“I slept with him Shannon.” Jeff said.

Shannon could hear the tears in Jeff’s voice, as his friend made the confession. “Why would you sleep with him of all people?” Shannon asked.

Jeff sniffled a few times and explained. “I was failing history. He said if I would do some favors for him that I would pass with an A. I thought he was talking about mowing his lawn or something, until he kissed me. I didn’t know what else to do Shannon. I need to pass history to graduate, and if I don’t graduate my dad will kill me. So I slept with Mr. Snitsky, and the ass hole is still flunking me. He says if I do some more ‘favors’ for him he might pass me. I don’t know what to do.”

“You don’t have to sleep with him anymore, Jeff. I could tutored you.” Shannon said.

The tone in Shannon’s voice told Jeff all he needed to know. Shannon hated him. He thought he was some kind of slut that would sleep with anyone. “I can’t take this anymore Shannon. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jeff said, hanging up the phone.

Shannon hung up on his end and sat back on his bed. He hoped Jeff would be okay. He dozed off sometime around midnight, his mind consumed with concern for his friend. Ever since Shannon could remember he’d had some kind of feelings for Jeff. Lately, though, those feeling had become something that he couldn’t describe. He just didn’t feel right when he wasn’t around Jeff, and the prospect of seeing him made Shannon feel like it was Christmas Eve or something. He would’ve called it love if Jeff wasn’t a guy, but loving guys was something Jeff already did, so maybe it was love. Shannon didn’t know, and if he let himself think about it too long it gave him a headache. Hearing the pain in Jeff’s voice tonight, though, brought on one doozy of a headache. That’s what took him so long to fall asleep.

When Shannon felt someone shaking him, he opened his eyes and looked at the clock. It was 4:44 in the morning. “Shannon, wake up.” He heard his mother’s voice pulling him from his sleep.

“Wha... Mom it’s 5 in the morning, what’s wrong?” Shannon said, sitting up and wiping the sleep from his eyes.

“Have you seen, or heard from Jeff?” His mother said, concern in her voice. “He’s gone. Gilbert said his books were still there but most of his cloths were gone.”

Shannon woke up immediately, when he heard the news. “We talked last night on the phone.” Shannon said.

“Did he seem upset or anything?” His mother asked, trying to get some more information out of her youngest son.

“He was worried about his history class, but nothing that would make him run away or anything.” Shannon said, knowing he was lying to his mother, but not wanting to give away too much information. Shannon threw back the covers and grabbed his jeans off the floor. “Mom, I think I know where he might be. It’s our secret place. Can I go see if he’s there?”

“Of course, go. Hurry back, though. Gilbert’s beside himself.” She said.

Shannon got dressed and ran from the house, getting into his car and driving to the opening the woods that led to their secret place. He walked the short distance to a cave that they’d found a few years back. He walked in yelling for and looking for Jeff. He was so sure that Jeff would be there, that when he go no response, his heart sank into the pit of his stomach. Jeff couldn’t really be gone.

Shannon went home and told his mom that Jeff wasn’t there, and asked her if he could stay home from school and help look for him. It didn’t take her but seconds to agree.

Shannon spent the rest of the day driving around, walking with search teams, and holding vigil at the Hardy home, waiting for any word from his best friend. None came. And none would.

Days, weeks, months, and finally years went by. No one was the same. Shannon most of all. He’d lost the bounce that used to grace every step he’d take. He’d lost the sparkle in his eyes. The one that was there only when Jeff was around. He’d lost most of what made him Shannon Moore. At least the Shannon Moore that everyone had grown to know and love. He was sad most of the time. Bitter some days, angry others. But one thing was for sure. He knew he’d never be the same happy go lucky boy ever again.