20-year-old Gabrielle "Gabby" Moreau wandered down the empty school hallways, past the rows of brand new blue lockers. It's about time they throw out those old lockers. She made a face as she recalled the rusty, pale-green ones her class had to use. Hers was particularly stubborn. Every time she tried to open it, she had to bang on it several times before it'd finally pop open.

She continued down the hallway and into the school's Hall of Fame. Photos, dating all the way back to the 60's, hung all over the white and blue walls. Several glass display cases lined up along the way. Filled with plaques, trophies, medals, and old mementos, each case chronicled the achievements her school had obtained over the years. Her lips curved into a fond smile as her eyes landed on a photo of her old cheerleading team.

"You were one tough cheerleading captain back then," a voice said behind her.

Gabby turned, and her blue-grey eyes lit up. "Trevor? Is that you?"

Trevor Manning grinned and hugged his old classmate. "Hey, stranger."

The 21-year-old former class clown had changed dramatically. His once long and curly auburn hair was cut short and tapered at the neckline. His chiseled jaw accentuated his golden-brown eyes, which now had slight wrinkles around them, giving him a mature look. He had given up his wild clothes in favor of a plain black dress shirt and blue tie. However, his black jeans were a subtle reminder that he was still a teen at heart.

"Oh my gosh!" Gabby exclaimed. "It must have been, what? Two? Three years?"

"Something like that," Trevor agreed. "You look great, by the way," he added with a wink.

Gabby laughed. "Ever the charmer," she chided jokingly. They walked down the hallway together. "So you're here for the graduation?"

"Yeah," Trevor replied. "They're a little short-handed today, so I'm sticking around to help out at the ceremony," he explained.

Gabby paused in her step. "What?" she asked, looking baffled.

Trevor scratched his head. "Oh, I, uh, forgot to tell you," he said. "I work here."

Gabby's jaw dropped. "You what?" Out of all the alumnus, Trevor was the last person she expected to be working in a school, much less their old high school.

"Only on a part-time basis," Trevor quickly explained. "It's a long story," he added with a dry laugh.

Gabby tilted her head in curiosity. She was tempted to ask, but Trevor seemed reluctant to reveal more. "So is this what you want to do? Go into education?" she asked instead.

"Maybe," said Trevor, staring off into space. "It's not what I've planned, but I guess when one door closes, another one opens." He turned and looked at Gabby. "So what are you up to these days?"

"Internship at JP Morgan," the former cheerleader answered. "Hence the business suit." She gestured to her black business suit.

"Ah." Trevor nodded in understanding. "Getting a head start on building that resume, huh?"

"Something like that," Gabby answered. "Plus, I'd like to have something other than 'accountant at Jade Palace Restaurant' on the work experience section."

"That's a good idea," said Trevor. "Speaking of the restaurant, how's Uncle Shing doing?"

At this, Gabby hesitated. "He's busy, as always," she finally replied. "Luc and I take turns helping him at the restaurant so he wouldn't be all alone."

They became silent after that.

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Trevor wanted to kick himself. He should've known better. He knew Gabby since elementary school, and the last thing he wanted was to remind her of the car accident that nearly destroyed her family nine years ago.

Winter 1996 was a time he wished he could forget. First, there was Jayla Bennett's disappearance. Then, on the night of the school winter concert, a drunk driver ran a stop sign and crashed straight into Gabby's family's car, killing her Aunt April. The double tragedies had shaken their community to its core.

Gabby had spent almost two weeks at the hospital. When she finally came back to school, she was a completely different person. She became quiet, even reserved. She kept to herself in class and hardly talked to anyone. She rarely hung out with her friends anymore. Her life became a monotonous, repetitive routine: school, the restaurant, and home. Trevor still remembered that feeling of helplessness that ran through him back then. He wanted to help her but didn't know what to do. Gabby had shut everyone out.

Over the years, he had watched her struggle to move on with her life. People always said Gabby was quite mature for her age. His mom said it had to do with Gabby becoming an orphan at a young age. If that was the case, then the car accident had propelled her into adulthood. It wasn't until their sophomore year when someone dared Gabby into trying out for the cheerleading team, that she started to come out of her shell.

Still, some wounds may take a lifetime to heal.

They reached the auditorium. The old metal double doors were replaced with polished wooden doors. There was a table set up on the side, covered with a blue tablecloth. In front of it was a banner that said "Graduation 2005." Program booklets were spread out neatly on the table, decorated with a variety of sparkly sprinkles, silver ribbons, and a miniature version of the school mascot.

"It gets better, Gabs," Trevor said quietly, calling Gabby by her old nickname. "Your uncle is stronger than he looks. He knows you and Luc love him very much. That's what keeps him going."

Gabby gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Trev." Suddenly, she frowned. "By the way, if you're working here, who's managing the store?"

Trevor grimaced at the mention of his family business. It was something he often spoke about during high school. The second-hand goods store had been in his family for generations, going all the way back to his great-great-grandfather. His father used to say his future was set on the day he was born. He was going to the fifth-generation owner of his family business.

"The old man can run his shop however he wants," he said bitterly, surprising Gabby. Trevor took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "It's... complicated," he told her. "I'll tell you some other time."

Just then, an announcement came over the intercom, asking the audience to return to their seats as the ceremony was about to begin.

Trevor gestured to the auditorium. "You better head inside."

Gabby reached out and took a program booklet from the table. She was just about to head inside when she paused. "Hey, do you wanna come by the restaurant some time?" she asked hesitantly. "I haven't seen you for so long. We should catch up," she added with a hopeful smile.

Trevor's heart leaped. "Sure." He tried to sound casual. "It'll be nice to see Uncle Shing again." It'll be nice to see you again.

Gabby's eyes sparkled. "Great!" She reached into her bag and took out her phone. Trevor stood there, wondering what she was up to. Gabby gave him an amused look. "I need your number."

"Oh, right." Quickly, Trevor pulled his phone out from his pocket, almost dropping it in the process. For a moment, he felt like he was fifteen again, and had just asked his crush out on a date.

Only this time, he was the one being asked out on a date.

Gabby put her phone back after they exchanged numbers. "Got it," she announced. "I'll call you."

"Sounds good," said Trevor. He watched her disappear into the auditorium, a silly grin on his face.

I've got a date with the cheerleading captain!

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The auditorium was abuzz with activities. Most people had taken their seats, yet the chatter continued. Some were on their phones, going over last-minute celebratory plans. Others looked around the auditorium, awestruck by the new renovations. Some hung around by the aisle, chatting and hugging, offering congratulatory words to one another.

A jumbled mix of music drifted from the pit as the school orchestra busied themselves with a final rehearsal. The conductor adjusted the music stand and tapped his baton. The noise faded as he gave some final instructions to the musicians. Today was an important day, more important than any music competitions and festivals they took part in during the school year. Everything must be perfect.

On the stage, school officials stood near two rows of chairs set up in the center. They gave off an air of seriousness and authority in their black doctoral robes and distinguish-looking hoods as they did a final check on the run-down of the ceremony. Eventually, they were joined by the student council, who were dressed in their blue graduation gowns and caps. There was a mix of emotions as they mentally prepared themselves for this significant day.

The audience became quiet as the lights dimmed. Down in the pit, the conductor waved his baton, and the orchestra began to play Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" (or, as Sam called it, "his worst nightmare"). The auditorium doors opened, and the graduating senior class, already filed in two straight lines, walked in.

Families and friends watched with pride as the students entered the auditorium. Despite previous warnings about remaining silent during the ceremony, some couldn't help but cheer them on. Cameras and phones flashed as some people in the audience tried to capture this special moment.

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Luc stepped inside the auditorium, all the while trying to keep calm. He walked carefully, making sure not to trip over his gown. There was an almost undetectable limp in his walk, but it didn't matter. He'd been walking without crutches for the past seven years, and for that he was grateful. He followed his classmates towards the front section of the auditorium. Even though he knew this day would come, he couldn't help but feel a torrent of emotions raging inside of him.

It finally hit him just how significant this day was. The milestone he didn't care much for when he was young became all too important when he grew up. It was a coming of age, the end of a chapter in his life.

If only Jayla were here, he thought wistfully.

His mind drifted back to the conversation he had with Uncle Danny, or now better known as Detective Owens, last week. Getting into a good college was never an issue for him. His near perfect GPA and 1350 SAT scores were enough to guarantee him a spot at some of the top universities in the nation, including Northwestern, his sister's school. However, Luc didn't want to go into business like her. Instead, he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become a cop.

Unfortunately, the grim reality of his physical condition hit him hard after he spoke to the detective.

"Look, son, I'm not trying to dash your dreams here, but you need to know the training at the academy is tough. It was tough for your father and me, and I can guarantee you, they won't go easy on you because of your legs, or because of your dad. Even if, by some miracle, you passed the POWER test, there's no way you can pass the psych evaluation. I know why you're doing this, and I respect you for that, but Eric will personally come outta his grave and haunt my ass if I let you risk your health so that you can pursue some near-impossible goal. I'm sorry, but I won't write that recommendation letter for you."

It hurt. Luc didn't expect to be blindsided by such a setback. He had it all planned out: attend college, get a degree, and apply for the police academy straight after. He didn't care how long it would take. Once he became part of the CPD, he would be able to access Jayla's case, and start his own search for her. Although Luc was angry at his surrogate uncle for refusing to help him, he knew the detective was only looking out for him. He'd been so fixated on searching for Jayla that it never occurred to him that perhaps he wasn't cut out for the job.

Without Uncle Danny's recommendation, Luc knew he wouldn't have much luck with the other officers at the CPD. Disheartened, powerless, frustrated, Luc felt lost. He didn't know what to do. By now, everyone had given up on any hope that Jayla might still be alive. Or, perhaps they gave up nine years ago. Jayla's disappearance became a cautionary tale; a story parents used to warn their children not to be out alone on the streets. Her existence gradually faded out of people's memories, and when 9/11 happened, all attention shifted to New York, terrorism, and national security. Little Jayla became just another cold case nobody remembered, except Luc.

"Get up, man. It's our turn," a voice broke him out of his reverie. He looked up and realized it was time to go up the stage and receive their diplomas. Quickly, he stood up and followed his classmates towards the stage.

He walked past the school dean, who stood at a podium near the stage while he announced the names of each graduating senior. The orchestra continuously played Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" as the students went on stage to receive their diplomas. He glanced over at the pit and saw Sam, also wearing his cap and gown, playing the tuba. He caught his eye and gave him a wink. Luc nodded back.

"Lucien Chia-Ming Moreau, honor graduate."

Luc took a deep breath and stepped onto the brightly-lit stage. His heart thumped wildly as he walked across the stage. Everything felt surreal. Luc didn't know how he managed to shake the principal and vice-principals' hands without fainting, or walk across the stage to receive his diploma without tripping. The moment his hand touched that rolled-up piece of paper though, he felt as if someone had just liberated him from a twelve-year prison sentence.

He made it.

By now, the seniors were becoming restless. Rather than sitting patiently in their seats, some were chatting with nearby students or texting on their phones. Someone had snuck a beach ball into the auditorium, and it now bounced and floated amongst the senior class. Luc reached up as it moved towards him. He reared his arm back and spiked it towards the front. There were some cheers as more arms reached up to hit it.

After what felt like an eternity, the announcer began to call out the students whose last name began with a 'Z.' A quiet energy began to build up. Everyone waited with bated breath as the final batch of students went on the stage.

"Jose Zorilla." Almost everyone in the senior class stomped in anticipation when the last student went up to receive his diploma. As soon as he went back to his seat, the principal stood up went to the front of the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "It is my honor to present to you the Lincoln Park High School, Senior Class 2005," he announced.

The auditorium burst into wild cheers and applause, almost drowning out the school orchestra as they began to play the school song. Luc could barely contain his excitement as he was pulled to his feet by his classmates. They hooked fingers and swayed as they listened to the song that had plagued them in every single sports game and pep rally since freshman year played for one last time.

As soon as the orchestra struck the final chord, Luc ripped the cap from his head and flung it high into the air, joining hundreds of blue caps. Everything became a royal blue and golden blur as he was enveloped in one hug after another.

A pair of familiar arms caught him in a bone-crushing hug. "Dude, we made it," Sam cried emotionally.

Luc patted him on the back, then leaned back and stared at him. "Are you crying?"

Sam turned away, but Luc caught him dabbing his eyes. "It was dusty down in the pit."

Luc rolled his eyes but decided not to call him out on it. "So what's the plan?" he asked.

"Dinner at Lou's, and then party at Tommy's," Sam told him. "Do you need a ride?"

At that, Luc stiffened. "Uh, my uncle will drop me off," he said.

Sam gave him a skeptical look but then shrugged. "All right, I'll catch you later. Don't forget. 6:30 at Lou's," he reminded Luc.

"I'll see you later," Luc called after him. He waited until Sam had disappeared into the crowd and sighed. It wasn't that he didn't want to go, but the thought of getting into a car...

"Yo, limpy. What's with the long face?"

Luc's eyes went wide. He whirled around and found himself staring at the last person he expected to see at his graduation.