My dad's funeral was a few days after the laser tag experience. I didn't know how I was feeling about his death - most people told me I was in shock. I didn't want to believe them. I felt like I was taking the news perfectly fine. Sure, it wasn't exactly how you'd except me to act- I just had people around me that were there for me, making sure I was fine. Between Molly, and Jack? Even Dallas, and Sierra would come over, and make sure we were okay.

Jack didn't go to the funeral. He didn't have a suit, and I told him not to bother. My mom didn't want to make this funeral something big; dad never even liked funerals as it was. Molly wore her funeral dress, a flowly black dress that make it past her knees.

"This dress reminds me of death," She twirled around in the living room.

We were about to head to the church. The funeral started at 11, and we wanted to be there by 10. I was in the living room, slipping into my black flats. Mom was in the kitchen, making a cup of to-go coffee.

I looked up at her, and stood up from the couch. "How do I look?" I stuck my arms around, and twirled.

"Like a princess of Death, and all things unholy." She said in a deep voice.

"You girls are so weird," My mom walked into the living room, holding a mug of almost gone coffee. I wondered where the to-go cup was, but didn't bother to ask. "Best behaviors. Remember, everyone's coming here after the burial. Rooms are clean?"

We nodded. Molly grabbed her purse. I only had, and needed my phone.

The drive was silent. Molly tried striking a conversation about school, but it faded off.

When we got to the church, I stayed away from the casket. I didn't want to see dad's body. The last time I had seen him, I was studying, and he had came in to tell me to go to sleep. I only murmured a goodbye, glancing at him. Looking at his body now, knowing he died in such a painful way, would be heartbreaking.

Molly, and my mom looked at his body. I sat on the front pew, looking at them. Molly had her head bowed. My mom was muttering words, smiling at dad with sad eyes. She took his cold hand, rubbing them. I watched a teardrop fall from her old, hazel, eyes.

I broke the stare, looking down. Molly came, and sat next to me. "Shit happens," her voice was low. She was talking to herself, like I had been. "Shit happens for a reason."

After a while, people started filing in. Sierra, and Dallas came together, and sat in the back. The reception was very boring, safe to say. The whole, 'God now has you in His arms.' thing got pretty old, rather quickly.

"The daughters of Logan Collins would like to say a word, now." The priest guy said.

I looked at Molly, who widened her eyes at mom. Mom gave us a thumbs up, and a smile. I was going to mouth 'You're so dead!' but considering the situation, I saved it.

Molly reached for my hand, which was now clammy. I stood next to the coffin, not daring to look at the dead man.

I looked at all of the unfamiliar, and familiar faces. I cleared my throat. "So, I was totally unprepared for this." I started off. A few people chuckled, and smiled.

"My dad was a good man," Molly started. "I only knew him for 18 years, but it was for more than enough to get to know him. I remember being scared of the Boogeyman when I was around 4, and him taking me in his arms, embracing me. He whispered in my ear, 'As long as I'm here, baby, you're protected.' He woke up with me at 3 in the morning at age 3, he pushed me on my first 2 wheel, Cinderella, bike at age 6. He cried when I went to homecoming. He was supposed to be there for many more events to come in my life. Walking me down the aisle, holding my newborn. I was supposed to be there for him, holding his hand as he fell asleep, and died at an old age. His life wasn't supposed to be taken away like this. But instead of being swallowed into that never ending sadness called depression, I decided to have a good look about this. Be happy for the time you have had with him."

People clapped. She beamed down.

I looked at her with admiration. I clapped with the people. When they were all calmed down, I figured it was my turn to speak up.

Someone came around the corner before I opened my mouth. Jack stood there, leaning against the wall. He gave a quick wave. Molly walked away, leaving me for Jack. She said something, and he started to laugh. He quickly stopped.

"I don't have a lot to say. I love my dad lots. Him being gone is a heartbreak. But like Molly said, being sad over his death isn't worth it." I shrugged, and glanced at my dads coffin. I wrenched my eyes away. "I'll miss you, dad." I looked down before sighing. I left the 'stage', and walked to Jack.

"You came," I smiled. He hugged me. I buried my head in his hard chest, then looked up, and kissed him.

"Of course I came. I wasn't just going to miss my girlfriend's dad's funeral. I wanted to be there for you."

Macy groaned. "Get a room, you two."

I unfolded myself from him, and stood on the other side of him. "So, why are you so late?"

"Had to get a suit," He explained. "Do you realize how hard it is to find a nice one? The last suit I wore was to prom."

I rolled my shoulder against the wall, facing him. "Well, I bet you were the best dressed,"

He looked at me. "Thanks, but no,"

"Why not?"

"It was baby blue, and white."

I slapped my hand to my face, trying not to laugh. "W-why?"

He looked down in complete shame. "It was a dark time."

"Now, if everyone can please join us at Marcus' Cemetary for the burial of Mr. Logan Collins!"

~

After the burial, we went back to the house. More people showed up for the gathering than the funeral. Jack was basically glued to my side as I walked through the house.

"Who's this?" People would ask, looking at Jack. They knew that he has my boyfriend, they just needed to be sure.

By the 9th person asking us that question, we had the same routine. They'd ask, and he'd wrap his arm around my waist. I'd look up at him with wide eyes, and then look at them. I'd say, "Jack, meet whoever, and whoever, meet Jack. This is my best friend, and boyfriend."

They'd gush, and start talking to Jack. Usually THAT conversation ended up like:

"So, Jack. Did you meet Macy at school?"

He'd shake his head, sort of laughing. "Not exactly."

"I see. How'd you two meet then?"

He wouldn't lie, either. Just sort of... bend the truth. "In the city. I don't live here, I live back in Baltimore. A friend of mine died, and I went to the funeral. Macy was in the city, and I happened to run into her."

"Oh, so you're a senior in high school?"

"No. I'm not in high school. I graduated four years ago."

They'd look taken back. They'd look at me, who was still gazing at Jack, like I was in love, and nothing could stop me. They'd nod, and give a fake smile. Instead of carrying the conversation, they'd walk away.

After the eleventh family member, he stopped me. "I feel like your family hates me,"

I blinked at him. "You're joking, right? Jack, don't be worried. I barely see these people except funerals, and weddings. Majority of those people don't even realize I have no clue who they are. Besides, once we're sixty and sixty four years old, no one will care."

"I just can't stand the thought of my girlfriend's family not liking me," He shifted uncomfortably.

I took his hands, "If you don't like the thought, then let's do something about it. Get to know them, and they'll love you. I promise." I stood on my tip toes and kissed his cheek.

So from then on out, he left me alone at the snack counter, and mingled with the adults. Oh, how they loved him. They weren't even weirded out that he was twenty-one. He'd tell them something nice, and they'd smile, true genuine smiles. He managed to make it through majority of the people before he was telling a story. They all gathered around him, actually interested. They'd burst out laughing every 5 seconds.

I sinked back into a love seat in the corner of the room, chewing on a mini turkey sandwich. I was watching him. The way he was with people, my family, it warmed my heart.

~

Jack left that Friday. He came to my house in the morning, carrying flowers.

Molly said a quick bye. "See you later, Jack."

We walked out into the cold. I pressed my back against the door. "So our adventure ends, Barakat."

"The adventure never ends, love. I'll be back for you. I just have to go home for a while. I'll never forget about you. Hey, and when spring break starts, we could have a vacation. You and I. Let's go to Florida." He handed me the flowers.

I sniffed the roses. "Okay."

"Really?" He grinned.

I nodded, "Really. But let's drive. I would love to have a roadtrip with you,"

"Just us. No one else," He pressed his lips against mine, and his hands against the door. His arms closed around me, making it impossible to get away. Not that I wanted to.

The kiss lasted forever. If I could ever go back to any day of our relationship, that kiss would be stuck on replay. It was full of lust, and the thought of him being away.

"2 months," he whispered. "That's all."

"I love you," I said, now full of tears.

"I love you, too." He took my hand, and started walking away.

"Call me when you land!" I called.

With a slam of a car door, and the start of an engine, he was gone. I wouldn't be seeing him for a while now.

Notes

FALL OUT BOY IS BACK TOGETHER

and i dedicate this chapter to my amazing friend, delia m. hollllaa!