Getting out of the pond proved to be more difficult than anticipated but had provided the perfect opportunity for Shawn to push his physical awkwardness to the back of his mind.

"At least it is hot enough today that we should dry off relatively quickly," Daisy remarked as she rolled onto her back to stare at the sky, squinting her eyes against the sun's glare.

"Yeah," Shawn agreed sitting up to shake the water from his hair. "Not what I had in mind when I brought you here," he laughed and stood up. "Want to go to the studio tomorrow? I want to look closer at that lighthouse painting Muller did."

"Oh." Daisy sat up, her stomach knotting painfully. She had known this would happen sooner or later. She pulled on her bottom lip.

She had to tell him.

"Shawn?"

He turned to look at her.

"There is something I should tell you." She took a deep breath keeping her focus on the ground. "I can't go to my aunt's studio. She is currently displaying a collection of paintings from a painter."

"Yeah, I know—some famous painter who had died about a year ago. But the studio is open to the public and you are family."

The knot in Daisy's stomach twisted.
"I know, but the painter, Lillian Lancaster. She-she was my mother."

Shawn's body went cold, and his eyes dropped to the tightly clasped hands in her lap.

"She-they- both my parents died in a car crash," she swallowed, "I just haven't been able to bring myself to go and see the collection. The paintings were the last ones she did before- "

Shawn knelt and covered her hands with his.
"I'm so sorry, Daisy."

"It's okay. I know it's been over a year already, but-"she pulled on her bottom lip, "it's still hard. I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone."

"Of course not. And we will go to the studio, whenever you are ready."

Daisy stared at him. He had said we and not you. Her heart clenched. Telling him had not been as hard as she had expected. Her eyes fell to his hands on top of hers, the comfort she felt from it was so soothing that she almost felt guilty.

"Thank you," she said and smiled.

"For what?"

"For being my friend, "she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

*

Daisy stared thoughtfully out of the truck's window. They had stayed for about half an hour more at the pond to dry off, before deciding to head home. She glanced at Shawn. He was humming a tune and drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. His hair was a gorgeous, sun-dried mess.

"Why don't you have a girlfriend?" She asked, instantly regretting it with a squeal when the truck slightly swerved in response.

"Sorry," Shawn apologized and gave a little laugh. "I did, but things didn't work out, so we broke it off."

"Does she go to Shelly Cove High?"

"Yeah, she does, and no, there is no chance of us getting back together. That is something that will never happen." The conviction in Shawn's voice made her swallow back her next question. She was almost certain that Luke was somehow involved.

"What about you? Why don't you have someone?"

"Me?" Daisy should have known the question would bounce back to her. "Just never had the time or the interest."

"Really?"

She shrugged, turning her attention back to the scenery outside the truck.
"The last year had been hard enough just to concentrate on getting through the school year. And, honestly, I have never really been interested in anyone. Even before my parents died, school and my art have always come first."

"Your art?"

"Yes, I draw and paint," she admitted.

Shawn frowned at her response and the lack of enjoyment in her tone. He absentmindedly touched the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him.

***
Sunday - Summer Holiday (Last Day)

Daisy took a break from her book to glance at Shawn. For the past thirty minutes, he has been taking photos of daisies. She smiled and leaned back against the tree she was sitting under. She had been thrilled at Shawn's suggestion that they picnic on their last day of the holidays. The daisy field was thickly covered with new blooms and was even more magnificent than it had been on Friday.

Yesterday the day had been spent with her aunt to ensure all her school things were ready. She had also unpacked the last two boxes of her stuff, signifying she was officially moved in.

Dr. Craven had been correct in her assessment that things were changing.

Daisy inhaled and exhaled.

One day at a time.

*

Shawn strolled lazily through the blooming white flowers. Occasionally he would casually glance in Daisy's direction and then hastily pretend he was taking a photo when she looked up. He had managed to, guiltily, sneak in a few shots of her. The temptation had been too hard to resist when she had been so focused on what she was reading.

He was undoubtedly attracted to her, and after she had told him about her parents and almost immediately drew the friend line, he knew he was in trouble. His previous relationships could not be compared to what he was experiencing now. He could not quite explain it, but it was different. There was something about Daisy that had drawn him in from that very first night on New Year's Eve.

He lifted the camera and looked at Daisy through the lens. Her head rested against the tree and her eyes were closed with a smile on her lips. Her loose hair curled over her shoulders and the thin straps of her emerald summer dress. But the daisy tucked behind an ear had made the camera click in his hands.

He was in so much trouble.

*

Daisy's eyes opened when Shawn inadvertently bumped into her as he sat beside her.

"Hey, sorry, did not mean to wake you."

"I wasn't sleeping," she lied. She couldn't believe she had dosed off for a few minutes. She shifted away from the tree.

"Hungry? There are still some sandwiches and grapes left." Shawn asked, pulling the picnic basket closer.

"No, thanks. I'm still stuffed."

"We should probably get going soon," he said, taking out a sandwich.

Daisy looked over the field towards the sun cradled just above the mountain range on the horizon. It was hard to believe the day was coming to an end.

"How is the book?" Shawn asked and she excitedly smiled at him.

"Thrilling, I think this is Evan's best book yet."

"I haven't started mine yet," he admitted, "I'm afraid of being disappointed after all the hype."

"Oh, trust me, you won't be. The hype did it justice," Daisy enthused.

"Are you feeling nervous about tomorrow?"

She shrugged. "Yes, but I'm excited too. It is our last year of high school."

Shawn nodded and took a bite from his sandwich. Daisy shifted onto her knees and gathered their plates and cups to return them to the picnic basket.

"Would you like me to fetch you tomorrow morning?"

Daisy blinked and paused in her task putting away her book into her backpack.
"For school?"

"Yeah," he nodded, a chuckle vibrating softly in his chest.

"I'd like that, thanks," she grinned happily. She had secretly hoped that Shawn would offer to drive her to school. The prospect of a new school had been daunting and the dread of facing it alone had kept her awake for weeks.

Shawn leisurely finished his sandwich, and Daisy took the time to admire the view one last time.

She could never have imagined that everything would have changed so quickly in such a short time. Her eyes darted to Shawn. A simple kindness in a moment of need had brought her someone special. And Shawn was special.

Her heart skipped a beat when he looked at her and gave her the most dazzling smile.
"You ready to go?"

All she could do was nod.

***