DAISY

"YOU CAN'T DESPISE WHAT'S ALREADY DEAD"

Those words worked their way through successfully, spreading precisely what Kaiser had intended: anguish.

I felt like I had taken a wrong turn, like I was crashing a party to which I wasn't invited.

The entire night was spent in distress. I couldn't believe how the universe could be so cruel, placing me right next to the people who once meant everything to me but have now become incredibly complicated.

Never did I imagine such hell. My whole life, I had always doubted I would see him again. It had been long, painful years without him, yet I clung to a small hope of meeting him someday. I became a loner, focusing on writing back to Riley.

Only I suppose, time changes people, and it had surely changed my best friend.

I don't know who he has grown into, but I am acutely aware of the strong barrier he has built between us.

Was it necessary? Why is he so angry?

As far as I remember, the last time I saw him, everything was fine.

He drew me a moon, and I colored it with his water paints. That day, his mother didn't disappear as we used to believe. She was at home like mine was all the time, wearing a maroon knee-length dress and tying her hair into a ponytail. She baked fresh chocolate brownies with nuts and chocolate chips. I can still mentally taste those brownies—any thought I have of Kaiser brings them to mind. I remember eating the snack under the dining table, just as we always did when we didn't want to be found.

I still hold on to that memory, perhaps because it was the last time I saw Kay before we parted ways.

Now, I am baffled by his unfamiliar behavior. What could I have possibly done to make him hate me after all these years? Honestly, I expected us to catch up on what we had missed the moment I saw him in the kitchen on my first night here.

I lay back on the bed, disinterested in the TV playing in the living room. I should rest, but living here has made REST elusive.

The walls seem to be closing in on me. I wanted to leave the building before my breathing stops. However, leaving means navigating the downstairs floor, which I lack the courage to traverse, especially with Kaiser and Riley's bedroom down there. I'm sure he's somewhere around, waiting to dump his anger on me.

Kaiser and Riley's.
Strange! Even harder to process and believe.

Closing my eyes, I realize my only option for safety is staying here like a prisoner.

The door slowly creaks open. Startled, my eyes pop open.

I see Riley peeping through the half-open door. She smiles when she notices I'm awake and walks in. "Hey, you're awake."

Of course, I am; it's eleven in the morning. And it's not surprising, given that I was awake all night discovering that my best friend and childhood crush are living together, snuggling in bed for years.

"Yes!" I force a small smile.

"KC is back; he's sleeping," she informs me.

This morning, when she woke up and found him missing, she grew worried. She texted and called everyone she could think of but found no news. Eventually, Riley drove out to search for him.

I wanted to tell her why he left, to explain how much he hates having me here, but for some reason, I wasn't strong enough.

"Cool," I mumble.

I fix my gaze on the ceiling before shutting my eyes again. I couldn't look at her. I wasn't sure how I felt about her either. She was my best friend, innocent and generous, unaware of the history between Kaiser and me. She had all the intentions of supporting me in achieving a dream I thought was out of reach. I'm not ready to let go of our friendship, now that it feels like it was meant to be. But with Kaiser around her, in the same building—it's just too much to bear.

I felt the sheet rustling beside me as her voice broke the silence. "Missing home already?"

"Yes," I lie.

"Come on, let's go grab some things medical students need. It'll cheer you up."

"I've already ordered everything online. The delivery will be here tomorrow," I inform her.

"That's helpful. But I'd say we're not sitting here all day. Given that my boyfriend is wasted and you're bored out of your mind, we need some girl time. So, let's go shopping."

I open my eyes and turn my head to meet Riley's smiling face. "Riley, my savings are only for food and other essentials right now."

"For one, you don't have to worry about providing for the kitchen—I'll take care of that. And for two, the same goes for shopping. So get up and let's go," she urges, standing up.

"I don't want to be a burden," I stammer.

"What?" Riley's eyes narrow, and her brows knit together. "I'm not doing the 'no, you're not' thing with you. You're my best friend, and it's time we had some fun together." Without waiting for my response, she pulls me up.

With a resigned sigh, I force a smile, realizing I have no choice but to agree.

I believe that's why we're here—to bond.

I gather my hair into a quick ponytail and tie it with a band.

"Let's get going," I shrug.

Riley had changed into a tracksuit and styled her hair similarly by the time we reached a red Mustang in the garage, which I assume is hers.

The ride was surprisingly relaxing. Yes, I needed to get out of that building.

Our carpooling as we stopped at different stores for various girl things lifted my spirits. Riley and I share the same taste in music, which made the long drive more enjoyable.

We finished gathering what we needed, or at least what Riley thought we needed. By the time we stopped at an elegant restaurant for lunch, the car was loaded with bags.

"This place is spectacular—peaceful and ritzy. I come here often to clear my head," Riley says, resting her elbows on the table and propping her head up with her hands.

My eyes take in the sophisticated outdoor setting, adorned with lights, curtains, and exquisitely organized tables.

"Water?" I ask when our orders arrive.

"It's healthy," she replies, her eyes challenging me not to question her choice.

"You're eating a dish full of protein. That's healthy enough," I point out.

Riley has been a vegetarian since childhood. Sometimes I wonder how she resists the other tempting dishes out there.

She glances at her phone on the table before looking back at me. "That's why I need water. It's like building a wall with fragile blocks or even cemented blocks until it reaches a certain height. When you add a single steel block, it won't cause harm, but once you add something heavier, your wall collapses."

"That's well said but still doesn't explain why you don't drink anything."

"I told you, I don't do drinks."

"That can't be. Everyone loves drinks. There are different flavored juices, coffees, and countless beverages the universe has graciously provided."

She exhales a laugh and chews her salad. "Well, technically, I'm an alien."

"Hmm." I peered at her suspiciously until she lets out a defeated sigh, signaling she's ready to share.

"There was this club that kids from my high school went to every weekend."

"Nighters?" I recall reading about it in one or two letters she had written.

"Nighters!" She repeats, frowning as she focuses on her salad. "I had always wanted to go there. So, one night, with my parents being their usual selves, I decided to escape. I walked until I found myself outside the nightclub."

"No way, how did I not know about your first club experience?" I lean forward, excitedly staring at her.

"Actually, it wasn't my proudest moment. I was embarrassed to tell the story. Some seniors who knew the security guard got me in despite my age, slipped something into my drink. I could see everything but couldn't move. I almost lost my virginity to four boys that night."