Happiness [Creative Writing: ENG222]
Lyssa moved slowly behind the gathered crowd, listening to their hushed whispers. “She was always so beautiful,” a voice she recognized, but couldn’t quite place, reached her ears. “Even today, she was stunning.”
“I know,” another familiar voice answered, “but she wasn’t quite the same after the accident.”
“Yeah,” the first voice responded once more. “The light seemed to leave her eyes after…”
“After Marcus died.”
A shudder ran down Lyssa’s spine; her heart ached with the mention of Marcus’s name. It was true; she hadn’t been the same after his death. She felt as if she was just going through the motions, like now. Lyssa looked past the assembled group, to the front of the room, the dark mahogany casket stared back at her. Beautiful flower arrangements sat to either side, attempting to masquerade the truth, the ugliness that had brought them all together.
The service commenced, all those in attendance finding their seats. Lyssa didn’t find a seat; instead she drifted in the back. She was there because she had loved Marcus. She was also there because she blamed herself. She blamed herself for everyone being there, for Marcus not being there, for the very accident itself.
* * * * * * *
The sun shone overhead, offering up the perfect weather for the school’s end of the year field day. All assignments had been turned in; there would be no more school work for the entire summer. Lyssa leaned up against Marcus under the large maple tree by the football field. Several of the couple’s friends were gathered around them, talking excitedly about the upcoming summer and all their plans.
“We’re going up the coast,” Lyssa beamed. “Our parents already said we could.”
Marcus nodded, “My aunt and uncle have a beach house. There’s an amusement park just down the road from it.”
“When you headed out?” one of the guys amongst the group asked.
“Tonight,” Lyssa replied, “right after the bonfire.”
“Won’t that be a bit late?” a soft-voiced girl asked.
Marcus shook his head. “I know the way well enough. As long as the weather stays clear, there won’t be anything to worry about.”
* * * * * * *
The group that had been gathered under the maple tree was joined by several others on the beach. A bonfire lit up the night sky, thousands of stars shone overhead, loud music echoed of waves.
Slowly, from the distant horizon, dark clouds rolled in. Streaks of lightning, brighter than the fire itself, zigzagged to the ground. It was only a few moments later that the dark masses had reached the party, bringing with it a torrential downpour.
A mixture of screams, those scared by the sudden storm, and those amused by the rain from seemingly nowhere, rang out as several teens ran for their vehicles.
“Hurry up, get in!” Marcus held open the passenger door of his car for Lyssa. He made sure she was tucked safely inside before closing it behind her, then rushing to get in himself. “Well, that was a bit unexpected.” He let out a slight chuckle, pushing a soaked lock of hair out of Lyssa’s face. “You look like a drowned rat.”
A pout appeared on her delicate features. “That’s not funny.” Lyssa glanced out the window, then back at Marcus, a slight frown in place. “We’re still going to be able to go to the beach house, aren’t we?”
“I don’t know,” Marcus began, “I hadn’t counted on it storming. Those roads aren’t the best place to be once they get wet, especially after dark.”
A sigh slipped past the girl’s lips, “But…” Lyssa looked up, eyes pleading as she blinked at her boyfriend. “I was so looking forward to starting out the summer there.”
“You still want to go? Even if it rains all week-end?”
Lyssa nodded, “yeah. I had my heart set on it.”
A grin spread across Marcus’s features. “Okay then. You know I couldn’t refuse you anything.” That said, Marcus turned the key in the ignition and the car jumped to life.
* * * * * * *
Lyssa closed her eyes tightly; she could almost feel tears gliding down her cheeks. They would fall as the rain had been falling that night. She had known Marcus would go if she still wanted to, even if the roads were dangerous. She could have waited. The rain had let up the next day, the sun had shown brighter than she could ever remember, yet…Her world was still dark. Marcus was gone.
It had happened so fast, the accident. One wrong move going around a sharp curve. The tires had slipped from the pavement, onto the shoulder, the soft dirt fighting back when Marcus attempted to return to the road. When the sand finally let loose, the car went too far. Lyssa could remember it going over the ravine – it felt like they were flying, then blackness.
When she had awaked, Lyssa was unsure how much time had passed, only that dawn was beginning to break on the horizon. She called for Marcus, but there was no answer. She passed out again after that, awakening in a hospital room surrounded by family. It was there someone had told her. She couldn’t even remember who now, but they told her Marcus had died in the crash.
* * * * * * *
After the funeral the mourners made their way to the cemetery. Lyssa wasn’t sure how she got there. She had been at the funeral home, then she was at the gravesite. She continued to linger in the back, away from her family, away from her friends. It was how she felt it had to be; she wasn’t part of their world anymore. They were there because they were sad; she was there because she was responsible.
“Do you think there is happiness on the other side?” Again whispered words reached her ears, speakers she knew, yet couldn’t identify.
“I hope so. After so much pain…”
Lyssa turned away, her head down. She couldn’t bear to look any longer, couldn’t bear to hear the words of those gathered there. “Do you think there is happiness on the other side?” The words came again, but this time they were from a deep voice, one Lyssa recognized in an instance.
“M-Marcus?” Raising her head, Lyssa stood face to face with the boy she had loved more than life itself. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Lyssa.” Reaching out, Marcus pulled the girl close to him. “There is, you know, happiness. At least there is for me, now that you are here.” As the mahogany casket, that contained Lyssa’s earthly remains, was lowered into the ground, the newly reunited couple dissolved into the sunlight.