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Prologue

Where the hell is he?

Looking out my window for the billionth time, I paced in the living room. Yuri was supposed to be there over an hour ago, we were going to have to leave without him if he didn't show up soon.

Pulling out my cell phone, I sent him another text. I stared at that screen, I stared at it, wishing he would just send me a message back telling me where he was.

That message never came.

“It's time to go,” my father said as he stood in the doorway. “We can't wait any longer.”

“But he said he'd be here.”

“I know, and I'm sure he has a good reason for why he's not. But if you want to make it to your graduation, we need to go.”

Grabbing my hat and gown, I followed my father to the car. Climbing in the front passenger seat, I pulled the seat belt across my chest as he started the engine. My eyes were full with water, making it hard to find the buckle clip, the clear view a fuzzy haze from the bubbles creeping over the surface.

“Maybe he'll meet us there, and maybe he doesn't have any service to text you and tell you.” My father spoke softly as he watched the road.

Turning to look at him, the tears started to fall. “He was supposed to be here at five, that was an hour ago. Where could he be?”

My father didn't answer, simply giving me a look that said he had no clue, but he wasn't as worried as I was. “Things come up, Honey, but I'm sure he'll be there.”

Yuri had always done what he said he would. He was where he said he would be, he finished everything he started, he did exactly what was expected.

Except for today.

This was a big day for me, it was my high school graduation. Yuri was two years older, deciding to skip college and go to work for his father at his moving company.

He wasn't your average kid. He was responsible, he had determination, he had wanted to help his family by keeping the business going. It was what I loved the most about him.

Resting my head on my hand, the car rolled to a stop at the red light. My eyes searched around, staring at everything and nothing at all.

That's when I saw him.

Throwing my body upright, I glared out the window. The car started to roll forward, so I threw my hand out towards my father and yelled. “Stop the car!”