The policeman asked me for the 10th time.

''No, I already told you.'' I huff annoyed.

''I'm asking because your friend outside said, that besides that Dylan guy, they also named the leader of the group. She just couldn't remember it.''

''Well I can't either.''

''I see... And they just let you go?'' he raises an eyebrow.

''Yeah, they let me go. I mean I told them that my friend was going to bring the police, so they didn't want to risk it.''

''And why did you come so late to us?''

''What do you mean?'' I ask, feeling my anxiety building up inside me.

''I mean, your friend Mikaela and the other one, Khloe came to the police station at 02:30. We went together at the university about 20 minutes later. But you were already gone. Right now, is 03:40 so, where were you the last 45 minutes?''

''Are we seriously counting minutes?''

''Yeah miss Stark we are counting minutes.'' He says in a demanding tone.

''Well in that case I should inform you, there is at least a 20 minutes ride with the car from the uni, to the police station outside the campus. And considering the fact I didn't have any mean of transport, I used my legs. Are you still asking me why it took me so long to get here?''

He looks at me a suspicious, but I know he doesn't have any proof to doubt me.

''Now it was a long evening. Do you mind if I go and talk to my mom outside? She must be really worried.''

He nods and I take the opportunity to leave his office.

Closing the door, I exhale deeply. I can't believe I lied so easily to a police officer.

I would never do something like that in any other case. But I did it for him.

And it's not like everything I said was a lie.

Before I have the time to process it my mom runs to me.

''Oh God. Daphne. You scared me to death.'' She says breathless, hugging me.

''I'm sorry.'' I whisper.

''Are you ok? Nothing happened right? They didn't touch you?'' she continues panicking.

''Mom calm down. I'm fine.''

''We have to go to the hospital to check on you.''

''What hospital? I told you I'm ok. Please don't make it a big deal.''

''Are you kidding me?'' she says, raising her voice and immediately know what is coming.

''You sneak out of the house, you get in trouble with drug dealers. And you have the audacity to tell me not to make a big deal?''

''I'm sorry.'' I whisper keeping my head down.

''You should be.''

''Ma'am can you please keep your voice down? This is a police station.'' An officer interrupts us.

Great, how much embarrassment a person can take?

''No, I can't. My daughter could have been raped or worst because you spent so much time to get there. I need to know you are going to catch these guys. Do your job for once.''

That much.

''Mom, please stop.''

''Silence Daphne. It's my turn to speak.'' She shuts me down.

It's always your turn. I wanna say, but I keep my mouth shut.

The police officer, who took my statement, comes out of the office.

''Sir can I have a word with you?'' my mother asks.

He looks at me for a moment, before he replies ''Of course. Come in.''

''Wait for me Daphne.'' She sternly says, heading to his office.

As if I could do anything else.

I walk out ready to face the next interrogation group.

''Daphne!''

A pair of arms wrap around my body tightly, cutting off my breath.

''You're safe!''

I stand like a stone with my hands along my sides.

''Why don't you hug me back?'' she asks pouting.

''You are holding my hands down.'' I respond simply. A smile on my face.

''Sorry.'' Mikaela says sniffling, letting me go.

''Are you ok?'' Khloe asks worriedly, but she doesn't try to hug me.

She knows I don't feel comfortable with the skin ship.

''Yeah. I'm ok.''

''What happened after I left?''

''Jesus Mick give her a moment to breath.'' Khloe steps in.

''I'm sorry, it's just...I was so worried. I t-though something h-happened to you. I thought it w-was my f-fault.'' She responds between her tears.

''No, it wasn't. Please don't think that way.'' I say rubbing her back.

''They didn't touch you right?'' Khloe asks hesitant.

''No. As soon as Mikaela left, they realize she would bring the police. So, they didn't have much of a choice. They let me go.'' I lie for the second time tonight.

''And the dealers they were waiting?''

''Umm.. I don't know. I guess the called them off.'' I respond calmly. I don't want them to doubt me.

''What about the girl? There was no one when we got there. Did you see her?'' Mikaela asks full of worry.

''It was someone's girlfriend. I think Dylan's. She woke up and left with them.''

''What? That doesn't make sense. Why would he ask to share her if she was his girlfriend?'' Mikaela looks at me confused.

''Honestly, I've no idea. Besides. Dylan didn't want to share her. Remember? The other one asked and he refused. For all I know, they maybe did drugs together and she just passed out. I mean she left with them willingly.''

Lies.

''I guess you are right. Everything is like a blur to my head. We are lucky it wasn't Zoey.''

''Don't speak about her.'' Khloe huffs annoyed.

''What?'' I ask.

''Do you wanna know why it took me so long to get to you guys?'' she says angry.

I don't have the time to respond, before she starts talking again.

''I was driving around the campus looking for her as we agreed. Then I bumped into a familiar face. Eva. Do you remember her? They have the same class with Mick and Zoey.''.

''Right.'' I nod.

''Well, she told me she saw Zoey hours ago leaving the campus all by herself. She had a fight with the guy she was with and left him behind forgetting her bag. She asked her to inform Mikaela in case she saw her, since she didn't have her phone.''

That explains why her bag was at the East Wig, but not her.

''That means..''

''Exactly. That means we spent our night looking for someone who wasn't even there at the first place. You put your lives in danger....'' Khloe stops clearly angry.

''I'm going to kill her when I see her.''

''Well that won't change anything.'' I respond.

''How can you be so calm?'' Mikaela asks confused.

''I just don't think it's worth it. We are ok. That matters.''

''You maybe right. But I'm still going to kill her. I was scared to death when I found Mikaela.'' Khloe adds.

''How did you find each other anyway?''

''After what Eva told me I called you, but your phone was off.''

''Yeah. My battery died.''

''I found your message about waiting for me outside the East Wig, so I drove there. I saw Mikaela running and I immediately understood something happened. I wanted to come back for you, but we knew bringing the police was the right choice. So, we came here. At first, they didn't believe us... especially after finding the garage empty. But then you showed up.''

''I was so scared...I thought they hurt you. I felt so guilty.'' Mikaela says, holding her tears once again.

''Mick. It's ok. It wasn't your fault. You did the right thing. I mean it's not like you could put up with six guys, even if you brought Khloe.''

''What six guys?'' Mikaela asks, looking at me.

I mentally scold myself. Fuck it Daphne. You just can't shut your mouth.

''T-three, I wanted t-to say three.'' I mumble anxious.

Khloe looks at me suspicious. But she doesn't say anything.

''Ok we are done here.'' My mom comes out at the right moment.

''Can we leave?'' I ask.

''Yeah. They said they're going to look for them. I honestly hope they do. Because I don't feel at ease knowing there are some drug dealers inside your university.''

My mom and her bubble. Only if she knew what goes on inside the campus...

''Do you want me to drop you off girls?'' she asks.

''No miss Florence. I have my car. I'm going to take Mikaela home. But thanks for the offer.'' Khloe responds.

''I see.. ok. Be careful on the road. And don't think even for a moment I will let this go. I'm going to have a talk with your parents too.''

Great.

The girls smile awkwardly, before they hug me for the last time.

''I'll see you tomorrow. Ok?'' Khloe mumbles.

I nod before I hug Mikaela, wrapping my hands around her this time.

''I'm so happy you are ok.'' She whispers.

''Me too. Don't think about it that much ok?'' I smile, trying to make her feel better.

She nods, before following Khloe to her car.

''Let's go'' my mom commands and I exhale deeply, knowing what's gonna happen as soon as we get home.

The ride was silent. I kept looking outside the window, my mind occupied with everything that happened tonight.

I could feel my mom's eyes looking at me, but she keeps silent, which most of the time is a bad sign. I'll be in so much trouble, probably won't leave my house for the rest of the week, oh and don't forget the phone call from my dad.

But damn. It was worth it. Because I had the chance to see him again.

As soon as we get home, I take my shoes off ready to head to bed. I'm so tired. I hope she spares me and keep ''the talk'' for tomorrow.

But well, luck was never on my side.

''Where do you think you're going miss?'' she asks, raising an eyebrow.

''Mom, I'm tired please let it go.'' I huff exhausted.

''Well, considering the fact you had the time to play CSI with your friends, I guess you can find some energy to talk to me.''

''In CSI they are looking for murder cases.'' I roll my eyes.

''So, I guess you are lucky it wasn't yours.''

I keep silent, not know what to say. She is right. But I'm not ready to face her and all the expectations I destroyed.

''I'm sorry.''

''A sorry doesn't change anything Daphne. I've never thought in a million years you would be that careless. Leaving in the middle of the night, putting your life in danger for someone you don't even know.''

''I know Zoey. And I did it to help her.''

''Then, where was she? When you and the girls risk your lives?''

''You make it sound as if we went to a war zone.''

''Are you really that stupid?'' she raises her voice and I flinched at her words.

''Answer me! Because only someone stupid would do something like this.''

I look away. Blinking the tears in my eyes.

''I thought I raised you better. I gave you so much freedom...I'm very disappointed. I hope you get that. Your father will be informed. And we are going to talk about this as soon as he comes back from his business trip. Go to sleep.''

I walk to my room with my shoulders down. I hate been scolded like that. I'm not ten. But it's not like you can have a conversation with her. She won't understand anyway.

I go inside and plop on my bed. Looking at the ceiling, I'm thinking about tonight's events.

I got caught by drug dealers, I fought with them, then drive on a motorcycle with my dark night...oh and I lied to the police too.

That's pretty badass for a good girl like you Daphne.

I smile to myself. Well it's all because of him.

We were driving fast outside the city, following the dime lights of the road. I had my hands pressed around his body, feeling the heat radiating from him.

I felt my adrenaline picking up as soon as he sped the vehicle. My heart was beating fast, although I was strangely calm. It felt almost as I was untouchable.

Because I was with him.

Closing my eyes, I let the cold breeze hit my face. This is how I want to be all the time.

Free, careless, safe.

After a good 20 minutes, we got inside the area, reaching an alley a few blocks from the center. I could see the road ahead of us, while houses surrounded the view. It seemed surprising familiar, although I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Turning off the motorcycle, he helped me climb down, after getting my helmet.

I look around confused.

''Where are we?''

''Outside the campus. Kind off.''

''Ok, and what are we doing here?''

He looks at me swallowing hard.

''I brought you here...''

''Yeah?'' I say staring at his eyes, innocently.

They are dark and hoody, due to the shadows.

''Fuck..don't look at me like that.'' He huffs, averting his gaze from me.

''S-sorry.'' I respond looking down.

Great Daphne, you manage to annoy him too.

''No...it's not like that.'' He tries to explain himself.

I keep silent, not really know what to say.

''I just...'' he exhales deeply, before he gathers his self.

''I'm going to let you go.''

I snap my eyes quickly looking at him.

''W-what? W-why?'' I say, feeling the tears building up.

''Because it's the right thing to do. At the moment.''

''W-hat's that s-supposed to mean?'' I ask, looking away from him.

I don't want to have a melt down in front of him for the third time. But the thought of leaving and not see him again makes me depressed.

I hear him exhale deeply. He is probably thinking I'm weird and crazy. Why would he want to be with someone he doesn't know Daphne? You're so stupid.

''It means I have to suppress everything I feel right now, everything I want to do, for a greater cause. Keeping you safe. At least if I want to see you again.''

My heart skips a beat listening to his words. He wants to see me again?

''S-so, this is not a goodbye?'' I ask full of hope.

''What? Of course, not baby. I'm not letting you go. Not now, when I finally found you.''

I feel like I am about to explode. He won't let me go. I'm going to see him again.

That's all, I think. I haven't even realized I was crying, until I felt his soft hands caressing my face, wiping away the tears with his thumbs.

''Please don't cry.'' He whispers, coming closer to me.

His chest touches mine and I close my eyes, enjoying the moment.

''I'm not letting you go.'' He mumbles in a low, but serious tone.

Softly caressing my hair, I feel him taking a breath before he asks.

"Can I touch you?"

The question makes my legs weak and have to remind myself to breath. I don't trust my words to give an answer, so I just nod.

He carefully circles my waist with one hand, while the other one stays by the side of my neck. Bringing me closer, if that's even possible, he leans in and buries his head in my neck. I catch my breath at the sudden sensation.

I can't help but shake a little, as his breath caresses my neck. Feeling the burn on my cheeks I try to step back, but he pulls me by my waist.

''Don't move baby.''

Hearing him calling me like that, so close to my ear, sends goosebumps all over my body.

Wait. Is this really happening?

My mind becomes blank the moment he kisses my neck.

I close my eyes feeling breathless, my whole body tingles and I'm pretty sure if he didn't have such a tight hold on me, I would pass out.

I feel his breath accelerate, meaning I'm not the only one affected by this.

He slowly moves up to my earlobe, gently sucking, before he inhales deeply.

"Why are you so perfect?"

My heart flutters at his words. How can he make me feel like this?

''Say something.'' He pleads, resting his forehead on mine once more.

''I don't w-want to go.''

''I know, I know..'' he replies.

I really don't want to go. Please keep me. I think like a lost puppy.

''I promise if you do what I say we will meet again. Ok baby?''

I nod hesitant. I would do anything to keep seeing him.

''Good. Now listen to me.''