When I was little, there was a boy I was always with.

He lived nearby; we played every day, fought every day, and yet he'd be right back by my side the next morning.

He was a bit blunt, but kinder than anyone else, and he always saved me when I was on the verge of tears.

To me, that was just how life was.

—I thought we'd be together forever.

But in the summer of 5th grade.

"See ya tomorrow."

The day after we parted with those words, he was gone.

I hadn't heard a thing. I didn't have his contact info. I couldn't even say goodbye.

Before I knew it, years had passed. Now a high school junior, I rarely thought about my childhood friend anymore. Because I figured we'd never meet again.

But one spring day. The homeroom teacher opened the classroom door and spoke.

"I'd like to introduce a transfer student."

As every eye in the room focused, a boy walked in—blond, sharp-eyed, looking every bit the delinquent.

While everyone else whispered about how scary he looked,

I was the only one lost for words.

Because I knew that face.

The boy I hadn't seen in years—

My first love, and the childhood friend who vanished without a trace.