new beginnings [c.f.]

chapter two

The campus had quieted down as the afternoon sun began its descent, casting a golden hue over Stanford. Conrad and Daisy had spent the last few hours exploring the campus, and by now, they were comfortably familiar with each other's company. As they walked back towards the dorms, the silence between them felt easy, not forced.

"Thanks for showing me around," Conrad said, glancing at Daisy as they walked. "It made everything feel a little less overwhelming."

Daisy smiled. "I'm glad I could help. Stanford can be intimidating at first, but it doesn't take long to feel at home."

Conrad nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The conversation he had with Jeremiah before his head played in his mind over and over again, still raw and painful, when the quiet moments hit. Despite the new surroundings and Daisy's friendly presence, the weight of what he'd left behind and how he had left it lingered.

Daisy noticed his distraction and hesitated before speaking again. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but... it's everything okay?"

Conrad was silent for a moment, weighing his words. He wasn't used to opening up to strangers, but there was something about Daisy's sincerity that made him want to confide in her.

"It's just... family stuff," he finally said, his voice low. "Things got pretty complicated back home before I came here."

Daisy nodded, not pushing for more but letting him know she was listening if he wanted to continue.

"I came here to get away from it all," Conrad admitted, his eyes on the path in front of them. "To start fresh. But it's hard to leave everything behind, you know?"

Daisy glanced at him, empathy in her eyes. "Yeah, I get it. It's hard to move on when part of you is still tied to the past."

They walked in silence for a few more steps, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the distant chatter of other students. Conrad appreciated that Daisy didn't force the conversation, allowing him to process his thoughts at his own pace.

Finally, he took a deep breath and asked, "Do you ever feel like you're running away from something, but no matter how far you go, it still follows you?"

Daisy considered the question, her expression thoughtful. "I think everyone has something they're trying to escape from," she said softly. "But I also think that sometimes, the things we're running from are the things we need to face the most."

Conrad looked at her, surprised by the depth of her response. There was more to Daisy than he had first realized. He could tell that she wasn't just saying what she thought he wanted to hear - she understood, perhaps more than she let on.

"Maybe you're right," Conrad said after a moment. "But right now, I just want to focus on starting over."

"And you will," Daisy assured him, her voice gentle. "It won't be easy, but you're stronger than you think."

They reached Conrad's dorm, and he turned to face her. "Thanks, Daisy. For everything. I didn't expect to feel this...at ease, so soon."

She smiled, her eyes warm. "That's what I'm here for. If you ever need someone to talk to, or just hang out with, I'm around."

Conrad nodded, grateful for the offer. As Daisy turned to leave, he watched her go, feeling a little lighter than he had that morning. He wasn't sure what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, it didn't seem quite as daunting.

Back in her own dorm room, Daisy closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a deep breath. The day had been long, and despite the smiles and reassurances she'd given to Conrad, she couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at her. The scholarship results still hadn't come in, and the uncertainty was driving her crazy.

She walked over to her desk, picking up her phone with a sigh. It was time to check in with her parents, something she did every evening. Dialing the familiar number, she waited as the phone rang, her heart beating a little faster than usual.

"Hi, Mom!" Daisy greeted when the call connected, forcing cheerfulness into her voice.

"Hi, sweetheart! How's everything going?" her mother's voice came through, warm but laced with the same underlying worry Daisy felt.

"Good! Busy, as usual," Daisy replied, walking over to the window and looking out at the campus below. "I helped a new student get settled today. He seemed pretty nice."

"That's great, honey," her mother said, and Daisy could picture her smiling on the other end of the line. "We're so proud of you, you know that?"

Daisy's heart clenched. "Thanks, Mom. How are things at home?"

There was a slight pause before her mother responded, and Daisy knew she was choosing her words carefully. "We're managing. Your dad's still looking for something steady, but we'll be okay. Don't worry about us."

"Mom," Daisy said softly, "you know I can't help but worry. If things get too tough, just let me know, okay? I can pick up more shifts at the café."

"No, Daisy, focus on your studies," her mother insisted. "We don't want you to overwork yourself. "We'll figure things out here."

Daisy bit her lip, feeling the familiar mix of guilt and frustration. She knew her parents were struggling, especially since her mom had to stop working, but there wasn't much she could do from here except try to keep her grades and hope for the scholarship.

"I'm still waiting to hear about the scholarship," Daisy said, her voice quieter now. "If I get it, things will be a lot easier."

Her mother sighed softly. "I know, sweetheart. We're praying for good news. But remember, whatever happens, we'll get through it together."

"I know," Daisy replied, though the uncertainty still weighed heavily on her. "I just want to make things easier for you and Dad."

"We know, and we're so proud of how hard you're working," her mother repeated, her voice full of love. "Just take care of yourself, okay? We want you to enjoy college too, not just enjoy all the time."

"I'll try," Daisy promised, forcing a smile even though her mother couldn't see it. "Tell Dad I love him."

"I will. We love you too, Daisy. More than anything."

They ended the call, and Daisy sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone for a long moment. She knew her mom was right - worrying wouldn't change anything - but it was hard to focus on anything else with so much at stake.

She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension. As much as she wanted to call the scholarship office and demand answers, she knew it wouldn't do any good. All she could do was wait and hope.