"You know there's a water fountain nearby to quench your desperate thirst," I smirked over my left shoulder.

"Hmm? Why the shade, Daisy?" The faux blonde questioned. A sly smile then spread across her face. She tilted her chin upwards as she let out a short laugh. Her new, short, teeny, upturned nose flared some as it desperately tried to let some oxygen in.

Honestly, did this girl transport back into the 80s to get her rhinoplasty? Because her botched nose job was beyond ridiculous.

"Don't tell me he belongs to you or something? Although I wouldn't put it past you to move on so quickly to another guy."

My vision narrowed to my mortal enemy standing at my left. I had to quickly advert my eyes elsewhere, however, due to them being blinded by her hideously green bathing suit that resembled the same color as rat vomit. I fixed my vision to her idiotic minion, Lacey, who was clearly enjoying the scene. The corners of her lips were curling up into an admiring smirk at every meaningless word that Lindsay spoke.

Must these two bumpkins annoy me at every chance they get their scrawny little claws on?

"Why are you two dunces here anyway?" I folded my arms under my chest as I squared my feet to the left, facing Lindsay. "Oh wait!" I chuckled out loud, "don't tell me you're still stalking my Insta account?"

The conniving glint in her eyes soon vanished, turning into slight shock and embarrassment upon hearing my question. Hmm? So my assumption was correct. It seems she's still as obsessed with me as ever. When will she ever learn that she simply just cannot compete with a hot, skinny, and iconic legend such as myself? 

"A-As if!" She tried to counter. "Unfortunately, you're stupid little fundraising event was being posted, like, everywhere! So we decided to drop by and see what all the fuss was about."

"Well you've seen. Now feel free to leave as soon as possible," I waved to her.

"Not so fast, Daisy!" She pouted at me. Her arms folded over her chest as she shifted her weight to the left hip. "There's a few things I'm not understanding."

I let a few chuckles escape from my chest. "Oh I'm sure there are more than just a few things you don't understand, Lindsay. You know, with you having the same IQ as a brussel sprout and all."

"Ha! That's where you're wrong, Daisy," Lacey chimed in. "Everyone knows that vegetables make you smarter." 

"And you clearly need a lifetime's supply."

"Enough of your insults, Daisy!" Lindsay interrupted. She narrowed her eyes at me as if she was trying to see literally right through me. "Answer me this. Why are you even doing all of this? Hard work and helping others has never been your thing."

The way her pupils followed me with every slight movement I made let me know that she was on to me. She was waiting for just a single fault in my mannerisms in order to call me out. Ugh, one thing about having an arch nemesis is that they know you just as well a friend does. Only except for the fact that they hate you of course. 

"Believe it or not Lindsay, but I am a forever growing and changing woman." My features remained calm and my posture was poised as ever. If I can just keep up my usual behavior, then she shouldn't suspect a thing. "When I found out that a well loved café belonging to a little, old, widowed woman was closing down, I felt the need to intervene, thus, organizing this fundraiser."

I slightly started to internally worry as she just simply looked at me. I could tell she was going over something in her head. "That's the funny thing," she finally spoke. "From what I've seen so far, only the poor locals living near that café knew it was going out of business. Since we live in the Valley, how could you have possibly known?"

Crap. Abort mission. REPEAT, ABORT MISSION!

I struggled to come up with a solution. There was no way I was going to fess up that I am now one of those 'poor locals'! I suppose that I could tell her I saw the closing soon sign when I was strolling around the neighborhood with Natalie, who is a local, but I sort of screwed that idea up by telling everyone at the country club that she was rich too.

I was utterly out of ideas. There was only one thing left to do. Obviously now I have to knock them both unconscious! It sure is a good thing I remember the locations of pressure points that my old karate sensei had taught me.

I took a short breath as I took a step towards Lindsay, only to be saved by another voice. "Well, well, well. I didn't know the rabble were invited."

I turned my head into the direction of Gwen's voice. Oh, sweet petunias! One of my most loyal minions has come to save the day!

"Ugh, of course you'd be here," Lindsay rolled her eyes. "I forgot how Daisy has you all wrapped around her little finger. Don't you ever get tired of following her around like a stupid dog?"

"Do you ever get tired of constantly obsessing over Daisy?" April shot back as she was approaching beside Gwen. Her oversized purple sunglasses blocked out her eyes, but I could tell they were piercing at Lindsay.

A giggle escaped my full, pink lips. "Well I do believe it's time you left, don't you think Lindsay?"

"Yeah, and don't people of your kind melt when they get wet anyway? I don't think this place is safe for you right now," Gwen added on.

Lindsay stomped her foot in frustration as she glared over at me. "Oh when will you ever get over yourself, Daisy?!"

I shrugged my shoulders at her idiotic question. "Why should I? I'm the number one hot chick, meanwhile you're just the sad heffer."

"This isn't over, Daisy!" She roared back. "I know you're hiding something and I won't rest until I find out what it is! Mark my words, I will end your reign as Queen Bee."

I watched as she stormed away with her ginger sidekick. Normally I would ignore Lindsay's empty threats, but this time it was different. Maybe it was because of how her words were laced with much more venom. Or maybe it was because she was right. I was hiding something. Something that really could end my reign. 

I quickly wiped off any look of worry from my face as I shook off my doubtful thoughts. I took a breath to calm myself. Just as long as I keep everything under wraps, then there is nothing that she can find out about. 

"Don't worry about her, Daisy," April said.

"Yeah, she's just as delusional as ever," Gwen rolled her eyes. "As if you'd ever have anything to hide from us."

Yeah, totally.

"Pft, who me? Worried? Don't make me laugh guys," I flipped my hair, letting it delicately blow with the breeze.

"Ugh, wow, you're so right."

"Totally. We would, like, never doubt you."

I smirked successfully at their admiring comments. That's more like it. Now I'm feeling more like the fabulous diva that I am.

Queen mode: Back on.

"So I'm guessing you guys saw my posts and decided to help out," I said to them.

"Well of course we decided to come support you, Daisy!" Gwen beamed. 

April then turned to face Gwen some. "Wait, I thought we just wanted to show off our new Valentino bikinis and take beach selfies."

Gwen then jabbed April in the side with her right elbow as she put on a fake smile. "Don't be silly, April! Of course we only came to be a good friend to our dear Daisy!"

My face hardened some as I folded my arms. April winced slightly as she rubbed her side. "Oh- right! Yeah, we c-came only to be moral support for you."

"Mhm, right," I muttered. "Well since you guys are here, there's still a few cars that need to-"

"WOAH, HOTTIE AT 1 O'CLOCK!" 

I menacingly narrowed a glare at the dumb blonde in front of me. How dare she interrupt me when I'm speaking! You would think these two would learn their places by now.

"Are you aware of what you just did to me?!" I asked April.

She arched her brows some in confusion before she finally understood. "Oh! Sorry Daisy," she apologized. Taking her french manicured finger, she pointed into the distance. "It's just that guy over there is so hot!" 

Rolling my eyes, I turned back to see who she was pointing to. All I could see was the same old, dingy looking man that was yelling at Ryan and I earlier. Goodness, April has utterly lost it. I knew it would happen sooner or later, but just a bit more gradually.

"Hm? Didn't know you were into the sugar daddy type," I turned back to her. "Couldn't imagine why you'd need one either, considering how you grew up with money anyway."

"Ew, not him!" She revolted. "The guy behind him!" 

I then turned back to see Ryan walk from around the old man. He casually threw a towel over his pale, muscled shoulder before he collected the money that was owed to him. 

"Quick! Gwen, how's my hair?" April asked as she fluffed her honey blonde hair. 

April was known to be a flirt. With just a simple smile and a few batting eyelashes, she could turn most guys putty in her hands. She wasn't one to settle down with just one guy either, seeing as she found it more fun to just toy with their emotions and then abruptly dump them once she got bored enough.

But Ryan is one conquest she isn't allowed to have. 

I looked at her with an unimpressed expression. "Don't bother."

She turned her big green eyes up at me, giving me an unsure look. "Um, what is it, Daisy?"

"He's not up for grabs. You can't have him," I stated simply.

"Woah, Daisy! Don't tell us that hottie is all yours?!" Gwen asked in astonishment. Her eyes glimmered at me in admiration as she looked between Ryan and I. "You really are my biggest aspiration!"

"Yeah! He's even hotter than Chad!" April added.

I arched an eyebrow at her comment before she tried to correct herself. "Um- not that I've ever checked Chad out or anything! W-why would I do that?" She nervously giggled.

I rolled my eyes at her as I heard my name get called out from the distance. I turned back to see a shirtless Ryan approaching us. 

"Oooh, Daisy, I think your boyfriend misses you," Gwen childishly cooed.

"He's not technically my boyfriend," I shrugged.

"Ooo. Friends with benefits. Even better," April smirked. "I knew my habits would rub off on you one day."

"Hey," Ryan said to me as came up to my right side. "Hi," I replied back. From the corner of my eye I could see the smiles forming on Gwen and April's faces. Noticing their presence, Ryan gave a nod of acknowledgment towards them. A squeal then escaped the both of them as they started whispering to each other. 

"I just came over to tell you that I've already finished up here today. I really think we've raised enough money to keep Lilac Café in business."

"Yeah, I do too," I smiled up at him.

"You know, it's really amazing how you put this all together." His black orbs softened at me as a small smile graced his handsome face. "Didn't think you had it in you."

'I didn't either.' I internally rolled my eyes. 

"Well Daisy Nickels has a lot of layers, 'ya know," I smirked up at him.

He started gazing at me for a few seconds. I wonder what was going on in his head because then he genuinely gave me a little smile! "Hm. Yeah, I'm really starting to see that."

His beautiful pearly smile made me turn into a crush worthy schoolgirl. I tried to hide my creeping blush down but I'm pretty sure it was already too late. I could feel my cheeks heating up as my lips formed up into a closed smile.

"Oh!" He said as if he finally remembered something important. "We're already ahead in terms of the project. We could meet up one more time to finally finish it all up."

My eyes widened slightly at his words. I took a peak from my peripheral vision to see April and Gwen exchange confused looks with one another. They have no idea I go to school with Ryan! I'm supposed to be homeschooled now, remember?! Oh, why did he have to mention that stupid project?! 

A nervous giggle escaped my lips. "Uh, he-he. Ryan, you're so funny." I playfully slapped his chest.

"Uh, thanks?" He raised his left brow in confusion. "But we really need to find a good date to finish that up. I kind of want to get it all done before winter brea-"

I couldn't take his constant chatter anymore! I had to stop him before he exposed me for being a fraud! I started to panic so I let my internal instincts guide me. I took a quick step up to Ryan so that we were almost pressed up against one another. I could feel his body heat omitting off him, we were so close. Standing up on my tippy toes, I reached his face with my hands. 

That's when I matched my lips up to his. Finally shutting him up as we kissed!