Free Now

chapter six: dear angel lacy, eyes white as daisies

Gemma arrived back at camp on Monday morning, after the cabin assignments had been announced. She was excited to see that she and Avery would be co-councilors together, and nervous to see that Daisy had been paired with Katrina and Daniel. Looking a bit sheepish but carrying a bouquet of Daises she'd picked along the way. Daisy was sitting with Brooke near the cabins. Gemma approached them with a grin, the flowers slightly crushed in her grip. "Look who I brought these for!" she said in a sing-song voice, waving them in front of Daisy. Daisy raised an eyebrow, trying not to smile. "Is this supposed to make up for the 2 a.m. drunk call?" Gemma feigned shock. "Who, me? I have no recollection of that." She winked and held out the flowers. "Peace offering?", Daisy laughed, taking the slightly wilted bouquet. "I guess I'll accept your apology... this time."

Just as she was about to say something else, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over Daisy, and she coughed, feeling more exhausted than she had since she'd arrived at camp. She blinked, but everything felt a little off. "You okay, Daisy?" Brooke asked, frowning. "Yeah, I think..." But before Daisy could finish her sentence, she doubled over, her stomach flipping. Within an hour, Daisy found herself in the camp's medical cabin, bundled up in blankets as a nurse handed her medicine. Turns out, she had come down with a bad fever, and now she was stuck inside for who knew how long.

The next day, just as Daisy was settling into her boring sick bed, Gemma came bounding in with her usual energy, a thermos in one hand and a stack of magazines in the other. "Look who's here to brighten your day!" Gemma announced, plopping down on the chair next to Daisy's bed. Daisy groaned, wiping the sweat off her forehead. "You didn't have to come. You're probably gonna catch whatever Brooke gave me." Gemma shrugged, unbothered. "Pfft. Please. I've survived London rain, raccoons, and embarrassing phone calls. I think I can handle a little fever." She held out the thermos. "Brought you soup. I didn't make it, because i can't cook. But it's hot!"

Daisy smiled weakly, taking the thermos. "Thanks. I'm already tired of camp food. This is a nice change." Gemma grinned. "Oh, I'm just getting started. You've got me as your personal nurse all week, Craig let you have the rest of the week off to get better. Mostly so that you don't infect the children. So, I'll be here during my break times" And true to her word, Gemma visited Daisy every day during her stay in the medical cabin. She'd show up with snacks, books, and even a deck of cards, sitting by Daisy's side to keep her company.

By the end of the week, Daisy was feeling like herself again, just in time for her three weeks off to begin. "Looks like I've officially nursed you back to health," Gemma said with a grin. "So, what are your plans for your three weeks of freedom?" she asked, leaning back on her hands. "You going on some wild adventures or just kicking back?" Daisy laughed, pulling her knees up to her chest. "Well, the CITs are talking about throwing a party." She shrugged. "And then there's the all-important back-to-school shopping, can't miss out on that."

Gemma froze for a second, her mind catching on that last phrase—back to school shopping. She chuckled, but the reality hit her harder than she expected. Daisy, with all her confidence and sarcasm, was still so young. While Gemma had been traveling the world and figuring out her life, Daisy was still worried about classes, locker combinations, and, apparently, getting the perfect school supplies. "Right..." Gemma said slowly, forcing a smile. "Back-to-school. Haven't heard that phrase in a while." Daisy noticed the shift in Gemma's tone and tilted her head, eyebrows raised. "Why do you say it like that?"

Gemma smirked, trying to play it off. "I don't know. It's just... funny to think about. I've been out of school for a while now. Back-to-school shopping for me is figuring out which discount store has the cheapest yoga mats or something." Daisy grinned. "Well, I'll be buying notebooks and pens if that's any consolation. And maybe the perfect backpack to survive senior year." There it was again—senior year. Gemma was hit with the reminder that while she had been living out her twenties, Daisy was only just on the verge of adulthood. It felt like a gap she hadn't noticed until this moment.

"So, that party," Gemma said, attempting to switch gears. "You guys planning to get smashed on cheap vodka?" "Probably," Daisy said with a smirk. "But, you know, responsibly." Gemma raised an eyebrow. "Is that a thing? Getting responsibly drunk?" Daisy laughed. "Well, we try." Gemma couldn't help but chuckle, but there was a nagging thought in the back of her mind now. Daisy was still figuring out high school, and Gemma was... well, Gemma didn't know what was happening in her life.

Later that afternoon, Daisy sat on her bed, wearing her new CIT shirt and packing. The rise and fall of a Midwest princess blasted from her phone as she focused on writing a thank-you note for Jamie. She was so lost in her own world; she didn't hear Gemma come in until, "Do you have a broom?" Daisy looked up, startled. Gemma stood in the doorway, smiling. "Sorry, love, didn't mean to scare you." Daisy laughed, shaking her head. "You're fine. The broom's right behind you," she said, pointing behind Gemma.

Gemma turned, grabbing the broom, then noticed Daisy's shirt. "Is that the new CIT shirt? It's sick!" Daisy grinned, looking down at the design. "Yeah, I think it's pretty cool." Gemma's eyes landed on the paper in Daisy's hand. "What are you writing?" Daisy felt a little shy about it. "Oh, it's nothing, it's silly." Gemma raised an eyebrow. "Come on, don't be secretive. What is it?" Daisy sighed, giving in. "It's a thank-you note for Jamie." Gemma's smile softened. "That's not silly at all. That's actually really sweet." "Thanks," Daisy muttered, a bit embarrassed.

As the music changed to HOT TO GO, Gemma's expression suddenly lit up with mock horror. "Oh no, the straight people got to Chappell Roan!" Daisy bit her lip, not ready to correct Gemma on the assumption of her sexuality. Instead opting to shake her head at Gemma's dramatic reaction. "Right? What a disaster." "Well, I better get back or people will think i jumped out the window to avoid cleaning. You're leaving tonight right." Gemma stated. "Yeah, at six." Daisy said with a hint of sadness. "Don't you dare leave without saying goodbye." Gemma said, pointing at her. "Wouldn't dream of it." As Gemma walked out, Daisy shook her head, trying not to smile too wide, and got back to her note.

At six, Daisy stood at the lodge's entrance, her suitcase next to her, as her mom's car pulled up. "Are you sure you have to go?" Gemma asked, leaning against the doorframe with a mock pout. Daisy tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace. "Yeah, all the CIT's have three weeks off." Gemma pushed herself off the door and stepped closer, her expression softening. "Well, I'll be counting the days until you're back. And don't you dare forget me while you're gone." "Forget you?" Daisy laughed, shaking her head. "Not a chance. You're stuck with me now." They smiled at each other.

Daisy hesitated, then took a step closer. "Hey, I—" "Daisy!" her mom called from the car, interrupting the moment. "We need to go!" "Coming!" Daisy shouted back, then turned to Gemma, her heart racing. "Okay, I guess this is it." Gemma stepped forward, her eyes locking onto Daisy's. "Just remember, I'll be here waiting for you. And maybe we can do something extra fun when you get back?" Daisy nodded, a smile breaking through her sadness. "Definitely. And I'll text you." "Good." Gemma's grin was infectious, but Daisy felt a twinge of longing as she stepped back. "Bye, Gemma." "Bye, Daisy. Don't forget to call!" Gemma called after her, waving enthusiastically. Daisy turned and walked to the car, glancing back one last time to see Gemma still standing there, her smile bright against the backdrop of the camp.