Saturday night seemed like the only night I was ever free. The constant pile of schoolwork grew daily on my desk. I got home late every night from practice. I hardly ever had time to hang out with friends. I sat on top of the monkey bars at the park in my neighborhood. It was a warm September night and in the distance a car honked. I shivered against the cold metal bars. My neighbors sat in various places around me. Johnnie was in the middle of telling a joke when a voice interrupted him.

"Shouldn't you kids be getting home?" a police officer called out from his patrol car. "It's getting close to curfew."

"We were just heading home officer," my best friend Lexi called from next to me. Tristan, who sat on my other side, hopped down. He was so tall his head was almost level with the bar. I dropped down and we began to walk toward our houses.

"Aren't you coming, Lexi?" I asked. She and Steven were both at the park. Steven slid down to the sand. Lexi followed and they walked over to a bench. Steven wore his typical black soccer shorts and muscle shirt. He flexed his biceps as he sat down. I rolled my eyes. Steven was one of Tristan's best friends; therefore he had to be put up with. The four of us often hung out together. Lexi nodded and mouthed "go". She then turned to Steven, smiled and tossed her hair. I laughed to myself, determined to text her later and get all the details. Tristan and I turned and began to walk home. We passed his house and I looked at him questioningly.

"I thought I would walk you home if you don't mind." Tristan said with a smile on his face. I blushed and thanked him. We slowly continued down the sidewalk, neither of us had a desire to go home.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow night?" Tristan asked. "Because if you aren't, I was wondering if you want to go see a movie with me."

"I would love to but I am babysitting," I bit my lip, sorry to see an opportunity like that pass.

"Oh, OK," Tristan replied as he lowered his eyes to the ground.

"But hey, I am free in the afternoon," I told him. His eyes lit up and he grinned.

"Sounds good," he replied. We began to talk about what movie we wanted to see.

We had reached my house. I hopped up the steps and onto my porch.

"Wait," Tristan stepped toward me. I came down a step closer to him. I looked up into his eyes hopefully.

"Never mind, I'll see you tomorrow," Tristan walked back in the direction of his house. I shuffled inside, torn between my feelings of excitement and disappointment.

The next morning I woke up to my brother's sobs. I slowly pulled myself out of bed and glanced at the clock. I groaned and looked in the mirror. My hair was un-brushed and lay around my shoulders, framing my face. The piece of hair I could never manage to get into my ponytail was in its usual place. I attempted to push it back off my face but soon gave up. I groggily opened my door.

"It is seven thirty in the morning. People are sleeping so find something to do," I tiredly told my younger brother, Aiden. He had stopped crying but was still sitting in the hallway.

"Where's Mommy and Daddy?" Aiden asked.

"Nowhere," I replied. I walked the length of the hall and into my parent's room.

"Mom, Dad?" I called.

"Mom?" I repeated, "Dad?"

I gently pushed open the door and peered in. Their bed was unmade and their alarm set to go off at eight.

"Stay here," I yelled as I ran out the door. I sprinted to Tristan's house and rang the doorbell. I attempted to calm my heavy breathing while I waited for the door to open. Tristan opened the door, dressed only in jeans. My breath caught as I took in his six pack. He propped himself up against the door which flexed his biceps.

"Taylor what are you doing up this early?" he asked as he tiredly rubbed his eyes.

"My parents aren't anywhere. Aiden is crying and I have no idea what to do," I told him. I recounted my story to him. He nodded and then replied,

"But their cars are there?" I nodded.

"Is your older brother here?" I asked.

"Jack?"

"Yes."

"Hold on just a minute." Tristan ran upstairs. I heard the sound of doors opening and closing.

"He isn't here, but his car is."Tristan exclaimed. I turned and sure enough Jack's black Honda accord. A sinking feeling filled me and I sank to the floor in the hallway. Tristan sat beside me.

"Where are they?" I whispered.

"I will do everything I possibly can to find them. Tristan gravely promised as he took my hand and looked into my eyes with his own piercing blue. "I promise."