Richard walked me home in silence, his presence a reassuring comfort after the night's unsettling events. The warm, inviting glow of the indoor lights spilled out from our windows, a stark contrast to the cold darkness we'd left behind.
As we stepped through the front door, the soft thud of our footsteps immediately caught the attention of my parents.
They rose from the couch in the living room, their faces creased with worry. My mother rushed towards me, her eyes filled with concern. "Honey, where have you been so late?" she asked, her voice laced with anxiety. Gently, she took my hand, her eyes scanning me from head to toe, as if searching for any signs of injury.
My mind raced, trying to come up with a believable excuse.
"There's a school dance coming up,"
I said quickly, my word
