Monday - First Day of School

Daisy studied her reflection in the full-length mirror attached to the inside of her bedroom closet door. She twisted the dark blue, knee-length school skirt into position and closed the zipper at the side.

She rolled her shoulders inside the stark white shirt as her hands smoothed it down over her waist. She quickly scanned her braided hair and pinned it into a bun at the back of her head, purposefully making it darker.

The rumble of Shawn's truck could be heard as he turned into the driveway. She closed the closet, grabbed her school jacket and bag from the bed, and sprinted out the door.

She paused at the top of the stairs to swallow a knot of nausea in her throat.

Breathe, Daisy, breathe. One day at a time.

*

Daisy hugged her aunt at the door and then rushed outdoors to meet Shawn.

"Good morning, all ready?" He greeted Daisy with a smile.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she grimaced as he took her school bag.

"You'll be fine," he reassured as he tossed her bag next to his in the load-body.

Daisy wished she could believe him, but every fiber in her body rebelled against her mind. This had been promised to be easier, going to a school where no one knew you or knew what had happened.

A new beginning.

*

The drive to school had been too fast. Daisy's knees trembled as she walked beside Shawn. Her hands held the straps of her school bag so tightly that they were cutting into the skin of her palms. She wanted to avoid any attention when they had entered the school grounds. She had deliberately brushed off Shawn's hand when he had, as he had habitually done the last few days, reached for hers.

Handholding could easily be misconstrued, and the last thing she wanted was to cause Shawn any unnecessary inconvenience. She knew how easily something small could be taken completely wrong and misinterpreted.

The schoolyard stretched endlessly and by the time Shawn ushered her through the doors into the hallway, she was struggling to breathe.
"The bath-bathroom? Where is the bathroom?" The urgency in her voice had Shawn frowning furiously as he slid his hand around her elbow and hurriedly took her to the bathrooms.

Daisy rushed for a sink and opened the tap. The bathroom was thankfully empty as she cupped her hands underneath the cooling water and then patted her wet hands against her hot cheeks. She inhaled deeply and begrudgingly stared at her reflection in the huge wall mirror.

Keep it together, Daisy. No one knows you.

A few minutes later she emerged to find Shawn patiently waiting for her outside.

"Are you okay?" He asked, scanning her pale face.

"I'm fine, sorry. First-day nerves." She gave him what she knew was the worst fake smile ever, but he nodded.

"Come on, homeroom is this way." Shawn, again, lightly hooked his hand around her elbow and guided her down the hall. A minute later they were seated at desks next to each other at the back of a class. Shawn had explained that there was only one senior class for a town as small as Shelly Cove.

Daisy grimaced. Hiding would no longer be an option.

The class steadily became fuller and soon a familiar face entered.

*

Luke strolled into the class, one hand keeping his bag on his shoulder and the other tucked into a pocket of his gray school trousers. He walked past the first row of desks before turning down an aisle and immediately froze.

He had concluded last Wednesday that Daisy was not just a holiday visitor and had suspected he would see her today. He just had not been prepared for the spark of electricity down his spine when he did. He shook his head and continued down the aisle. He purposefully ignored Shawn and the itch to greet him as he walked past and around Daisy to slide into the empty desk beside her.

"Hi, Bloom," he greeted, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips at her desperately trying to hide behind a hand, blocking her view of him.

She gave a small nod in response and ducked back behind her hand. His eyes darted to Shawn. The tension and the tightly-fisted hands made his neck muscles spasm, but he shook it off and lazily stretched in his chair.

His smile disappeared when another girl entered the class, and the noise hum drifted into silence.

*

Shawn's jaw clenched when he saw the pearly, blond-haired girl, and he swallowed the sudden distaste in his mouth. His heart jumped in recognition, even though their relationship was over, he still harbored some feelings for his ex-girlfriend.

Anne Hammond stood in the doorway, her blue eyes scanning the room, until they found him, and he looked away.

*

Daisy's hand fell away, and she nervously watched as the girl strode directly towards her, coming to a halt in front of her desk. The girl had long, luscious hair that was neatly braided and wore immaculate school clothes, hugging every curve. She had wide, almond-shaped blue eyes framed with regal high cheekbones, a petite nose, and full pink lips.

"You are sitting in my chair."

"Oh, I-I'm sorry, I- "Daisy pushed her chair back intending to get up, but stopped when Shawn leaned over his desk in her direction.

"First come first serve, Anne, you know the desks are open to anyone on the first day," Shawn drawled. "Daisy, you don't have to move."

Anne lifted a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
"Seriously?"

Shawn nodded and she angrily looked at Luke who just shrugged. Anne turned her attention back to Daisy, bending down to her eye level. Anne's school shirt blossomed open to reveal her cleavage and a glimpse of white lace. Daisy flushed and averted her eyes, a hand self-consciously moving up to scrunch the top of her shirt.

For what seemed like an eternity, Anne glared at Daisy, before turning on her heel to find another desk.

A soft tap on her shoulder made Daisy swirl in her chair to face Luke.

"Breathe," he smirked and settled back into his seat.

She obeyed, inhaling air into her tight chest and her hand released her shirt. Before she could say anything, Mr. Fuller, their homeroom teacher, entered.

*

Daisy leaned back in her chair, rubbing her neck. After spending an hour on class orientation and schedules, it ached. The fact that she was seated between Shawn and Luke could also have contributed, she had no doubt.

It had not been difficult to determine if Anne was Shawn's ex-girlfriend. His whole demeanor had spoken volumes after their interlude.

The school bell rang and the whole class exploded into a burst of chairs and desks screeching on the floor.

"What is your first class?" Shawn asked, moving to her desk, with his school bag over his shoulder.

"Uh, math literacy," Daisy answered and hastily started to tuck the pile of papers on her desk into her bag.

"Ah, I have math. Meet you in the cafeteria at lunch?"

"Yes, sure," Daisy nodded and stood up, disappointed Shawn had not offered to walk her to class.

"Daisy, can I speak to you for a moment?" Mr. Fuller called from the front of the classroom.

"See you later," Shawn greeted before disappearing into the huddle of bodies exiting the room.

"Yes, Mr. Fuller?" Daisy asked hesitantly as she approached his desk.

"I just wanted to ask how you are doing?" He asked.

"Oh." The sudden realization that Mr. Fuller was the same Mr. Fuller, Dr. Craven had mentioned dawned.
"I am good- "she paused as he cocked his head, lifting dark eyebrows.
"I am fine, honestly."

"I have been briefed about everything, but if ever for any reason, you just want to talk, my door is always open. Anytime."

"Thank you, Mr. Fuller."

"Do you know how to get to your next class?"

"I can show Daisy, Mr. Fuller. We are heading in the same direction."

Daisy twirled around to find Luke behind her. Has he been here the whole time?

"Thank you, Luke. And Daisy, remember, anytime."

Daisy frowned but nodded and hugging her school bag to her chest she followed Luke out of the class.

*