DAISY

It's quarter past noon when Riley came into my bedroom, she's dressed in some denim pants and a peach button-down shirt, her hair perfectly arranged altogether in a ponytail.

Today I only had one lecture and so I'm granted some free hours for myself before leaving for work.

Likewise, I use the time to finish some homework and speak with my mother's doctor who informed me about a screening test they will be running to check how mom's progressing.

"Hey. Whatever you're doing seems boring. Get up there are a lot of lively affairs out there." She stands by the bed, examining my lazy pose.

"I'd like to stay."

"Not under my watch." Riley opposes and begins closing the textbooks spread all over the comforter.

I roll on my back, watching her while she clear my bed. "My shift is less than a couple of hours ahead."

"I've called West Bay, you're very sick and receiving treatment." She winks, biting her lips as she would after every trouble.

I sat up instantly, my eyes pop out.
"You didn't." I gasp.

It's not yet a week I've started this job, I can't start skipping my shift with lies.

Riley's hands stop at her hips. Her eyes challenging when she says. "But I did. You need to have fun and not spend the remaining of your teenage years like some depressed mom."

"I just started this job, I can't start making excuses." I exhale and slump back onto the bed.

"You don't make yourself sick, it just happens. So come have fun."

How can someone have such confidence? I don't, and it inspires me.

"But the problem is I am well." I smile at her silliness.

"Don't be dramatic, get up and get ready. if you need anything let me know." She informed and begin retreating for the door.

"Where are we going?" I ask before she could leave.

"Freshers treasure hunt." She informed and shut the door close.

***

I descend the staircase at least ten minutes after Riley left my bedroom. I'm still wearing my jean pants and mauve blouse and my hair freely bouncing by my sides.

Riley is standing next to her boyfriend who's adding a leather jacket over his usual look.

His gorgeous eyes linger on me, he doesn't blink once. It brings pressure upon me and uneasiness settled, waking every calm nerve in my body.

With Riley smiling over, oblivious of her boyfriend's intense gaze on her best friend, I wanted to sink into the marbled floor, just to disappear, and so my head took me back to a letter she sent some years ago.

"Dear Daisy.

I'm writing to you this letter specially, I would be sending you a response to our last conversation. But this specific is to tell you how much I am thankful for having you in my life.

Imagine what I would've been without your support. I've never had anyone to trust but right now it occurs I could trust someone a thousand miles away.

I eavesdropped on a man at a supermarket who claims trust doesn't exist. I told him he was wrong, I told him he still hasn't met the right person but I meet them. It is you that inspires me to stay true to who I am. You've made my pursuit my dream, even without you being here, therefore I will forever be grateful to you.

Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you have a great turkey.

Yours sincerely BFF."

I draw in a sharp breath and mumble. "Can we go now?" Before scurrying for the exit.

For two days I have Kay's words playing in my head. I don't understand how but he has been in my mind all day and night, and not a second past did I think of anything but him.

The scary truth is; I also have this strong liking when it comes to him, but just like Kay, I haven't figure out what it is yet.

Right now, I feel exposed and emotionally broken, I've never felt this lonely, I have Riley beside me, but something is missing. Something leaving a hole in my chest as we travel down the building in the elevator that feels so small. Maybe because his scent was everywhere, pulling me to him mentally. Maybe because he is close that I can perceive his warmth. Maybe only maybe I want something I know I can not have and it cuts deeper than any worst feeling I had.

Why does he have this control over me? I myself cannot describe.

KAISER

We arrive at the school fresher's event and I immediately understand the word 'fresher' with the childish game called 'treasure hunt'.

Who even plays that anymore? Aren't we older for this bullshit?

But nothing is too much when it comes to Riley. When I don't have an interest in stuff like all these, Riley just seems inseparable from having this kind of fun.

"So every group will have six players. Anyone who finds the black box gets the trophy and win a ten thousand dollar for their team." Some mister announcer explains on the microphone from the front roll.

"Are we here for the money or the trophy?" I mocked.

Riley shot me a warning glance that says, Don-even-start.
"We are here to participate."

"So that means winning doesn't matter?" I can not bring myself to search for some shitty colored box.

"It does, we don't wanna be losers." She sternly responded.

My eyes rolled instinctively.

"Is not like I've ever won any shit," I say under my breath, avoiding Riley to hear but instead Daisy did.

Her eyes dart to me briefly before she took them away. There is fear in them I don't understand, she should know I will never let anyone hurt her. That's the reason I have my people working on having her name on my team for the woods shit, also for they will be on the lookout, with her unaware.

I haven't seen Caden but I saw his sidekick, is it Paxton? I don't remember. He has never come for her or show any sign of menace but I still wouldn't be any less cautious. Anything can happen. She needs to be safe.

Malik got us some hotdogs before the grouping begins, which I practically shove back with my head spinning with different calculations.