Daphne was the closest to Appleby out of all the other children at the orphanage, and many would remark on the strength of their friendship.
Daphne kept few things from Appleby and liked to think of herself as confident and strong, privately, secretly, on the inside she was scared about going into Second Grade.
They wouldn't be just at school with the other orphans and a few of the local kids, it would be with children from all around the region.
What if Appleby found new, better friends? Daphne spent hours worrying late at night in her bed, and even the warm quilted cover Grandmama had made for her couldn't keep out the icy fear in her chest.
Meanwhile on the top of the bunk, Appleby had similar fears. What if Daphne meet new people and decided she liked them better than her?
Daphne was her whole world, her sun and her moon, and she didn't want to find out what life was like without her friendship. Her insecurities and fears clawed at her stomach, consuming reality and all she knew.
"..Appleby?", Daphne whispered, hesitating.
"Daphne, what is it?", Appleby replied.
"Promise me we'll always be friends?", Daphne asked. Appleby whispered back, "Always".
Daphne reached her hand up in the darkness, nervously hoping Appleby would hold it and take it as an apology for ever thinking that Appleby might want to leave her, for ever worrying that she might want someone else.
Appleby clasped the offered hand, silently offering the very same apology Daphne was thinking, and accepting each other.
From that moment on, the two were never from each others side, and to call out for one was to call out for the other.
