They were best friends for years, sharing every secret except one. When Felix finally confesses his feelings, Josephine lets him down with a gentle lie: she's not interested in men. Heartbroken but determined to keep their friendship, Felix tries to...
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The week dragged by in a haze for Josephine. The funeral had been arranged swiftly, Ryan's family wanting to honor him without delay, but every passing hour felt like an eternity. Josephine found herself floating through the days in a fog, her grief hanging over her like a storm cloud. She hadn't gone to work, and she's barely been eating. By the time she arrived at the small church on a cold, gray morning, she felt as though she hadn't slept in years. She thought that Ryan's family were going to arrange the funeral to be in their town an hour away, so she was surprised they were going to bury him here in Rainbow Valley. Josephine didn't mind because than at-least she could visit him as much as she could.
The sky was overcast, casting the world in muted tones of gray and white. The churchyard was somber, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth and faintly blooming flowers. She smoothed the hem of her black dress, trying to keep her trembling hands steady as she stepped out of Felix's car. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so hollow, so utterly unprepared for what lay ahead.
Felix was already waiting for her, standing near the entrance of the church. Josephine sat in his car for a bit longer to prepare herself. His black suit was immaculate, and his usually unkempt hair was combed neatly, though his expression betrayed his nervousness. He had never met Ryan, yet he had insisted on coming to support her. She was grateful, though a small part of her worried about how out of place he might feel among Ryan's family and friends.
"You okay?" he asked softly as she approached, his eyes scanning her face with concern.
Josephine shook her head, the lump in her throat making it impossible to speak. Instead, she reached out, and Felix immediately took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring.
The funeral service was intimate, the small church filled with a mix of family, friends, and acquaintances who had known Ryan in his brief but impactful life. Josephine sat near the middle, her hands clenched tightly in her lap as she listened to the eulogies. Ryan's parents, older and visibly weary with grief, spoke lovingly about their son—his wit, his kindness, his unshakable determination.
Toward the end of the service, Ryan's younger sister, a girl of no more than twenty, approached Josephine. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her voice soft and tentative. "You're Josephine, right?" she asked.
Josephine nodded, standing to meet her. "Yes. I'm so sorry for your loss. Ryan meant so much to me."
The girl offered a weak smile. "Thank you for being here. He spoke about you a lot... He said you were helping him find himself again. After everything he went through with his ex, he was so happy to have a friend like you. It meant a lot to him in his final days."
Tears welled in Josephine's eyes. She couldn't bring herself to respond, only nodding as the girl gave her a quick hug before returning to her seat. Felix rested a hand on her arm, his silent support grounding her in the moment.
