truly, there is nothing to worry about
"So how are you, girl?" asked Kayla digging into her very berry strawberry ice-cream.
"Uhm, Kayla, you don't want to know," I replied licking my spoon from my hokey pokey ice-cream.
"Come on, you are a fighter Alice! I know it!" she said punching her fists into the air.
I reached into my grey blue striped sling bag and pulled out the beige card that I meant to give to Kevin. I put it on the table pushing to show Kayla.
"It's all gone Kayla, all gone,"
"No it's not! There is a reason why it happened. Every time you went through something, you overcame it right?"
I reached to the card with my hands in position to tear the card.
"But this is too much for me to handle, I can just tear this-"
"NO Alice," Kayla exclaimed as she grabbed the card away from me.
I can't help it. Tears started flowing. Anger turned into solemness. My emotions started breaking out.
"Alice, can you please do something for me?"
"Fine"
"Put your hand your heart"
I did it just to please Kayla.
"Now say, All things"
"All things"
"Work together"
"Work together"
"For good"
"For good"
"Feel better? You have to mean it-All things work together for good"
"All things work together for good." I repeated.
Honestly, I felt it was useless at first but really, I guess I have forgotten that- all things work together for good-no matter what.
"Where did you learn all this stuff?" I asked cheekily.
"Haha, from a bollywood movie, 3 idiots! I decided to change up the word but kept their concept. You see, the heart forgets all this things so keep reminding yourself and your heart because truly, there is nothing to worry about,"
"Oh my gosh! Thank you Kayla! Come on, you want to stop by my house?"
"No problem!"
As we both stepped out of the chairs, I gave Kayla the you-really-saved-my-life hug.
"Thank you, really." I said.
"Your welcome, it wasn't my idea anyway." she smiled.
"Hey, aren't you Alice Hope, Kevin's ex-girlfriend?" said a voice in a sarcastic tone.
I turned around and saw one of the jocks of our school, John, with the cheerleaders, Brenda and Macy.
"I indeed am." I replied Brenda.
Brenda had a slim figure which is what all cheerleaders need. She had two low ponytails tied us with white ribbons. Another typical blond.
"Isn't it unbelievable that she was Kevin's girlfriend?" Macy asked John.
John was the new jock of this school's term. He was a Eurasian. Tan skin, caramel eyes, brunette, toned body and what all jocks have-guns.
"Not bad," replied John as he stared at me with a smirk.
"Are you sure? What about Kayla?" insulted Macy as she and Brenda started fake coughing.
"You know what, we were just about to go, so we know who we are, we don't need your approval. Toodles!" interrupted Kayla as she pulled me out of the ice-cream shop.
"That was weird," I said to Kayla.
"Maybe John likes you?" she replied with a smirk.
"Kayla, he is a jock."
***
I love Tuesdays. You know why? I get to use my fingers and work on what I want to be in the future. I love getting into the moment. The moment where you let go of everything- yes, everything. But unfortunately, I have to stop.
I love my electric guitar lessons. But I have to stop because of my dad.
"Sorry, Mr B. I really can't because of my dad," I said to my awesome guitar teacher.
"Oh, come on! Our school won't be a school without you!" he replied.
I looked down and just thought that maybe not all things turn out good. But they are for a good cause just as Kayla said.
"We are all going to miss you, badly," said one of my partners, Emma.
"What about a part time job?" Mr B suggested.
"Oh yeah! I'll tell you when I quit alright?"
When I reached for the metal bar of the glass door, Matthew's hands was on the other side of the bar about to come in. I smiled. He had a frown and he just looked away. Unexpected.
He looked back at me giving me a small smile.
"Ooh, love is in the air!" said the counter guy, Michael.
"Fine," I said as I pushed the door open keeping my eyes on Michael proving I do not like him.
"Ouch!" exclaimed Matthew.
Oops. I forgot to look forward and hit Matthews forehead.
"Oh my gosh! Sorry Matthew!"
"It's fine, I have got to go. My father's dead."
Blood just drained from my head.
"D..ea..d?"
"Michael I need your help? Will you come over brother and give a hand?"
Just in a flash all of them just left. I was just standing outside the guitar shop which overlooked the neighbourhood's lake. It started pouring. Flashes of lightning started to appear followed with the noise of thunder.
I looked up to the sky. It's always there. Sometimes it's grey and pours, sometimes it's white and sometimes it's blue with barely any clouds. I guess my life is like that but I forget that everything will be alright and in fact is alright. It's just the conditions that either lead us to think we can't make it through or pull through it stronger.
I closed my eyes and I started adding a tune to the words,
All things work together for good
Like the skies above
It's just the conditions
But everything else is alright
It's just a testing
To bring yourself down or bring yourself higher
So don't let your heart forget
All things work together for good
***
I slipped quietly into the hall. Oh no, I need to sneeze. Oh my gosh, three, two, o..n..
Phew! I managed to close it with my thumb and index finger.
"ACHOOO!" I sneezed when I released my fingers.
Oh no.
All the people in the hall turned and glared at me.
"Sorry," I said softly.
I put my hand on my heart and reminded myself the six word phrase Kayla thought me. I quickly slipped into a chair at the back row.
The hall had beautiful soft light beige cream tiles and white walls.
"Let us begin then," said the pastor who conducted the service.
They started singing hymns. No guitar. No music. Just voices. It was so solemn. Most kept their heads down while others just stared at the paper the lyrics of the hymns were given.
After singing the few listed, we sat down. Nobody made any sound. It was so quiet. I guess my sneeze just now obstructed this. Is it who I think it is? I was scanning and observing the room and I thought I saw Kevin. Not again!
"Come, let us hear his family speak. Let's start off with his second son Matthew," the pastor said.
The audience started clapping quietly.
"Thank you all who are here to come commemorate my father's death with me. I'm his second son of the two he has. My father was a man of dignity and courage. He fought for our family hard. He tried over 30 jobs and finally got the one which led me to get an iPhone," he said cheekily.
"I never suspected his death. I guess this helps us realize how much of time we really need to use. My final words to him though, was all that I buried inside of me. Just to hear him say 'son, don't worry' just makes me feel blessed that I got this chance to speak and to say goodbye. My relatives, my friends, my family, let's realize how special one's life can be and not take it for granted,"
Matthew then wiped off a tear flowing down from his right eye. Just as he stepped of the stage, his eye caught mine and looked at me with a shocked look. He waved his hand and sat back.
Start realizing that all things work together for good.
Start making that choice to live to the fullest.
Start taking every opportunity.
Before it's too late.
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