"You promised me you would never leave!" Juleka screamed, as loud as her quiet voice could, with tears streaming down her cheeks she continued, "you promised! You said," she gasped for air, "you said you were fine and that you would push through. I can't do this by myself!"
Everyone else in black watched as the deceased girl's girlfriend, who had dressed in pink and purple, continued to sob. They all loved Rose, it was hard for all of them, but at least they knew the truth of how Rose's death came to be, none of them expected it to be so soon. Finally, Marc and Nathaniel walked up to the crying girl.
"She meant a lot to you, didn't she?" Nathaniel asked and was shocked when Juleka hugged him tightly.
"I loved her and now she's gone," Juleka whispered and Nathaniel could barely hear her through tears and her generally quiet voice.
"She loved you too," Nathaniel reminded her, "she is in a better place. A place where she doesn't get headaches anymore and a place where there is endless love and kindness, just like she always wanted."
"She wouldn't like seeing you so sad," Marc added, "she always wanted everyone to be happy, she would have gone to any length to make you smile."
"I was happy when she was here with me!" Juleka spit as she continued to sob.
They let Juleka continue crying, sometimes the best way for a person to deal with death was to get all their emotions out.
Juleka sat under an umbrella at her grave. It wasn't rainy, in fact, it was a bright, sunny day that was nice and warm with a gentle breeze. They should have been out on date, maybe having a picnic in the park like Rose always loved to do, but instead Juleka sobbed silently being as close as she could be to her girlfriend.
Luka came up to his sister, he may not have known Rose well, but he did know his sister and he hated seeing her upset. It was only fair, she had comforted him when he and Marinette broke up, although he was pretty sure they were a few pictures he had to delete off her phone, though that was a different issue for him to deal with later. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and rubbed her far arm gently.
"Why did you wear purple and pink?" he asked.
"She loved color, especially pink, she would hate seeing everyone in black," Juleka said through tears.
Luka supposed he could understand that, funerals were depressing events.
"Marc was right, she would hate this, everyone crying, depressed, all dressed in black, especially on such a beautiful day," Juleka sniffed and tried to stop her tears.
"Well, why don't you tell them that and we can have a more appropriate gathering to celebrate Rose," Luka suggested, gesturing to her class that had supported her the whole time.
Juleka nodded, "Rose never wanted this. I suggest you all change into something more colorful for her and we can meet at my place before getting ice cream. We can listen to music, and have a good time chatting, just like Rose would want."
Luka had to repeat this sentiment so her classmates could actually hear the idea but they all turned to each other and agreed with Juleka, they went to their homes and changed into outrageous colors, clothes, and patterns they never would have put together before.
Luka waits with Juleka on their boat until everyone starts showing. Marinette wearing a red and yellow shirt with lime green pants. Adrien wears a neon orange shirt with pastel pink pants. The list goes on and on about the weird things her classmates are wearing but it helps Juleka crack a small smile in the memory of Rose.
Alya, dressed in bright blue and purple, comes over to Juleka who is just watching the crowd.
"This was a great idea, Juleka," Alya tells her, "Rose would have absolutely adored this."
"Thanks," Juleka mumbled.
Alya set a hand on her shoulder, "I'm really sorry, I can't imagine losing Nino, neither you nor she deserved this."
"Life sucks," Juleka huffed.
~~~~~~
"Are you sure you want to be here?" Myléne asks, still dressed in the bright pink and yellow she has changed into.
"Yes, I'm sure, Rose loved ice cream. It was her favorite, I want to be here," Juleka insisted.
"Everything was her favorite," Alix, dressed in neon green, almost looking like a highlighter, points out.
"She never wanted anything to feel left out. Even dessert," Marinette adds.
The group around her lets out a small giggle. Rose had always brought light to every situation no matter what it may be.
Now Juleka sits at home, in her room, feeling completely alone. Usually, Rose would be right by her side. Instead, even with Luka and her mom aboard, she feels more alone than ever. She looks at a bouquet of roses that sits on a bookcase in her room. She considers pushing the vase to the floor she knows better, she shouldn't break anything just because she is broken. As she cries though, she thinks she can almost hear Rose's voice, it's a faint whisper, 'you look so pretty in purple.' Juleka continues to sob, hoping that somewhere out there, Rose is still happy.