KAISER

I wake up exhausted after the long night we spent on campus and the even longer one Riley made us endure, urging me to share my worries like some Reagan.

It's difficult to elaborate. It's just so complicated.

It's almost nine when I walk into the rainfall shower, spending a total of five minutes cleaning up before slipping into the first black joggers and t-shirt my hand grabs from my closet.

As I make my way to the kitchen, I perceive the aroma of Riley's pancakes. My eyebrows pull together instantly, finding her in my shirt, making breakfast with Daisy by the counter, focused on Riley's MacBook. Daisy looks pale as if she's seen a ghost, her under-eye bags even worse than yesterday's.

A stabbing sensation hits my chest. There's something about her she's not letting on; it's obvious from the visible pain she didn't care to hide beneath a makeover. But even with all that, Daisy is like the afternoon sun that sparkles in the water. She's beautiful, and fuck if I don't hate her for it.

Riley notices my presence and opens her arms for me, sensing my hesitation.

I know I'm being complex, but I'm trapped in the middle. I don't know what to do.

Last night I was thrown into disarray. Up to now, I still don't understand why Daisy ran out of the theater and returned home on her own.

I know it didn't have anything to do with what happened in the limo. If anything, she enjoyed it. She might act all innocent and shy, but I know what she wants. I can see it in her composure. I may hate her, but I sure wouldn't do anything to hurt her physically.

So whatever made her run off must be something else.

After a brief kiss and hug, I smile at Riley and make myself comfortable around the kitchen table.

"Do you want honey for your pancake?" Riley asks Daisy.

"Yes, please." Daisy offers Riley a tight, frail smile, her eyes downcast.

She's either working on something important on the laptop or trying hard to make me believe so. Whatever it is, she's trying to avoid my presence.

Little evil, this is my home. I'm here to stay.

"You're still going through the syllabus?" Riley tries to make conversation.

"Yes," Daisy mumbles.

Okay, she's also acting weird. I hope she's taking her medication. Maybe I should just call the therapist Dr. Sharpton referred.

I fidget in my seat, watching her watch the laptop. She's concentrated, swallowing constantly. It's like she's muffling a quiet breakdown.

I peep at whatever she's doing, and my pupils promptly blow in surprise as dread and confusion form like steel in my stomach.

What is she doing?

"Why are you changing your major?" I can't keep it to myself.

Riley hears. She sets my pancake in front of me and lowers herself into the seat next to mine, her eyes pinched together as she watches her friend.

"I thought you were checking the syllabus?" Riley asks Daisy, who's now pulling on her sleeves.

Yes, Daisy, explain why you're trying to ruin your future.

I keep my eyes anchored on her, awaiting her response.

"I thought maybe biology would be better," she whispers, pleading with us not to push further.

"You sure?"

"You're on scholarship for medical school. You don't want to mess with your major." It takes a second before I realize the words came from me.

It's already been a month since school started. She can't go changing majors like it's footwear. The semester is way ahead, she'll fail miserably transferring departments with all the work she'll have to catch up on.

"I'm just a month late. I can cover it up," she says, avoiding my eyes.

"What happened? I thought you preferred psychology?" Riley asks, confused.

"I realized I don't."

She's lying. I can see it as clear as day on her face, her voice, and the way her nerves stir, causing her to chew on her cheeks.

Anger and impatience rise in me. I want to grab her by the chin and make her confess whatever she's hiding. I hate not knowing when it comes to her.

I lose my appetite instantly. Pushing back the plate and shove back my seat to bolt out of the building. Maybe some fresh air will help.

Maybe I should consider running. With working out usually serving as therapy for my emotional disorder, I think I need to sweat it out right now, especially since I don't intend to go back up there any time soon.

DAISY

"You sure you're okay?" Riley presses after Kay angrily dashes off.

Wait, what's his problem?

"Yes," I lie.

After learning about Caden's intention last night and how he's related to my past, everything afterward passed without my awareness.

The fact that it was Caden Thaddeus's twin sister my dad recklessly hit ten years ago leaves me unable to function well. My first instinct is to leave school, but I can't abuse my future. I need to study, I need to become a medical doctor. I have to.

Changing schools isn't an option. As a scholarship student, I can't afford a new college. The rest of my tuition now goes to my mother's healthcare.

The only choice left is to change my department. I don't care about the workload. I need to get away from Caden. I saw the same hate in his eyes that I see in Kay's. But unlike Kay, who enjoys torturing me emotionally but wouldn't physically hurt me, I don't know Caden. The anger in his eyes can blaze hotter than any game Kay's playing.

I fear for myself. I need to get far away from him.

"Okay. What do you have in mind for today?" Riley asks.

"I don't know, maybe call my mom and do some laundry," I answer honestly. I haven't talked with Mom since yesterday morning. I should check on her more often.

"You know there's a laundry service in this building, right?" Riley chuckles.

I know about that, but honestly, I prefer doing my laundry myself. There are specific rules my mom follows and specific products she uses. Doing it myself makes me feel closer to her.

"I prefer doing it myself."

"You're so overcautious," she accuses.

"I just don't want to stress anyone."

She throws her head back and laughs. "And there it is. The Daisy who always worries about others."

She has no idea how wrong she is. Yesterday, she was inches away from me, but I let Kay touch me. I am nothing but selfish.

"I doubt it," I quietly mumble.

"Maybe we should go to the mall," Riley cheerfully suggests.

I glance at her, shaking my head. "I don't know."

"Come on, let's have a good weekend," she purrs. "Please, we promise to have fun every weekend." She holds me to my word, giving me no choice.

It was something I envisioned back when I thought college life would be like Disneyland.

Before everything crumbled.

Look how miserable I've become in a week.