When I wasn't completing random shenanigans with the boys over the break, I was chilling at Chelsea's house. I loved hanging out in her bedroom, with her pink bedding and her cute fairy lights and her overflowing wardrobe. She was the epitome of an ordinary teenage girl, with her sweet parents and her average sized house. It was a stark, though pleasant, contrast from my family life.
"Ugh, I can not believe we have to go to school again tomorrow," I groaned, rolling around on Chelsea's bed. "Christmas break flew by so quickly."
"I know," Chelsea sighed while spinning around in her chair at her desk. "Senior year is a pain. I can't stand all these assignments."
"It's not just that," I said. "It's Heather freaking Addams. That girl is a nightmare to deal with."
Chelsea snorted. "You're telling meâI used to call her my best friend."
I sighed. "It just baffles me how entitled she is... with her perky blonde hair and her stupid cheer uniform and her perfect tall legs andâ"
"Wait a minute, Daisy," Chelsea quirked a brow. "Why does it sound like you're jealous?"
I paused, quite surprised by the accusation. "I don't know. Maybe because I am," I admitted.
"What? But, why?"
"Come on, Chels," I looked down. "She's everything I'm not."
"Oh, would you stop it already!"
I was quite alarmed by Chelsea's tone. "Excuse me?"
"I'm sick and tired of you not realizing how much of a bad ass bitch you are!" Chelsea erupted. "Look, I get that Heather's had an effect on your confidence, but it's high time you realize you're perfect just the way you are. You shouldn't need anyone else to tell you that."
Her words touched me. "Wow, Chels. You're completely right. I guess I've been feeling a bit insecure ever since my little confrontation with Heather. She completely got into my head."
Chelsea began to widely grin. "I know just what you need."
"And what's that?" I frowned, confused.
"A makeover!" she squealed, jumping onto the bed.
"What?" I scrunched my nose. "I thought you said I'm perfect just the way I am."
"Well, sure, but you'd be even more perfect if you dressed nicer," she beamed. "Kidding. Anyways, I've noticed that when I feel down in the dumps, I feel better once I give myself a bit of a makeover. Once you make changes to yourself externally, you actually start to feel better internally. Make sense?"
"Kinda," I reluctantly replied. "Alright, I'm in. How do we get started?"
A determined smile made its way across Chelsea's face. "Perfect! First stop: the salon."
I yelped as she grabbed my wrist and began to guide me over, with no clue what I was getting myself into...
*****
As I approached my locker the next day, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Elias, Andre, and Malcolm were already there waiting for me.
Elias was the first to notice me. His eyes immediately darkened as they raked over my figure, and his Adam's Apple bobbed up and down.
"Daisy," he tensely nodded, causing the other two to turn around.
"Holy cheesesticks," Malcolm's mouth dropped open.
"Hey, guys," I grinned as I approached the three, opening up my locker. "Long time, no see."
"Y-Yeah," Andre stammered, looking a bit nervous. "You look different, Flower."
"As in...?"
"As in you look hot as fudge," Malcolm whistled. "What'd you do to yourself?"
"Nothing much. I just got my eyebrows waxed, got my hair braided, got my nails done, wore a bit of makeup, put on a crop top, swapped out my usual sweatpants for a pair of jeans, and bam!" I wiggled my eyebrows. "What do you think?"
Malcolm blinked. "I think you should wear jeans more often."
I was about to reprimand him, but fortunately, Elias did so for me.
"Have some respect," Elias scowled, slapping the back of Malcolm's head.
"Ouch!" Malcolm howled. "It was just a compliment. Sorry, Daisy. What I really meant to say was: damn girl, I didn't know you had ass!"
This earned him another slap from Elias.
"Hey!" Malcolm wailed.
"You deserved that," Andre pointed out.
"Oh, there you go again, inserting your big head where it doesn't belongâ"
The three began to argue back and forth. Stifling a chuckle, I flicked my long, knotless braids behind my back before closing my locker and walking away.
During my journey down the hallway, I was suddenly stopped by a tap on my shoulder.
"What's up, shorty?" a darkskin guy with waves on his hair approached me.
"Hi, Xavier," I politely smiled.
"Oh, so you already know my name? I see how it is, new girl," he confidently nodded, turning around to fist bump his friends, who encouraged him from behind.
I cleared my throat. "Um, Xavier. It's me, Daisy. You've known me since preschool."
His expression dropped. "Wait, what? Daisy Johnson? I thought you died!"
"No, I'm alive and well," I blinked. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
I maneuvered around the group of boys. Xavier was the first to ogle at me today, although he certainly wasn't the last. By second period, I'd already had three different guys approach me, and ten girls compliment in the hallsâyes, I was keeping track. It appeared Chelsea's plan to give me a makeover had worked. I'd never received this much attention before, and admittedly, it was doing well to restore my confidence.
"Andre, do me a favor," I boredly whispered from my seat next to Andre in our second period biology class.
"Yes, Flower?"
"Take this pencil from my hand before I stab my ears with it," I groaned, tired of hearing our teacher drone on about cellular functions.
"That's... disturbing. But, sure," Andre slowly grabbed the pencil from my hand.
"Thanks, Andre. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Do you really mean that?"
"Of course," I chuckled, "you're one of my best friends."
He looked away. "Yeah."
I sat up straighter as realization dawned on me. "Oh, I almost forgot! Andre, I can't possibly thank you enough for paying off my bills for me. You've truly lifted a massive weight off my shoulders."
"What?" he appeared confused.
"You don't have to play dumb. My landlord called me a few days ago. He told me that someone anonymously paid my bills and rent for me. I can only think of one person that's rich and kind enough to do something like that. Hint, he's sitting right next to me," I sincerely placed my hand atop his. "You're an amazing friend, Andre, and I promise I'll repay you in the future."
"O-Oh, um, yeah, it was no problem," Andre stiffly nodded, his dreads moving with him.
I gave him a weird look. For some strange reason, he looked almost... guilty. Nonetheless, we exchanged smiles before facing the front of the classroom once more.
*****
The next day at school, I'd been sitting in my first period English class when an announcement blared throughout the PA system.
"Daisy Johnson, to the principal's office, Daisy Johnson," voiced one of the secretaries.
"Ooh, someone's in trouble," Malcolm immaturely teased, to which I playfully rolled my eyes.
From the front of the classroom, my teacher beckoned me to go. Confused, I stood up from my chair and began to head over to the principal's office. As I completed the short walk to the office, I raked my brain for what I could have possibly done to wind myself into trouble. However, I couldn't think of anything. I mean, my attendance was pretty good, and so were my grades for that matter.
It appeared that I was going to find out soon enough, because I'd finally arrived at the office. Slowly approaching one of the secretaries, I tentatively spoke. "Hello, I was called down to the principal's office?"
"Ah yes," the elderly woman said, peering at me above her glasses. "You can head on in. She's waiting for you inside."
I thanked the secretary before cautiously opening the door to the principal's office.
"Principal Weathers," I politely greeted the woman, "you called?"
"Ah, yes, Ms. Johnson," the principal warmly greeted me. "I'd like for you to meet my nephew, Benjamin."
With surprise, I realized that we were not the only two in the room. There was a guy, who appeared to be my age, sitting in one of the chairs. Benjamin had a mixed complexion, and a head of brown, curly hair. Upon the introduction, Benjamin stood up to shake my hand. He was tall.
Not as tall as Elias, a voice in my head sneered. Wait, what did Elias have to do with this?
"Benjamin's just transferred to Oakland High," the principal continued, "and I was wondering if you'd like to give him a tour of the school."
That's what all this was about? "Yes, of course," I said.
"Great," beamed the principal, "I figured, what better student to show him around than you, who's got straight As, is captain of the debate team, and has a squeaky clean record! Anyways, I'll leave the pair of you to it."
With a polite farewell, I guided Benjamin out of the office and began the tour.
"So..." I offhandedly murmured, "what grade are you in?"
"Twelfth," Benjamin replied.
"Hmm, isn't it a little bit late to be transferring schools?" I inquired.
"I got expelled," he admitted. "Let's just say, they don't like it when you pull pranks on freshmen."
I slightly snorted. "Sounds like a few people I know."
"Really? Who?"
"My best friends," I replied, "they just transferred to this school a few months ago because they got expelled. Clearly, Benjamin, you guys have all got the same rebellious spark."
"Call me Ben," he cast me a leisurely smile, revealing a set of pearly whites, "and just so you know, I'm nothing like the other guys."
"Okay, Ben," I grinned in amusement. "So, how many times has that line actually worked?"
Ben looked taken aback by my question, before he began to chuckle. "I like you," he decided. "Let's be friends. What was your name again?"
I glanced up at him as we walked, and replied after a brief pause.
"It's Daisy," I confidently said, "Daisy Johnson."
*****
QOTD: how many piercings do you have?
AOTD: five in total
An early update, shocking I know! What do you guys think of the new guy? Do you think he's gonna stir up some trouble for us?
School starts again tomorrow ugh I could cry. Anyways, hope you liked this chapter! Next one will be out in a few days.
Love, Emmanuela
03/19/2023