Jeanette looked herself over in the full length mirror. Brittany had selected a long, simple black dress for her. It was certainly pretty, not at all Brittany's usual out going style… which was presumably why she'd chosen it for Jeanette. It was in fact quite plain with just a few features to lend some style.

Jeanette stared at her reflection as she realised something. It wasn't right. This wasn't her. She never wore black. A memory rose, overwhelmingly real.

"You look nice Simon." He was dressed in a smart black tuxedo and they were dancing. He pulled at his collar.
"Thank you but I don't really like this suit. It's not 'me' and I don't like black…I much prefer blue…"

With a determined expression Jeanette returned to her wardrobe and pulled out her favourite blue dress with purple trims. She smiled as she slipped it on instead of the sophisticated black dress. She checked her hair briefly and hurried to join her sisters.

Eleanor was wearing a sensible dark charcoal dress and Brittany had her own fancy black dress on. Both gasped as they saw their sister.

"You can't wear that!" Brittany declared.

"I can wear whatever I want," Jeanette replied firmly. Brittany hesitated. Jeanette didn't usually argue back and Brittany realised she would have to actually fight with her sister if she was to win this. Thankfully Eleanor took her side, gently speaking to Jeanette.

"Jeanette, everyone will frown at you if you don't wear black. They'll think you don't care…"

"Simon doesn't like black," she replied, obviously signalling that was the final word. Eleanor and Brittany exchanged a worried glance but then their guardian appeared. She stopped at the sight of her intelligent daughter.

"Jeanette?" The tallest girl looked up at her mother.

"Simon… he said he didn't like black… he preferred blue…" though her voice faltered, her look didn't. Ms Miller pulled her into an embrace.

"And I'm sure he would appreciate you doing this for him."

***

When they arrived at the venue, Dave and the boys were waiting outside. As Ms Miller and the girls approached, Jeanette noticed that Alvin was avoiding their eyes. He and Brittany hadn't spoken in a week, and even Eleanor was avoiding him. Jeanette resolved herself to be nice to him, for Simon's sake.

Walking ahead of her family she stood in front of Alvin.

"How are you?" she asked kindly. Alvin stared at her in shock. She was the last person he was expecting to speak to him when even his own girlfriend… her sister… was shunning him. Behind her, said sister was glaring daggers.

"Urm… OK," he mumbled. She nodded and briefly patted his arm in silent reassurance. Kindness done, she turned to their father.

"Where's Simon?" He looked down into her clear green eyes and gestured inside.

"Thank you," she replied politely before leaving them to go find her boyfriend.

She found him on his own inside. The room was silent as no-one else had arrived yet and there was only the sound of Jeanette's shoes tapping lightly as she approached. He looked divine but he didn't look at her. She walked up so she was right next to him and took the time to study his features.

He looked content and relaxed. She remembered the last time they'd met up together, a little over a week ago. They'd spent the afternoon visiting a local exhibit, drinking shakes together, and then she'd gone back to study at his house. Dave had invited her to stay to dinner and before she'd had to leave they'd sat out together under the stars. For a while they'd discussed the constellations… then they'd kissed… then they'd simply sat together.

It was quiet now, like then, and they were alone, but the feeling of love had gone. All she felt now was cold. Unwittingly she began to shiver. Two arms wrapped themselves about her, one from either of her sisters.

"Come on, Jeanette," Brittany whispered.

"It's starting now," Eleanor added as together they pulled Jeanette back with them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
A hymn becomes you, O God, in Zion,
and to you shall a vow be repaid in Jerusalem.
Hear my prayer;
to you shall all flesh come.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.

As the funeral service started, Jeanette broke down into silent tears.