Daisy's Code Novel by Amelia Bennett

Yvonne, a dancer with college dreams, was now hobbling on an ankle that looked like it had gone a round with a soccer ball. Her usual top-notch grades and nimble moves could’ve earned her a spot at a top university, but now her future was up in the air.

“Ms. Levine, check this out! Daisy totally stomped on my foot!” Yvonne winced, pointing to her ankle, which was turning colors no one wanted to see.

Sherry’s face clouded over as she took in the scene. “Daisy, that’s enough. Get out. We don’t roll like that here.”

But Emma wasn’t having it. She popped up from her seat, her voice cutting through the tension. “Ms. Levine, you’re not seeing the whole story. Yvonne was trying to throw Daisy off her game.”

Sherry was resolute and didn’t say anything.

Daisy, though, was cool as a cucumber. She gave Emma a little nudge back into her seat, then sauntered out of the room like she owned the place.

Laura, with a sly grin, chimed in, “Sorry, Ms. Levine, she’s still learning the ropes. I’ll pass it on to Daisy.”

Sherry, now even more determined to maintain order, compared Daisy’s actions to Laura’s seemingly more compliant demeanor, further solidifying her disapproval.

Yvonne, sensing the teacher’s bias, played up her victim role. “Ms. Levine, isn’t Daisy’s attitude just too much?”

Sherry was already shaking her head, her patience wearing thin. “Enough is enough. Let’s get this class underway.”

The classroom felt like a stuffy old attic, but Daisy was hit with the sweet taste of liberty. Fresh to Narston High, she opted for a casual tour, ending up at the convenience store by the sports field.

Beside the store, an old-timer tree spread its branches wide, casting a cool shade where a table and chairs gathered. Daisy zeroed in on the spot, flopping into a chair and fidgeting with her fingers, boredom written all over her face.

The sun was in a giving mood, casting a drowsy spell that Daisy couldn’t resist. She was just drifting off when Harley spotted her.

He did a double-take, then, after confirming she was the one Lance had mentioned, he sneaked out his phone with a mischievous glint.

“Hey, Lance,” Harley greeted, his tone dri ng with playfulness.

Lance’s response was a mix of annoyance and curiosity. “What gives? If it’s nothing. I’m hanging up.

Harley, sensing the calls premature end, blurted. Wait, guess who’s catching some Z’s by the store? But Lance wasn’t in the mood for guessing games and disconnected.

The dial tone hummed in Harley’s ear, and he stared at his phone, taken aback by the “Call Ended” message. Undeterred, he redialedProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Lance, hold on, let me explain? Harley said, gelieved by the silence on the other end. “I’m at the school gate…

But the call was cut short again, leaving Harley to glare at his phone, as if it had betrayed him. He grumbled, “What’s up with Lance? Did he get a bad case of the Monday

Later’s voice echoed behind him, “Bad case of the Mondays? I didn’t know I had one,

Guess that macam no bonus for you this mosdn.

Harley marmer, bus face a mix of shock and damay at the bonus talk. He switched to charm mode, completing Lance with a file “Lance, you’re the definition of wave

and diebron..”

“Donagh, or adli the two saonths bemus Lance cut him off, moving to the tree and sining beside Duis. A soft smile played on his lips as he watched her sleep.

Harley, sulll neefing from the bonus bomb, seed to see Lance’s tender side.

It was a me sight, and for a moment, Harley is the sting of his bonus loss was a fair trade. He query took out has phone and wrapped a photo of the two, the flash

molly standing Dansy awake

She rubbed her eyes, looking up at Lance, he gaze meeting his in a captured moment.

Harley looked at the picture Lance and Daisy, a picture-perfect couple. But when he glanced up, he saw Lance’s face, a blend of surprise and a hint of something more.

“Uh. I’ve got some errands to run. You two enjoy Harley said, backing away. Once out of sight, he turned and sprinted off his laughter echoing in the distance.

Daisy’s mind sharpened after Harley’s departure. She glanced at the person next to her. who was sprawled lazily across the table: “What brings you here?” she asked, her tone light.

Lance, with a playful smirk, mimicked her relaxed posture. Their eyes locked, and at that moment, he saw his reflection in her gaze. “I own this place,” he stated, matter-of- factly.

Daisy was genuinely surprised. She’d assumed he was joking, but here he was, the proprietor of the shop. Her surprise turned her ‘Oh’ into an elongated, curious sound.

An unspoken understanding passed between them, a tranquil silence that felt just right.

Lance glanced at his watch and noted the time. “Shouldn’t you be in school at this hour?” he inquired..

Daisy made a face, her voice tinged with annoyance. “The place is a buzzkill. My teacher is all about status, and the students are just plain mean. No one’s friendly, so I left.”

His lips twitched into a smile at her candid complaint. “School can be tough, but that’s all the more reason to study hard. Show them what you’re made of,” he encouraged, a protective edge to his voice.

Daisy met his gaze with a defiant glint. “I could outshine them even if I don’t study,” she asserted.

“I have no doubt,” Lance replied, his tone gentle as he reached out to ruffle her hair, a gesture that felt almost paternal.

Daisy wasn’t having it. She batted his hand away with a playful scowl. “You don’t really believe in me, do you?”

Around Lance, Daisy’s demeanor shifted to something more childlike. She voiced her grievances openly and wasn’t shy about engaging in a light-hearted tiff.

“I do believe in you,” Lance insisted, his expression softening. “You’re my first customer here. What can I get for you? It’s on the house.”

Feeling a bit put off by his condescension, Daisy strode over to the shelves and picked out an assortment of snacks.

At that moment, Harley sent the photo to Lance’s phone. [The photo’s on me, no thanks needed.] Harley’s message teased, adding a touch of levity to the situation.