---
Chapter 6: The People Who Know Us
Lina
Lina Ochieng sat on Daisy's bed, painting her toenails a sharp red, her tone casual—but her eyes keen.
"He said that?" she asked, glancing up.
Daisy shrugged. "It wasn't dramatic. Just honest."
"That's more dangerous," Lina said with a grin. "The soft ones are the ones who get you."
Daisy didn't respond right away. She was lying on her back, arm over her eyes. "I don't know what to do with someone like him."
"You don't do anything," Lina said, capping the polish. "You just... allow. Let him be who he is, and let yourself feel it without trying to outthink it."
"That's not me," Daisy muttered.
"It could be," Lina replied. "Or maybe it already is—and that's what's scaring you."
---
Marcus
Across town, Calvin met Marcus at a quiet diner, like they always did when life needed sorting. Marcus, now working a stiff job in advertising after his athletic scholarship dreams ended early, sipped his bitter coffee.
"So... she's opening up?" Marcus asked.
"Barely," Calvin said. "But when she does... it's worth the wait."
Marcus studied his brother. "You look lighter than you used to."
Calvin raised an eyebrow. "You saying I was heavy?"
"I'm saying," Marcus said gently, "you carry a lot in silence. And she seems to be... shifting that."
Calvin thought about that. "She doesn't even realize it."
"Good," Marcus replied. "That means it's real. The stuff that sneaks up on us is usually the stuff that stays."
---
Daisy & Calvin
The next day, they met again under a large oak tree on campus. No books, no notebooks—just time.
"I think my friend's worried I'm catching feelings," Daisy said, sitting cross-legged on the grass.
Calvin glanced at her. "Are you?"
"I might be." She said it like it was dangerous.
He didn't press.
Instead, he picked up a fallen leaf, turned it slowly between his fingers. "I think I already did."
And again, silence settled between them. But this time, it was welcome.
---