Chapter 187 Eulogy Continues

• As I was fighting to hold my short breaths in, I was about to go into hyperventilation when Aria started crying. She quickly got herself back together, and I wasn't sure whether she was acting, but I was relieved because if she hadn't, I would have definitely started sobbing too.
• "The truth is, most people either learn life lessons from their personal experiences or from their parents or siblings." I learned everything I needed from you. You taught me about self-respect, confidence, boys, sex, periods, self-esteem, boybands, clothes, makeup, hair, trust, parties...everything. But the greatest lesson you ever taught me was about loss. Before you, I had no idea what grief was or how it could change a person. I watched Seraphina become distant and bitter, Tyrone self-medicate and destroy himself, and Mark struggle to keep himself together when everyone else was falling apart. Suddenly all the friends I made with you scattered, and I was alone again, until eventually we pulled through. Somehow, through all the pain, we pulled through, and here we are today, waving our childhood goodbye to enter the big world of college."
• Aria interrupted, taking a tissue out of her pocket to dab at her undereye circles. She sniffled for a minute or so, letting the gentle breeze, the beautiful smell of the candles, and the reassuring sound of crickets chirping soothe her before continuing.