| Daisy |

My hands were clammy.

It was the fifth time that I wiped my palms on my jeans, silently cursing myself and trying not to lose my shit at the same time.

But losing my shit was inevitable.

Because it was my brother !

Dean had decided to invite Logan to cafe crunch and then tell him about us.

Knowing Logan, I had no idea how he was going to react to us. I wouldn't be so nervous if it were a stranger . Brother was a whole different level of stress. Now I wished I had pulled in Gloria too.

Just in case crap hits the fan.

But then why would crap hit the fan? I wasn't doing drugs or having unprotected sex that I should be ashamed of.

I was in love.

I was in love with a guy who felt the same way about me. I had never been sure about anyone more than Dean. Sometimes I felt he was the first who fell.

Not letting any guy date me. . .

Not letting me date anyone. . .

Always making sure he's involved someway in my life. Around me. Seeing me. Talking to me.

"Your French fries, miss."

The polite voice of the waitress startled me a little and then hastily I pasted a grateful smile on my face and said "Thanks."

The cafe wasn't crowded much. A couple here and there .An old man sipping on beer. Manager fussing over a waiter. It was 6 PM and the customers were about to mill in . 7 PM was a rush hour so that's why I picked six.

I didn't overdress.

Or did anything special.

I wasn't here to impress anyone. It was my brother and I didn't want him to see a faded version of me. Someone he didn't recognize with makeup and some frilly dress on because she was in love.

Nervous and jittery, I picked one greasy fry and dipped it into ketchup and then I took a look around the cafe and slipped the fry in my mouth

It got stuck in my throat.

Because I saw the brown flop of hair coming in. .the bell jingled.

Logan.

I gulped down the fry.

Without even tasting it.

He came in and then ruffled his hair. . snowflakes scattered on the wooden floor . The manager passing by gave him the stink eye but he shrugged in a careless manner and then his gaze flickered around.

Probably looking for Dean.

Not me.

Oh my goodness! It was nerve wrecking to see my brother and then to know what we were about to tell him. The hyperventilating started right there. Before I could collapse under peer pressure or worse hide under the table, my hand shot up in the air like Hermione Granger —

And his eyes snapped on me .

A flicker of surprise passed his eyes . .like is that you, Daisy?

And then still looking quite unsure , he made his way towards me.

"Don't lose it, Daisy . Be calm . Be nice. Be careful." I whispered to myself in a bid to calm my thrashing heart.

Every step my brother took towards me, my heart rate would spike up.

With bated breath, Logan reached me and then pulled a chair beside me — sitting down. Rubbing his hands together to warm them up.

"What are you doing here?" He asked the second he got seated .

I smiled. "To eat? At least that's what normal people do here."

"So funny. I nearly died." He deadpanned and then slipped the plate of fries towards himself and dived right in.

Munching on.

"And what are you doing here?" I asked watching him eat the fries without any ketchup. That should be a crime.

"To meet and greet a friend." He answered with his mouth full.

I hope he didn't notice the slight heat in my cheeks.

"Which friend?" I asked trying to sound nonchalant.

"Dean. That asshole better not make me regret coming here! I had to leave Gloria behind because he kept calling me ." He said darkly, shaking his head.

I nodded trying so hard not to comment or worse say something I might regret later.

Like put my foot in my mouth.

"Dean? The rich kid?" I asked lowly.

"Yeah. The Richie rich . He's a good kid though. .twisted . Good and twisted."

"Twisted? " I repeated trying so bad to sound disinterested.

"He's got . .issues. I don't know what they are but he definitely got them. Now where is he?!" Logan said loudly looking at the entrance like Dean would magically appear .

And that's exactly what I was wondering.

Where was he?

It was 6: 30 PM already.

He should have been here earlier than me !

I so didn't want to feed the pool of dread in the pit of my stomach. It was deepening. . . I didn't want to doubt him for a single second. I knew Dean meant what he said.

For Logan's sake, I pulled my cellphone out of my purse and acted like I was googling something . While he cursed at his friend.

Quick as lightning, I typed a text and send it to him.

Where are you?

I waited ten minutes for his reply . .a call. . anything. But I didn't get it.

My patience snapped .

Dean? Is everything okay?

Logan is here.

Dean?

You're coming right?

You can't do this to me...

I glanced at the wall clock and it was 7 PM. I waited one hour . Not just me but my brother too.

He was the one who said "Fuck him." And got up to leave. I had no. . nothing to say that would stop him. Logan glanced at me as if asking why am I still sitting?

With a gutted heart, I slipped the bill under the plate and got up. It felt like I was walking for the first time. Because . .I couldn't feel my legs.

My eyes were glued to the back of my brother but my whole being was faraway from here. All I could think was. .

You can't do this to me . .

You can't...

He was so sure about telling Logan. So sure that seeing him determined made my doubtful heart settle in peace.

If he was sure , I was sure.

And now. . .

My heart cracked in my chest and I wanted to curl on the floor and cry . Cry until I couldn't. May be this is what being strong was.

To not let the tears escape.

To act like everything was okay when my entire world was burning down.

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