I saw her on the other side of the dance floor. I could have spotted her from a mile away. My heart started beating faster just thinking about her. Effie. It seemed as if everything I did anymore revolved around her. That kiss in the water was pure magic; I wished it had lasted forever. When I saw her in the window with Cook, reality set it. She would never be with me. I am supposed to be having a good night out with my friends and all I can think about is her. The way she looks at me like she can really see who I am. The way her lips crashed into mine and the way she fit right in my arms. I blink and turn around to try to get her out of my head. I figure that a few shots should do the trick.

I get so smashed that I can barely make my legs do what they are meant to. I stumble to the door, but accidentally knock into some guys.

"Sorry, sorry," I mutter. But they turn around and punch me right in the cheek. I falter back and my eyes close. I remember the way my father hit me there, and all the emotions come back. The bouncer grabs me by the shoulders and pulls be back, to an alley and sets me down against the wall.

I breathe in the cool air, and it only reminds me of the throbbing pain on my right cheek. I take in a sharp breath as I touch the wound.

I look up and for some reason I see Effie. I'm sure this is a dream because she looks so real, looks like she is actually sad, or worried, or angry, or some other emotion.

She kneels down beside me and softly whispers my name, "Freddie."

There my heart goes again, I feel as if it will explode from my chest, and I don't know what to say or do. I can't think straight, but all I know is that I want to touch her, hold her, kiss her, and do something. Just be a doer for once.

"Effie, I…" I trail off as her hand every so slowly reaches up to touch my cheek.

I wince and she instantly recoils her hand. She was so close to me again, and I'm terrified I might loose that.

"No, please, Effie, stay. Just please don't go," my voice cracks at this last part as the emotion fills my throat.

She's looking at me again. She's looking at me like she can't quite figure out what to do. It felt like an excruciatingly long time before she decided to move. She gingerly turned to set herself against the wall beside me. Arms touching, we were close again.

She turns to look at me and I can see that she has tears in her eyes. Her hand reaches up again and gently strokes the other side of my face. I close my eyes at the touch, and let out a shaky breath.

"Just promise you won't hurt me," she whispers, tears choking her voice. I open my eyes and see her staring at me, seeing if I will tell the truth.

"I love you, Effie," I say. It's all I could think at that moment. The next thing I know her lips are on mine. It's softer this time though, less urgent, and more meaningful, we both know something has changed tonight. We part slowly and she turns back to rest her head on my shoulder. It gives me butterflies, and I put my head on hers. As I feel myself drifting off to sleep in pure bliss, I feel a small, soft hand take mine, and carefully intertwine our fingers. I sigh and finally succumb to the darkness.