As I walked into the main building of Kenwood Academy I could feel excitement practically radiate from my body. I traveled down the halls occasionally saying hi to one of my Computer Tech club buddies as I made my way towards homeroom. I could only imagine what lied beyond Ms. Robinson's door. A man with a suitcase full of money just for me, a personal bodyguard to take care of Sierra for me, or possibly by some miracle my mom would be there waiting to embrace me in a bear hug and her signature smile on her face…

A frown appeared on my face and I felt tears start to form. Even after 11 years, I could never truly move on or get over her death. Memories of the incident begin to flood my mind, but before they could take form, I snapped back into reality. I had somehow subconsciously made my way to my homeroom on the second floor of the building. Still amazed at my abilities, I took a deep breath as if it's the first day of school all over again and opened the door.

And in there I saw was…nothing, nothing at all for me. The only things in there were my classmates acting their usual crazy selves. I sighed and heaved my way over to the window where I always go to think. As I watched the distant waves of Lake Michigan, a hundred thoughts flew through my head. Why did Dad say there was a surprise for me here? Who had he promised to? What the hell was the surprise anyway? And who is walking up behind me? I blinked and looked at the poor excuse for a reflection again. Nope, sure enough there was someone walking towards me. But before I could turn around and get a good look at their face, the mystery person covered my eyes.

"Are you ready for your surprise Leya?" He asked in a low voice. I unintentionally tensed under the intensity of his voice. There was something about him that seemed so familiar. Unable to form any words, I just nodded my head slowly.

"Alright turn around, but keep your eyes closed; no peeking." He said trying to maintain his low voice but I noticed it got a little bit higher. I obliged anyway resisting the urge to peek, keeping my eyes shut.

"Ok open." He commanded, his low voice completely gone now. That voice…No way it can't be… I open my eyes to reveal none other than my best friend in the whole world.

"A-Arel…?" I asked weakly.

"The one and only." Arel replies with a large grin on his face. He was wearing a his signature rectangular framed glasses, a green unbuttoned shirt with a white undershirt, cargo shorts, and a pair of flip-flops.

All I could think about was how he was here at my school. I mean he goes to a charter school in northern Chicago; there was no way he could be here! The only plausible explanation I could come up with was that I was still dreaming. Yea, that's it I'm still in bed sleep 'cuz if I was awake, Arel wouldn't be here in front of me. Yea right! Don't deny it girl. You know you're awake and he really is here. My inner voice tells me. My eyes widened as realization, excitement and happiness flooded my body.

"AREL!" I yelled, running into his arms, "Oh-my-god, I haven't seen you since the 7th grade! How are you here? I though you went to Highland Park!" I exclaimed after our quick embrace.

He laughs at my excitement, "My dad got a promotion and transfer of his choice." Arel explained, "He noticed that I wasn't completely myself since we moved so he asked his boss to transfer him down here so I could go to school here with you!"

I've got to remember to thank Mr. Terra later. "That's great man!" I said hugging him once more. I glanced at the clock: 8:14. "First block doesn't start for another 46 minutes," I stated, "So let's catch up for the time being, shall we?" For the next half hour, me and Arel chatted about our lives up until the 9th grade. That's until I realized that someone was missing and that was actually bugging me since we started talking.

"Hey Arel, uh… where's you-know-who?" I asked in a hushed tone, even though I highly doubted that anyone could hear me with their own loud conversations going on.

"Who?" He asked back.

"You know…Solarmon." I said, lowering my voice even more.

"Oh, he's at home keeping my mom company." He answered, "And what about you? Where's Gilamon?"

"Hmm…Actually, I don't know where he is. I didn't see him this morning, which is weird."

"Why is that?" Arel asked me.

"Well, he always says good morning to me when I wake up and 'See ya later' before I leave." I said starting to get worried, "I was so invested into finding out what my surprise was I didn't even notice he wasn't there…" Fear began to well up inside of me.

BRRRIIINNNGGG! The bell for the transition into first block rung. Arel and I grabbed our stuff and made our way to class. "Look, don't worry we'll find him. After school, we'll head to your house and ask your dad if he saw him. Ok?" He reassured me. I nod halfheartedly.

As I sat in class and for the rest of the day, all I could do was hope and pray that Gilamon was at home safe.