Coward

It happens like this

One day you meet someone

And for some inexplicable reason,

You feel more connected to this stranger than anyone else,

Closer to them than your close family

Perhaps this person carries within them an angel,

One sent to you

For some higher purpose,

To teach you an important lesson

Or to keep you safe during a perilous time.

What you must do is trust them,

Even if they come hand in hand with pain or suffering,

The reason of their presence

Will become clear in due time

Though here is a word of warning

You may grow to love this person

But remember,

They are not yours to keep.

Their purpose is not to save you

But to show you how to safe yourself

And once this is fulfilled,

The halo lifts

And the angel leaves

Their body as the person

Exits your life

They will be a stranger to you

Once more

♡

Daisy cleared her throat and attempted to sound easygoing. "Edward, don't get so into it. It was simply a random thought, truly."

Edward's grin developed more extensive. "Random thought, huh? Alright, I won't prod you further."

Daisy breathed a sigh of relief yet at the same time felt the warmth of his gaze on her. She looked at him again, and her eyes met his, causing her heart to race. She sensed a peculiar strain noticeable all around, an unspoken understanding between them. Their looks held, interlacing their contemplations and sentiments without requiring words.

He murmured, "You know, Daisy, regardless of what's experiencing your thoughts, regardless of whether it's about pick up lines or some other secret thought, I'm generally here to tune in."

She gave a little grin, feeling a blend of shyness and thankfulness for his support. "I know, Edward. Also, you realize that you can share anything with me as well."

Their trade of quiet words was more noteworthy than any discussion they could've had. It was a pledge of trust, a bond fortified by shared sentiments and unbreakable friendship. The energy of the second enveloped them like a comfortable embrace, and they felt like the solitary two individuals on the planet.

Daisy mumbled, "Much obliged to you, Edward, for being there for me, for understanding me without me in any event, saying a word."

Edward's grin was delicate and real. "That is the thing that companions are for, isn't that so? We uphold each other regardless, and I'm honored to have you as my companion, Daisy."

Their eyes kept secured for another brief instant, and they could nearly hear each other's contemplations. In that tranquil second, Daisy and Edward shared a profound connection that went past simple kinship. It was an unbreakable bond woven from shared encounters, shared feelings, and a comprehension that required no words.

At last, Daisy broke the look by looking down and grinned bashfully. "Alright, no more deep discussions for now. We should rejoin the group."

Edward grinned back, the sparkle in his eyes talking more than words ever could. "Sounds good to me."

They ventured back together, companions on the cusp of another section in their lives. With their bond more grounded than any time in recent memory, they realized that regardless of what life threw at them, they would confront it together – as closest companions, yet additionally as allies who could read each other's hearts even before words were talked.

The day moved on, full of chatter, laughter, and warm interactions. Daisy's friends were thrilled to have her back, and she felt their genuine happiness radiating around her. During lunch break, they all gathered at their usual spot, sharing stories and catching up on what had happened during Daisy's absence. Anna, Drake, and the others couldn't hide their relief that she was back and doing well.

As the day progressed, Daisy's nervousness about facing Marcel began to creep in. She knew she couldn't avoid him forever, but the thought of encountering him again made her uneasy. Edward noticed her growing unease and gently squeezed her hand under the table. Daisy looked at him, finding solace in his reassuring gaze.

After their last class, as they were heading out of the classroom, Marcel suddenly appeared in front of them. His attempt to act normal was evident, but Daisy could see the discomfort in his eyes. Edward stepped slightly in front of Daisy, a protective stance that didn't go unnoticed by Marcel.

"Hey, Daisy," Marcel started, his voice a bit shaky. "I heard you're back. How are you feeling?"

Daisy took a deep breath and looked at him directly, her voice steady as she replied, "I'm doing fine now, thank you."

Marcel hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I... I'm sorry about what happened. I shouldn't have done that."

Daisy nodded in acknowledgment, appreciating his admission. "Apology accepted, Marcel. Let's just move on from this."

Edward's grip on Daisy's hand tightened subtly, a gesture of support. Marcel glanced at their intertwined hands, a hint of realization crossing his face. "Right, moving on sounds good."

With a nod and a small smile, Daisy and Edward continued on their way, leaving Marcel standing there with a mix of regret and understanding in his eyes.

As they walked away, Daisy turned to Edward with a grateful smile. "Thank you for being here with me, Edward. I couldn't have faced that without you."

Edward returned her smile, his eyes warm and reassuring. "Always, Daisy. We're in this together."

The following days brought a return to normalcy for Daisy. Her friends, especially Anna and Edward, continued to support and uplift her. They shared laughter, dreams, and plans for the future, and Daisy felt a renewed sense of strength and happiness in their presence.

On one sunny afternoon, as they sat together under a tree, Daisy looked at Edward and said, "You know, Edward, I've realized that true friends are the ones who stand by you in the toughest times, just like you did for me."

Edward smiled and gently bumped his shoulder against hers. "And true friends also celebrate the good times with you. We're here for all of it, Daisy."

Daisy nodded, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the friendships that had grown stronger through challenges. As they enjoyed the warmth of the sun and the camaraderie between them, Daisy couldn't help but think that no matter what life had in store, as long as she had Edward and her friends by her side, she could face anything with a heart full of courage and joy.

The voice echoed through the air, cutting off Marcel's confession mid-sentence. Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice, and there stood Edward, his fists clenched at his sides, his eyes blazing with anger. His presence was commanding, radiating a sense of protectiveness that seemed to fill the space around him.

Marcel, still on his knees, looked up at Edward with a mixture of shock and guilt. "Edward, I..."

But Edward's voice was cold and cutting as he interrupted, "Don't you dare say her name." His eyes were fixed on Marcel, his jaw tightly set. The intensity of his gaze was enough to make even Marcel shudder.

Anna stepped forward, placing a hand on Edward's arm. "Edward, it's okay. He was apologizing."

Edward's gaze flickered toward Anna briefly, then back to Marcel. He took a deep breath, visibly trying to control his anger. "Apology doesn't undo what you've done."

Marcel's shoulders slumped, his face a portrait of remorse. "I know, Edward. I know I can't undo the pain I caused. I just wanted to say it... to say sorry."

Daisy walked forward, standing beside Edward, her hand gently touching his arm. She looked at Marcel with a mixture of understanding and forgiveness. "Marcel, what's important now is that you recognize your mistakes and are willing to change. You have a chance to make amends."

Marcel nodded slowly, his tears mixing with the dirt on his face. "I know, Daisy. I'm seeking help. I'm trying to become a better person."

Edward's anger seemed to subside a bit as he exchanged a glance with Daisy. After a moment, he sighed, his tone less harsh. "Just stay away from Daisy, and prove through your actions that you're changing."

Marcel nodded again, his voice shaky. "I will. I promise."

Anna stepped forward, giving Marcel a hard look. "You better keep that promise. We're not going to tolerate any more of your toxic behavior."

With that, the tension in the air seemed to ease a little. Edward's posture relaxed, and Daisy's hand still rested on his arm. Marcel remained on the ground, a mix of shame and determination in his eyes.

As they stood there, a bell rang in the distance, signaling the end of the lunch break. Students began to disperse, leaving the scene behind. Edward turned to Daisy, his gaze softening. "Are you okay?"

Daisy nodded, her smile warm. "Yes, I am, thanks to both of you."

Anna looked between the two of them, her expression softening as well. "Let's go back to class. I think we've had enough drama for one day."

As they walked back to the school building together, Daisy felt a renewed sense of unity among her friends. The challenges they had faced, the mistakes made, and the willingness to grow and forgive had brought them closer than ever. And in that moment, as they moved forward together, Daisy knew that no matter what obstacles they encountered, they could overcome them as long as they had each other.