Just Daisy

I

C H A P T E R
O N E

"Sorry's Suck"

———

Sorry's suck.

Sorry's ranging from being annoying and just hurting.

I've always found my parents' divorce to be the most annoying. My mom and dad apologized when they told me the terrible news. If my mom was so sorry, she wouldn't have cheated on my dad. She wouldn't have fought in court to have custody of me, as if our relationship would ever be the same.

My mom's death is what hurt me the most. People telling me that they were sorry for my loss, as though her cancer was something they could prevent. Or how sorry I was that I spent the last few years of my mom's life resenting her.

Yet the sorry's my dad whispered to me when my sisters and I arrived at his doorstep seemed to fit in both of those categories.

I was happy to see his face after so many years. But I was mad. Annoyed. He didn't think to give us a single message. Not even on birthdays or holidays.

The emotions I felt while looking at his face were confusing. I wanted to hate him, but I couldn't. I shouldn't. I didn't want to spend my time hating my dad unaware of how little time I have, just like I did to my mom.

"Daisy May! You've grown so much since I've last seen you. And you too Lara and Penelope." My dad exclaimed, welcoming us with open arms.

That's because I was twelve the last time you saw me. "It's just Daisy now, dad." I said, giving him my most realistic looking fake smile.

"Oh, of course. You girls must be pretty tired. I'll show you to your rooms and let you rest up a bit before dinner. Follow me." He said, opening the front door and motioning us to come inside.

I picked up my bags and hauled them inside with me. They were pretty heavy, because I packed the majority of my belongings, but I managed.

Just by the outside of his house, I could tell it was big. But it looked so grand and large from the inside. My dad must earn a lot of money from his new job.

"Lara and Penelope, this will be your room. I figured that you guys would like to share." My dad said, motioning to a room at the end of a hall downstairs. My sisters dragged their suitcases in their room behind.

"Your room is upstairs, Daisy. Its the door on the right with the golden doorknob."

I nodded, and headed towards the stairs. My new room was easy to spot, as it was the only room with a golden doorknob. I opened the door and walked in. The room had a dark hardwood floor, the only carpeting was by what would be my new bed.

I dragged by bags over to the bed, and set them on top. My heaviest bag began sink into the soft mattress.

I don't really mind sleeping on that bed.

I sat down beside the bags, sinking into the mattress as well, and put my head into my hands.

"I should've said more." I sighed against my hands. I should've told my dad how much i've missed him. Even if I was mad at him, I needed him to know how much I care. "I guess I can tell him later tonight, at dinner."

———

I took a short nap, one that probably took less than an hour, but I still felt pretty refreshed.

While stretching, I stood up and climbed off of the bed.  While walking over to the bathroom, I caught a glance of myself in the vanity mirror. My light blonde hair was puffed out and messy, and my bangs seemed to defy gravity.

Looks like I need to fix my appearance big time.

I walked back to my bags, and pulled out the pouch where I kept my makeup.    Looking into my bathroom mirror, and pulled out my hairbrush and two bright red hair clips. I clipped my bangs back with clips, and brushed through the frizzy mess.

"Daisy! We're heading out to dinner!" My dad called from the doorway of my bedroom.

"Coming!" I called back.

Hopefully dinner won't be as awkward as our re-introductions were.