I don't know if I can help, but I can point out a few things from your dream that really stood out.
This was your boyfriends dream right? So this means this is about his feelings and ideas not yours. It sounds like he wants you to attend school or furthur your education somewhat. The beach scene can represent a safe place for emotions to be shown that otherwise hide during wakefulness.
Gray seems like illness in this situation and unsureness. Like you were unsure of your real feelings towards this man, or your boyfriend is unsure of your real feelings towards him. There is much confusion around him, he was a very domineering and frustrating person? His illness(if that's what he died from) took alot out of him, and perhaps he was in a state of utter mental confusion when he passed. So sorry.
I don't know why you didn't go see the fish, perhaps your boyfriend feels you get to wrapped up in things in your head, and you pass him off too easily, ignore him, don't pay him enough attention, whatever the case I feel strongly that he feels he has wonderful attributes to share with you and he feels they go unoticed by you. Hope this helped, some feedback would be great.