[DAPHNE]
"Daphne!"
Mum ran to my side, wrapping her arms around me so tightly that I could barely breathe. Her warmth should have comforted me, but my body remained stiff. I turned my gaze to the rest of my family, all of them watching with worried expressions. Even Nicki: who usually never showed concern, had the same look on her face.
Dad stepped closer, pulling me into an embrace. "You gave us a scare, Daphne. I told you to come home earlier."
I gently broke away from his hug. "I got carried away… I didn't realize how fast the evening would turn dark."
"Then why was your phone switched off?" His voice, filled with frustration and worry. "You were supposed to call me the moment you were done, but you didn’t. And then your phone went off. Do you have any idea how worried we were?"
I
