#to be clear lauren loves her kids but does not care for her husband lol

[cheriepicked]

she feels adrift amid this crowd - so many familiar faces, but so different from the memories she has. lauren was never one to attend school reunions, preferring to the present to dwelling on the past, but a funeral, well. grief weighs far heavier on her heart than nostalgia. she'd never thought it would happen this early, always assumed the funerals would start in their 80s, not in their 40s - but accidents happen.

"it's good to see you too. even under the circumstances." she tries to smile, and only half succeeds. "i've been good. husband, two kids..." she shrugs her shoulders loosely. it feels like she's bragging, weirdly, talking about a family she doesn't care about as much as she should when another family is here, grieving. "how are you, sierra?"

open to. all, early to mid 40s only character. sierra hale (45, therapist) information. our characters were in the same friend group as teenagers, all as thick as thieves; as life went on, their friendship dwindled and the group eventually became strangers. now, two decades later, they've returned to their hometown for their mutual friend's funeral. little do they know the suspicious circumstances in which she died and just how much it's going to effect them over the days to come.. this post was made using beta editor

nerves are through the roof — a sense of guilt creeping in as she stands in the seating area, waiting her turn to have a moment with the deceased. sierra should have kept in touch with everyone over the years.. or with some of them, at the very least. but those who she once saw as family are nothing more than a bunch of strangers now. the fact that the death of one of them is what's bringing them back together is heartbreaking.

"hey.. it's good to see you." sierra offers a thin smile, unsure if a hug would be too much. she tries her best to keep conversation light for now. "how have you been?"