Daisy's Code Novel by Amelia Bennett

Yvonne’s scornful voice cut through the air as she addressed Daisy, not even needing to look her way.

Yvonne continued with disdain, her arms crossed, “First, you’re all over Shawn at the party, and now you’re flirting with the convenience store owner. What kind of shameless person has made their way into Narston High?”

Daisy dismissed Yvonne with a glance, too preoccupied to engage with the drama.

But Emma wasn’t holding back. “Yvonne, stop spreading lies. Shawn was the one chasing Daisy, and I heard you tried to get the store owner’s number yesterday. He didn’t even give you the time of day.”

Emma’s words sparked a chorus of snickers from the surrounding students. Yvonne, always the haughty one, had faced a rare rejection when she approached Lance for his number. The incident was quickly becoming the school’s latest gossip.

Yvonne’s anger was palpable as she glared at Emma, her frustration boiling over as she kicked a chair aside. “Emma, you’re siding with her? What does she offer you?”

Emma, unflustered, retorted with a lift of her chin, “Yvonne, you’re just repulsive. Not everyone can be bought like your so-called friends. I like Daisy, and that’s why we’re friends.”

Daisy observed the scene with a sly sip of her ginger tea, enjoying the support from her friends. She could handle Yvonne, but having allies felt pretty good.

Yvonne was fuming, her temper flaring. Laura, her only true friend, tried to console her, holding her arms. “Don’t bother with her Yvonne. We’re the real friends here.”

Yvonne, still seething, lashed out, “Laura, I’m just saying, Daisy’s the one everyone looks down on. You don’t want to get dragged down with her.”

Laura, her gaze shifting between Daisy and her cup of tea, seemed conflicted.

She bit her lip and played innocent. “Yvonne, don’t talk about my sister like that. She’s new to all this. Maybe she just didn’t think it through because she likes him.”

Yvonne’s face twisted with disgust. “You can’t just throw yourself at someone because you like them. And leading Shawn on while getting cozy with the store owner? That’s just pathetic.” After that, she spat with disdain.

Daisy finally spoke up, her tone sharp, “Which eye saw me throwing myself at anyone?

And Yvonne, didn’t you know spreading saliva spreads germs? Spitting on the ground is just rude and classless.”

Yvonne retorted, “No matter how classless I am, it’s better than you always chasing after men.”

Daisy shot back, “Weren’t you there that day? How can you lie so blatantly? Did I throw myself at him, or you were just being blind?”

With a cheeky grin, Daisy watched Yvonne’s face contort with rage. The tension in her stomach seemed to ease with the entertainment.

“Daisy, how can you talk to Yvonne like that?” Laura interjected, her voice trembling slightly.

Daisy snorted, standing up to face Laura’s feigned innocence. “Don’t do this? Weren’t you quite pleased when others were speaking ill of your sister? Laura, your allegiance is clearly elsewhere.”

“Yeah. Always silent when Daisy’s in a jam,” one voice noted.

“And doesn’t Yvonne, Laura’s so-called bestie, have some nerve talking about her own sister like that?” another added.

The court of public opinion was in full voice, and under its weight, Laura bowed her head, her shoulders heaving as s**bs took her.

“Daisy, you’re shameless,” Yvonne declared, seizing the moment as all eyes were on Daisy. She decided to take matters into her own hands.

Yvonne, envious of the attention Daisy was getting, especially with the ginger tea, made a grab for the thermos in Daisy’s hand.

But Daisy was quick, using her math book to block the sudden attack. The ginger tea, still warm splashed back onto Yvonne.

The heat was enough to make her drop the cup and cry out in pain, her face now covered in the sticky liquid.

The classroom erupted into chaos.

Sherry stormed into the classroom, her face a mask of frustration. “People, the bell rang ages ago!”

A student’s urgent voice cut through the chatter. “Ms. Levine, it’s bad-Yvonne got splashed with scalding water by Daisy!”

“Serious?” Sherry’s voice sp**d with alarm, and she hurried to the huddle of students to find Yvonne in tears. “Come on, let’s get her to the infirmary right away!”

Yvonne was in too much distress to move on her own, so a few boys, though clearly flustered, managed to help her to the infirmary.

“Daisy, you’re just vicious! I’m calling the police to take you in for this!” Sherry raged, her words sharp.

Daisy responded with a casual chuckle. “If standing my ground is a crime, then I guess I’m guilty. Go on, Ms. Levine, make your call. But don’t dawdle; I’m out of here when the bell rings.”

Her cool response left Sherry speechless. The girl’s composure under pressure was unnerving, a trait that didn’t fit the typical teenager.

Sherry was seething. “Leave, Daisy. Just leave my classroom!” she ordered, her voice quivering with rage.

Daisy offered a faint, enigmatic smile, then calmly retrieved the thermos from the floor and left the room with an air of nonchalance. The ginger tea, a casualty of the incident, was barely touched, its contents now more of a consolation for Yvonne.

Later, Daisy entered the convenience store, a thermos in hand. The store was quiet, the usual bustle replaced by the hum of the air conditioner and the occasional chatter of younger students hiding out during gym class.