Prologue

I smiled at him, the saint of our village, noting how his violet eyes crinkled around the edges. Freckles lightly danced across the petit bridge of his nose, making me envy all the freckles cascading my pale skin. Breathing in the earthy smell of the blades of grass beneath us, I remember never wanting that moment to end. Not only because I was there with him, but because it was by his choice that we were there together. His arm brushed against mine, giving my heart a jolt- a completely innocent act considering we were lying next to each other on the hill that overlooked the sea.

"look," he pointed, "there's the ship that's going to take me to Japan tomorrow. Isn't it spectacular?" The awe in his voice was not surprising in the least. He had been waiting for this ship for weeks now. However, a sense of dread overcame my whole body until I shook with anger. I couldn't believe it! They were taking away the only boy I had ever gotten along with; the only boy that had ever paid any attention to me. How dare they?

Turning my body away from him, I tried to silently let my tears fall. But it was to no avail. After a couple beats of silence, I felt his hand on my hair and his warm breath on my neck, comforting me in the only way he knew how.

"Don't fret, ma chérie," he assured me, "Maman promisedthat her and I would see each other again, which means that we will too. Don't you see? We found each other, not by coincidence, but by fate!" He was stroking my long chocolate brown hair by then, his body curled slightly around mine in a protective stance. I took in a deep breath, letting the weight of his words surround me and take over my soul. I couldn't argue because I agreed completely; we were destined to be together. Maybe not tomorrow, or the next day, or even a year from then- but we would eventually be together again. Of course, that's providing that he does not forget about me… I thought, the dread blanketing my soul for what would not be the last time.

"Come now," he said, standing up and holding his hand out to me, "enough sulking! We should go home and get some rest. You'll be there tomorrow, right, to see me off?" I nodded, taking the chance to wipe away the last of my tears from my drenched face. He led me home, about two miles from that hill, walking me safely to the door like the gentleman he had always been. I could feel his eyes on the side of my face as I went to open the villa doors to my stone-clad mansion. I turned to ask him why he hadn't left yet, only to feel his soft lips collide with mine. He broke off, leaving me breathless, standing in front of him with an expression of astonishment written all over my face.

"I… just had to do that before I left. You're the only friend I've ever known, Antoinette, other than Maman, of course…" he smiled then, close to tears. "I couldn't imagine a life without you. Oh, and I really did mean what I said about being together again some day, I promise. See you tomorrow?" And with that, he left, taking his hopes and dreams with him. Little did he know, he also took half of my heart…

When the next morning came, I couldn't bear going to see him. I didn't want to watch him walk away on that boat and out of my life. I sent my older brother Francis with a note that stated:

I am so sorry I couldn't make it to see you. But please understand that it wasn't because I don't want to see you. I believe everything that you said about seeing each other again, too. I guess maybe that's what makes it so hard for me to bring myself to say goodbye… Because, I know it isn't goodbye. Not really. We will see each other again soon, Mon ami! ÀBientôt! Safe voyage!

And with that, he sailed away, my note clenched firmly in his hands, not knowing that I really was watching- from that spot on the hill.