Daisy's Code Novel by Amelia Bennett

Daisy received the news with an air of nonchalance, the expected distress conspicuously absent.

“Any particular reason for her concern?” Daisy queried with a detached tone, as if the issue at hand were a distant matter.

Laura approached with a mix of caution and resolve. “Then I’m just saying-‘if Daisy’s scores don’t stack up, she’s history”.” She mimicked Sherry’s voice so well it was almost eerie.

Daisy burst into laughter at Laura’s antics, but Laura looked a bit disconcerted, standing there uneasily.

“Alright, noted,” Daisy managed to say with a forced seriousness, turning to head for the guest room. As she walked by, Laura grabbed her sleeve.

Turning back, Daisy found Laura with her head bowed, an uncharacteristic shyness about her. “What’s the matter? Did Ms. Levine pass on any other messages?”

“No… well, actually, who was that guy you were with on the sports field today?” Laura asked, her cheeks flushed with a blend of curiosity and embarrassment.

Before Daisy could respond, Fiona came down the stairs, catching just enough of the conversation to spark her interest.

She hurried over, her expression one of concern, “What’s this about a boy taking Daisy to the hospital from the sports field? You’d better fill us in. The Wilder name isn’t one to be bandied about carelessly.”

Her disdainful look was a mirror image of the first time Daisy had crossed paths with her. Daisy observed with a hint of amusement.

“Is it a big deal to you? He might not even be interested in the Wilder family,” Daisy remarked, glancing at Laura, whose fidgeting seemed more endearing than anything else.

But the next moment turned the tables, showing Daisy the error of her assumptions. Laura, who had been shyly asking about Lance, changed her tone. “Mom, the guy took Daisy to the hospital when she was hurt. We should be grateful.”

“Gratitude isn’t necessary, I suspect he’s not looking for it,” Daisy stated, and then proceeded upstairs, leaving the others to ponder her words.

Watching Daisy’s retreating figure, Fiona fumed, exclaiming, “This is intolerable. Such reckless behavior can’t continue. I can’t have a daughter like this.”

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Laura, who had overheard the exchange, soothed Fiona’s ruffled feathers while subtly casting Daisy in negative light, attributing to her baseless faults.

*****

Elden stepped into the mansion at 6:30 PM, his day’s work finally behind him. The first thing he did was look for Daisy, his concern for her whereabouts clear in his voice as he asked, “Where’s Daisy? Hasn’t she come home yet?”

Laura felt a twinge of jealousy. It wasn’t long ago that she was the center of his attention. Now, with Daisy back, it seemed like she was already stealing the spotlight. The thought of becoming the sidelined sibling in her own family made her anxious.

She’d been living a life of comfort for eighteen years and wasn’t ready to give that up.

With a resolve to win back her father’s focus, Laura approached Elden, feigning a pout as she said, “Dad, as soon as you get home, it’s all about Daisy. Don’t you miss me and mom?”

Elden, catching sight of Laura’s pouty face, softened his tone. “Never, my dear. You’re always on my mind.” He tousled her hair, a familiar gesture of affection.

Laura relaxed a bit at his words, but she wasn’t one to let her efforts slacken. “Why don’t you rest, Dad? Let me get you some water,” she said, making her way to the kitchen.

Returning with a glass of cool water, she sat down between her parents, snuggling up to them as they all turned their attention to the movie playing on the TV.

Daisy headed downstairs for dinner, greeted by a cozy family tableau that seemed to exclude her. A bitter smile touched her lips-apparently, she was the outsider in this family scene.

Mary emerged from the kitchen. “Mr. and Mrs. Wilder, Laura, Daisy, dinner is ready,” she called, gathering everyone at the table.

Her announcement made the family aware of Daisy’s presence. She didn’t mind; she took her place at the table, waiting for the others to join.

Elden appeared a bit awkward, while Fiona and Laura seemed indifferent. Daisy even spotted a smirk on Laura’s face, perhaps reveling in her own thoughts.

“Daisy, how was school today? Keeping up with your classes alright? If it’s too tough, I can get you a tutor,” Elden said, trying to case the tension over dinner. The usual dinnertime banter was absent, and he was making an effort.

Daisy wasn’t taking the bait; instead, Laura spoke up, her voice strained, “Dad, Daisy didn’t actually go to class today.”

This news left Elden and Fiona bewildered, both unaware of the day’s events.

“What happened, Laura? Tell us,” Elden demanded, his fork clattering onto the table. Fiona set her fork down too, both staring at Laura for answers.

Facing their intense scrutiny, Laura spoke softly, “Daisy had a dispute with a classmate and was sent out by the teacher. She was hurt in PE, hit by a basketball from another class, and didn’t go back to school.”

“Is this true?” Elden asked, his gaze piercing Daisy, as if challenging her.

Daisy met his stare head-on. “Yes!”

“Terrific. Just what I needed to hear. What were you up to instead of attending class?” Elden’s anger was evident, his tone filled with frustration.

Confronted with the accusations, Daisy didn’t back down. “So what if I didn’t go to class? Aren’t my parents concerned that I was injured? No one asks about that? If you don’t want me around, why did you even bring me home? Isn’t it unnecessary?”

With that, Daisy let her fork drop to the floor with a crash, signaling her departure. “If you don’t want me here, just say it. I’m not one to hang around where I’m not wanted. I don’t need your family power, and you don’t have to worry about me wanting it.”

She marched back to her room and returned downstairs with her old suitcase in tow.

“If it’s not working out, no need to force it. Here’s a letter of severance. When are you free to sign it, Mr. Wilder?” she said, her voice firm, leaving no room for argument.