In Between (lynn loud jr x fem! oc)

This Is Me Trying

     Monday morning started like any other day for Daisy. She got ready for school, throwing on a simple outfit—jeans and another one of Lynn's hoodies she had taken yesterday. The familiar fabric brought her some comfort, and she found herself smiling a little as she ate breakfast, remembering how close she and Lynn had gotten over the weekend.

     The morning classes went by in a blur, filled with the usual lectures and note-taking. It wasn't until lunchtime that things took an unexpected turn. Daisy was making her way down the hallway toward the cafeteria, her headphones in as she scrolled through a playlist on her phone. She didn't notice the guy walking up to her until he was right in front of her, blocking her path.

     "Hey, you're that freak who sings all that emo crap, right?" His voice was loud and taunting, immediately putting Daisy on edge. She pulled her headphones down to her neck and glanced at him with confusion, not recognizing him at all.

     "Uh... what?" Daisy replied, trying to brush past him, but he stepped in front of her again, his smirk widening.

     "You know exactly what I'm talking about. All that depressing, weird music you're always making. No wonder you're such a loser," he sneered, his eyes scanning her up and down. "And don't even get me started on how you're always hanging around with that girlfriend of yours." His tone was laced with disgust, the word "girlfriend" dripping with venom.

     The pit in Daisy's stomach twisted, her breath catching in her throat as his words sank in. Her heart pounded as she searched for a response—anything to say to make him stop—but the words wouldn't come. It was like her voice was stuck, frozen under the weight of his sneering gaze.

     "Cat got your tongue?" he mocked, taking a step closer, his voice getting louder. "Guess you're too busy being a little dy—"

     Daisy didn't let him finish. She turned on her heel and bolted, not even looking back to see if he was following her. She didn't know where she was going, just that she needed to get away, away from the crowded hallway and his hateful voice. Her feet carried her down the hall until she found herself outside the girl's bathroom. She pushed the door open and stumbled inside, heading straight for the furthest stall.

     Once inside, Daisy slammed the door shut and locked it, sinking to the floor as her hands started to tremble. Her breath was shaky, coming out in uneven gasps, and she pressed her palms against her knees, trying to steady herself. The words echoed in her head, each one striking like a blow. It wasn't the first time she had heard things like that—she had known it could happen, especially after starting to feel more open about herself with Lynn. But still, nothing could've prepared her for the harshness of it, the way it felt like the ground had been ripped out from under her.

     She stayed there for what felt like forever, her mind racing as she tried to calm down. The bathroom was quiet except for the faint hum of the school's air conditioning, and for a moment, she just focused on that sound, letting it ground her. But despite her best efforts, her thoughts kept returning to the hateful words, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push them away.

     Eventually, Daisy fumbled for her phone and texted Lynn, her hands still trembling slightly as she typed.

     Daisy: Hey, can you meet me in the bathroom near the art wing? Please?

     She sent the message before she could second-guess herself. Right now, she didn't know who else to reach out to, and she just needed to feel safe—needed to feel like she wasn't alone.

     It didn't take long for Lynn to reply.

     Lynn: On my way. Be there in a sec.