𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑, Conrad Fisher

000

Chapter 0
Prologue

The waves were crashing against their feet, cold and harsh, but they never seemed to mind.

"Another Summer at Cousins gone." Conrad says, finally breaking the peaceful silence.

"About time it ended," Daphne groaned, "I felt extra stressed this Summer! We're finally growing up Connie, I don't like it."

He laughed at her frown, but it slipped from his lips as his eyes moved down towards her neck.

One thing Conrad always hated about himself; how observant he was. He would wish for being naïve, for being blissful like his brother and almost everyone his age.

"Why are you wearing that choker?"

Daphne feels her blood run cold. She should've known Conrad would notice. He always does.

Daphne is beautiful. Always has been, and always will be. Her beauty and goofy personality made it easy for her to find a relationship. Of course, as a 16-year-old girl, she fell for one of the most sought-after boys at her school back home after he showed interest in her.

Grayson was a 17-year-old Junior when he first noticed Daphne in chemistry. She vividly remembered her excitement as he chose her as his partner. Unfortunately for Daphne, his charm and charisma were all an act.

Around 5 months into their relationship, he began to taunt her emotionally and mentally. Grayson controlled everything she did. What she ate, what she wore, even who she talked to. Daphne let him. This was what love was, right? Being a personal toy, trophy, barbie.

So, when Grayson visited her towards the end of the Summer, she should've known he would have a problem with the friendship she had with the boys next door. However, she didn't think he would lay a hand on her, much less constrict her neck, leaving a red mark that would bruise.

She didn't talk to the Fisher's boys or Steven the remainder of Grayson's visit.

"It's stylish, don't you think?"

Conrad scoffed, "Cut the bullshit, Daph. I can see the redness around it."

As he moved to take it off, Daphne flinched.

"Grayson did this to you didn't he?"

His voice was so soft against the rough waves, she almost didn't hear it.

She opened her mouth to spit out a lie, anything she could think of. But she stopped. This was Conrad, her Connie. The same boy who didn't make fun of her when she shyly asked him to kiss her, just so she could get it over with. The same boy who comforted her when her parents fought. The same boy she grew up with, her best friend.

A broken sob escaped her as she nodded.

"I swear, it was the first time he's ever laid a hand on me, and he had a reason to! He was scared of losing me to you and Jeremiah and Steven. I swear Connie, he's a good guy." She practically shook. "Don't tell anyone! Especially Daniel. He would go batshit crazy!"

"I'm about to go batshit crazy, Daphne! I can't believe you're defending this jackass." Conrad scoffed, "Of course Daniel would lose his cool, he's an older brother."

"I know Connie, but I love him."

"Has he ever done anything else?"

"No! I swear it was the first time he touched me."

"You know physical abuse isn't the only type, right Daphne?" He asked, "I saw the way he talks to you, controls you. You stopped talking to us! Your lifelong friends, for what? A boy you won't last with. This isn't love, Daph."

"You're just jealous that I have a secure, actual relationship when all you do is have flings because you can't be emotionally available!"

"Yeah well at least I'm not a coward."

Daphne's face fell as she stood up and walked away, assuring herself that they would be back to normal soon.

Conrad didn't answer her texts in the fall and Daphne stopped reaching out after Christmas.