Daphnie"Adam!" I shouted in agony as I yanked my arm from Adam's grip and struggled to sit up."Why did you do that?"Adam blinked a few times and shook his head as if coming out of a daze."Daphnie!"He jumped off his bike and kneeled next to me."Are you wounded?""No. I'm fine.""I'm so sorry," Adam said with pain and worry in his eyes.Adam tried to help me stand, but I shouted, "Don't touch me! I'm fine."I managed to stand up but became dizzy and almost fell as soon as I stood on both feet. Adam caught me and scooped me up in his arms."You might have a concussion; I'm taking you to the Emergency Room.""Adam, I'm okay."Adam stopped walking and put me down in front of a Pac-Man machine. He put his hand under my chin to hold my head in place."Follow my finger with your eyes."Adam slowly moved his finger from one side of my vision to the other. It was difficult for me to focus."What are you doing?""I was a medic when I was in the Marines. Your eyes look a little gray. You ha

DaphnieI sat on the couch with Adam's head on my lap as he was lying down. Going bowling caused Adam to wake up in pain, but he wouldn't take painkillers. I gently stroked his hair while holding an ice pack on his side.We suddenly heard a noise and looked up at the door."Don't Worry! It's me. Jeffrey is helping me.""Ben?" Adam sounded confused.The door opened, and Ben walked in on crutches. He turned to the lobby man, handing him some money."Thanks, Jeffrey.""You're welcome, sir."Ben closed the door and began walking toward us."Well, you two look cute.""Why didn't you tell me you were coming home today?" Adam tried sitting up, but I held him down. "I could've gone to get you.""I didn't want to bother you; I figured you were in bad shape, and it looks like I was right."Ben sat down on the recliner in front of us."So, how much damage did that psychopath do?" Ben asked me. I looked at Adam, unsure of how much he was willing to tell Ben."I ended up needing stitches," Adam mu

DaphnieDecember flew by as so many things happened. I became an assistant to a social worker for a women's shelter. Although the starting income was crappy, I managed to get a small, two-bedroom apartment near the Loop. Adam negotiated with the owner, so my rent was only six hundred dollars plus utilities. I admired him for his business skills.Amber was jealous of the promise ring Adam gave me and immediately began nagging Chad for one. Being the spoiled brat she is, Amber assumed Chad would give in immediately, but he was firm and told her he wanted to wait until graduating college before making such a serious commitment. As expected, Amber was furious despite my multiple attempts to point out that graduation was a few months away.My relationship with Adam changed after we had kissed; it changed in a good way. We went on lunch dates daily, spent our evenings talking on the phone, and went on special dates every weekend. The more time we spent together, the closer we grew. In my he

BenAs Adam drove me to the airport for my trip to Vegas, I couldn't help but notice how happy he seemed. It was somewhat scary."Why are you in such a good mood? Did you get laid for Christmas?Adam furrowed his eyebrows and frowned."No.""Why are you in such a good mood then?""I told Daphnie that I love her," Adam said with a small smile."Really?" I was shocked; Adam wasn't one to talk about how he felt about anything."Yeah.""What did she say?""That she loves me too." Adam's smile grew."Dude... I'm so happy for you." I couldn't hold back the smile that formed on my face."So, can I be your best man at your wedding?"Adam started laughing."Dude, come on. She's the one for you.""Let's not get too ahead of ourselves. There are some obstacles we'll need to overcome before I propose. Besides, I just barely gave Daphnie a promise ring on Thanksgiving.""Yeah, after you just barely started dating in mid-October.""Touche. I want her to enjoy our relationship's current status befor

AdamA few hours had passed since we arrived at the hospital, and Daphnie's father was still in surgery. Daphnie and I hadn't spoken a word since the detectives left."I don't know how to feel about this," Daphnie suddenly said. I turned to look at her."Feel about what?" I asked."My father. Honestly, I feel nothing; I could easily go home and not come back, but my conscience keeps reminding me that he's my father.""So you feel like you have to be here?""Yeah.""Daphnie, you don't have to do anything you don't want to.""Would it make me bad if I said I didn't want to be here?""No. Not at all. You and your father don't have the best relationship, and I don't think anyone would expect you to stay."I pulled Daphnie close, but we both flinched at the sound of everyone beginning to count down. We looked up at the tv and saw the New Year was approaching."HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Everyone shouted all at once. Fireworks could be heard on the television and outside, causing me to drop to the gr