"You wouldn't mind?" you ask. "Thanks!"  

"Sure thing!" he returns, flashing a dazzling smile. He slips a protective arm around you as you walk out the door and start down the street. You're busy telling him about your school, where he'll be starting to go the upcoming school year, and aren't paying much attention to anything around you. About half-way to your place, he yells "LOOK OUT!" Wrapping you in his arms, he pulls you to the ground. Three gun shots ring out, then there is silence. You lay perfectly still, for a moment not sure if you're hit or not, but you don't feel any searing pain. "You okay?" your guy, Robbie, asks breathlessly.  

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm alright," you answer. "You?"

He nods. "I'm okay. We better go, quick." He helps you up, and you run the rest of the way to your house.  

"You're coming in," you insist, and drag him through the door before he can object. When you walk into the living room, your parents are sitting there with some other family that you don't take the time to recognize, and everyone looks up at the two of you as you enter the room. Your chest heaving, you calmly say, "Mom, Dad... this is Robbie. He just saved my life."  

Your parents look you both over, and after at least ten seconds of careful thought on the matter, they decide something must be wrong.  "Honey," your mom begins with concern, "what happened?"

"Some guy took a shot at us from his car."

"What do you mean, 'took a shot at you'?" your dad questions.  

You give him a dubious look. "With a gun. You know, 'bang, bang'?"

Your mom jumps up and runs to give you a hug. "Oh, honey, are you alright? Why would anyone shoot at you??"  You shrug.  She continues, "And what do you mean, he saved your life?" She glanced curiously at Robbie.

You grin. "Oh, he pushed me down on the ground so I didn't get hit!"

You can't help but laugh when your mom promptly hugs Robbie tightly. He looks a little bit frightened, but politely hugs her back.

Continue...