Wherever You Are

Preface

"Come on and smile honey" my mom pleads to me.

"Just one picture Mom, you know I'm camera shy" I say back looking at the ground.

"I'll take it!" Mom squeals "say cheese!"

"Cheese" I put on my biggest smile just to please her.

It is June 19th and my mother and I are currently at my school taking many pictures. I was part of the Skylar High graduating class of 2015. My mom couldn't be more thrilled I finally graduated not to mention with straight A's.

You see my mom has this crazy fantasy that every time one of us whether it be my mom, brother or I accomplish something it brings us closer to dad. He died when I was 14; 3 years ago.

It was hard on my mom when he passed on. They loved each other more than anything. I was always amazed by their remarkable love and how they never stopped loving each other. My mom was in tears for months when we lost him. She was there for my brother and I but she was ghost like, floating among the house doing little chores or shedding a tear.

I on the other hand had to stay strong for my little brother. After about a week of crying myself out I started to see he needed my strength. Poor Eric who was only 8 when my father passed started realizing our mother had slipped away into some sort of different dimension. That's when I realized he needed me. My mom came around 3 months after the funeral and we've been alright ever since. It hasn't been easy but we are managing.

At school I stick to my grades trying to achieve the best and I stay close to my two best friends, Lindy Pompay and Olivia Edge. Aside from them I don't really have anyone else.

That only makes this summer worse. Lindy is going to work in Kenya helping the underfed children there, while Olivia has to go for early admission into the University of London. While I am stuck in Pittsburg trying to decide which of the three colleges that accepted me I should choose.

"Can I have the graduating class of 2015 all gather on the stage for a final picture" our principal Ms. Deenan demands.

I catch up to Olivia who has just emerged from taking pictures with her boyfriend. Together we walk toward the stage ready for the last and final moment that awaits us at Skylar high. Lindy soon joins us and we settle into the picture.

"Ok everyone say graduation!" Ms. Deenan cheers.

"GRADUATION!"

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So this is the preface for my new book Wherever You Are! I hope you all enjoy reading this and that you stay along for the wild ride that is this book!

• Ry <3