Sitting in homeroom was especially awkward today. Well at least on my end.

I couldn't stop thinking about last night. How Ryan was so gentle and sweet to me. How I was actually leaning in to kiss him. Ugh, and don't even get me started on those heart fluttering butterflies.

Keeping my body facing the board, I ever so slightly turned my head to see the guy that was the culprit of my new blossoming feelings.

Ryan's eyes were down some, as he was taking notes. His beautiful, jet black hair flopping a bit with his movements. The subtle scent of his cologne wafted over to my nostrils, making me internally swoon. 

He looked fresh and awake, already at 8 am. Wow, I thought I was the only one who could pull off that level of hotness at such an early hour.

"Ryan, could you tell me what is another way to invest for a beginner?" Mr. Peterson asked.

"Well, another option would be to invest in low index funds. It would be especially helpful, giving that they have low fees to start off," Ryan calmly and confidently said.

Ugh, hot and intelligent too?! This man is like the ultimate male version of me.

My thoughts got cut off by that obnoxious bell ringing, signaling that class was over.

"Hey Daisy, got a sec?" Ryan turned to ask me.

"Sure," I smiled, putting my purse on my shoulder.

He averted his eyes slightly to the left before looking back at me. I could tell he was thinking something over in his head. He then gave a small smirk. "I was wondering if you-"

"Oh, hold that thought," I interrupted, as my phone started going off. 

I pulled it out of my bag to see an incoming facetime call from Gwen.

Wait, GWEN?! What is she calling me for at such an hour? Oh no, don't tell me the cat's out of the bag, and everyone back in the Hills found out that I'm now a fraud?! 

"Uhh, I'm so sorry Ryan but I really have to take this!" I scrambled as I quickly made my way out of the classroom.

My thoughts were rushing through my head. I knew I couldn't possibly answer the call here in this old, dingy building! I would be totally blowing my cover. So I hastily made my way to the gymnasium to go out the back. 

I sat at the single, blue bench underneath a tree outside. Fixing my hair gently, I caught my breath before answering the call. 

"Hiii Daisy!" Gwen and April cheerily dragged out simultaneously.

April. My other top close friend. Not that bright, but still a fun girl. We instantly hit it off when we met at the costume party of the year in 10th grade. She was dressed up as 'Baby One More Time' Britney, and I was dressed as 'Victoria Secret Angel' Tyra. 

With my iconic wings and her iconic blonde pigtails, we both took home the win of best costumes that night. It was the only time that I didn't mind sharing the spotlight either. We were both head turning fabulous that night.

"Hey guys. Uh, why are you calling so early?"

Based on their initial, cheery greeting, I figured that they haven't found out about my current status. I then relaxed a bit at the thought of my secret still being, well, a secret.

"See April! I told you we should have just reminded her later, like, at noon." Gwen said, rolling her eyes at the dirty blonde next to her.

"Um, remind me about what?" I asked in confusion.

April then took the phone in her hands. Her mascara coated, greenish blue eyes widened as she gasped. "Omg Daisy, I can't believe you forgot about my 18th birthday brunch on Saturday."

Oh yeah. Now I remember. April has been going on and on for months now about how she was going to celebrate her 18th birthday. 

"Daisy, you're supposed to be my shopping partner! We have to go shoe shopping today so I can have the perfect outfit!" She cried in the camera.

Sheesh, and people say I'm dramatic.

"Relax April, I just forgot for a short moment. I've had a lot going on," I rolled my eyes.

She wiped away the few stray tears that rolled down her pink dusted cheeks. "A lot going on with what?" She sniffed.

I bit my tongue, instantly regretting my last remark. 

Quick, Daisy, think of something!

"I already told you," Gwen turned her attention to April. "Daisy is homeschooled now."

"Uh, yeah! It's just been a really big adjustment," I added.

"Okay, well we'll pick you up after school ends to go shopping," April grinned.

My mood darkened in despair immensely. Going on shopping sprees used to be my favorite sport. The one thing that would get my blood pumping with excitement. The last time I swiped a credit card was two weeks ago! 

...And truth be told, I haven't been right since.

"Daisy? Daisy!"

"Huh, what?" I asked, getting shook out of my thoughts.

"Ugh, we asked if you wanted to go to Barneys or Saks?" Gwen said.

Barneys or Saks? Oh please, I can barely afford to wear a sack while watching Barney now.

"Um, look guys, today isn't a good day for me to go shopping, okay?"

"WHAT?" They gasped. "THE Daisy Nickels is turning down a shopping trip?!"

"Oh no sweetie, do you have a fever?!" April asked.

"No guys! Look- I just am not up for shopping today," I countered.

"Well, whatever I guess. But you still are coming to my brunch at the country club, right? Everyone's gonna be there, and it won't be as special without you, Daisy!" April pouted.

I giggled at her childish behavior.
"Of course I'll be there, April. You only turn 18 once," I smirked, flipping my hair.

"Goodie! Okay!" She clapped.

There was then a chiming noise in the background. Oh how I miss that school bell chime. It's much easier on the ears than the loud, unpleasant ring at this dump of a school.

"Well that's our cue. Bye Daisy!" Gwen waved with a smile.

"Bye," I waved with a sad, little smile.

Hanging up the call, I sat my phone in my lap as I thought over everything. 

If I show up to that party, then I'm going to be faking my life in front of so many people. They are already getting suspicious of me being M.I.A. so much lately. How am I going to pull this off alone?

I hate to admit it, but I might just need some help.

That's when the idea dawned on me. 

Natalie sounds like the perfect victim, oops I mean candidate to help with the task.

Happily making my way back inside the building, I went to go find Natalie. However, instead I almost stumbled into Ryan by the main lockers.

"Woah, sorry. I almost ran into you. You know, again," I giggled up at him as I recalled our first encounter at Lilac Café

His face wasn't as welcoming as it was yesterday, or even earlier in class. It was back to his usual, uninterested cold look. 

"Hm, yeah" he mumbled down at me.

I furrowed my brows slightly. Why does he seem so stoic all of a sudden? 

"Um, sorry about running off on you earlier. It was kind of important," I apologized, hoping that it would ease a bit of the tension. "But, uh, what were you going to ask me?"

He stuck his hands in his pockets as he shook his head. "Uh, nothing. It was stupid."

I noticed the slight movement of his eyes going back and forth. Not entirely convinced, I pushed him further on the topic. "Are you sure? Is it something about the project?"

"No, it wasn't about the project-" He then stopped himself from continuing further. Running a hand through his raven hair, he changed the subject. "Look, I'll see you around, okay?" 

"Um, okay?" I responded back before watching his figure walk away into the crowd.

Huh? I wonder what that was all about. Oh well, maybe he's a little stressed from all the school work.

Remembering my mission, I made my way up to Natalie's locker. 

...Only, too bad she wasn't there.

Ugh, where could she be? This break doesn't last forever, and I use this time to touch up my makeup!

As I got closer to the girls' bathroom, I heard annoying laughter coming from inside. Ugh, I really wish I had my own private bathroom.

Rolling my eyes, I opened the door to see two horribly faked tanned girls standing in front of Natalie.

What was going on? Are they laughing at her?

Obviously no one noticed me come in, because the two kept their eyes fixed on Natalie, whom nervously looked down at her shoes.

"Oh would you look at that Margaret, I think we made nice little Natalie upset."

"Serves her right, Agatha. I mean just look at her in that hideous sweater!"

My eyebrows furrowed at their mean words. A rage of fury hit my body as I looked onward. My face began to burn up as if fire itself was blazing out of my eyes.

I had heard enough. I made my presence known by clicking my strappy Prada heels, making my way to stand by Natalie.

Folding my arms under my chest, I spoke up to the frumpy females. "I'm sorry, but do you two bitches have something against my cousin?"

"What did you just call us?!" Margaret asked. She put her hand on her hip, shifting her weight to her left. 

I chuckled as her belly jiggled with her movements. "Hard of hearing, Ursula?"

"Uh uh! No she didn't just call you the octopus thing off 'The Little Mermaid'," Agatha said, looking me up and down.

"Hey, shut up Tweedle Dee," I smirked as I addressed Agatha. "I was talking to your partner here, Tweedle Dumb."

"Um, Daisy, let's just go," Natalie whispered to me.

 I looked over at her sad facial expression. That only fueled the fire more. If anyone was going to make fun of Natalie, it would be me! Not these two hideous gargoyles!

Looking back at the two, I walked forward, glaring at them. "Look, I don't know what's wrong with you two. Well besides from having terribly awful tans, bad fashion sense and clumpy false eyelashes; but if I EVER see or hear you talking down on Natalie again, oh we will have an issue to press."

They instantly took a step back as a gulp swallowed down their throats. I knew then that I had them shook. Agatha, however, tried to act as if she wasn't threatened by my Queen-like presence.

"Oh please, or what girl?" She rolled her eyes. "I see you strutting down these halls acting like you're better than everyone else. You don't scare me."

I smirked at the jealous undertone hidden in her voice. "I don't think I'm better. I know it, because it's true."

I looked at her, taking in her stature. "And I'm surely a better person than you are. You're what? At least four inches taller than Natalie, yet you're picking on her with your friend, who's almost twice her size to match?" 

I arched an eyebrow at the two. "You're just two girls who are projecting your own insecurities onto people you see as a target. See, I hate people like you. Natalie is one of the nicest people you could come across, there's no reason to pick on someone like her."

I folded my arms under my chest, knowing I was about to end their whole careers. "Oh, and if I don't scare you now, just know that I can demolish two chicks at the same damn time, all while staying in my six-inch pumps."

Their eyes grew wide, especially at my last statement, before they quickly scrambled their way to the bathroom door.

"HEY!" I called out.

They instantly turned around to face me, faces frozen in terror upon what I might say.

"You owe Natalie an apology, don't you think?" I threateningly cracked my left knuckles while making a fist.

"Uh! Sorry Natalie!" Agatha quickly apologized.

"Y-Yeah! We won't mess with you ever again!" Margaret added, before they scampered out of the bathroom.

"Psh, that's right you won't," I rolled my eyes as I turned to walk towards one of the mirrors. I can now finally apply more pink, glitter gloss.

"Thank you, Daisy," Natalie smiled at me as she strolled over to the right side of me.

"No problem," I tried to say as I glided the lip gloss wand over my luscious bottom lip.

I smacked my bottom and top lip together to spread out the product evenly. "Plus, it's obvious that those two rats know absolutely nothing about fashion anyway."

"What do you mean?" Natalie innocently cocked her head to the side in a bit of confusion.

"Tom Ford made a green sweater, just like the one you're wearing, for his last Spring collection. Everyone who was anyone was struggling to get one. So, it's kind of like you bought a dupe," I said to her before stuffing the lip wand back inside of its glossy tube.

"Woah, really?!" Natalie asked in sheer amazement.

"Mhm," I nodded with a closed smile. "I mean, don't tell anyone, but even I couldn't get my hands on one."

"Awe that sucks. Hey, maybe you could borrow this sometimes!" She perked up.

It was a nice gesture, but with everything that just happened to her, I didn't have the heart to break it to her that I don't wear knockoffs.

"Have those girls picked on you before?" I asked her, genuinely curious.

"Well, not everyday," she answered meekly. "Just only when I run into them. Like today, when I came in here to use the bathroom. They're sort of the top bullies around this place."

Bullying is one thing that pissed me off. Having a mutual beef with someone, sort of like with Lindsay and I, is completely different from someone pushing their weight around on people they see as weaker than they are. So it's unfortunate to see it happen to nice and quiet people.

"Well don't worry. I'll be your own personal bodyguard if I have to," I smirked a bit at her.

"That's sweet, Daisy, but you don't have to do that," she genuinely smiled.

"Well if you're sure. But remember, I do have twelve years of karate under my belt," I said as I pulled out my brush, gently then stroking my hair.

"I'll keep that in mind," she giggled.

I don't know where all of this empathy and sympathy came from, but I had the sudden urge to do something nice. 

"Hey Natalie," I breathed. "Do you want to go to a high class party with me on Saturday?" 

"Uh, yeah! Sure, of course!" She grinned.

The sadness that once was borne into her dark brown eyes was now replaced with a cheery glint.

 "Oh, but I don't have anything to wear," she disappointedly looked down

"Don't worry about that. You can wear one of my dresses," I said casually.

Honestly, she's going to need more than just a dress if she was going to hang around my circle. She's going to need a full makeover. Ugh, this is going to make for a lot of work.

The bell then rang, signaling that we were late for class. Great, I can't believe I wasted all of that time on those two idiots.

"Awe man, we're already late. We better go!" Natalie exclaimed.

I giggled at her passion about always being on time. I, on the other hand, couldn't care less if I was late or not. Everyone should just be thankful I even bothered to show up.

"Let's go then," I chuckled as we left out, walking down the hall together.

Maybe Natalie isn't so bad after all. I think we could actually become friends.

I just hope she doesn't take it to heart when she finds out my plan that includes using her for a while...