DAISY'S BUTTERFLIES

Seventeen.

            The harsh roars of thunder booming outside sounded like a lullaby to me as my mind tried fixing the puzzle called Daisy.
   
     Stew was fast asleep in his bed...
Some things needed to be set straight. I slipped to the carpeted floor and headed for the door.
      Before I could reach for the knob, someone knocked from the other side.

           Without giving much thought, I twisted the silver knob and opened the wooden door to see a very messy Daisy.
    Her eyes widened upon seeing me.

         "A...Alex!"
"Yes Daisy, what do you want?"
Why was I sounding so rude-ish? She didn't look so happy.

        "I...I wanted to..."
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
       Her lower lip trembled, as if she was fighting the emotions from pouring.
       "I'm so sorry Alex!" Daisy exploded in heavy sobs.
  
   "Sorry about what?"

She wiped away the wetness on her cheeks to look up at me. "What I said at the river. I shouldn't have said that to yo-"

     I covered her mouth.
She needed not say more. If she had acknowledged her mistake, it was enough. I retreated my hand.

            "I'm also sorry for acting like a protective father on the watch out for his cub."
I caught a smile on her  lips in the dim light from outside.
      For a whole minute, we just stood there saying nothing.
"Um... I guess I should...leave."

As she turned around, I grasped her arm and tugged her for myself.
     "You can spend the night here. I know you're scared of thunder Daisy," I whispered cupping her jaw.

Her lips parted, but she said nothing. Like tempting my demons to kiss her.
     "Don't worry about your brother, or me, I won't touch you, I promise."

"Er...um... I... I don't know Alex-"
     "What are you afraid of Daisy? What's holding you back?"

       I dived in her eyes, searching for some clue, even if just a little. But they were  stone hard.
     "It's just that, well... I can't."

"Then I'll come keep you company, in your room. And I'm not taking no for an answer Miss Boring."
     Daisy giggled it off slapping my chest lightly.

Once on her bed, I slept on the covers just to reduce any discomfort to her concerning our bodily contacts.
        For over thirty minutes, we chatted about all stupid things regarding college. And in no time, Daisy's eyelids started giving up as they clamped together in harmony.

  She fell asleep to my caresses along her temple, and gave me the grace to watch her angelic face go stress- free...

The angry outburst of thunder continued for a while then faded. No, my conscious faded as I slowly succumbed to the heavy sleep grabbing me...
*            *            *

            The flash of bright light glaring at me had my protesting eyes open in a squint.
    But the set of gray eyes widely staring at me blinked shut in a jiffy.

Daisy thought I hadn't seen her staring, and I acted along.
    Only took seconds to realise I was under the covers, and she had a leg across my thighs, an arm across my chest.
        A spark inside me shot wildly all over.
And I went ahead to caress her cheek till she groaned rolling away from me.

   A constructed laughter from me surprised the maleness inside me. Why was I enjoying the little game she was playing without dreading for any intimate touches as with other girls?

                "Daisy?"
"Go away!" She groaned sleepily.
       "Okay, I'm going. Bye."
As I was about to slide from the bed, a hand caught my arm, and the female faced me.
      "Were you really leaving you idiot?"
   
    Well that was strange, it was like she had been possessed.
   "My work here is done. You got past through the night."
   She edged closer and placed her head on my shoulder.
       "I don't think so Mr Universe."

"Daisy?" I whispered taken aback as she leaned even closer.
    Our eyes were tightly locked. But she tore hers away to gaze at my lips.

            Light as a feather, she placed a kiss on them, her hand cupping my jaw softly.
   I was too shocked to kiss back. So I pushed her a little. "Are you sure about this Daisy? I don't want to force you into any-" "Less talk, more action Alex."

      That released the monster inside.
  I rolled on her, holding back some weight not to crash her.
     Ooh, she was already panting slightly, her hands racing wildly in my hair.

    "Kiss me Alex! Kiss-"
Something nudged my arm. And I startled yelling Daisy's name.
     
      The female standing beside the bed laughed.
   "Were you dreaming about me you perv?" She demanded walking to the closet.

I rubbed my face, chasing away the stupid fantasy that had felt so real. But I was under the covers so a part of it was real.
    And what was that heat flowing down my loin?

Pushing the duvet to the side, I caught the tent around my groin... Damn!
   Daisy couldn't see that or I'd be in serious trouble with her saintly thoughts.

      Before she could look back, I was on my way heading to the door... Windy was still asleep.
   "Alex? Leaving so soon?"
I laughed over my shoulder.
     "Gotta go shower honey cause I'm sure you won't welcome me in yours."

Daisy gave a quiet chuckle.
     "Whatever!"
"And, see you at the dining  table, we're going for an adventure today."

She grinned moved.
    "Looking forward to it Alex."

We stood at the mouth of the cave. Stew took Tina's hand.
      "Slap me if I doze in there."
She laughed pinching his cheek.

      A lump formed in my throat looking at them. I had no one to hold. Daisy was being led inside by Kevin, and Windy was in the company of Kevin's brother, Arthur.

    "Hey big guy, we'll miss out on the fun," Phil spoke taking my left arm.

I faked a smile and allowed her to walk me in the rocky entrance.

          The interior was dark, the walls wet and slippery.

"This is getting scary now." Tina whispered from the front.
     I saw Stew tighten his grip on her hand assuring. Before my eyes fell on Daisy. Kevin was trying to slide a hand at her waist, but she pushed it away with a little laugh.

      With our flashlights, it was easy to navigate through the cave. But we reached a junction and there were two paths going different directions.

    "Guess we'll have to split up now." Stew announced.

   "We'll go to the right," said Kevin.
    "Us too." I heard myself shout.
"That leaves the four of us to the left." Windy slapped my arm then whispered, "Look after Daisy eh."
     "With my life windy."

For about three minutes, no one breathed a word.
     Phil broke the silence. "Um... I heard there are bats in here."
  Kevin laughed.
   
"Those are just stupid myths."
      My anger just flared up at his words. "What makes you so sure? You seem to know a lot."
   He stopped to point his flashlight at me. "I know this town better than you do townie."
  
         "Oh really! Perhaps you can draw me a map of every rock in your precious town eh?'
    " Why don't you go back to your little town and get laid for a change!" Kevin yelled and it travelled in echoes.

    Now that was the last insult I'd take from that country boy. I threw my flashlight to the wall and pounced at him.
        But before I could dismantle his perfect face, someone threw herself at me.

"Alex?"
     She quickly pushed me back, away from the other demon Phil was trying to control.

"Alex? Alex look at me!"
     Daisy cupped my jaw with both hands. "Hey, hey, calm down."
  
      
  "Let me go Daisy! I want to scar his face so that he'll never forget about-" "Not necessary Alex. I'm here, now calm down."

     Yes, she was there. She was calming my demon down. She was not angry that I wanted to fight Mr Handsome. Daisy was by my side, she was keeping me away from trouble.