The following day at school, I was placing my binders into my locker when a figure suddenly leaned on the locker next to me.
"Hello, Daisy," Malcolm beamed at me.
"What do you want?" I cast him a suspicious look as I closed my locker.
"You wound me," he dramatically clutched his heart. "Can't I just spend some time with my friend without having an ulterior motive?"
"Have you met yourself?"
He childishly stuck out his tongue before wheeling me in the direction of the cafeteria.
"No way," I spun around. "I'd rather die than spend lunch in the cafeteria."
"Where do you usually spend lunch?"
"Depends. Some days, I just lock myself in the washroom. Although, if the smell's really bad, which it is most of the time, then I head to the library and have lunch with Mrs. Janice."
"Wow, that's so... wow," he smiled, though it looked more like a grimace.
"Sad, I know," I said cheerfully. "Welp, I best be off."
"Ah ah ah, not today," Malcolm grinned. "I think it's time I formally introduce you to Elias and Andre."
"I don't know about thaâ"
"Too late."
He opened the door to the cafeteria and dragged me in.
"Malcolm, I really don't think this is a good idea."
If Malcolm heard me, which I was certain he did, he didn't let it show. We reached the table, which was conveniently in the center of the cafeteria. Andre had previously been placing a forkful of salad into his mouth, though he froze when his eyes landed on me.
"Andre," Malcolm grinned once we reached the table, "this is Daisy!"
"Yeah, Malcolm, I know," Andre slowly spoke. "We've already met."
"Great, no need for introductions then!" he beamed before making me sit down. "Where's Elias?"
"He should be here any second now," Andre said, casting me a wary look. "And he's not gonna be happy to see her."
Malcolm was not deterred, in fact he gave a wide grin. "Speak of the devil."
Elias came strolling into the cafeteria. He appeared to be moving in slow motion, with his dark, tousled hair being blown by the wind. Eyes immediately followed him, and excited whispers erupted throughout the cafeteria. I rolled my eyes, refusing to indulge in the stupid cliche. His sharp jaw was clenched as his hooded eyes were trained on one thing, and one thing onlyâme.
"You're in my seat," he growled, arriving to a pit stop in front of me.
I quirked a brow and looked around, feigning confusion. "I don't see your name anywhere."
He darkly chuckled, though there was no amusement evident on his face. "You think you're funny?"
"Of course I do," I replied, much to his dismay.
Without waiting for me to move over, he sat down, giving me no choice but to huff and scoot over.
"Why is she here?" Elias demanded the other two.
"Don't look at me," Andre raised his arms.
"Relax," Malcom said, "I invited her to sit with us."
"I don't want her here."
"I'm sitting right next to you!" I exclaimed. Elias acted as though he could not hear me.
I promptly got up. "You know what? Clearly, I'm not wanted here."
"Glad she got one thing right," Elias murmured, loud enough for me to hear.
"Asshole," I scoffed.
His eyes darkened, and even Andre's eyes widened. It was clear Elias wasn't used to people talking back to him. Frankly, I wasn't sure where my sudden boldness was coming from. He seemed to ignite a foreign anger within me.
Without another word, I grabbed my bag and stormed away.
"Wait, Daisy!" Malcolm called after me.
I continued walking without looking back. I did feel a little bad, as Malcolm hadn't done anything wrong. However, I didn't want to be around his friends for another second.
As I left the cafeteria and walked through the halls, I was so upset that I hadn't realized someone was following me. That was, of course, until my body was slammed into the lockers. I gasped, though I wasn't surprised when I saw that it was Anthony. Uncomfortable at our close proximity, I took a step away from him. However, he caged me in between his arms.
"Would you look who it is," his hot breath fanned my face. "Crazy. Or, I guess I should start calling you Daisy now. Wouldn't want to make your little boyfriend upset again."
He was referring to Malcolm. I was silent.
"No, but really. What'd you offer him to be friends with you? Because we both know that no one would willinglyâ"
"Get away from her!" Malcolm barked, storming in our direction.
Anthony gave me a haughty look before innocently raising his arms. "Relax. We were just having a little talk. Right, Daisy?"
I didn't like the way he said my name so patronizingly. It was almost worse than when he called me Crazy.
Nonetheless, I gave a small nod and looked at the ground.
"See?" Anthony smirked at my obedience, knowing I would never be bold enough to disagree with him. "Anyways, I'd better be off. Don't worry, Daisy. We'll have another chat soon."
With that, he was gone. My shoulders visibly relaxed once he left.
Malcolm silently inspected me.
"W-Why are you here?" I asked, my voice quiet and shaky.
"Just came to give you back your phone. You left it at the table." He handed it to me.
I weakly grabbed it from him. "Thanks."
The air was tense. I waited for him to leave, hoping he would not mention the little scenario he'd walked in on. Although, deep down, I knew he would.
"I don't understand," Malcolm admitted.
"What?"
"It's like you're two different people. One moment, you're this tough girl who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Really, I've never seen anyone talk to Elias the way you just did. And then, the next moment, you let himâall of them, for that matterâwalk all over you."
"I don't let them do anything," I shook my head. "You just don't get it."
For some reason, Malcolm looked sad. It was as though he could see right through the tough facade that I put up for him and the guys. Underneath, I was just a damaged girl who had been bullied and hurt one too many times.
"I guess I don't," he frowned. "Whatever. I'll see you later, Daisy."
"Right. Goodbye," I muttered before slowly heading over to the library.
Unfortunately, my favourite librarian, Mrs. Janice, wasn't in today, meaning I had to spend lunch alone.
As I sat down at an empty table next to the bookshelves, I couldn't help but feel as though I'd disappointed Malcolm. But why? Ugh. This whole friendship thing was so confusing. Couldn't I just go back to being a loner again? At least that way, I couldn't disappoint anyone.
"I can't believe I just said that," I murmured to my thoughts before facepalming. "Great, and now I'm talking to myself. Now I get why they call me crazy."
"All the best people are."
I shrieked, just to be immediately shushed by a librarian.
"My bad," I whisper-yelled, before swivelling around to see who had spoken to me.
It was a red-haired girl, whose tanned skin was littered with faint freckles. I didn't recognize her from anywhere. At my confused look, she sat down in front of me.
"Sorry, I just couldn't help but overhear your conversation with, well, yourself. I was quoting Alice in Wonderland. Y'know, that one part where Mad Hatterâ"
"I get it," I cut her off.
She gave me a small smile. "Right, sorry."
She got up, though I quickly stopped her. "No! You can sit hereâI mean, if you want."
She beamed, as if she was excited to be with me. Clearly she was new to Oakland High, because everyone at this school avoided me like the plague.
"Thanks," the ginger said. "Sorry if I'm disturbing you from studying."
"I'm not studying."
"Oh. Sorry."
"You say sorry a lot."
"Sorry."
We shared a look before she giggled. "That one was on purpose. Anyways, I'm Ruby."
"Really? That's soâ"
"Stupid, I know," she looked embarrassed. "I don't know what my parents were thinking."
"I was gonna say it's cool, but stupid works too," I shrugged. She giggled, although I wasn't trying to be funny.
"What's your name?" Ruby inquired.
A small smile bloomed on my face. "Daisy."
And that, ladies and gentlemen, was the start of a... peculiar friendship.
*****
I'm on such a roll with these daily updates.
For anyone wondering, I aced my interview and got the hostess job, I'm so happy!
QOTD: what's the last song you listened to?
AOTD: love by rihanna
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Love, Emmanuela<3
12/17/2022