Daisy wasn't feeling her best that day. A dull headache throbbed behind her temples, and her body ached with a fatigue that seemed to seep into her bones. She had spent most of the day curled up in bed, drifting in and out of sleep, her thoughts clouded by the remnants of the previous day's emotional turmoil. Despite the comfort of her blankets, an uneasy restlessness had taken root in her, gnawing at her insides.
As the day wore on, the sunlight began to fade, casting long shadows across her dorm room. The pale light of twilight filtered through the window, bathing the room in a soft, golden hue. Daisy sat up slowly, wincing at the stiffness in her muscles. She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness that clung to her.
With a sigh, she pushed herself out of bed and walked over to the window. She gazed out at the campus, the familiar landscape taking on a dreamlike quality in the fading light. The trees swayed gently in the evening breeze, their leaves rustling softly. The sky was a canvas of muted colors—lavender, pink, and orange—blending together in a serene display.
As she stood there, Daisy's thoughts drifted to Ferdinand. She hadn't seen him all day, and the absence of his presence left an aching void in her heart. The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotions, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing something precious. The thought of him slipping away, of never seeing him again, filled her with a deep sense of longing.
The memory of their last encounter played in her mind like a scene from a movie—the way he had looked at her, the warmth in his voice when he said her name. She closed her eyes, trying to hold on to that moment, to keep it from slipping away like sand through her fingers.
A sudden movement outside caught her attention, and she opened her eyes, scanning the street below. Her breath hitched as she spotted a sleek, dark car slowly making its way down the road. The car was polished to a gleaming shine, its smooth lines and elegant design standing out against the backdrop of the twilight. As it drew closer, Daisy's heart skipped a beat.
The man behind the wheel was dressed in a sharp suit, the dark fabric contrasting with his pale shirt. He looked composed, almost regal, as he navigated the car with practiced ease. His hair was neatly styled, and even from a distance, Daisy could see the intensity in his gaze as he focused on the road ahead.
For a brief, irrational moment, Daisy allowed herself to hope—to believe that the man in the car could be Ferdinand. The thought sent a thrill of excitement through her, and she found herself leaning closer to the window, her breath fogging up the glass. She watched as the car slowed to a stop near the entrance of her building, the headlights casting a warm glow on the pavement.
Her heart raced as the driver's door opened, and the man stepped out. He was tall, his broad shoulders filling out the suit perfectly. In one hand, he held a bouquet of daisies, the bright yellow petals standing out vividly against the dark fabric of his suit. The sight of the flowers took Daisy's breath away—they were the same kind of flowers she had imagined Ferdinand giving her, the kind of flowers she had dreamed about.
As the man turned toward her building, Daisy's breath caught in her throat. For a split second, she was convinced that it was Ferdinand, that he had come to see her, to bring her the flowers she had longed for. The thought was so overwhelming, so intoxicating, that she felt dizzy with the intensity of it.
But then reality came crashing down, and Daisy quickly looked away from the window, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Of course, it wasn't Ferdinand. It was just some random stranger—a man who had no idea she existed, who probably didn't even know her name. The fantasy she had built up in her mind crumbled away, leaving her feeling foolish and vulnerable.
Daisy pressed her hand to her chest, trying to steady her breathing. She needed to get out of her room, to clear her head and shake off the lingering remnants of her daydream. The headache that had plagued her earlier in the day was starting to creep back, and she knew she needed to get some medicine before it got worse.
With a sigh, she turned away from the window and walked over to her closet. She pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, quickly throwing them on without much thought. Her reflection in the mirror made her wince—her hair was a mess, and her eyes were puffy from the tears she had shed earlier. But she didn't have the energy to care. All she wanted was to get to the convenience store, grab some medicine, and come back to her room to sleep away the rest of the evening.
She grabbed her wallet and phone, shoving them into her pocket before heading out the door. As she made her way down the hallway, she couldn't shake the lingering sense of disappointment that clung to her. The fantasy she had entertained, however briefly, had left her feeling empty and hollow. But she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.
When she reached the lobby, the clock on the wall showed 8:50 PM. The dorm was quiet, most students either out for the evening or holed up in their rooms. Daisy walked over to the entrance, her footsteps echoing in the empty space. She pulled open the door and stepped outside, the cool evening air brushing against her skin.
As she made her way toward the exit, something caught her eye—a small, colorful object sitting on top of the letterboxes near the entrance. Daisy paused, her curiosity piqued, and walked over to get a closer look.
Her breath caught in her throat when she realized what it was—a bouquet of daisies, the same kind of flowers she had seen earlier. The petals were fresh and vibrant, their cheerful yellow color standing out against the dark green stems. Nestled among the flowers was a small note, the edges slightly curled.
Daisy's hands trembled as she reached for the note, her heart pounding in her chest. She unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the words written in neat, elegant handwriting:
"Daisies for my Daisy."
The words sent a jolt of emotion through her, and she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She turned the note over, her breath catching as she read the message on the back:
"Dinner at the local town grill, if you want, at 9."
For a moment, Daisy just stood there, staring at the note in disbelief. Was this real? Had Ferdinand really left these flowers for her? The thought was almost too much to comprehend, and she felt a rush of conflicting emotions—joy, confusion, disbelief—all swirling together in a dizzying mix.
But as she stood there, holding the note and the bouquet of daisies, a small, hopeful smile began to form on her lips. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a dream after all. Maybe Ferdinand was real, and maybe he felt something for her too.
With a deep breath, Daisy turned on her heel and started walking toward the street. She didn't have time to change, didn't have time to worry about how she looked. All that mattered was getting to the grill and finding Ferdinand. As she walked, the note crumpled slightly in her hand, a tangible reminder of the decision she had just made.
The evening air was cool against her skin as she made her way down the sidewalk, her pace quickening with every step. The streets were quiet, the sounds of the day fading into the background as night began to fall. Daisy's mind raced with possibilities, her heart pounding in her chest as she imagined what the next hour might bring.
Would Ferdinand be there, waiting for her? Or would she arrive only to find an empty table, her hopes dashed once again? The uncertainty was almost unbearable, but she pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the path ahead.
As she neared the grill, the warm glow of its lights beckoned to her, a small beacon in the darkness. She could see the outline of the building now, could hear the faint hum of voices from within. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickened her pace, the anticipation building with every step.
Finally, she reached the entrance, her breath coming in short, nervous gasps. She paused for a moment, gathering her courage before pushing open the door and stepping inside. The smell of grilled food and the murmur of conversation enveloped her, a comforting contrast to the tension that had gripped her all day.
Her eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of him. And then, in the far corner by the window, she saw him. Ferdinand was sitting there, his back to the wall, his eyes focused on the door as if he had been waiting for her all along.
The sight of him made her heart swell with emotion. He looked different somehow—more real, more tangible than he had in her memories. The uncertainty, the fear that had plagued her, began to melt away, replaced by a deep sense of relief. He was real. He was here.
Daisy took a deep breath and started walking toward him, the daisies still clutched in her hand. She didn't know what the night would bring, didn't know what words would be spoken or what emotions would be uncovered. But as she approached the table, she felt a sense of hope blooming within her, as bright and fragile as the flowers she carried.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Daisy allowed herself to believe that everything might just turn out okay.