. "C'mon, all the blubbering wankers are in the living room." He said playfully guiding her towards the room where her parents and most of Wesley's family was seated. It seemed that an ocean of tear streaked, puffy eyed faces looked up when she walked in. Her mother got up and gave her a hug. Next came Gavin's mother and sisters and finally Wesley's mom. She fought against the knot forming in her throat. This could not be happening. Needing to find something to do her mother went into the kitchen to make tea for everyone. A few minutes later it was done and all the people present involved themselves in idle chitchat and other conversations to take their minds off of the depressing situation they were in. She looked down into her cup not really feeing like talking to anyone but she did listen in to conversation going on next to her between their mothers. "The funeral is tomorrow." Wesley's mother Mildred said, staring at her cup of tea absently. "I'll help with whatever you need." Jane's mother replied with a faint smile. "I know and thank you. I don't know how I'd be without you." Mildred said grabbing hold of Vivian's hands in her own. "Will Gavin make it?" Mildred said suddenly turning towards Gavin's mother. "I don't know, he said he would try but wasn't sure if he'd make it in time for the funeral because of the tour." Gavin's mother replied feeling somewhat disappointed with the answer she'd just spoken. Their children had been inseparable growing up and now they'd drifted so far away from each other. "It would be wonderful if he could be there. He and Wesley were so close." A few hours later, most of the family had dispersed and gone to bed early. Jane lay in her bed staring up at the ceiling. A few jumbled thoughts buzzed in her brain. Wesley's funeral was tomorrow.......Gavin might show up.....Gavin. God, how was she going to make it through the day without falling apart. Tears welled up in her eyes again, and this time she let them fall. Releasing all her pain in heart breaking sobs until she fell asleep. |