Anastasia's pov

Funerals. They're awful. If I had a choice, I would have stayed home and not gone to the funeral at all. But Josh, Tyler and Jenna all wanted me to go, and they said if I didn't go I would regret it. It didn't seem like I had a choice anyway so I caved.

The only funeral I had been to was when my dad died. I don't remember much about it except everyone that was present, including my mom, didn't seem to give a damn that he was dead and they were only having a funeral because it was proper. That's just what you do when someone dies. I hated his funeral. I hated everything about it. For some reason, sitting in a crowd listening to someone who doesn't really care singing a shitty song about how the person who died is "in a better place" just isn't that comforting to me.

Today wasn't any different. I changed into a black floral dress- provided by Jenna- accompanied with a sweater "because it was cold" and sat in the living room, waiting. Tyler and Jenna were waiting outside in the car we were all going to ride it but I decided to enjoy my alone time for as long as I could.

Ana's dress

After a short while, Josh came down the stairs, all dressed up (and pretty handsome, not gonna lie).

"How you feeling?" He asked me as he messed with the collar of his dress shirt. I could tell he wasn't used to wearing fancier clothing. Neither was I.

"I hate this dress," I answered so I wouldn't have to tell him how I really felt.

He looked me up and down. "You look nice."

I mumbled a "thanks" as I followed him outside and into the car with the others.

* * *

The car ride was extremely awkward. I sat behind Tyler, who drove, and Josh sat behind Jenna who was in the passenger seat. I was told the funeral home was about a half an hour away from the house, so the car ride was not only awkward but it was too long for my liking. I spent my time ignoring the others and gazing out the window.

About ten minutes into the car ride, I heard Josh say, "I know this is going to be hard for you."

I didn't answer. I knew he wanted to help, but I didn't want to hear it, so I pretended I couldn't hear him. He kept talking.

"Funerals are hard. I know you didn't really want to go, but I wanted to save you from the regret that I've felt because I didn't show up at someone's funeral."

I caught a glimpse of Tyler nodding in the rear view mirror. I couldn't see his eyes because he was wearing sunglasses, but his facial expression was one of sorrow.

Josh continued, "Trust me, I wouldn't make you do something unless I knew it would help you."

An awkward moment of silence.

"I wanna tell you this..." He took a deep breath, in, and out. "I'm so proud of you for what you did for your mother."

This statement confused me. I turned from the window to Josh, who was studying the floor of the car.

"People see so much stuff happening on the news these days. So many tragedies being reported. Eventually everybody gets to thinking, 'What would I do in that situation? What would I do if I saw someone on the verge of death or injury and I knew I could help them somehow? Would I actually do anything or would I just freeze up and do nothing?' Most of the time, they freeze up and do nothing. And that's completely understandable. You going into that fire to try to save your mom... I'm proud of you because you were in that situation, you did experience a tragedy, you saw a way you could help someone- even someone who has hurt you- and you acted on it. That is an amazing quality to have, Ana."

I felt my cheeks turn red as I let his words sink in. His words were wise, but I didn't feel like I needed to be praised for something that I really needed to do. Plus, I wasn't the only one who put myself in harm's way to help someone.

The rest of the car ride was awkwardly silent again, and soon we pulled up to the funeral home.