| Daisy |

What Gloria said actually made me feel a little better .

That's the first rule of fighting off bullying.

Do not ignore.

Ignorance is not a bliss.

It's natural for a person to think he/ she can step on you over and over again if you don't stop them or fight them back on the first go.

What really was bothering me wasn't what happened in the bathroom.

It was what she said. .

I like Dean and he likes me too!

That hollow pit in my heart was churning . Deepening. She said all that to rile me up. . .right?

Or. .was it the other way around? Do Dean actually -

No! I shook my head vehemently.

There was no way he could. . .or may be he did. .

Already sleep deprived, on my way to apologise and seeing Jessica spew hate I couldn't handle the stress. It was too much.

But it's not like I didn't invite it myself. I came at him like a petulant kid . Wanting to know everything at once. Forcing him to share when he didn't want to.

And now the cheerleader.

I never stereotyped cheerleaders because of how they are portrayed in the books and movies . My school didn't have the bitchy clique. I also think the bitchy clique is quite over hyped and overrated in the movies .

Also why is the bitchiness so sexist in films?

Why can't a man be the bitch?

There went my overzealous mind.

"Get a hold of yourself." I muttered . I did think about brushing my hair and putting some make up on for the way to sorry land but then I dropped the idea of it.

Why should I hide what I'm under the guise of makeup? I was hella tired and I wanted to just get done with the apology because well I missed seeing him.

I missed that stubborn mule.

The hard headed brute.

I knew where I would find him so I turned around and hoped that everything would be resolved between us . But how can they be when I saw him having a panic attack right in front of my eyes?

How the hell could I ignore the big fat elephant in the room?

But then I had to because he wanted me to. For the time being at least. I would be fooling myself if I say it didn't bother me or I didn't stay awake all night thinking over it.

Why would he , the hot Richie Rich get a panic attack? As far as I could see , his life lacked nothing. He had everything . May be more than everything. .

My insides were dying to know the cause of it.

I would just zip it until he's ready to tell me everything.

On my way some girls did give me an odd look because let's face it . I looked like I just got out of a mental hospital with the dark circles and makeup free face.

Also cherry on top, I didn't even brush my hair.

Walking in the empty corridor. .I was hit with a déjà vu. But today there was no light at the end of the tunnel. All I could spot were big fat gray clouds. That were darkening rapidly.

Just like my dark circles.

The corridor led to the backyard of the building and that's where he lurked. The demon of my heart.

Just as I walked out of the corridor under the dark sky, I stopped and took a look around. Wanting to know my circumstances. And - yes. I could spot two people from here. A makeup free Travis and him.

Just him so casually leaning against the wall , listening to Travis with rapt attention - nodding his head now and then when Travis would move around his hand excitedly- he had such positive energy that I took a deep breath imagining I was swallowing his vibes for good luck.

And then with a determined face I moved towards them.

It seemed like they noticed my frame because the both of them straightened up and I think Travis waved at me with a cherry face.

I smiled back.

But then it melted right off when I saw the look on Dean's face.

Stoic.

No expression whatsoever.

That did kinda make my confidence slip a little but I covered it with an awkward cough.

"Alright! That's my cue to leave." Travis chirped and I wanted to tell him to stay . .be my support but words failed me.

They got stuck in my head.

And didn't make it to my mouth.

None of us reacted to Travis leaving. It was as if he didn't exist in the first place. We were standing under the shed . . five feet distance between us. The gray clouds thundered overhead , light cracking up the sky-

"What is it?" He asked so suddenly .

He kept catching me like that.

The black bomber jacket made his green eyes stand out even more. The brown hair falling in his eyes . .the wind picking up speed . . whooshing around us.

He was looking at me in an almost bored manner.

That was so encouraging. Not.

I cleared my throat when I realized he was waiting for me to talk.

"How are you?" I asked slowly.

Really, Daisy? Really?!

"How do I look like?" He countered back .

"How would I know?" I almost whispered.

He nodded now looking away from me .

"I'm fine . If that's what you wanted to know. "

I let out a deep breath.

I will not beat around the bush.

"I'm sorry. " I glanced down at the floor. I couldn't look at him. " I'm sorry for being so insensitive and for coming at you so - yeah .I'm sorry. "

When I didn't hear him say anything. . .

I dared myself to look up.

Dean pushed his hand in his hair, ruffling them all over. Messing them up.

"Don't be. " Dean said quietly.

I could really feel the relief settling in my bones. Did he just forgive me? Just like that? Did he just-

"You're thinking over it . I told you there's nothing to be sorry about. You said what you wanted to and I did what I have to . "

"Which was?" I blurted out.

A glimmer of smile tugged at the corner of his lips. " Push you back, Daisy."

What?

I think I must have looked crestfallen at this for the glimmer deepened into a smile.

"Some of my actions may not make sense but I had to . Push you back. Consider it an . . .unhealthy place to be at. I can't pull you into it. I can't do this to you . Not yet. Just know where I'm at right now. . It's lonely. . dark and black. "

I didn't have to think much before I spoke.

"Good to know because black is my favorite color."

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