The moment Mom asked if I saw James, my chest heaved. “No,” I replied and twitched my lips. I didn’t want to keep talking about him because of the emotions I felt whenever I thought of him.

“Emily.”

We turned and it was Xavier. I ran to him immediately and threw my hands around him. He hugged me back, even tighter. I couldn’t believe I missed Xavier this much, it was hurting.

“I’m so sorry,” he said as he hugged me. No one else was going to understand, not even Mom. “It’s ...