Chapter Fifteen
I sensed Daisy’s scowl over my shoulder.
“I’m paying attention,” I assured her, a small smile playing on my lips.
She and Gwen flanked me on either side of the couch, both of them reclining on the arms, with their feet pointing inward.
Daisy’s toes rested inches from my knee, and I sat crisscross in the middle, a pillow and papers in my lap.
“Are you one of those people who thinks better when you’re doodling?” Gwen asked. She and Daisy had lockers next to each other, and we’d started hanging out as a trio recently.
“Sometimes,” I admitted.
“You might miss something good,” Daisy said.
“I could recite this show.” I’d watched Gilmore Girls, one of Daisy’s favorites, countless times with her. She wanted a distraction and also thought Gwen would like it, so we planned an all-day marathon at Daisy’s place.
No significant others, Daisy had clarified, although that wasn’t necessary.
Gwen barely knew anyone, and Daisy broke things off with that last guy a couple of weeks ago.
I’d gone on a few dates with this girl from my homeroom, Lily, but we weren’t serious.
I liked not worrying about dividing my attention with someone else today.
It meant that when I was with Daisy, I really got to be with her.
The front door opened, and Daisy’s mom beamed with an over-the-top smile. “Pizza!”
“You just missed Lorelai finding out about the kiss,” Daisy said.
“Oooh,” her mom swooned, setting the pizza boxes on the coffee table.
I followed her into the kitchen to stick some more popcorn in the microwave while Daisy and Gwen sang along to the intro of the next episode. Daisy’s mom had both palms on the counter, her eyelids shut, as she took in a deep inhale.
“You okay, Mrs. J?”
Her eyes flew open, and although her mouth turned up in a smile, her eyes were red-rimmed and glassy. Mr. Johnson had moved out again earlier in the week, and my heart sank to see Daisy’s mom this way.
“I’m fine, my sweet boy,” she said, forcing her smile further.
“Here.” I enveloped her in a tight hug, and she melted into it. I liked Daisy’s mom so much. My parents cast dark clouds over every decision I ever made, but Daisy’s mom gave me sunshine.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Anytime.”
I offered Daisy’s mom my spot on the couch, and Daisy scooted over so that I could sit on the floor next to her.
She handed me a throw pillow for added comfort, and I settled in.
Leaning back and chomping on pizza, we both relaxed enough that her legs rested against my left side.
Skin-to-skin contact with her always made my breathing pick up, but I ignored it.
If Daisy experienced the same zing whenever we touched, she never let on.
We were friends. It didn’t have to be that deep.
I never felt this way when Lily was around, though.
I tried to ignore that, too.