XLII

The rest of history class dragged on, but Danielle barely paid attention. Cory Matthews was rambling about something—probably another life lesson disguised as a history lecture—but her focus kept shifting back to her phone.

Maya wanted to talk.

That could mean a lot of things. None of them felt particularly good.

She caught Lilianna and Brooklyn glancing at her every so often, smirks on their faces like they knew something she didn't. She ignored them.

When the bell rang, Danielle was one of the first out of her seat, slinging her bag over her shoulder and making her way out of the classroom.

"You gonna tell us what that text was about?" Brooklyn asked, falling into step beside her.

"Nope."

"You're no fun."

Danielle smirked but didn't reply.

The rest of the school day passed in a blur. Even cheer practice, which usually helped her clear her head, didn't distract her the way it should have. And when the final bell rang, she found herself lingering near her locker longer than necessary, stalling.

But eventually, she pushed herself toward the front doors, stepping outside to scan the crowd.

It didn't take long to spot Maya.

She was leaning against the side of the school building, arms crossed, watching Danielle like she'd been waiting for her.

Danielle took a breath, steeling herself, before making her way over.

"Okay, Princess," she said, stopping in front of her. "What did you want to talk about?"

"So, you and William are done," Maya stated rather than asked, her arms crossed.

Danielle didn't even look up. "You already knew that."

"Yeah, but I wanted to hear you say it."

Danielle let out a short laugh, finally glancing at her. "Why? So you can say 'I told you so'?"

Maya smirked. "No, I just like being right."

Danielle rolled her eyes but played along. "Fine. We're done. Happy?"

Maya shrugged. "I guess. You never actually liked him, though, did you?"

Danielle hesitated for a second before sighing. "Not really."

Maya hummed knowingly. "Figures."

Danielle tilted her head. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Maya shot her a look. "It means you don't do things unless they benefit you. And dating William? That was about your reputation, not about him."

Danielle clenched her jaw, knowing Maya wasn't wrong but refusing to admit it. "And what? You think you know me now?"

Maya grinned, stepping back. "Not yet. But I think I'm starting to." She turned to leave, throwing a casual "See you later, Duchess." over her shoulder.

Danielle stayed where she was, staring after her, before shaking her head and tucking her phone into her pocket. "Annoying," she muttered to herself, walking to the car park. But for some reason, she was smirking.

Danielle found herself more on edge than usual. Maybe it was Maya's words lingering in her head, or maybe it was the fact that, for the first time in a while, she didn't have the safety net of William to fall back on. Either way, she didn't like it.

By the time she had reached her car, Lilianna and Brooklyn were leaning against the door.

"Stand up straight before you're on the ground." She warned as both girls stood up properly standing up straight.

"So," Brooklyn started as she picked at her nails, pretending to be interested. "How does it feel to be single again?"

Danielle scoffed. "What kind of question is that?"

"A valid one," Lilianna chimed in, smirking. "I mean, you and William were a thing for a while. And now, suddenly, you're not. No mourning period? No regrets?"

Danielle took a look around them before answering. "It was never that deep."

Brooklyn raised a brow. "William might not see it that way."

Danielle sighed, glancing across the car park where William was with the football team. He seemed fine, laughing at something one of his teammates said. That was good. That meant she didn't have to feel guilty.

"He knew what this was," she muttered, turning back to her friends. "We're still cool."

Lilianna studied her for a moment before her lips curled into a smirk. "So... does this mean you're finally gonna deal with your little Maya problem?"

Danielle rolled her eyes, unlocking her car. "I don't have a Maya problem."

"You do," Brooklyn corrected. "And honestly, it's entertaining to watch. She gets under your skin like no one else."

Lilianna grinned. "So, who's the next guy on your list? Or are you finally gonna admit you have... other interests?"

Danielle shot her a look. "I don't need a 'next guy.'"

Lilianna smirked, knowing her friend since they were younger, "Next girl?"

Brooklyn laughed. "Please, you don't do 'single.'"

Danielle rolled her eyes, ignoring them and going to the drivers side.

Lilianna nudged her foot. "Just saying, if you ever decide to stop lying to yourself, we're here for you."

Danielle ignored her, but her grip tightened around her handle. "I'll see you two later."

Her friends walked away probably to their own cars, as Danielle settled in the car.

Danielle sat in her car, gripping the steering wheel tightly as she stared out at the school parking lot. Her phone sat face-up on the passenger seat, buzzing with messages she didn't feel like answering.

She exhaled slowly, tapping her fingers against the wheel. She had no real reason to be sitting here, but for some reason, she wasn't ready to drive off just yet.

Her mind replayed the conversation she just had. Lilianna and Brooklyn were wrong—Maya didn't get under her skin. Maya was just... Maya. Annoying. Persistent. Infuriating.

And yet, here she was, thinking about her.

Danielle groaned, leaning back against the headrest. She needed a distraction. Reaching for her phone, she scrolled through her notifications before settling on one from Izzy.

Busy Izzy

You coming home or you just gonna sit in your car and brood?

Danielle rolled her eyes but smirked slightly. Of course, Izzy would know.

Elle

I don't brood.

Busy Izzy

You do. It's kinda your thing. That and pretending you don't have feelings.

Danielle scoffed. Typical.

Shaking her head, she started the car. Whatever this was—whatever was messing with her head—she'd deal with it later. Right now, she just needed to get home.

Danielle drove home with the music blasting, letting the bass shake the thoughts out of her head. By the time she pulled into the driveway, she felt more like herself—collected, composed, untouchable.

She grabbed her bag and stepped inside, immediately met with the scent of something cooking. Izzy was in the kitchen, stirring a pot on the stove, glancing over her shoulder as Danielle walked in.

"Look who finally decided to stop brooding in the car," Izzy teased, turning down the heat.

Danielle rolled her eyes as she set her things down. "I wasn't brooding. I was just... thinking."

Izzy gave her a pointed look. "Uh-huh. And what were you thinking about?"

"Nothing important," Danielle deflected, heading for the fridge to grab a water bottle.

Izzy hummed knowingly. "Maya?"

Danielle choked on her water, coughing as Izzy smirked at her reaction.

"Wow. That was way too easy," Izzy laughed, leaning against the counter. "So? What happened?"

Danielle wiped her mouth, glaring at her aunt. "Nothing. She's just—" She hesitated before shaking her head. "Forget it."

Izzy raised an eyebrow. "You're really gonna stand there and act like she's not under your skin?"

Danielle sighed, running a hand through her hair. "She's just annoying. That's all."

"Right. And I'm a nun."

Danielle groaned. "Can we not do this?"

Izzy chuckled, turning back to her cooking. "Fine, fine. But just so you know—you've got that look, kid."

"What look?"

"The one that says you care more than you want to admit."

Danielle scoffed, shaking her head as she grabbed her bag and made her way upstairs. "You're imagining things, Iz."

"Sure I am," Izzy called after her. "Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart."

Danielle didn't dignify that with a response as she shut her bedroom door behind her. She tossed her bag onto the chair and flopped onto her bed, exhaling sharply.

Maybe Izzy was right. Maybe Maya was getting under her skin.

But that didn't mean anything.

It couldn't.

As Danielle lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, a knock on the door made her groan.

"What?" she called out.

Izzy pushed the door open, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed. "You know, it's been a while since you've been to the office."

Danielle blinked at her. "And?"

"And," Izzy continued, raising an eyebrow, "I thought maybe you'd wanna stop by. See how things are running. Remind everyone who the real boss is."

Danielle smirked slightly. "You mean you?"

Izzy grinned. "Damn right. But you're a close second."

Danielle exhaled, rolling onto her side. "I don't know. I've got school, cheer, and..."

"And nothing," Izzy cut in. "You're always talking about how you wanna be more involved. Consider this an invitation."

Danielle hesitated, then sat up. "You really want me to come in?"

"Of course," Izzy said, shrugging. "But only if you want to. No pressure.

Danielle considered it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah... okay. I'll come with you today."

"Good," Izzy said, satisfied. "And hey, if nothing else, it'll get your mind off a certain blonde."

Danielle groaned, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at her. Izzy just laughed, dodging it effortlessly as she left the room.

---

Danielle stood in front of her closet, staring at her clothes with mild disinterest. She hadn't been to the office in a while, and while she didn't need to impress anyone, she still wanted to look put together.

Behind her, Izzy leaned against the doorframe, watching with amusement. "You do know it's just the office, right? Not a fashion show?"

Danielle scoffed, pulling out a sleek black top and a fitted blazer. "Says the woman who walks in there like she owns the place."

"I do own the place," Izzy shot back with a smirk.

Danielle rolled her eyes, slipping on her outfit and quickly fixing her hair in the mirror. She opted for minimal makeup—just enough to look effortless. Once she was satisfied, she grabbed her phone and turned to Izzy. "Happy?"

Izzy gave her a once-over before nodding. "You look good, kid."

"Obviously," Danielle deadpanned, grabbing her bag. "Now, are we going or what?"

Izzy chuckled as she pushed off the wall and led the way out. "Let's go. Try not to scare any of the employees, yeah?"

Danielle smirked. "No promises."

With that, they headed out to the car, ready to make their way to the office.

The drive to the office was filled with Izzy's usual commentary about work, employees, and the never-ending battle of keeping things running smoothly. Danielle listened, half-engaged, while staring out the window, watching the city blur past.

When they pulled up to the office building, Danielle stepped out and stretched slightly before following Izzy inside. As soon as they walked through the glass doors, a few employees glanced their way, some offering polite nods, others whispering to each other. Danielle smirked—she had always gotten a reaction when she was here, and she didn't mind it one bit.

"You act like a celebrity," Izzy muttered under her breath as they made their way to the elevators.

Danielle shrugged. "I have that effect on people."

Izzy rolled her eyes, but there was amusement in her expression as she pressed the button for the executive floor. The ride up was quick, and when the doors opened, Danielle was greeted with the familiar sleek interior of Izzy's office space.

The receptionist, a woman named Leah, smiled brightly. "Haven't seen you in a while, Danielle."

"Yeah, been busy," Danielle replied, offering a small smirk as she leaned on the counter. "Figured I'd grace you all with my presence today."

Leah chuckled, shaking her head. "Always a pleasure."

Izzy placed a hand on Danielle's shoulder, nudging her toward the hallway. "Come on, you don't need to be flirting with my employees."

Danielle laughed but followed without argument. They made their way through the modern office space, past glass-walled conference rooms and private offices. A few people greeted Izzy as they passed, offering polite nods to Danielle as well.

When they finally reached Izzy's office, she pushed the door open and walked inside, tossing her bag onto the desk. Danielle followed, letting out a low whistle as she glanced around.

"Still as unnecessarily fancy as ever," she mused, flopping down onto the leather couch near the window.

Izzy smirked, sitting down at her desk. "Says the girl who lives in a mansion."

Danielle shrugged. "Can't argue with that."

Izzy opened her laptop, quickly checking a few emails before glancing back up at her niece. "So, what's new with you? Besides the obvious."

Danielle raised a brow. "The obvious?"

Izzy leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "You and William breaking up."

Danielle sighed, tilting her head back against the couch. "Right. That."

"You don't seem too torn up about it."

"I'm not." Danielle exhaled through her nose. "William's great, but we weren't... that."

Izzy hummed, studying her niece carefully. "And does this have anything to do with a certain blonde?"

Danielle scoffed, sitting up. "No."

Izzy smirked knowingly. "Sure."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "I swear, you and Lilianna get some kind of joy out of making up stories in your heads."

"Maybe," Izzy admitted. "But that doesn't mean we're wrong."

Danielle groaned, grabbing a decorative pillow and throwing it at her aunt, who caught it effortlessly. "Can we talk about literally anything else?"

Izzy laughed. "Fine. But only because I actually have work to do."

Danielle leaned back into the couch, letting the conversation drop—for now.

Danielle stretched out on the couch, watching as Izzy focused on her laptop. The steady rhythm of typing filled the office, and for a moment, she simply let herself relax. It wasn't often that she came here, but when she did, she always found it strangely peaceful. Maybe it was the hum of productivity, the quiet professionalism that contrasted so heavily with the chaos of high school.

After a few minutes, Izzy spoke up without looking away from her screen. "So, are you actually planning on doing anything while you're here, or are you just going to lounge on my couch all day?"

Danielle smirked. "Lounge. Obviously."

Izzy shook her head. "Figures." She typed something quickly before turning her attention back to Danielle. "I do have a few things you could help with, if you're up for it."

Danielle raised a brow. "Like?"

Izzy leaned back in her chair, tapping her pen against the desk. "There's a marketing team meeting in an hour. You could sit in, see how things work behind the scenes."

Danielle hesitated. "You mean sit in a room with a bunch of people talking business for an hour?"

Izzy gave her a pointed look. "You do realize this is your future, right?"

Danielle groaned, letting her head fall back against the couch. "Fine. But only because I love you."

Izzy chuckled. "Good. And because I love you, I won't make you take notes."

Danielle smirked. "See? You're my favorite."

Shaking her head fondly, Izzy turned her attention back to her laptop, while Danielle closed her eyes for a moment, preparing herself for whatever corporate nonsense awaited her.

---

A/N

Not checked over so apologies if there is any mistakes.

Btw one more chapter mentioning Riley's grades then we start on Mayas identity crisis then ski trip!!!!