Dreaming of Daisy

Chapter 6 - Flashback to Jeans Day Freshman Year

"But she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts
She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreamin' 'bout the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time"

(You Belong With Me  -Taylor Swift)

One fall day James experienced his first jeans day. This may sound quite mundane to most, but to Catholic school students this was a big deal. It was also another fundraiser like everything else. Students paid $1.50 or so, and in return could wear jeans for the day. James was actually quite comfortable in the security of his uniform. Not because the cotton was of a particular quality, or because he liked how it fit, but because it offered a sort of mental comfort. Teenagers have a lot to worry about. There are odors, hairs sprouting in weird new places, bad haircuts, acne, sports games, dating, being popular, and of course adapting to the norms of adult life with a still developing prefrontal cortex.

Figuring out what to wear was just one more thing. Yet, in an effort to fit in, James reluctantly obliged.

The silver lining of jeans day was seeing Daisy. As the homeroom representative, it was her job to collect their money. James showed up to homeroom shortly before the bell, and found the classroom filled with blue jeans. Compared to the daily gray and white uniforms, it was a lot to take in. Even still, James' eyes instantly connected with Daisy.

She was standing awkwardly in the front of the classroom. Her whole outfit to compliment her jeans seemed so perfectly planned, and James could barely keep himself from staring at her. Despite her obvious beauty, Daisy was reserved and shy as she stood up front in the room. She didn't have on any particularly showy shirt, or a lot of makeup. She didn't walk around in that flauntingly pretty way like so many other girls. She just stood there, nervously, and smiled at those around her.

James looked onward at her like someone might look into a wishing well, or at Niagara Falls, or the Grand Canyon. It's easy to get lost in wonder while starring on in contemplation at something of such magnitude. Millions of people may not visit Daisy's house every year to gawk at her beauty, but that was only because it was still such a secret to the world. As James looked on transfixed, her eyes turned towards him. For about three seconds, they stared into each other's eyes. In those moments, James felt a connection like he had never felt before. Like a shooting star, or the final rays of a sunset, the moment only lasted a second. Both embarrassed, they quickly looked away.

After the pledge of allegiance, she hurriedly collected their money. James thanked her as she silently accepted his $1.50. For a long time jeans days were the closest he would come to Daisy.

This brief morning sighting had re-invigorated his desire to break through to her like never before. James felt a nervous excitement inside him around Daisy, like a Bigfoot enthusiast might feel in the middle of the woods. Her glance at him was the only sign he needed. He was like a Bigfoot hunter who hears a stick knocked against a tree in the dark wilderness. After weeks of stakeouts, checking game cams, and trekking through national forests, and on the cusp of utter doubt, that small knock re-ignites the flame. The ember bursts forth again. James knew there was hope.

After the announcements were complete, the money was collected, and Daisy was gone, James made a rare move. He looked over at Matt, "So what's the deal with your cousin?" He asked.

"Who Daisy?" Matt muttered. He turned around, "Emily, James wants to know about Daisy."

Emily smiled. She was very kind and warm, and while things had escalated quickly, she didn't worry James.

"Daisy is great," Emily said. "She is one of those people who everyone likes. She's also the oldest of six."

"Isn't she still dating that guy, what's his name?" Matt asked.