Daphne sat at her desk at home, her chair pulled in close, as books spread out before her like she was preparing weapons for a big battle. Dinner still sat heavy in her stomach, but she had refused to lie down. Instead, she flipped open the assignment Kendrick had given her, reading through it. She was going to make him take those words back.
How could he say he has a slow brain? Asshole.
Five minutes later.
Daphne was already lost in the strange and twisting world of organic chemistry. Her brows were pulled together as her eyes traced a long terrifying word.
"Poly… chlorinated… biph..enyl…" she paused, squinting harder as she traced her pen around the word. "-something-something benzene?" she breathed out, "God, what is this?"
She tried again, slower this time, her lips stumbling over each syllable. When the name still refused to cooperate with her tongue, she gave up entirely and slapped the textbook shut with a loud thud.
A quiet snort came from her open door. She turned to see Max standing here. His small hands were placed on his knees, and his shoulders were shaking as he pointed at her, laughing so hard that he almost tipped forward. "Your teeth almost came out right now," he said between giggles.
"Close your mouth," Daphne snapped, grabbing her pillow. "You look like a dumb frog."
Max shook his head dramatically. "You're just angry."
She hurled the pillow at him without warning. Max yelped and darted away, his legs moving faster than Daphne thought was possible.
"Mum!" his little voice rang out into the living room. "Daphne is reading!"
From somewhere down the hall, her mother chuckled, amused like he had just announced something unbelievable.
Maybe her brain was indeed slow afterall.
Daphne groaned, rubbing her face with both hands. She leaned back against her chair and closed her eyes, breathing out slowly, when her phone vibrated softly on the table.
It was a text message from Tessa
She unlocked her phone and smiled faintly.
Tessa: I'm coming to your place tomorrow. Let's make cupcakes.
Daphne scratched her head as she recalled bringing it up two weeks ago. And she really wanted to make cupcakes with Tessa. Cooking with her was always fun, and it had been long since she came over.
But tomorrow, she has promised to be a bad girl, and go to the boutique. And she had been secretly excited about it even when she knew her mother would probably kill her if she ever knew.
She sighed and typed back.
Daphne: Oops 😬 I think I'm going to the store with my mum tomorrow.
Three dots appeared almost immediately.
Tessa: Since when do you willingly go shopping with your mum?
Daphne smiled.
Daphne: Since never. But I don't really have a choice.
Tessa: Wow. This kind of feels like betrayal. But do you think your mom will mind if I want to tag along?.
Daphne: You're in her blacklist now. She told me to stay away from you.
Tessa: 😅😅. That's sad.
Daphne: Sorry. Let's reschedule. I owe you one. Love you 🌹🌹
Tessa: ♥️♥️
Daphne placed her phone face-down and stood up, stretching. She stepped into the living room just as the eight o'clock news played softly on the television. Her father sat watching, his glasses perched low on his nose. Mark had fallen asleep beside him, curled awkwardly on the chair, with one leg dangling dangerously close to the floor.
Daphne carefully lifted Mark and adjusted him onto the couch properly, tucking his legs in and pulling a throw blanket over him.
Her father noticed and watched her quietly, admiration softening his expression.
"Hey," he called gently.
Daphne walked over and sat beside him, then slowly slid down until she was lying across the couch, and resting her head on his leg. He immediately began patting her hair absentmindedly, his fingers moving in slow comforting strokes.
She glanced at the television for barely two seconds before losing interest. Politics bored her. Instead, she turned her face slightly and looked up at her father.
Sometimes, it startled her how much she looked like him. Same nose, same eyes, same serious expression when thinking too hard. It was like looking into a mirror.
"What?" he asked with a small smile, noticing her gaze.
"Nothing," she murmured. "I just think you look so young today."
He laughed quietly. "That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me all week."
She shifted, comparing her hand with his, placing her palm against his. Her fingers were slimmer, smaller, but the shape was the same.
"My hands are still tiny," she said thoughtfully.
"For now," he replied, his hands resuming to stroke her hair. "They'll grow. Everything does eventually. Just be patient."
There was a pause, a comfortable and warm one.
"How's school?" he asked gently.
Daphne stiffened slightly, then relaxed. "I'm okay."
He looked down at her, his brows slightly creased. "Your mum told me about the suspension."
She winced. "Are you angry?"
"No," he said honestly. " I'm just concerned. Is there anything I should be worried about?"
She shook her head. "No, Dad. It wasn't anything bad. Just some misunderstandings."
He hummed softly, accepting her answer without pushing. "You're a good girl, Daphne. I trust you."
Her chest tightened at that, and she curled closer.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Can I have two hundred?"
He looked down at her, amused. He had suspected she wanted to demanded something the moment there was a switch in her tone."What do you need it for?"
"Just… girl stuff."
"Why don't you tell your mum to get it for you?"
"No," Daphne pouted, rolling her eyes. "She won't get what I want. She'll just buy whatever she thinks is useful."
He chuckled. "Alright, darling. I'll give you five hundred. Is that okay?"
Daphne squealed, sitting up instantly. "Really?!"
He pulled out his wallet and handed her the money. "Don't let your mother know, okay?"
"She won't," Daphne promised quickly, clutching the cash like it was a treasure.