Dead. That was the only way to describe it. Dead and lifeless, just a shell of what had once been an incredible person. It lay just there, still and uncanny, empty eyes staring into nothingness.

May couldn’t move. She couldn’t let go of the hand, not as long as there was still a trace of warmth left in those fragile fingers. She looked down at the shrunken form off the most wonderful person in the whole wide world, whose once beautiful features were scarred by all the chemo therapy that had been preformed on her. She’d known all along that Luna wouldn’t make it. For that it had been too short a period of time. In February nothing had turned up on the MRI scan, and then, barely three weeks ago, the doctors said she had developed metastases. At least the cancer hadn’t spread to the brain, leaving Luna her cheerful self. She had been as talkative as ever, and maybe even more so being barely able to stand up.

May had spent the past few weeks practically living next to Luna’s hospital bed. She had been joined a couple of times by Luna’s parents, Eric and Mary, but obviously her parents still didn’t want anything to do with the “disgraceful sinner” that was their daughter. At least Eric and Mary had made her feel welcome and at home.

They were there now to, sitting in the corner looking gaunt. The nurses were bustling around adjusting equipment and talking in hushed voices.

“I’m sorry dear,” the one with the unnaturally blonde ponytail said, “if you could let go of miss Grey’s hand, we can bring her to the morgue”. May looked up at the nurse and simply nodded. Her mind was blank, her heart heavy and there was a giant knot forming in the back of her throat as she watched the nurses leave the room, taking with them the vessel that, for nineteen years, had housed the mind of the most intelligent, humorous and carefree miracle of a person to have ever existed. From the corner came sound of crying, but for May the tears wouldn’t come.

…

May had a soft spot for dates, romanticism and metaphors and so felt a strange kind of happiness at the date of the funeral: May 21st, exactly one month before Luna’s birthday. May smiled softly to herself thinking about how Luna always used to laugh at her for her “symbolism fetish”.

Mary and Eric had allowed her to make most of the choices for the ceremony, which was why they were now sitting outside, under a giant tent, the sun shining brightly. The coffin stood open, Luna wearing her gorgeous, dark blue graduation dress. She had looked so proud in it, so alive. Not even a year had passed since then. That will to live and that pride, at its clearest back when she’d previously worn the short blue garment, had been wiped from her features, leaving behind a pale impression of her complex yet wonderful character.

May got shaken out of her trance. The music had stopped. Realising it was her turn to make her speech, she stood up. She tried to keep her composure as she walked up to the platform, but her legs felt like jelly. She swallowed.

“I… We…” She swallowed again and took one deep steading breath. “When first we met two years ago, you in your final year of high school, I just a freshmen, I remember you saying you liked my drawing. It was just a small comment, but the sheer fact that a you found it worth the effort to look at weird fifteen year old me meant so much to me.” May paused for a moment looking to the coffin. Courage regained she continued: “As we both know, it all went quickly from there on. Through my coming out, my parents disowning me and my angsty teenage fits you stayed with me you never failed to listen patiently, reason with me, encourage me to abuse the pencils and paintbrushes rather than myself and you gave me a home. Your love is my strongest tie to life. The memories of your smile, your wonderfully over the top enthusiasm for your motorcycle, books, cooking and, most importantly, life and it’s adventures will always keep me going.” Another swallow. “I mightn't have known you long, but long enough to say this: The world has lost an amazing person. I will therefore honour our agreement and tell your parents, your brother and your countless friends you final wish. I’ll make sure to tell them to never forget either you nor ever forget to live.”

It was quiet, the only sounds those of the birds in the trees and people sobbing into their handkerchiefs. Throat dry, that giant knot still there after nearly a week, May looked at Luna’s body and the music started. As “please” started to ply from the speakers she couldn’t hold it back any longer. After nearly a week, the knot in her throat finally disappeared with the watering of her eyes.