“Well, this is America, so we will still have to think about it. We can discuss it later, Sean,” Philip said.
An uncomfortable silence unfolded before Daisy’s mother changed the subject. “Anyway, are you all excited for the Homecoming dance? It’s just a few weeks away.”
Daisy’s belly filled with butterflies. She would be lying if she hadn’t thought about the dance or about a certain someone who she hoped would ask her.
Sean glared over at Jameson and Daisy before saying, “Lenny and Kyler are probably going to ask the Peterson twins, right?”
They both nodded in unison.
“I’m still weighing my multiple options.”
Daisy rolled her eyes at Sean’s cockiness.
Then Sean dropped the bomb. “Jameson, aren’t you asking Rochelle Higgins?”
Daisy’s heart splintered.
She looked at her brother and had half the nerve to smack the derisive smirk off his face.
Jameson deflected smoothly, “I don’t know who I’m asking.”
“Rumor is floating around that she’s into you, dude, and let me tell you, when Rochelle Higgins throws her bait your way, you bite.”
The boys, sans Jameson, high-fived on the other side of the table.
Daisy wanted to excuse herself from dinner. The struggle raging inside of her was about to ignite. “Okay, settle down,” Philip said.
A number of “sorrys” were muttered as they calmed themselves.
Nervous that the same question would be asked of Daisy, she quickly made an excuse about having to finish her homework—completed earlier in the day—and hastily made her way back to her studio. Painting was the only thing that could steady her hands when her chest felt broken.
Daisy had seen an instant change in Jameson in the days following the dinner at her home. Not once was she invited to come out to the garage and watch them practice again.
That was the first sign.
The second was the flirtation. Or lack thereof. It had completely ceased since that night at her house. Long gone were the playful jokes or the teasing back and forth. The only words he had spoken to her were “Hello, Daisy, and Goodbye, Daisy.”
Short and formal. And still, every so often, she caught him watching her like he was thinking something he refused to say.
She wasn’t sure what had changed other than the heart-wrenching conversation regarding his potential Homecoming date.
At first, Daisy was seemingly optimistic that he wouldn’t ask Rochelle Higgins to the dance. She had rarely seen them interact, and while the flirtation had ceased with Daisy, it didn’t seem like it had started up with Rochelle.
But optimism, ultimately, was Daisy’s demise. Her hopeful nature had failed her. Because sure enough, Friday night, under the lights, her worst fear unfolded.
Jameson asked Rochelle Higgins to the Homecoming dance.
Daisy had no interest in football. For starters, she didn’t really understand the concept of the sport, and second, she didn’t particularly like freezing her butt off in the frigid fall air.
While football was not quite her cup of tea, she had to admit there was something about the Friday night lights that excited her, made her revel in her youth.
That particular Friday, Anna had dragged her to a home game. Ryan, the potential fifth-year senior, was waiting for themjust outside the field. Anna had been spending most of her time with Ryan, and while Daisy didn’t particularly like his study habits, she concluded that he was a nice enough guy for her friend to date.
“Hey, cutie,” Ryan said as he brought Anna in for a kiss. Daisy looked away from their public display.
“Hi, are you Daisy?”
Her head snapped up.
