The last thing Kyla Benson said to me was that she wanted butterflies instead of doves to be released at her funeral. Kyla was always told how fragile and kind she was. Just like a butterfly is. She loved being known as the butterfly girl because she though butterflies were the most beautiful creature that ever lived.

()()()()

"I don't know Grace." Miss Benson said to me. "Doves are usually always released at funerals. Are you sure she wants butterflies?" I nodded my head.

"Yes Miss Benson. She said so herself. Plus, butterflies are just as beautiful as doves. And Kyla loved them. She would be very happy if we went through with it." I replied.

"I guess you're right. Thank you for helping, Grace. Kyla's father walked out on us once he found out how sick Kyla was. I probably wouldn't have been able to do it on my own." Miss Benson said, pulling me into a tight hug.

"No worries Miss Benson. I'm glad to help." I answered, returning the hug.

"And I really appreciate it. Kyla's death was very hard on me, harder than seeing her helpless in the hospital bed." She said.

"Sorry to ask but what kind of cancer did she have again?" I asked.

"Oh, it's okay to ask. She had brain cancer. There was a very large tumor and the doctors knew it would be very hard to remove it. I guess Kyla's young body just couldn't take it anymore." I saw a tear fall from Miss Benson's eye and hugged her again.

"Everything is going to be fine, Miss Benson. Kyla is in a better place now, right? No more pain and cancer free." I told her. She smiled. It was the first time I saw her smile since Kyla passed. I felt my insides flutter on the inside, knowing I possibly caused that smile.

"That's right Grace." She said.

"Excuse me ma'am." We turned around and faced where the voice came from. It was one of the funeral directors.

"Is she ready?" Miss Benson asked.

"Yes ma'am. She is already settled in the coffin and in the room. She is quite a beautiful girl Miss Benson." He said, and Miss Benson smiled again.

"May we see her?" She asked him. He nodded and motioned for us to follow him. He led us down a hallway into a room. There was a beautiful white casket in the corner, surrounded by daisies, which were Kyla's favorite flowers. I walked towards the casket and looked at my beautiful best friend. She looked so peaceful. I smiled when I saw the shirt she was wearing.

"Miss Benson she is wearing the shirt I gave her for her birthday." I said smiling. She walked up to me and put her arm around my shoulders.

"I know Grace. I picked it out. I knew you would be happy." She told me.

"I am. Thank you." I replied giving her a tight hug. Miss Benson released the hug, and wiped a tear from her face, trying to be as composed as possible at this time.

"Well Grace, I think it's time I take you home. You are coming to the reception tonight right?" She asked me. I nodded.

"Of course I will be there. My parents are coming too." I replied.

"That's wonderful. I haven't seen your parents in a while." She said. "Come on, let's get you home.

()()()()

On the way to the reception, the entire car was silent. But I guess no one really talks when you're on the way to see your best friend for the last time. My parents were probably just trying not to stir any reminders about Kyla to make me upset. Kyla and I had been best friends ever since we were in kindergarten. I remember the day as if it was yesterday.

The bell rang for recess and I slowly made my way outside to the playground. I usually never play with anyone. I sat against the brick building staring at all the other kids when a tall girl from my class walked up to me.

"Hi, I'm Kyla what's your name?" She said. I stood up and wiped the dirt off my pants.

"I'm Grace." I told her.

Kyla smiled, "Wanna come play spies with me? You can be Clover and I can be Sam." I nodded and smiled.

"Okay." And we ran off, pretending to fight one of the bad guys.

I felt a tear fall from my eye and wiped it away before anyone could notice.

()()()()

At the reception, everyone way crying silently and hugging Miss Benson. My parents and I got into the line of people in front of Miss Benson. It was finally our turn and I stepped forward first.

"Hi Miss Benson." I said, giving her a hug. She squeezed me tightly before letting go and turning to my parents.

"I'm so sorry for your loss Mandy. Kyla will definitely be missed." My mom said, giving Miss Benson a tight hug. My dad did the same. For the rest of the reception, I sat in a chair quietly, hoping no tears would fall. I had always hated crying on front of people I didn't know.

()()()()

When the funeral day arrived, I didn't really want to get out of bed. My mom had to force me to get out and put on something appropriate to wear. I decided to wear my favorite black skirt with my black and pink polka-dot shirt. Pink was Kyla's favorite color.

When we got to the church, Kyla's casket was in the back, open so people would be able to see her and place stuffed animals and flowers inside. I walked up and put my hand in the edge of the casket before slowly walking away.

The preacher played Kyla's favorite song "No Air" by Jordin Sparks and I couldn't help but let a few tears fall. After that song, the preacher stepped up to the podium.

"I realize that Kyla's birthday is in a few days. Her mother had the idea of singing happy birthday." Everyone stood up and I leaned against my mom's arm, holding a Kleenex to my eyes and nose. During that, I really started crying. I didn't care who was watching.

In the cemetery, Kyla's grave was placed on the top of a hill next to a beautiful pink tree that sprouted every year during the time of her birthday. The man with the cage of butterflies stood at the edge of the hill and opened the hatch. I stood with my mom, her arm around my shoulder, watching each of the butterflies fly off into the sky as if showing us where Kyla was watching us from.

Every year after that, I went to Kyla's grave, placed a pink flower on the stone, and looked past the hill, picturing the butterflies over and over again.

A/N: So, I wanted to thank everyone for reading this. It was only a one-shot so.. this is all there is to it.

This story was dedicated to my best friend Kailey, who passed away from diabetes. I changed the name and sickness, not wanted to make myself upset, but, writing about the day we met, really sparked some sadness. That day really happened.

And the whole grave and cemetery thing is true as well.

The butterfly thing isn't true though. But almost everything else is, and it really helped me get Kailey's death off of my chest. So again, thanks for reading. I really appreciate it.