ALEX'S POV

My morning classes ended faster than I could realise.
    I hadn't heard a thing in the two lectures, the pain in my abdomen was killing me slowly.
        Stew was waiting for me at the car. "So, where we going?" he asked opening the driver's door.
  I bit back the pain inside me. "Um...where do you want to go?"
          Stew laughed raking a hand in his curls. "I don't know man. You seem so off today... Have you been thinking about my sis-" "Cut the crap Stew. I haven't seen her all day and she won't pick my calls."
    "Can you blame her? After what you did and said the other day."

I scowled at him. "She's old enough to think for herself man. Why do you always treat her like some kid?"
    Stew laughed starting the car. "Okay, you can go look for her if you want to."

I dumped my books on his lap and shut the door. "Don't be reckless Stew. I'll meet you at the house." "Whatever man. Just don't hurt her today."

     Just as Windy had said, The quiet female was seated alone in the park near the shimmering lake.
Her eyes were permanently fixed on the glorious view displayed. But not for long.

   They shot up to me as I sat beside her still figure.
"You!"
"Yes. Missed me?"
     "Oh yes, missed you like crazy," she replied, half in jest.

I chuckled, throwing my eyes lazily at the water. "So this is where you come to get away from the world?"
   "Well, not really. My get-away spot is much better."

     The sharp nibbling pain cut once more through my stomach. I pressed it back in, avoiding a traitorous groan.
  "Hey!" Daisy cried. "Are you alright?"
Our eyes met. And I could see concern in them. Why did she care? All there was between us was pure attraction and repulsion.
 
     "Will you please never ask me that question, ever?"
  "I...I just... Okay." She breathed looking diminished. And it stung to have done that to her.
"Look Daisy-" "Please don't explain anything. I get that you aren't so open and all that. Especially not with a girl like me."
    My brows met.
"Why would you say that. Come on Daisy! There's nothing wrong about you."

She gave an ironic chuckle, returning her gray pools to the calm lake.
   The grass, green as always, short like a carpet, provided enough spots for all kinds of people to sit and have some quiet time.
But not us.
 
"You only want me to prove a point to yourself Alex. All those heart-melting words you poured to the public the other day were all lies."
    "Not all of them."
"That's the point Alex. Can't you see what you're doing to me? You're wrecking my life. Who would try dating me after the threats you made?"
    "Only an insane one," I joked.
But there was no laugh from her end..."What's so bad about dating me Daisy? Are you afraid that I'll break your hurt? Or is it that my reputation scares you?"
    
   A look of guilt corrupted her beautiful face... And the message was home.
  "Both actually. Then there's your crazy ex... And I'm sure you don't like me Alex. We both know you don't."

         "Why do you think you know me Daisy?" I've never felt so crossed in my life. She seemed like she had answers to my life puzzles. Like she knew who I really was. But in truth, Daisy knew nothing about me. Only thought what I portrayed to the world was who I was in the inside.

     "I agree, I don't know much about you Alex, but I don't want to risk my life diving in the deeper new ocean," she said softly. And I wanted to take her hand and assure her that the waters were safe to dive in. That I'd hold her till we were on the other side of the sea.
     But, I was just never good with emotions. Not good at giving assurances when a heart would be involved.
          Especially, not Daisy's.

"It's okay Daisy, I understand. But, can we now be friends? It's the least I can be to you."
    She smiled taking my hand to place a kiss on the back of it.

"That's better... Maybe we can hang out sometimes as we get to know each other."
    I chuckled honestly.
How could such a simple girl bring down my ego? How had she managed to have me begging to be part of her life?

Alexandra McClain never asked for anything. He just took things and set them aside after using them.
   But Daisyln Jenner had changed that in such a short period.
*          *        *

Mom was waiting for me outside Dr Bruce's office.
   Her worried face struck me with surprise. "Oh Alex!" She sighed throwing arms around me. I bent to hug her short frame. "Why are you here mom?"

     "What a silly question Alex. I'm your mother, I'm supposed to be here."
We created a gap between us before studying each other. It'd been three years since I last saw her. Three years since she left dad and married another guy. Yet the pain and anger still lived inside me.
"My duty is not only sending you money and buying you expensive things honey, I care about you."

       I heard myself laugh.
The urge to question her thrilled like a command, but the sight of Daisy walking to us held me back.
  She followed my gaze.
"What the... Is that your new girlfriend?"
       "What? No!"

Daisy smiled politely stopping by my side. "She's Daisy, a very close friend. Daisy, meet...my mother." I said the last word with such difficulty.
      "Nice to meet you Mrs McClain."
Mom's eye twitched at the mention of the name. She was Mrs Bold. The name McClain had been buried three years back.
    "It's Mrs Bold Daisy," she corrected shaking her hand.

  Daisy shot me a confused glimpse.

      "Anyway, Alex, can I talk to you...alone?"
I breathed, feeling very irate.
  "Excuse us Daisy. But don't go anywhere."

I followed mom to stand at a distance. As she asked questions and I struggled to answer without yelling, my eyes remained on Daisy.
   "Alex!" Mom snapped. "Are you even listening to me?"

Control. Control.
    "Yes mom, you were talking about spending summer at your ranch."
She smiled cupping my jaw. "I'll be delighted if you could visit Alex."
    No. I wouldn't leave Daisy, or Stew.
"Mom!" I peeled the hand off my face to hold it in mine. "That sounds like a great idea. But I have two people I cannot leave. They've made my miserable life worth it when you chose to leave."

       A tear rolled down her cheek. "When will you ever forgive me?"
She sobbed.
  "I forgave you mom. But I can't come."
"Okay then. Why don't you invite them too."