Dream (Bridges 2)

Forget Me Nots

June,2026

"Hey Otabek, I hear your graduation is soon" read a text from my friend Victor, we met during my freshman year of high school, and his senior year. Since then we've been really close but during days like this, he's a reminder. So I decided to not answer him for now, I informed his roommate Chris that Vic's invitation to my graduation would be in the mail soon. So I know he'll be there but... As I finish college and begin to step my feet into the world I can't help but wonder, if he had lived to see me today, would he be proud of me? Would he have been in my class or would he have skipped college, knowing him he'd still be stubbornly refusing to pick ballet back up? As the first tear drew down my cheek I realized I was thinking about him again, it's been nearly 7... wait no, 8 years since he died. I guess there's a chance you don't know who, "he" is. His name was Yuri Plisetsky barely a month after I met him he took his life. I can still see his face right before jumping, it haunts my dreams even now. I'm heading home after graduation I'm heading back to my hometown. I should visit him when I do. It's been a while. As I cleared my drawers I continued packing up the room I lived in for four years. I found an old video camera with the initials Y.P. written in faded sharpie and a letter with a broken seal at the bottom of the seam that was carefully torn open and sealed back closed with tape. Trevor's last message to Yuri, A message he never read. I wonder if Trevor was angry when he saw Yuri never read it. Assuming there is an afterlife I mean. I wonder if they talked things through?

"Beka!" A voice yelled pulling me from my trance "Are you moping over that blonde guy again! Come on, you're graduating! Be happy for yourself for once!"

As I turned around I saw Sasha my younger sister, next year she starts senior year, how the years fly by

"I'm sorry your right.."

"You always get this way, your 16th birthday, 18th, high school graduation, and your 21st! Everything that you should be celebrating you spend moping, I understand you cared about him but you only knew him for a month. You can't spend your life lamenting him!"

"You're right.. You always are but.."
"Yea I know, and I don't mean to be harsh but it's been so long, and I'm starting to worry about you and your goblin face."

"Thanks, Sasha.."

"No more moping! Come on! Mom is waiting for us, you're spending the weekend with us, You can pack later! Mom should have your motorbike's trailer hooked up to our car by now!" Sasha said as she pulled me along

"I'm coming, I'm coming.."

Hours passed and soon we made it to the Pinewell County line and I held my breath as we crossed the bridge into the Small town of Prixia...

"How does it feel to be home for the first time in 4 years Otabek?" My mother asked

"Don't be so dramatic I've visited since i started school"

"That may be true but you never stay longer than a day.. It was worrying thinking about you driving alone at night on a bike, you know."

"I know mom but I always wear my high vis vest, It's perfectly safe."

"I know but... still..."

"Hey, Mom.."

"Yes, Beka?"

" Would it be ok if you drop me and My bike off and I meet you at home? I want to check in on some friends first."

"Liar.." Sasha muttered under her breath. I chose to ignore her, luckily mom didn't hear that
"Of course, I'll let you out on Main street.. But don't be too long the sun is already setting,"

I waved my mother goodbye after I unloaded my bike and continued down Main street. As I drove I spotted a flower shop on the corner. Has that always been there? I decided to stop in to buy a gift. I settled on a bouquet of white carnations, baby's breath, and forget-me-nots before continuing on my way. Soon I had made it to my destination and I quietly made my way through the paths. On the ground were petals fallen from flowers left in memory by other visitors and as I walked I thought back to the day I first meet Yuri I had seen him from afar a lot as a child but this was different we stood face to face and we spoke