Tormented Hope

Daisy woke up early that morning, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as the day began with a warm breeze gently touching her face. Today was the day—the day of the project with Edward, her partner. She couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation in her chest as she prepared for what lay ahead.

She got ready with meticulous care, choosing her outfit carefully, and making sure everything was just right. She ate her breakfast with a mix of excitement and anxiety, trying to calm her racing thoughts with each bite.

As she stood in front of the mirror, she gently parted her hair, wondering if Edward would notice any changes. She wanted to make a good impression on him, to show him that she was more than just her anxious self.

At the bus stop, Daisy checked her watch nervously. Yes, her siblings attended the same school, but their classes started later, so they were most likely still asleep. Today, she was on her own, and she couldn't help but feel a little bit lonely without their usual banter and support.

The bus finally arrived, and Daisy hurried inside. Her heart leaped with joy when she saw a vacant window seat. Without wasting any time, she sprinted over and snatched it, raising her hands in triumph like she had won a prize. The bus began to move, and she felt a sense of peace as she sat by the window, hands-free in her ears, listening to her favorite calming playlist.

Unbeknownst to her, someone else was quietly observing her from the back of the bus. A fellow student, who had always noticed Daisy from afar, was secretly grinning at how adorable she looked in that particular moment. He had admired her from a distance, but today, he couldn't help but admire her up close, appreciating the way she seemed lost in her world, completely unaware of his presence.

He marveled at her grace, her sweet smile, and the way she carried herself with a certain charm. It was moments like these that made him see Daisy in a new light, beyond just being a classmate. He found himself captivated by her, drawn to her in a way he had never experienced before.

As the bus continued its journey to their school, Edward Leo, the enigmatic boy from her English class, allowed himself to indulge in this silent admiration. He knew that today was an important day for both of them, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with Daisy, even if she was still unaware of it.

With a soft smile on his lips, Edward promised himself that he would make this project day special for Daisy, just as she had unknowingly made this morning special for him. As the bus pulled into the school's parking lot, he decided that today would be the day he would take their partnership beyond just working on a project together. Today, he would take the first step in showing Daisy that she was more than just a classmate to him—that she was someone he cared deeply about. And with that determination in his heart, he got ready to embark on a journey of friendship and, just maybe, something more.

When Daisy arrived at school, she hoped to blend in and avoid any encounters with Marcel Eld, the bully she despised to the core. However, luck was not on her side that morning as Marcel stopped her on her way to class. She had politely declined his advances countless times, but he seemed relentless in his pursuit of her attention.

"Hey there, lovely. Where are you going? New to the campus?" Marcel approached her, pretending to be courteous. His words were dripping with insincerity, and Daisy could feel her irritation building.

"May I drop you off at the principal's office?" he teased, and Daisy rolled her eyes at his immature antics. "Oh, it's you. I thought I had my new victim, but guess what? God knows you're my favorite one." His words were meant to intimidate, but Daisy had grown tired of his false bravado.

Frustration bubbled within her as he continued to mock her. She couldn't bear it any longer. Summoning her courage, Daisy did something she never thought she could—she let it all out. "Marcel, stop this now. Stop with the false drama already, you... I'm not going to be duped by them," she retorted, her voice surprisingly firm.

But her moment of defiance was short-lived. Anxiety surged through her, causing her hands to tremble, but she managed to hide her trembling from Marcel's gaze. She had to get away from him. "I'm running late for class. Let me go now!" she said, trying to free herself from his grip.

However, Marcel wasn't about to let her off that easily. He tightened his grasp on her forearm, making her feel trapped. Daisy quickly twisted her elbow, skillfully releasing her hand from his hard grip, and bolted away, heading towards her locker to gather her belongings.

But before she could reach her locker, she was halted again—this time by a familiar voice. It was Edward, the enigmatic boy from her English class. "Daisy, what happened? Why were you running like that?" he asked curiously.

Feeling a mix of emotions, Daisy panted heavily as she turned around to face Edward. "I, Marc... nothing," she stuttered, not knowing how much to reveal.

Edward noticed her distress, and with a hint of concern in his voice, he said, "You're coming with me now. We'll deal with this first, then head to any other class." Without waiting for her response, he gently took her hand and led her away from Marcel's presence.

As they sat on the stairs, Daisy's breathing began to steady, and she started to feel calmer. Edward handed her a water bottle, and Daisy realized he had always been aware of her struggles, silently offering his support.

"We'll deal with this Marcel shit later," Edward said softly, and Daisy felt a sense of relief wash over her. With him by her side, she felt safe and protected. His concern and presence had a soothing effect on her, and for the first time in a long while, she felt at ease.

As they sat together, Daisy could feel Edward's concerned gaze on her, and it brought a sense of comfort to her heart. She was tormented by her encounter with Marcel, but having Edward there made her feel hopeful. With him by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges came her way.

In that moment, Daisy realized that her feelings for Edward were deeper than she had initially thought. There was something special about him, something that made her heart skip a beat and brought a smile to her face. As she looked into his eyes, she couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same way about her.

But for now, she was content to bask in his care and concern, knowing that she had found someone who truly understood and accepted her. With Edward by her side, Daisy felt like she could conquer the world—and maybe, just maybe, her dreams of turning strangers into friends and lovers were closer to becoming a reality than she had ever imagined.

After spending some time with Edward, Daisy found herself feeling more at ease with Marcel's torment and Edward's comforting presence. However, she couldn't ignore the surge of feelings she was experiencing whenever she was around him. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and she longed to spend more time with him alone.

Reluctantly, Daisy excused herself from Edward, trying to gather her thoughts and emotions. "Edward, I'm really feeling better, and I appreciate your concern. Please excuse me, but I need to use the restroom," she said, hoping to give herself a moment of solitude to process her feelings.

"Oh... You're welcome, and you can go wherever you want to. I was about to leave for class myself. So goodbye, Daisy," Edward responded, sounding a bit nervous and anxious.

As Daisy noticed Edward gathering his things, she felt a sudden urge to return his water bottle, a small but meaningful gesture. "Your water bottle, Edward, here, take it," she said, extending her hand towards him.

However, Edward quickly cut her off, gently lowering the bottle and saying, "You... you can keep it, I don't need it. You need it more... Don't worry, though; I'll get a new one." His voice sounded hesitant, and he avoided making eye contact with her.

Daisy couldn't help but look up at Edward, noticing the change in his demeanor and the cautiousness in his voice. It was as if he was struggling to find the right words to say. She wanted to understand what he was feeling, to connect with him on a deeper level.

"But, Ed," she began, but her words trailed off when she saw something that surprised her—Edward was blushing! Her eyes widened in astonishment, thinking that she might be hallucinating. Edward Leo, the enigmatic and composed boy, was blushing because of her!

Before she could react, Edward covered his face with the back of his hand and quickly excused himself, leaving Daisy standing there, trying to process the moment that had just passed. It had only been a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity as she replayed the encounter in her mind.

The way Edward's fingers gently encircled the back of her hand, the private moment he created for them away from everyone else, his concern for her well-being, and the way he hesitated to return the water bottle—all these details flooded her thoughts.

Most importantly, she couldn't ignore the fact that Edward had blushed when he looked at her. It was a subtle but significant clue, and it gave her hope. Perhaps he felt something for her too, and that thought filled her heart with excitement and joy.

As Daisy contemplated these newfound emotions, she couldn't help but smile to herself. "He blushed because of me," she whispered softly to herself, feeling a mix of uncertainty and excitement. The realization that Edward's behavior had changed significantly around her made her wonder if there was more to their connection than she had initially thought.

With a newfound sense of hope and possibility, Daisy decided to cherish this moment and continue getting to know Edward better. As she headed towards the bathroom, her heart fluttered with the prospect of what the future might hold for them. Perhaps, just perhaps, Edward Leo liked her as much as she liked him.