I walked out of Mrs. Lanny classroom with a big smile on my face since I had passed his hard American History test. Which means I only have to survive one more test before I'm free of that class. Back home in Russia, we don't care about American History and we didn't need over three months of learning it. Jocelyn had spent the last two weeks help studying me and I still needed a good grade and all my credits. I wasn't planning on spending another year of my life in school. I was ready to hit the world in June with one girl in mind.

As I walked down the hallway I was coming passed Buck. We looked at each other and he had a grin on his face. My head turned a little as we walked passed each other and I glared at the back of his head. That grin was the grin on someone who was happy I will be leaving next Saturday so I only have eleven days left with Jocelyn and I knew he was pleased I was leaving. I wasn't going to give him the sanctification of it though starting some fight. Things have been going good the last few weeks with Jocelyn and I so I wasn't going to let him ruin anything.

I saw Radomir as I walked down the staircase where he was charming art teacher Ms. Bloom. Circle of rumors flew around that the new Russian security guard—that everyone thinks that school hired, luckily my dad made a call in and bribed them to make me happy—and the shy art teachers been getting very close. Ms. Bloom was lady that was round a little around the belly and had long brown hair with big glasses on her face. She barley wore makeup but her skin was flawless though and was sorta short. She was everything I didn't see Radomir liking, but he did but he didn't look at me as I walked passed.

I saw Jocelyn outside talking to her friend Autumn. She looked at me when she saw me coming and I grinned, holding up the test where a big A was and she clapped, “Bravo. I knew you could do it if you just paid attention for once.”

“Where is this darn bus?” Autumn said as she rubbed her hands together and breathed her hot breath into it. She fixed her knitted hat on her head and looked at me, “How are you not freezing?” she asked since I was only in a hoodie.

“I'm from Russia, it can get much more cold then this. This is like summer to me.” I said.

“Yuri can give you find, right.” Jocelyn said, looking at me at the last part and didn't really put in a question way but more like an order.

I smiled at Autumn, “Of course, it's not problem. You live in town, I wouldn't be wasting to much gas.”

“Actually I live fifteen minutes out of town.” she said and my eyes widen a little. “Bus drives me seven minutes away from school and I usually walk the rest.”

“Well you don't have to today.” Jocelyn said.

*

“We're all excited for you to come home.” my dad said and my mom rolled her eyes. I was talking to them both since we had to talk about me coming back. I wasn't having much fun but disappointed. “Arina suggested planning a welcome home party for you, Yuri. All the family come over and of course you Nadia.”

“I can't believe you still call me that.” my mother said, groaning.

“Ooh, forgot you hate that.” my dad sarcastically said as he rolled his eyes. You can say my parents didn't like each other very much. My dad cheated on her allot and it ended all badly. “Nadezhda, you can come with your husband and the kids. It's been awhile since the whole family seen you, Yuri. It would mean allot to all of us.”

“Fine, sure.” I said but having a party was the last thing on my mind. Everyone will still be the same as I left and it won't be anything new to me but cousins who have gotten taller and more stuck up. And worse, all of this was Arina plan and I was not looking forward to seeing her. I plan to spend as much time out of the house as I could and away from the witch.

“Yuri, are you alright?” my mom asked. “You're looking a little pale, are you eating all right?”

“I'm fine, ma.” I said. “I just still don't want to leave.”

My mom sighed heavily like she was annoyed and my dad rolled his eyes, “I have to say your time in America is over, Yuri.” my dad said. “So much has happened the last couple of months, I think it's best you come back to your normal life.”

“This has become my normal life.” I said.

“Working on a farm and shoveling horse crap?” my mom asked, snorting. “That isn't your life, Yuri. You life is here in Moscow.”

“Saint Petersburg.” my dad said and my mom glared at the screen which was meant for my dad. They started arguing over webcam and I was finding it all pretty ridiculous since they couldn't even talk about me without fighting! “He's my son to!”

My mom scoffed, “Oh please, I was his mother and father. I made him into the man he is today!”

“Oh, a man who can't stand not only me but you! He left the both of us.” he said and my mom kept a hard look on her face, but even over a webcam I could see her eyes watering, but she fought them back.

“Stop it!” I said coldly to them since I hated seeing her cry. “This isn't about who raised me anymore or who I'm coming back to. You both are my parents, you both shouldn't be auguring who raised me.” I looked at my dad, “You didn't raise me, the truth hurt but you were hardly there and that's why I left you.” I looked at my mom next, “And you smothered me. Everything I wanted to do as an independent adult you refused. I caught a break when I was allowed to go to Italy. Here at least Jocelyn and her parent treat me like I can do something with my mother hand in mine. Now can we talk about this damn party before you both have another reason to hate each other.”

They both had a hard look on their faces, but agreed.

After spending another twenty minutes talking about me coming back to Saint Petersburg and having to break up another argument I could finally end the damn call. I closed the Shaw's laptop and placed my elbow on the counter, pinching my bottom lip annoyed.

“Are they done?” Emily asked as she came into the kitchen and she crawled up onto the stool to sit next to me at the island. “Wow, that was like watching a drama show, but in Russian.”

“They were talking about a party my father is having for me when I come back.” I said and she pouted her bottom lip as she looked down at the tile floor. “What is it, Emily?”

“I'm going to miss you, Yuri.” she said, pouting. “Daniel says he will, but I will more.”

I reached out and placed my hand behind her head, petting her hair before I pulled her into me, wrapping my arm around her, “I'll miss you to, Emily. You became like my sister. This isn't goodbye though, Emily. I will be back to visit. I still email my host family in Italy.”

“You promise you'll come back?” she asked.

I chuckled, “Da, Emily. You know why?”

“Because you're one of the most adorable little girls I have known. And I plan to be with Jocelyn for a long time and this is her home. So when I come back here, I will come back to you.” I said.

A smile appeared on her face, “Good. So do you plan to marry Jocelyn after school?”

I chuckled, “Marriage? We are to young, Emily.”

“My grandma married my grandpa when they were sixteen and they're still together.” she said.

“That was back then when it was easier.” I said.

She looked up at me, “You don't love Jocelyn?”

“Well of course I do, but I think she would just throw the ring back at my face.” I said, making her giggle. “Now these days, Emily, that would be to early. I'm not saying it wont happen, just not now.”

“Can I come when it does?” she asked.

“Of course.” I said.

“What are you going to do for her before you leave?” she asked and my eyebrows furrowed together. She gasped as she pulled away, “You don't have anything romantic planned? Oh, you're a bad boyfriend.”

“Planned?” I questioned.

“You're just going to leave without doing something really special for her?” she asked. “Yuri, use you're brain. Even my own daddy brings home flowers for my mom sometimes. Do something special for her to show you care.”

“Okay. Like?” I questioned as I leaned against the table and gave her a look like I was really curious. I was a little, Emily had such an adorable look on her face.

Her face brighten excitedly, “Oh, you said Jocelyn lives on a farm?” she asked and I looked. “Decorate the barn with lights and have a romantic dinner and music! Aw, I can see it now! She'll love it. Make sure it's a surprise so have someone keep her out while you set it up.”

I was starting to believe this little girl was smarter than me. It does sound really nice and it'll be something to add to our memories. I wonder why I didn't think of that. It would be something Jocelyn would love and I can see the surprise on her face already. “How did you think of that?” I asked her.

She shrugged, “A Luke Bryan music video.”

*

“Here, set those around.” I said to Radomir who looked annoyed as I handed him the box of white lights. The store still had a bunch of them from Christmas which was a good thing. I wanted to set up the whole barn with lights. The Bowmen only had three horses, they mostly grow corn and sell them. The horses didn't seem to mind the company, they were always friendly and I remember riding them a few times in the summer. I've never been on a horse so I fell off once and Jocelyn laughed at me.

“I don't get paid to help decorate.” he said.

“Just help me, please.” I said as I went over to the other side of the barn and hung up the lights on the barn.

JOCELYN

“But mom! I'm hungry.” I whined as we drove passed the pizza place and I frowned. We've just left my Aunt Sheryl house and I was hungry for food. I don't know why my mom couldn't stop for me to get one slice of pizza.

“I said I'm making food at home.” she said. “Don't spoil you're dinner.”

I mocked her and I got a hit behind my head for doing it. I pouted and sat grumbling in the seat of her car like a spoiled child. I was kind of upset that I had to spend time at my family when I wanted to spend it with Yuri. We only have tomorrow left of our last weekend before he leaves next Saturday.

“I gotta stop for some gas.” my mom said and she pulled into a gas station. She grabbed her purse, “Jocelyn, be a good daughter and go pay for me.”

I took this as my opportunity to get something to quickly snack on so I took her card and got out of the car. I walked over to the gas station door and went in. I walked over to the counter and was surprised to see Buck behind the counter.

“Oh.” I said. “I didn't know you started working.”

“My birthday was over a month ago. You know my dad, when I turn eighteen I have to buy my own things. He's not making me pay rent yet, but my phone bill still needs to be paid.” he said.

“Oh, that's right.” I said. I handed him the visa card, “Well, happy late birthday wishes. Thirty on pump three.”

He pressed some buttons and slid the card, “I'm not mad you forgot, you're are more focused on other things.”

Even though he said he's not mad, I knew he was trying to make me felt guilty and I did. I never forgot people birthdays but I did forget Buck and even, I thought it would make everything awkward if I wished him happy birthday on his Facebook. He handed me the card back and I took it, “Thanks.” I said as I walked out of the gas station, forgetting I was hungry.

When we got home, I was ready to change into my pajamas and talk to Yuri since my mom got angry every time I took it out. She's been acting weird all day actually since she's usually the cool type. I walked up the stairs to my room and went inside, turning on the lights.

My eyebrows furrowed together when I saw a pink box on my bed. I walked over to the box and saw a small envelope on top of it with my name. I picked up the card and opened it. I took the small letter out and read it.

Put it on and come outside to the barn -Yuri.

Amused, I set the note down and opened the box. I moved the tissue paper and took out the long sleeved gray sweater dress. Black leggings and black heeled boots. It was pretty and something I would totally wear. Points were Yuri. I walked over to my window and looked out towards the barn where I saw lights were on. They weren't on when I got out of the car so I know something is up.

I quickly changed into the sweater dress and put on black leggings. I put on the black heeled boots and threw my hair in a nice messy cute buns. My stomach was turning in anxiousness. What's is Yuri doing? Was this all some joke? Yuri couldn't think of anything this big.

Was whatever Yuri planning the reason why my mom was acting all weird today?

I walked out of my room and down the stairs. Awkwardly walking into the living room where my family is because I have to go pass them to get outside to the barn. My mom smiled up at me but my dad and brothers had that protective look on their faces. I gave them a stiff awkward smile before I hurried passed the living room and out of the house.

Luckily Yuri gotten a nice sweater dress instead of some short small dress since it was the middle of winter. And the sweater was cozy and kept me warm as I hurried over towards the barn. I walked over to the barn and I looked at the barn door. Not sure what to do, I knocked on the door before I grabbed the handle, opening the door.

I almost wanted to cry when I walked in. Lights were everywhere hanging and I saw a table in the middle all set up so pretty with flowers and ironically, a pizza box. Yuri knows me much better then I thought to know I choose pizza over anything else. I also so at the end of the barn a white hanging up and a video projector hanging up. Pillows and blankets spread out with a stack of DVD's.

I grinned at Yuri, chuckling, “Well done.”

He was grinning as he walked over to me, “I thought I should do something romantic. Do you like it?” he asked.

I looked around to look at everything again, “Hmm—I do.” I said, chuckling. “It's perfect, Yuri. You totally surprised me.”

He smiled and put his hands on my waist, pulling me into him. I wrapped my arms around him as I hugged him, placing my head on his chest. My head is blown because of Yuri doing this. It was the last thing I expected when I came home. I had a pretty boring day but now I think it's a perfect day. It almost made me want to cry at how perfect it is.

Yuri pulled back and brought his hands up to my face, leaning down and kissed me. I couldn't help but smile as we kissed. My hands gripped on his white button shirt as I pressed myself closer to him since it was still a little cold from the doors behind open. I don't know how Yuri came up with this idea, but I don't care because he did it. He did it for me and that just made me love him all over again. It made me feel allot better about him leaving because it proves he cares allot. It made that depressing moment seem to disappear.

Yuri kissed me deeply on the month when he tongue slid into my mouth. I usually played it safe when it comes to kissing, saying french kissing had cooties. Being a little prude, it kind of made me nervous so we didn't French kiss to much but it was okay right now. I was to happy to care.

I didn't know what to expect when Yuri surprisingly and boldly moved his mouth down my throat. He hasn't done that yet, kiss me on that neck. I've seen it on TV plenty of times but I never experienced it. Even with Buck I was a prude and only ever innocently make out with each other. Honestly, it tickled more then anything 'pleasurable' because I started giggling.

Yuri pulled away from my neck with a grin on his face and mine turned a deep shade of red. “That is cute.” he said and I glared at him, hitting his arm. I didn't like being mocked at. He chuckled, “Ow. Come on, the pizza is getting cold I'm sure.”

Oh, there was pizza. I totally forgot I was I hungry.