Daisy's Code Novel by Amelia Bennett

Shawn, the adrenaline j**kie, had just put on driving exhibition that would’ve left the Wilder family’s chauffeur in awe. He’d pulled up to Narston High’s entrance with a spin worthy of a Hollywood stunt driver, coming to a stop that was both sudden and showy.

“See? I’ve still got it,” Shawn said, smirking at Daisy, clearly expecting a compliment for his wheelman skills.

Daisy barely looked up from her screen and aid, ‘Keeping your racing a secret from Bruce for two years-that’s some next-level stealth.”

Shawn was left grinning, his ego taking the hit but not going down.

“Gotta go. Take care,” she said, getting out of the car, not looking back.

“Catch you on the flip side,” Shawn shouted, gesturing at his phone. Then he revved the engine and sped off, leaving only the echo of his tires on the pavement.

Daisy leaned against the school’s wall, her thumbs flying over her phone, a picture of bored indifference. She was waiting for Laura and Fiona, but in her mind, she was already a step ahead. She didn’t need the Wilder name to get by, but since Elden had set the stage, she saw no reason to overcomplicate things.

Daisy’s screen lit up with notifications, but a sudden shadow made her look up from her phone. Lance, his voice cool and slightly aloof, said, “Whatcha doin’ here?”

She recognized him-the driver from earlier, still in his black get-up, now leaning against the wall with an effortless swagger. His eyes, blue and deep, were currently regarding her with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Feeling the unexpected intimacy of the situation, Daisy tucked her phone away and shifted back, replying, her voice soft and a bit reserved, “Just on my way to class.”

“Class, huh?” Lance’s brows lifted in surprise, but he quickly smoothed his expression. “You a senior?”

“Yep, Daisy replied, all business.

Lance’s smile was a slow stretch across his face as she seemed not indifferent. “My store is right next to Narston High. Maybe you’ll swing by sometime.”

Daisy shrugged, her tone neutral. “Maybe.”

He continued, his voice dipping into a register that was almost conspiratorial, “What’s your name? We keep bumping into each other. Could be friends, right?”

Daisy shot him a look that was equal parts amused and skeptical. “Nah, I’m good. We’re not exactly friends.”

Lance blinked, momentarily at a loss.

With a polite nod towards the school, Daisy added, “Gotta get to class. Catch you later.”

Lance watched as Daisy walked away, her silhouette disappearing into the school’s entrance. He stayed leaning against the wall, a thoughtful tap on his chin. ‘She has a sharp sense of boundaries, but also a sense of manners. Respectable,’ he concluded to himself.

Harley had only made it to the next light before he noticed Lance wasn’t with him. He whipped his car around, his heart in his throat, and spotted Lance pulled over near Narston/High, a mischievous tw**kle in his eye.

“Lance, what gives?” Harley approached and asked, trying to sound casual but feeling anything but. “You’re not planning on… I mean, with the high school, right? That’s majorly off-limits.”

Lance just gave him a cold look.

Harley’s mind raced. “She’s here? The girl you’re searching for?”

“Yep,” Lance said, lighting up, his gaze never leaving the school. “And I want that convenience store across the street”

“But what if Mrs. Lindsey finds out about this? And the family business-” Harley started, but Lance cut him off.

“Tell Grandma I’ve got a new project,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips. “One she’ll love. About my future wife.”

Harley was about to argue, then thought better of it. “And the Wilder family’s daughter? The arranged marriage**

“Scrap it,” Lance said, waving a hand dismissively. “We’ve never even met. No big deal.”

Harley bit back a response, the brewing family feud already giving him a headache.

“Any luck on the girl?” Lance asked, changing the subject.

Harley shook his head. “She’s a ghost. No one at Serene Estate matches her. Except… well, the Wilder family did just find their lost daughter.”

“Not her.” Lance said, his tone content. “The Wilder family would’ve thrown a parade. She came to school alone today-no welcome wagon.”

“True,” Harley agreed. “And the CCTV at Serene Estate is down. We’re on it, but it’ll take a couple of days to get her trail.”

“No sweat,” Lance said, heading back to his car. “Get me that store first. Now that I know where she’s at school, we’ve got time.”

Harley stood there, stunned. He’d never seen Lance so interested in a girl. One thing was clear: this girl was not to be messed with.

With a deep breath, Harley pushed aside his worries and focused on the task. “Guess I’m buying a convenience store,” he muttered to himself, making his way to the store to handle the transition.

*****

Autumn in Narston was more like a hangover from summer, sticky and oppressive. For Daisy, just dropped into the unfamiliar surroundings of Narston High, it was the last thing she needed to make her feel at home.

With an eye roll that spoke volumes, she checked her phone for the school’s map, which led her on a winding path to the principal’s office. By the time she reached it, she was a bit flushed and breathless.

Inside, the principal Damon Reed sat behind his desk, the picture of an educator with his round glasses and a shirt as crisp as his demeanor.

When he noticed Daisy, slightly out of breath and radiating a newcomer’s uncertainty, he softened his gaze and gestured to a chair. “Daisy, our new student, I presume? Have a seat. I’ll get your advisor.”

“Sure,” Daisy replied, her voice trailing off as she plopped onto the couch, already back into her digital world on her phone.

Not long after, Sherry Levine, the class teacher, stepped in, her greeting to the principal as stiff as her updo. “Mr. Reed.”

Sherry had the look of someone who’d been correcting papers for too long-thin eyebrows, an angular face framed by no-nonsense black glasses, and a mouth that seemed more used to giving lectures than smiling.

Damon, still holding his pen, glanced at Daisy, who was now sitting casually with her legs crossed. “Ms. Levine, meet Daisy, our new student, and sister to Laura.”

Right away, Sherry’s interest piqued. Laura was a star pupil, the kind who made teachers look good.

But as she glanced over Daisy’s file, her eyebrows knit together. “She’s not just auditing? Her scores will count towards our stats? And she’s from some school that’s not exactly known for its academic prestige in a poor village.”

Daisy, unnoticed in her corner, picked up on Sherry’s unspoken reservations with a knowing smile.

Despite her planning to kick Daisy out, Sherry, still embodying the stern teacher stereotype, gave Daisy a quick glance before turning away. “Let’s go, Daisy”