KAISER

She sneaks out again because Riley just had to talk. She had to invade me with her tantrum like she was the only one worried about Daisy.

I sit on the bed with my eyes closed, trying to recall Reagan's words and drown out the yelling behind me. I'm fretting over everything.

"This is sad. Do you think it's okay to just sit and be agitated? She's managing school here, and now she has to use her savings to buy new clothes because you can't control your attitude."

Granted, what I did was stupid, but in my defense, I didn't have anything in mind at the time, and I wanted her to look at me so badly. It was simple, but she kept shielding her face with the locks of her long hair. For fuck's sake, I'm sure she grew that perfect long hair for a reason—probably as a barrier between us.

But after everything I did to get those pretty eyes on me, they reflected something that undermined every ounce of strength I had.

What I did must have hurt her. No, screw that—it did hurt her. I saw it in the texture of her skin; she was struggling to breathe.

Why can't I just hold back and be nice for once? But the truth is, all my intentions get pulverized whenever she's near. I don't recognize myself when her scent consumes me; I don't understand how she does it. It's like she sees through me without even looking at me, and I have to hold on to my sovereignty, or else she might see the vulnerable side I've kept fenced in for years.

She thought I hated her. I don't know if that's the right word to use. She knows nothing.

I leave the house without turning back, Riley bellowing behind me until the elevator closes and ends the squabbling.

I have nowhere to go, so I drive away from Center Yorker.

I follow Middlefield Road to Malik's place. He's having a house party... He told me about it two days ago, but I turned it down because I'm not one for parties. Yet here I am, hopelessly needing a distraction.

"And look who shows up," he says as I pull into his driveway. Malik lives in a two-bedroom apartment on a well-known estate in midtown.

"I need something strong."

"Are you okay?" His forehead puckers as he inspects me with wary eyes.

I snatch the weed from his fingers and inhale deeply, holding it in. "Get me something stronger," I say, slapping his back and pushing my way into the packed, loud house.

Everything that happens afterward is a blur. I don't remember crashing on a couch surrounded by girls sprawled around me.

"Get off me," I mutter, shrugging off a drunk woman with smeared makeup and a harsh cologne that triggers a splitting headache.

I push through the bodies, searching my pocket for my car key. Luckily, no one robbed me.

Malik and everyone else are mostly asleep when I make my way back home, determined to find the first letter Daisy wrote to me.

I need to know what she said, what she wanted me to know. I have to find it. I cursed the day fate took me away from home and brought Riley to steal what was mine.

I want to confront her and get answers, even if it means using my darker side. She ruined everything. Maybe I wouldn't be so angry if I had gotten that letter.

The house is empty when I get there; both girls are at school, and the place is neat again. Riley replaced everything I damaged and even added more furniture, like that unnecessary huge frame by the aisle to the library.

I go to the room I share with Riley and lay out all her possessions, searching every nook and cranny until circumstances start screwing with my head again.

My phone goes off, and I'm hit with the news that has my blood roaring like a streaking fire.

"Sir, we checked the whole house but didn't find anything. However, I'm certain someone was after her," Vance says, stabbing my heart with those words that send me flying out of the penthouse.

DAISY

This morning, I woke up just like every other day here—lacking sleep, with a pounding headache. In short, I wake up in distress.

I leave for school early to avoid running into Riley. Yesterday evening, when I came back from the mall with three new outfits, Riley refused to talk to me. I know she's mad at me for leaving without her. I don't know how to make her understand—her money is Kay's, and I don't want anything more from him. If I had the option of not living in his building, I would take it.

He's claiming me with everything I benefit from here, and if I don't make a run soon, I'm sure he'll possess me like an object.

He plays with my emotions and takes pleasure in seeing me torn apart. That's what he does.

I don't make friends at school to avoid two things: getting trapped with Caden after me or involving anyone in my messed-up life. The only person I talk to is my lab partner, whose name I don't even remember. He doesn't like to talk either, so most of the time, we complete our tasks in silence, just focusing on our work.

So today, when a blonde girl I don't know joins our table and offers to team up, I feel uneasy, desperate for the class to end.

"I like your shirt," she says. I know it's a lie because it's the kind of shirt a girl like her would never wear. It's plain and shapeless; I bought it cheap yesterday.

"Thanks," I say, pretending to be gracious, though I don't take my eyes off the objects on the table.

"So, what are you guys working on?" She tries to start a conversation she's not really interested in.

"What everyone else is doing at their table, Rachel," my lab partner retorts, surprising me with his sudden outburst.

The girl—Rachel, I assume—shifts her gaze from me to him and chuckles like a high school cheerleader. "Whatever," she says, waving her probably manicured nails around. "So... Daisy, right?" She turns her attention back to me, smiling widely as if she's known me forever.

I nod in response.

"I'm Rachel Collins, the popular girl in class. I'm sure you already know."

"No, I don't," I reply honestly, focusing on the diagram I'm drawing for myself and my lab partner.

"That's a shame. I'm quite famous around here," she repeats, this timeless boastful. "Anyway, here's the thing: I'm hosting a party at my place in Leland Manor, and we heard that you know Kaiser Chandler, who lives in the same neighborhood as me." She briefly glances back at a group of polished girls and smiles before continuing. "It would be impeccable to have flawless people attend. So, I'm hoping you could give him my invitation. I have yours too if you'd like to come."

She slides two invitation cards in front of me, waiting for me to take them.

With a soft sigh, I take one card and simply say, "I'll give it to him if I see him."

"You will, though, right? Aren't you two housemates?" she snaps, her tone less sweet and more desperate.

"I live with my friend," I reply, ignoring her question that felt more like an accusation.

"Yes, Kaiser Chandler's girlfriend, right?" Rachel taunts, her gaze drilling into me.

"I'll give it to him," I promise, just to get her out of my space.

"Perfect." She crows with joy and surprises me with a peck on my cheek before leaving.