A/N: I found the time to writte this down (finally) today so here you go. The response for the last chapter was unbelievable so thank you for everything, you guys are awesome. Enjoy the reading and don't forget to feed the writer!

It started raining on our way back. Regina refused to leave me a block away from my place so she stopped at my door, which was open. Ruby was seating on the porch stairs and stood when she saw me getting out of the car. She hugged me (actually tackled me) and asked, "How are you?" I didn't answer but shrugged instead.

Ruby watched curious behind me how Regina approached us at the same time I watched my parents and Sarah walking toward us behind Ruby. They got faster than Regina and each one of them hugged me too, asking the same question my friend had asked. Regina stayed in the background and, when we separated, she took a step forward and held out a hand. "Regina Mills. I'm your daughter's teacher and Principal."

They shook her hand confused and nodded, eyeing her curiously. "I saw Miss Swan walking down the street and it was raining so I offered myself to bring her here." All of them looked at me and I nodded to confirm what she had said, ignoring Ruby and Sarah's knowing glances. Regina flashed a small smile to comfort me, "I'm sorry again about what happened. He must have been a great friend for you. I'll understand if I don't see you at school on Monday; you should get some rest." She nodded goodbye to the rest of us and left in her black Mercedes.

We headed into the house. "Your Principal is very nice and also quite young," my father pointed out, gaining a warning glance from my mother. She asked, ignoring his commentary, "Where have you been? Did you eat something?" I sat on the kitchen table and they rounded me; I felt trapped.

"I needed some time." Sarah brought me a blanket and wrapped it around my trembling body; the wet hair and clothes emphasizing the cold of the room. I didn't look away from the point on the table I was staring at when I spoke and my voice sounded broken. "The ceremony will be tomorrow. He will be cremated; he wanted it that way." Nobody say anything and we fell into a silence that let us hear the raindrops against the glass. It had started raining again. After a moment, I rose from the chair and grabbed Ruby's hand, leaving the kitchen. As we reached my bedroom, we sat on my bed. "What happened?"

I saw Ruby's hesitation and she put her hand on mine, giving it a sweet squeeze. "He was almost here but a car came out of nowhere and they crashed. He…didn't make it to the hospital," she told me with a tiny voice. "The doctors say they called you with his phone because you were the last one he talked to but when you didn't answer they called me. Then, I called here and came as soon as I could."

The tears threatened to fall from my eyes but I blinked them away rapidly. "Thank you." She launched forward and hugged again, "I know you're not a hugger but I'm so sorry, Emma." Ruby cried in my shoulder. I was pleased to hug her back tightly. When it got dark outside, Ruby left, reluctant to leave me alone and promised she would be here tomorrow.

That evening I took the longest bath I had ever taken.

Since Graham has no family, my parents offered to arrange everything. By noon the next day, it was all fixed. The sun was set when the ceremony was ready in my house and people began to arrive. Graham hadn't had a biological family but he did have a family: his friends. Many people came to say goodbye to him. I saw young girls, boys, women, men and even older people. That was Graham, he was loved by everyone.

The ceremony started at 9 p.m. sharp and all the people had taken a place in the seats we had seat in our large living room. The coffin was closed; it hadn't been opened it yet so I still hadn't seen him. When it finished two hours later, it was time for the last farewell; he will be cremated in the morning and I will go tomorrow to the river to let him go.

The guests left the adapted living room and headed to the next room. From time to time, one or a few of them went to say goodbye to Graham in the open coffin. I exited the room before seeing his body; I'm sure I will burst in tears in the moment I see him so I decided to come back later, alone.

I sauntered the next room, walking between the guests with a glass of water in my hand; I don't even remember who offered it to me. Stopping in front of a mirror, I stared at my own reflection. My eyes were red and contrasted with my pale skin. Sarah had brushed my hair earlier so my natural curls fell lazily on my shoulders.

I realized how things have changed since the summer ended. I wasn't the same irresponsible, carefree girl I was, complaining about everything. Now I'm putting effort in passing this school year and I've even thought about going to the university. The only thing that hadn't changed was the care I got from my parents; even trying to help me through this I still feel the lack of real interest. And I had Regina. A forbidden relationship and yet it's the best and longest I've ever had.

As if by magic, I saw Sarah on the mirror, opening the door to a woman in a black suit: white shirt and black tie, trousers and blazer. She smiled at Sarah and her lips moved to pronounce words I couldn't hear. The maid responded to her words with another and nodded. Then, she walked through the crowd, making stops to talk to a few of people. She reached my parents, shook their hands and stood there for a while having a conversation. I turned to check she was real and the reflection wasn't wrong just in time to see her approaching me.

"Good evening, Miss Swan," she said, aware of the people around us. "Principal Mills. I didn't expect you here."

Regina took a glass from behind me and filled it with wine. "Have you seen him?" she asked lowly and I shook my head. "Not yet. I was about to."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

I shrugged and turned, letting her choose freely. I honestly wanted to say yes but I wouldn't force her to. I opened the doors that separated both rooms and closed them behind me; I was glad no one was there. I walked through the aisle between the seats slowly.

As I reached its end, I saw Graham lying peacefully inside the coffin. He seemed to be sleeping except from the lack of movement of breathing in his chest. He had a few bruises and scars but they were covered with make up. I smiled sadly at him; what would he say if he knew he was wearing make up. The tears had already started to stream down my face and I placed a hand on his and squeezed even though he couldn't feel it anymore, holding the urge of crying on his chest. I remembered with a smile the first time I saw him at the foster house, a little boy with a toy arc running and yelling he would avenge the wolves.

The doors opened and closed behind me but I didn't have to turn to know who had entered the room; Regina's high-heels echoed in it. She stopped a few meters from me and waited. I kissed Graham's cheek and whispered, "Thank you for not letting me give up."

When I took a step back, Regina took one forward. Her arm rounded my shoulders and I turned, crying on her blazer but then I separated a little. "I'm going to ruin the suit," I said between sobs,remembering how much she hates when people gets her clothes dirt. She put me back in place, holding me tight and said, "I don't care."

It was almost midnight when everyone left. Everyone except for Ruby and Regina. They offered to help us. I started to move the seats and they said I didn't have to do it but I didn't listen; I wanted to be busy. When everything was mostly tidy, I went with the two brunettes to the door.

"Thank you both for everything," I said once we were outside. The only sources of light were the light from downstairs and a flashing lamp that adorned the street. Ruby said goodbye, not without another hug, and got into her car to leave us alone. We watched her red car disappearing in the corner of the street.

"I didn't see you eating anything," Regina said.

"I'm not hungry."

"You're always hungry. Promise me you will eat something and then go to sleep."

"You're not my mom."

"But I care about you." She was serious. I could tell by her face those words had slipped without her permission but something else I couldn't read crossed her mind. A sudden tension floated in the air between us. "Good night, Miss Swan."

Regina turned and got into her car. I heard the engine roar in the silent night and the tears threatened again to fall for the tenth time that night. I swallowed them and got into the house with the strange feeling that everything was falling.