WARNING: I don't know what happens after someone dies so this is purely made of my knowledge and imagination since I have no clue what happens.

The following week, Gwen spent time going through all the procedures related to her aunt Tracey's death with her family. Due to the separation between Gwen's mother, Rachael, and her sister, Tracey, of them and their families, only a couple of distant relatives joined Gwen's immediate family for the preparations. However, it turns out that one week wasn't enough for the arrangements so Gwen had to extend her absence in college.

Gwen was sitting in her former room. She sat there pondering in her thoughts as two of her cousins were now fast asleep from crying so much. She never expected to find herself to be in this situation. Her aunt hadn't even reached to her fifties yet. So seeing the way her mother comforted everyone else other broke her heart. So, Gwen decided to help along. Her thoughts were broken by her brother, Brody as he entered the room.

"Hey Gwen, might not be a good time but did you send Ace to a boarding kennel?" He inquired. "Because they're calling right now and the funeral is postponed so you gotta tell them."

Ace! I need to call the ... I have to call Duncan. Fingers crossed he doesn't answer the phone."Oh right." Gwen responded. "Thanks Brody."

"It's alright. I'm here to help. Also, Mum says thanks for covering some of the people. She'd been less stressed about it." Brody said, wiping a tear forming in his eyes.

Gwen nodded as she stared at her ringing phone, Canine Cabin, Duncan. She took a deep breath as she was about to answer the call. On the corner of her eye, she could see Brody exiting her room. Normally, she would be glad but this time was the only exception. "Brody." Gwen called out. Brody halted as he turned around, waiting for an answer. "Could you take the call for me? I really don't feel like it. Just tell them that I'll pick Ace up next week."

Brody rolled his eyes as he took the phone away from Gwen. Once he picked it up, he heard a voice.

"Hello there Sweetheart, wanna guess who it is?" The voice greeted.

"Sweetheart?" Brody stated. "Why are you flirting with my sister? Don't you have anything better to do?" Brody groaned. "Guess you don't since you work in a boarding kennel."

Gwen's eyes widened at the statement. She slowly started erupting in laughter, trying to contain it as she listened to Brody insult Duncan.

Duncan jumped when he heard Brody's voice and toppled out of his chair. "Brody? Ouch! Seriously, man!" He groaned, rubbing his back. "Dammit! Fucking chair. Anyway, where's Gwen? And if that's really you, Brody, don't try to act all tough and manned up."

"Duncan? Is that you? If it is, I hope you know I've gained some muscles during summer and I could easily take on you. I even got taller. Probably taller than you by now." Brody claimed, checking out his muscles.

"Ha! Zero chance, little man. How old are ya' again, thirteen? You probably hit puberty but you still managed to sound more high-pitched than your sister... Where is she anyways?"

Brody furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm sixteen. Also..." Brody trailed off as he stared at Gwen. Gwen was trying to signal Brody that she wasn't there. Brody grinned. He could easily understand what Gwen was saying. Gwen calmed down as Brody turned his attention to the phone again. "She's right here. Gwen, your boyfriend's on the call." Brody smugly grinned.

Gwen jolted up from Brody's words. Before she could run away, Brody shoved the phone in her hand and dashed off. Gwen slowly held the phone to her ear as she silently grimaced. "What?"

"Hello to you too, Sunshine. How's it going? You guys on a holiday or something?" Duncan inquired, as he took Gwen's anger lightheartedly. Little did he know, he quite literally guess the complete opposite of what Gwen was doing right now. "So, about Ace? You gonna pick him up or what's happening?" He questioned.

"Um... It'll take another week." Gwen responded.

"Alright-ee then. Buy me a souvenir on your holiday. Bye Sweetheart." Duncan stated as he ended the call.

"Yup." Gwen responded as she tried not to lash all her anger out at Duncan. Once the call finished, Gwen slammed her phone onto her bed in anger. "He is so insensitive. Duncan has no idea what is going on right now and he thinks I'm going on a holiday. What does he think of me? I have finals next week and he thinks I'm out here enjoying my life, having a vacation. Ugh! What a jackass." Gwen ranted. Her rant was cut off short when Gwen's mother entered the room. Gwen stopped fuming to look at her mother. "Yeah?"

"Wanna come and check out this funeral place nearby? You could use some sunlight." Rachael stated, staring at two of her nieces on the bed.

Instead of her normal response, Gwen looked down and nodded her head. "I guess that'll sound nice."

"Look," Rachael started as she took Gwen's hand in hers. "I just want thank you for cooperating this week. You and Brody helping out really helped me in dealing with the others and the funeral arrangements. I'm really glad you are this understanding about the situation and being sensible about it. It's good that even after... Tracey's," Rachael paused to take a deep breath and to process her thoughts. "Death. It's good that you're still able to help out." Rachael appreciated, sending a warm smile to Gwen. "Wanna head out now?"

Gwen was so lost in listening to her mother's words she hadn't realised she zoned out. She was able to snap out but her mother breaking her trance of thoughts. "Oh, yeah, sure!"

"As you all know, we've gathered here to commemorate the death of Tracey Josephine Ingrid. If she were here, she would thank you all for participating in this event." The priest stated. "Now, I'll begin. Although Mrs Antonov has lived a short life, she had been able to make remarkable achievements and put something out to the world. I will now bring out Miss Delilah Antonov to present her speech..."

People stepped up on the podium to say their farewells to Tracey as Gwen, her mother and brother sat together in complete silence. It had been about twelve days since the announcement of Tracey's death. It really made a turn in everyone' lives.

Gwen's mother, Rachael, was deeply affected by this as she couldn't even bring herself to see Tracey for the last time. She just mutely watched from afar. The eye bags under her eyes were starting to become more noticeable by the day. She looked ever so drained. After all, as the oldest sister, all the responsibility goes to you.

Gwen could visibly see her stressed expression which made her guilt grow. She hated seeing her mother like that.

Before Gwen could make an effort to show her condolences to her mother, her mother's other younger sister, Sienna showed up.

"C'mon Rach, the priest is calling you." Sienna stated, as she placed a hand on Rachael's shoulder. "He wants to discuss the arrangements with you."

Without saying anything, Rachael nonchalantly stood up and walked over to the priest. All while Gwen eyed her and stared at the ground in disappointment. She let out a sigh, rethinking her mother's words from the other night sink in. Her mother had been keeping in her feelings throughout this whole process. So when she came over to appreciate Gwen, it really hit her.

As the guests all shedded tears and their appreciation for Tracey, as if on cue, it started to rain.

Gwen stared at the rain expressionlessly. "How cliché." She silently mumbled, thinking about all the movies she'd watched, depicting this exact moment.

"At least we know Aunt Tracey's spirit is being welcomed to the afterlife." Brody responded.

"You still believe that?" Gwen chuckled as she faced Brody. "I thought that was something you stopped believing that when you were ten or something." Gwen stated.

"Something is got to happen after you die." Brody shrugged.

Gwen turned back to watch the coffin slowly being placed in the coffin. "I guess you're right."

"I'm always right."

It had finally been two weeks. Two weeks to mourn and grieve over Tracey's death since Gwen isn't going to have the time when she is back in college. Too much things to do to worry over a least I only have two days of school left until thought.

"Bye Mum," Gwen said, giving her mother a hug. "Bye Brody." Gwen added, giving him a quick hug.

After the family said all their goodbyes, Gwen headed inside her car, preparing herself for the six hour car ride awaiting for her. The following day was awaiting for another two classes.

This car ride will be over soon. Just don't lose patience Gwen...

That was until she ended up driving behind a sluggish driver. Those types of drivers who would go at a speed of fifty in an eighty speed limit.

Finally, after the six hour drive which turned out to be longer than expected due to the fact that she was going the same direction as the slow driver for two hours but after all of that, she arrived back to California. And she had just one more stop to go to..

As soon as Gwen stepped into the boarding kennel, she was greeted by the empty essence of the receptionist. No one was around apart from the exception of Gwen. So, Gwen decided to just go inside to fetch her dog back. It's not like she hadn't been in there before.

"Ace! It's so good to see you again!" Gwen stated as she pulled Ace into a hug. In return, Ace licked Gwen's face in happiness.

"I see someone's finally come back from their holiday." Someone stated. Gwen knew exactly who that voice belonged to. She grimaced as she put Ace down. Then, she turned around to face the owner of the voice to give him a piece of her mind. "What?"

Gwen clenched her fists to stop herself from yelling at Duncan. "Nothing. Just... tell me how much the cost is."

"Alright then. What's gotten you so grumpy?"

"It's because of you!" Gwen fumed.

"Woah Gwennie, I did nothing except for trying to do my job," Duncan slightly raised his hand up, a universal gesture that conveyed his earnestness and the truth behind his words. "And as you can see I did my job very well since Ace seems to have liked me a-Where's Ace?" Duncan questioned as his eyes widened at the thought.

Gwen's eyes also widened as she scavenged around in hope that Ace just ran off. "Where did he go? I swear he was right here." Gwen mumbled to herself, looking around the place.

As Gwen searched the room, Duncan stepped in to help her. But when he unconsciously got close, she shot him an annoyed glance. Duncan rolled his eyes in response. He was just trying to assist, and Gwen's irritation wasn't making things any easier. Noticing his eye roll, Gwen shoved him away, causing him to stumble against the shelf. Items tumbled down, scattering all around him in a chaotic mess.

"What was that about!?" Duncan shrieked.

"You were coming close to me." Gwen responded. "Instincts."

Duncan furrowed his eyebrows at the statement. "I was trying to help you." He protested. But as he observed Gwen search for Ace in distraught he sighed. "Help me up and we'll search for him together. No funny business, alright? You do want Ace back, don't you?"

The two gazed at each other, caught up in a mini staring competition. But finally, Gwen agreed, offering her hand out to Duncan. As soon as he gripped onto Gwen's hand, the two stared at each other. That was until Gwen pulled him up.

"You better be useful." Gwen muttered.

Once Duncan stood up, Duncan just grinned down at Gwen. "I'll find Ace in no..." Duncan stopped mid sentence when they two heard the door creek open. Duncan turned back to Gwen as he let out a small chuckle as he scratched the back of his neck. "'Least we know he's not in here."

"Oh shut up, Duncan." Gwen responded before running out the door.

Duncan decided to follow but speedily entered the break room to inform one of the workers that he was going to head out. Then, he ran out the door as well, in hope to find Ace soon.

Darkness settled over the sky, the two hurried through the streets in search of Ace. They scoured alleyways, playgrounds, dumpsters, and restaurants—every place they could think of. Yet, despite their frantic efforts, there was no sign of him. Anxiety gnawed at them, growing with each passing moment. The weight of uncertainty made their hearts race, and it felt as though time was slipping away.

As Duncan was roaming around the midst of the alleyway, he ended up meeting a couple of girls. The four girls were outside of the place. The place inside turns out to be a club as you could hear the club music blasting from outside. Before Duncan could scurry away, the four girls found themselves a place around Duncan, leaving Duncan in a very awkward position.

The main girl, found a comfortable place, resting her hands on Duncan's chest. She snuggled her head on the chest as Duncan attempted to leave. "You're that hottie from the show, right?"

"Yeah I am, but if you could just-" Duncan responded, trying to push all the girls away from him. No use. He could feel their nails firmly placed onto him.

"But you just came. You can't leave." One of the side girls claimed.

Once again, the attention was back to the main girl as she had a flirty look. "Look, how about we go into the club inside? It'll be fun and..." The girl slyly moved her face over to Duncan's ear. "There'll be more fun over at mine after." She whispered.

Duncan cringed at the words. Back when he was a teenager, he used to love this kind of attention but now, it just grossed him out.

"Uh no. I'm busy." Duncan answered and once again, forcing the girls off of him. But just like a boomerang, they came back, tugging onto his arm and pleading him to join. "I have a girlfriend. Let go." He lied, thinking that would be a valid reason to let go. No, instead, they try pestering him that it would be a one night thing and all those things which use to tingle Duncan's hormones as a teenager. "What is wrong with you people? Why would I do that?"

"You did it to Courtney back on the show." The other side girl stated.

The one clinging on his right arm rested her head on his shoulder. "Once a cheater, always a cheater."

"What are you doing?" Someone interrupted.

Duncan glanced back to see Gwen staring at the sight with an irritated look. But then, an idea struck him. While the girls made witty remarks about Gwen, he found himself easily releasing himself from the grip and as soon as he did so, he rushed over to Gwen and wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Gwen was caught off-guard but was nudged by Duncan before she could protest.

"Yeah, that's my girlfriend and she doesn't appreciate other girls flirting with me." He claimed with a visible smirk on his face. "She's the jealous type." Duncan whispered.

"Wha-"

"So, I can't flirt with other people." Duncan interrupted, cutting Gwen's shock off so it doesn't blow the cover. Then, Duncan stared down at Gwen, flashing a smile at her. "Wanna head out now, Babe? Let's go find Ace now."

Gwen rolled her eyes at the pet name as her and Duncan started walking off. Once they were far away, Gwen pulled Duncan's arm off of her. "Just came to help you out. No need for you to make it realistic." She claimed.

"Just wanted them to stop flirting with me. Like, I know I'mthatirresistible but they just couldn't let go of me." He claimed, fully knowing he's acting like a narcissist. "Loons."

That was when the feelings from All Stars came rushing. All the hatred and annoyance that she built up throughout the season for Duncan. It all came rushing back and seemed to have infuriated her even more than she already was. "This is exactly why I broke up with you, Duncan." She stated. "I can't believe after two years of jail and time to think about your actions and you still haven't figured it out. And you are no help since you're just frolicking around your other girls. I can't believe this. You haven't changed one bit."

This time, instead of holding back Duncan's feelings, he decided to retort. "Me? What are you even talking about? Why are you always so hard to understand? I talk like how I normally do and one moment you're happy and used to that and the next, you hate it and want to rip me to shreds! What is with you!?" Duncan retorted.

"I guess I wouldn't be hard to understand if you ever tried to listen to me, huh?" Gwen retaliated.

"Nuh-uh. Nope. You and I both know how much I cared about you. We both know that you're the one who comes to me for rants all the time and you're saying all this bullshit. To this day, I still don't even know why the fuck you broke up with me since you never bothered to explain yourself. So why does that make me the bad guy!?" Duncan yelled. The two paused as they glared at each other. This was the first time they ever had an argument. "Can't believe this bullshit." Duncan mumbled to himself.

BARK! BARK!

Before either could process their thoughts, Gwen ran off like a madman, chasing after the dog. Duncan obviously following close behind.

"I almost got him!" Gwen called out, creeping up to Ace before someone tugged on her arm..

This is unrelated but I just want to say who was part of the funeral who were apart of Gwen's family:
-Gwen
-Her brother, Brody
-Her mother, Rachael
-Tracey's husband, Frank
-Tracey's oldest child, Delilah
-Tracey's second oldest, June
-Tracey's youngest child, Hudson
-Her mother's other younger sister, Sienna
-Sienna's husband, Grayson

Rachael, Tracey and Sienna are all sisters