𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑺𝑼𝑴𝑴𝑬𝑹 𝑰 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑫 𝑯𝑬𝑹
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐈 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘
The worst part about all of this, though, wasn't the love, or the fact that it was Daisy, the person I was supposed to hate, no. It was the fact that even...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
• DAISY BARDOT'S POV • • 13 MONTHS BEFORE •
ENTERING BACK into the Fisher home felt like a nightmare I wasn't prepared to face. I was never the keenest on apologizing to people over things I had done, not because it was embarrassing, but because I found it weak, which, it was. It showed all I had said and done, I regretted. And I did. But I didn't like people knowing that.
I was completely drenched from the rainwater when I had sulked back in, the droplets cascading down my skin as I walked, Conrad and I both proceeding to leave behind a trail of water, our light shirts becoming see through, along with our shoes squeaking against the wooden floor.
Peering towards Conrad, he shoved me forward with a stoic face. I huffed like a child, my lips dropped downwards. My arms had crossed over my chest to hide how exposed I felt. Being in the rain exhausted me, it always had, along with gloomy days easily tiring me. I was running on a body filled with chills and goosebumps, as well as an apology galivanting through my brain. I was uncomfortable.
My shadow entered in before me, all heads turning towards the door frame as the three of us entered. Jaxon was too busy obsessing over the Fisher's home, his eyes wandering all around; observing it's look, while his head moved like a globe, rotating every direction possible. My throat cleared, erasing the built up tension that had settled in. I then set my eyes directly onto Susannah, no one else. I was too scared to look towards my parents, frightened their look would turn me into stone, or something of the sorts.
"Susannah." I gain the woman's attention. "Can we, uh," I look over to Conrad, his hands motioning me to continue on. "Can we talk in the kitchen?"
Susannah had formed a polite smile onto her face, her head nodding. She slowly scooted her chair back, the noise being minimal. Jaxon, Conrad, and the rest of the room watched as she held her hand out for me, indicating me to grab onto her and follow. I gladly did so, letting Susannah lead us into the dim kitchen.
"What did you want to talk about, sweet girl?" My heart immediately warmed at her words, my uptight body calming against the countertop I leaned on for support.
"I wanted to apologize about totally ruining your dinner." I sheepishly frowned, rubbing my arm for my own comfort. "It was incredibly immature and embarrassing — I should've never said or done anything, especially here. So, I just wanted to formally apologize to you instead of waiting weeks for an apology I made up in my head."
"You wanted it to be genuine, right?"
"Yeah." I nod my head.
"Well," Susannah started. "I appreciate that. I know your history with Aubrey isn't the best, and I'm not choosing either sides here, but I do think you could be a tad bit nicer to her. Not for my sake," Her hand pressed against her heart. "But for yours, and Conrad's."
"Conrads?" My face flooded with confusion. "Why would I care about Conrad?"
"He's going to be your co-worker, June." June. Susannah had always called me by my middle name. She said that June was made for me because I was made for it. Daisy, you're the blooming June that everyone loves and adores because it's the first time in months where you can feel free and wild, she'd say. I always thought it was a silly phrase, but I've started to slowly appreciate knowing that someone believed I wasn't the devil in disguise.
"Right." I slide my lips together. "I almost forgot about that." I click my tongue, scratching the back of my neck. "And, you're right. I just- I get into this headspace where I feel everyone around me is out to get me so I have to shoot them down before anything bad happens. When in reality, I'm exactly what I'm afraid of." I sigh. Susannah was always a type of therapist to me. Yes, I had been recommended a few doctors to go see, but I was never interested. I hated the feeling of being so small, that I was forced to go to a therapist to make myself seem bigger in my head. I had emotions I needed to express, and opinions I needed to throw out, but I couldn't possibly trust a doctor who'd just run to my parents and spill all my secrets.
Why experience that when I had a Susannah?
"I know what you mean." I knew she did, which was the best part. Susannah never lied to me, and I didn't know why, but I feel like she only told the truth to me to make myself feel better. She'd sacrifice her feelings just to make me feel less belittled by my own well-being. "June, I won't lie. I've heard some things."
My body, nose scrunching at this information. "Like what?"
"Rumours." Susannah shrugs. "But the best thing about rumours, is that even if they are true, it's very hard for them to become anything more. Sure, kids will talk, but everyone is always saying something about someone, even the nicest people get talked about in a negative way." Susannah's words brought a type of comfort to me. Then again, they always did. But this was the type of conversation I was lacking lately — I needed it. "That boy in there," Susannah changed the topic, cocking her head towards the dining room. "The blonde, is he your boyfriend?"
I chuckled at this. "Jaxon? No, no. He's just a friend. I'm not really into commitment, you know? I just want to focus on school. I don't have time for boys when I'm already filled with so much drama. Me getting into a relationship will just drag me down more." I shrug, truthfully speaking my mind. Susannah's lips pursed at this, her head tilting.
"I'll make sure to remind you of this conversation at your wedding." She winks. I laugh at her, imaging how my wedding would play out. "I always said that. Now, I'm married with two kids." Susannah smiles, her eyes darting towards the overfilled dining room. "I know you and Conrad haven't gotten off on the best start, but" Susannah places her hands on to mine. "Try to be civil with one another. I think him getting a job will be good. All he does is stress about football and school. He never has free time outside of the house. I know working isn't exactly his idea of a chill day, but it'll be better than him sulking in his room. I think that if you two got to know each other better, you guys would become great friends."
Susannah's head cupped my face, her thumb stroking my cheekbones. "Do it for me, June." Her voice was so comforting, I melted. Her kindness created a laughter in my throat, the chuckle escaping without an ounce of hesitation. I slowly nodded my head into her hand, pulling a plastic smile onto my lips.
"Of course, Susannah." I promised. "I think I needed this; this conversation. I'm trying, but I feel like every time I attempt to make things better I screw up for myself and everyone else." My eyes drop down to my hands, my fingers playing with one another.
"Everyone has done something they've regretted. It's human, June. You're allowed to make mistakes. The most important thing is that you realize what you've said or done is wrong, and you make up for it, no matter how long it takes."
"I will." I nod. "And honestly, having Jeremiah and Conrad at the Rosemary Tide won't be all bad." I shrug, brushing fallen strands of hair away from my flushed face. "I'll make the most of it."
"That's my girl." Susannah clicked her tongue, pulling me into a hug. "Who knows — maybe one of my boys will change your mind about relationships." She backed away from our hug in the midst of her words, surprising me.
