The funeral is in a few days and I can't help but wonder everything. I know I won't be able to keep it togther but hopefully, I can keep my crying and sobbing to a minimum and hopefully take in normal sentences when I go to read my speech.

I have been preparing my speech ever since this morning when my father told me that my mom's funeral is coming up soon. I haven't done a lot but from what I have wrote down, it should be enough.

I start to edit my speech, crossing out any unnecessary words and fixing up mistakes. After five minutes of doing that, I set my book aside and get out of my bed, glancing at the clock.

I let out a sigh as I realise that it is finally twelve in the afternoon and I decide to make my way down the stairs. I walk into the kitchen to see Eve and my father sitting at the table, happily eating their food.

"Oh good morning, Grace!" Eve greets happily and I just send her a wave, looking into the fridge. I grab out my salad that I was suppose to eat last night and grab a fork, ready to walk back up to my room but my father grabs my hand, stopping me.

"Grace, why don't you eat with us like a normal family?" My father asks and I hold back my thoughts that are screaming to be released.

"I'm fine, thanks." I reply, just wanting to go back up to my room but my father's hold on my wrist still stays tight.

"Why?" My father asks and before I could say anything, Eve places a hand on my father's spare hand which is resting on the table.

"Honey, why don't you let her go? She probably just needs a little time to herself." Eve speaks up and my father looks at me once more before letting go of my hand.

"Fine, go. Do whatever you want." My father says, anger clear in his tone but I don't stay to say anything. Instead, I begin to walk out of the kitchen and up the stairs as fast I can, not wanting to be anywhere near the couple.

I sit on my bed, placing my salad in front of me. Before I go to eat some, my phone buzzes and I let out a sigh. Grabbing my phone, I also shove some capsicum in my mouth, unlocking my phone at the same time.

I smile to myself as I put the lid back on my salad and place it on my table. I walk over to my cupboard and decide to wear a pair of white skinny jeans and a blue and white stripey singlet. I strip out of my pajamas and begin to get into the clothes, trying not fall from excitement and happiness.

Five minutes later, my hair is brushed and tied into a small braid and my piercings are in. As I am about to leave my bedroom though, I decide to take out my lip piercing and just leave my nose one in. I need a change. I smile to myself and walk out of my bedroom, skipping happily down the stairs.

I don't bother to say goodbye to Eve and my father and I just walk out of the door. Since they were too busy talking to each other about something, they didn't notice me slip out but I don't care because at least I am out of that damn house.

"You look amazing like always." Luke says and I roll my eyes.

"I've said this before but it's just jeans and a top." I say as Luke opens the car door. I get in and look up at a smirking Luke.

"And I've said this before but stop bringing yourself down." Luke throws back and I shake my head, chuckling. Once Luke gets in the car, I turn to him.

"So, where are we going?"

"It is a suprise." Luke says with a grin and I let out a sigh of annoyance. One thing you should know about me is, is that I absolutely hate surprises, no matter how good they seem at the end.

●●●

"No way." I mutter, looking at the large sign hanging above the centre.

"Yes way." Luke chuckles and I squeeze my hands together in excitement, trying not to scream.

Too late.

"I can't even speak!" I scream, holding my hands over my mouth. Luke wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me closer to his side.

"Come on, you don't want to be waiting forever." Luke says and I nod eagerly, walking with Luke into the Sea World Centre.

This is why I hate surprises; I always come unprepared and I hate it. You see, I would've brought a camera or something but no, Luke just had to keep everything a suprise.

"Oh my god, look at that!" I squeal in excitement, tugging at Luke's hand. Luke let's out at laugh and follows behind me as I run towards the arched walkway that has sharks and other fish in it.

Yes, a girl can love sharks. It is not a crime.

"Hello, big guy." I say, placing my hand on the glass as I watch the large shark come towards me. It bumps the glass and swims away in anger, probably trying to find its escape.

"Gracie." Luke calls and I turn to face him to see him holding a camera.

"No pictures!" I immediately say, covering my face and Luke takes my hands away with a chuckle.

"C'mon, just smile." Luke says and I shake my head. "Please? I'll buy you icecream later." Luke adds and I smile, raising my hand.

"Just one." I say as I smile at his camera. The camera beeps and I let out a sigh and go back to the sharks and fishes.

"I'm in love." I say, smiling at the fishes. As we walk down the walkway, looking above our heads at the fishes that are passing by, I notice Luke smile which makes my heart flutter.

This is so not a crush.

●●●

"Ugh, I wish I could stay there longer." I mumble, letting my dangle above the water.

"There is always a second time for things." Luke says and I nod.

"Yeah, hopefully I will bring my camera this time." I say and Luke laughs.

"You didn't bring your phone?" Luke asks and I shake my head.

"I did but I would rather take pictures on my camera. It is just better." I say and Luke nods. He scoops another bit of icecream and eats it, watching the people walk past on the dock.

I look in the water, eating my own icecream and all of a sudden, I see a weird thing come up to the surface and just to grab my foot. I let out a scream and immediately jump back.

"What the hell?" Luke laughs and I point in the water, my hands trembling.

"There w-was a... foot eating monster in that water!" I say in horror but this just makes Luke laughs some more.

"Foot eating monster? Please, Gracie, there is nothing-" Luke gets cut off by his own scream as he jumps back in fright.

"What the hell was that? It tried to eat my foot!" Luke says, looking at me in horror. I grin at him and pat his thigh.

"That was the foot eating monster, Luke."

●●●

As I walk back into the house after saying my goodbyes to Luke, I notice that Eve is sitting on the couch by herself, looking at the television.

"Wow, who would pay fifty dollars for aging cream?" Eve chuckles to herself and I let out a sigh.

"My mom." I mumble to myself as I walk up the stairs and towards my room. I hear the shower running so my father is taking a shower which explains why Eve is sitting down there by herself.

I close the door behind me and walk over to my bed. I notice that my phone is flashing so I pick it up and look at the message from Luke.

As I read that, another message pops up but it is the photo he took of me today and the little thing he wrote with it made me smile.

He basically claimed me by saying 'my' but let me just get one thing straight.

I am not complaining.

●●●