Chapter 1

A silk dress was layout like a shadow upon Effy Stonem's bed. The dress wasn't meant to party in, instead it was meant to mourn in. Today was Effy's boyfriend Freddie Mclair's funeral. Effy was in the corner of her room staring blankly at the dress. Going to this funeral would say goodbye to Freddie and his life, and she wasn't ready for that quite yet. Freddie saved her, and loved her like no one has ever before.

"Effy, are you ready yet? We're going to be late"
"In a minute mum!"

Effy continued to stare at the dress, suddenly feeling the pain from her memories of Freddie.

Effy's bedroom door opened slightly and a head peaked out of it. It was her mother.

"Effy, dear, you're still not dressed?"

Effy didn't turn her head to her mother, instead ignoring her.

"Effy, I know this is a lot to take in, but he was your boyfriend. You have to go"

"Mum, I don't want to say goodbye"

"Don't think of it as a goodbye then, just see it as a see you soon"

Effy then broke down in tears, crutching on the floor. Effy's mom then ran over and held her in her arms.

"I hate seeing you like this, my little baby doesn't deserve this".

"Mum, do I really have to go?"

"Freddie would like it"

Effy then realized that was true, wiped off her tears and pushed her mother away so she could stand up. Then she walked over to her bed and slid the black dress over her bare body.

"You look beautiful" her mother said softly.

As she said that the memory of Freddie calling her beautiful for the first time played in her head.

"Now you, young lad" the teacher nodded his head as he looked towards Freddie.

Freddie then stood up, wobbling back and forth, and nervously began to speak.

"My name's Freddie, and I met this girl today... And she's like beautiful... That's it"

The room was then silent due to being on shocked.

"That's it? That's you're unique fact?"

Freddie nodded his head, glanced over at me and then sat down in his seat again.

Effy smiled as she relieved that memory. How could she have been so dumb and not have chosen him from the start? She could of at least been with him for a longer time then having to say goodbye so soon.

"Effy, ready to go?"

Effy didnt reply, instead she grabbed her pursed and walked down the stairs and sat in her mothers car waiting for her to come out.

The funeral home was small, but it was packed already. Groups of younger people in black gowns and suits walked into the tiny home, while Effy just sat in her car watching.

"You ready to go in?"

Effy glanced over at her mother and then back in the building. She took a deep breath and then exited the car. She was slowly preparing herself for all the overwhelming condolences, every step that she took. As she entered inside, she felt like everyone suddenly turned their head and stared at her. Then a girl ran from the groups of faces and towards her.

"Effy, thank god you've came. I feel like I'm the only one here who actually knew Freddie"

Effy looked over at the girl, and realized it was Freddie's sister, Karen.

"I know this is so weird to say, but he's not dead... He can't be"

Effy then looked over at Karen, and just shocked her head.

"Karen, just shut up. Do you understand how stupid you sound?"

Karen then bit her lip, and walked away. Effy was now again, left alone in a room full of people looking at her. Effy's mom finally came in, and took her hand.

"Let's go sit down, dear"

They took their seats, and waited for beery one else to sit down. Eventually they did and soon people came up, and told stories about Freddie, mostly strangers pretending to know him, but people spoke about him in a great way. As everyone left, Effy continued to sit there, just starring.

"Effy, it's time to go".

Effy sat there and didn't reply, instead she stood up and walked over to the close casket. The entire funeral, the casket wasn't open once. Effy just wanted one last look of Freddie, before she left so she decided to open and take a quick glance. She struggled to open it but once she did, she has never been so shocked in her life. Inside the casket, was nothing. No body. She slammed it shut and looked at her mother and just said: "We're leaving now".