“New people can be effective with us more than familiar ones.”

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ꪩExtraordinary facesܝ ܝ

I detached his hand from mine and swallowed as I saw that blurry face again with some memories that I didn’t recall before the accident day. I was alarmed by his presence, I was starting to realize my mom's reason for killing him. 

Although I anticipated it may be true, I still couldn't believe that the man who sexually abused me was my father; I knew I hadn't seen my father's picture as I didn't recognize him. Despite that, how can a father do that to his daughter? We shared the same blood how could he sexually abuse me? It was unthinkable yet explained so much, in the end, I chose to deny the blasphemous truth.

I shook my head.  “You did nothing,” my tone was wobbly from what happened to me that day. I knew what happened wasn't genuinely his fault, but it was his deranged ex-girlfriend, Jessie Kennedy. 

All it took was Mr. In-Love-At-First-Sight had wished out loud to have an opportunity with the woebegone little princess I am, all in front of Regina George. Only, it seems we were graced with the lunatic version. 

After school, I was loitering, waiting for Henry to finish his class, yet he never came. I was waiting for him alone when everyone else was gone, even his sister had vanished. I didn't bother even to think where she was, I reckoned that she made herself new friends and went out with them. But Henry, he wasn’t Hannah Blake and wouldn’t evaporate like this.

Where was he? I didn’t know at that time. After a while, Jessie came to me and asked if I could help her. It was then that I was now Dimwit-Daisy because I  agreed. I didn't know what she was planning, I didn't even have the notion of the fact she was a wickedly-spoiled daddy's daughter who had a maniac love for Liam. 

I helped her out, I wish time could reverse to change my decision. The pussy-men, I knew they had penises, of course, but men who abused women had no right to own them. Jessie was the one who made them do this to me, I was abused by men all because of a girl that wasn’t loved by her ex-boyfriend.

That's how I ended up in the hospital, that's how my first day at a new school concluded. However, I could never blame Liam, he was the one who helped me, even if it was a little too late. Who knows where I would have been if he wasn't there?

“Daisy, are you sure?” His forehead puckered with his question. I nodded with a wary smile surfaced on my lips, which caused them to throb from the dark bruise still forming on my right lip. 

The doctor ambled toward us after he checked the patient next to me, he took a glance at me, then kept asking a few questions about my condition and how I felt. My reply to each question was very matter-of-fact until he got to the last question.

“Do you know who did this to you?”

“None of your business, you are just a doctor. If I’m fine, then can I go?” My eyebrows got lower as I squinted at him. I knew he did nothing, and it was for my sake to report about the abusement, but I wanted to take revenge myself. I knew how to take it, it may ravage me, but I couldn’t care less.

I attempted to get up from bed, it was arduous, laborious, and painful with every movement that I made. However, I pushed the pain away, even if it caused me to bleed I will still act as if I am not hurt. 

People thought I was used to it, but I wasn’t. I erased the memory by myself to not hurt myself more. Although part of it came back to me, there was still a part I desired not to recall it. 

And it was the main event.

Liam came all over to me as if he felt my pain from my dull face. He wrapped my arm around his neck before carrying me bridal style. 

“Put me down, I’m okay,” the lie left my lips.

“Even if you are, you still need a man--a real man--by your side.” 

I took a fast trip down memory lane about how Henry used to be by my side, he never left me. But at that moment, I didn’t even have a clue about where he was. 

.  .  .

I got out of Liam’s car when we reached our destination. I thanked him before I edged back to my house. It was past midnight so everyone was sleeping, that what I thought anyway. 

I was limping to my room until the witch stopped me, her jaw dropped when she saw me, eyes widened as she scanned my body. 

“What happened to you?” She asked, her voice became suddenly soft. What was wrong with her?

“Why do you care?” I arched an eyebrow.

“Did you report it?” I noticed the tears that filled her eyes, it had me baffled.  She never cared about me, so why did she seem touched by what happened?

“No.” I sounded toneless, the pain was taking my life. It felt like someone had their hand on my bruises and was squeezing them firmly. Still, it started to become dull.

“Why? It’s an assault, what will you say to my parents and Henry tomorrow?” Her voice started to get louder.

I covered her mouth with my hand and told her to keep quiet. I brought her to my room, I couldn’t keep standing, the pain was worse than ever. I perched on the bed next to her, before I told her what had happened, I questioned about Henry.

She informed me that he didn’t come home until shortly before I did, which was why she was still awake. I got tense, maybe something had happened to him? I didn’t know anything other than what she told me, he wasn’t answering my calls. 

He had never done that before. 

After a few minutes, he sent me a message that calmed me a bit. He told me that he was fine and that I shouldn’t worry. He also added that he was busy with something, which was why he couldn’t answer the calls. It made me suspicious, it was his first time he’s ignored my calls and sent me a silly message like that he was busy. 

I masked the face of the one who didn’t give a fuck, and I narrated to her what happened. Her reaction was truly shocking, a tear rolled down her cheek, but she wiped it away immediately so I wouldn’t be able to notice it. 

“I didn’t like that school, I don’t really like new places.”  The tears shimmered in her eyes.

Wait, was that actually the Hannah Blake that I knew from before?

“I won’t stay quiet,” I clenched my fist.

“If you need any help, I’m here,” she said for the first time.

I stared at her with wide eyes. “Why are you helping me out all of a sudden?”

“Because you helped me before, did you forget?” She stood up and made her way to the door. “I never hated you, by the way, I was just jealous of you.” She added her confession before she left the room.

I did help her several times with tiny things since she was a princess in her house. However, what she meant was when she was fifteen years old. Hannah accidentally got pregnant when she was fifteen. I was the only person that knew about it, and not intentionally. She didn’t want anyone to know, not even myself, so when I found out, I didn’t tell anyone, not even Henry.

I was the only one with her when she had to abort her child at the age of fifteen, she never thanked me for it and I never minded. I wasn’t helping her in the first place, I was keeping her from becoming a mother. I wasn’t expecting a fifteen-year-old Hannah to be a good mother, she was too young and the father was a dick.

I stayed up all night, I didn't shut my eyes for a second. My thoughts kept drifting from one to another, my head had many pressing thoughts. Still, that wasn't the main reason for not sleeping. I was agitated by my nightmares. 

Henry wasn't there, I didn't feel safe. 

Where was he? I needed him the most after such a loathsome day. He must have a high-principled excuse because normal Henry wouldn't leave me.

Or had I been fooled by Henry? 

The thoughts exploded in my brain until the sun rose, I got up from the bed and I wore a red long-sleeved shirt and high waisted jeans. I needed to cover my bruises but I couldn't cover the white cast on my left arm. Hannah came by after she was ready to cover the purple skin under my lips. 

We took Uber to school later that morning because neither Hannah nor I had a driver's license. Even if I did, I wouldn't be able to drive with pain that didn't leave over the night. We got there after twenty-five minutes and I went straight to my locker to get my books out. I scanned the hallway to find Henry, but he hadn’t arrived yet.

Suddenly Brent blew in and interrupted my thoughts before I could start my gloomy thinking and non-essential fretting about Henry. Once he started, he just kept talking. Did he ever stop? His main topic of choice was my broken arm.

I fabricated a lie that I fell while heading back home. Gladly, the halfwit believed me. He kept blethering while my mind was still on the green-eyed boy who left me with too many questions.

"Daisy," I got jumped, startled when I heard a guy called out my name, I was in the middle of thinking about Henry, so I immediately thought it was him without even recognizing the tone.

"Oh, Liam," I frowned as I saw Liam's face.

"Are you feeling better?" He questioned.

Before I could answer, my eyes found Henry. A smile surfaced my lips, but it didn't last for long when Delilah started to appear next to him. I listened to their giggling while talking for whatever the topic they were on now. They sounded like they were in a jocular mood. 

Was he with her while I was being beaten?

I shook my head, trying not to jump to conclusions.

We finally eyeballed one another, my brows bowled together in a scowl as I edged closer to him. I gimlet-eyed on Delilah, before I snatched Henry’s arm and hauled him to an empty classroom.

“What on earth happened to you?” His eyes enlarged when he noticed my casted arm.

“Now you are asking?” I shrieked while the tension of my neck-chords was standing out. I shut my eyes briefly, trying to control my emotions and lower my voice. “Where were you yesterday?” 

“With Delilah,” he mumbled while looking down to the floor.

“You left me, didn't pick up my calls, kept me worried all night, and sent me a stupid tiny message telling me you were busy while you were having a great time with her!" Tears burned in my eyes.

"Daisy, what had happened to your arm?" His eyes were on my cast.

"Did you sleep with her?" I sniffed while the tears started to roll down on my cheek.

"Daisy," he murmured my name softly.

"Answer me!" I shouted.

"I did." He licked his lips with his mumble, his eyes were still on my casted arm.

I rushed out of the room, slamming the door. I clenched my fist while biting my lip, causing it to bleed. I noticed Brent, Liam, and Delilah were standing in a corner beside the room, but instead of going to them, I glared at Delilah while heading to the restroom.

Once in the bathroom, I noticed a tall, skinny girl with tanned skin and long straight black hair. Jessie Kennedy was known as Hamilton High's model and my enemy from day one.  I bit my tongue to hold back the tears, I wanted to seem indestructible in front of her.

"I'm shocked you came." She took a glance at me through the mirror while washing her hands.

"I wasn't in the mood for dying, that's why," I smirked sarcastically whilst staring at her through the reflection of the mirror.

"I hope you learned your lesson anyways," she peeked at my cast then went to dry her hands.

"Yes, and I thank you for making me realize how hot Liam is. He’s the one who was there for me at the hospital. I started to like him, I think he should thank you too." I spoke with a soft calm tone with a smile on my face.

"You!" She clenched her teeth. 

"I'm wondering what the next step you will do is. Killing me? It was only one step to become a real murder.  Also, blood won't be easily washed away like the dirt on your hands." I was nauseated just being near her.

Not waiting for a response from her, I exit the bathroom and make my way to Liam’s side. I made a quick glance at Jessie who just got out of the restroom, she scanned me while her lips were wobbling.  I also spotted Henry and Delilah, the sunny smile had faded from their faces. I drifted my eyes to Liam's lips while leaning closer.

"Don't be too excited, I haven’t fallen for you still," I whispered while brushing my lips to his. We closed our eyes when our lips fully connected together. The kiss was slow and I felt his lips more than I did during our first kiss. The only thing that made us pull away was the bell. We all went to our classes reluctantly. I had a geometry class, I didn't pay attention. My mind was brooding, I didn't concentrate on any of my classes today.

School ended and I was still lost. I stepped out of the building, hearing Henry calling my name, but I ignored him. 

Suddenly I felt someone take hold of my hand,  I took a glance at him, seeing Liam’s friendly face. He then proceeded to offer to drive me home. I gave him a nod since I didn't want to see or hear Henry's voice. I sat in the passenger's seat as he drove all the way to the neighborhood.

"Daisy," he called my name softly.

"Yes?"

"Don't you think you should visit a therapist?"

"Why? Because I'm a psycho?" I glared at him.

"What? Of course not,  I was just asking because of what happened yesterday. No one should have to go through what you did and handle it all alone. You may act fine, but you can't ignore it for too long." He explained.

"Did you have any nightmares?" He questioned while peeking at me.

"I didn't sleep," I replied tonelessly.

"Daisy, please, just try it tonight. Look, my father is a therapist and he is the main reason for my happiness, he’s helped a lot."

I stayed mute.

"My mom left me when I was six-years-old, she had a reason though. My dad never loved her, but he still did whatever she wanted or asked for. He tried his best to love her, but it never worked out.” He pauses for a moment and I can feel the heat of his gaze as I continue to stare out the window. “My dad blamed himself for making her leave me, but I couldn't get mad at him because he was always there for me." He exhaled a sigh.

"My dad never wanted me to hate her and even promised certain things wouldn’t change. He just helped me to overcome, I didn't have a happy childhood either. I heard from Brent that your mom left you, and you had no one. " He continued while his eyes were set on the road. When he mentioned Brent, I rolled my eyes. I wondered when did that guy would shut his mouth.

"So, was the reason why you rescued me the first time we met is your dad is a therapist and you knew I was going to commit a suicide?" My stare at him unrelentingly.

"No, you will find out the real reason when we meet my dad." He acted as if I approved meeting a therapist; however, I kept shut to find out the real reason.

We had arrived in the neighborhood, we both got out of the car and headed to his house. The house was very well cleaned and the furniture was very neat and modern. It was very calm too.

We edged to his father's office, he knocked before he got in.

"Dad, I have a friend that was a victim of assault and I want you to meet her."

"Sure," I heard his voice, it was husky.

I took a step inside, he was sitting in his chair while staring at his sheets and holding a pen with his giant hand. His body was built-well and he was handsome much for his age. However, his appearance was the opposite of Liam's. His skin was bronze that fit his raven hair and hazel eyes that took a moment to look me over. They suddenly widened and his lips shaped in a cheery smile. He got up from his chair and walked closer to me.

He looked amazed, I didn't have any clue of the reason. "You should have believed me when I told you I would get her here soon." I narrowed my eyes at Liam while he was gazing at his father with a suspicious smile.

"Thanks, son. You can head to your room,"

Liam nodded and ambled out of his father's office immediately. I narrowed my eyes at Mr. Graham, I didn't understand what on earth was going on.

"You finally came, Daisy Emerson. I had been waiting for you for a few years,  but who cares? You finally came--even if it was a bit late." 

[A/N]: Sorry for being late, but everything was a mess this week! I hope you had good ones though. As I also hope you enjoyed the chapter well, please do not forget to vote and comment on your thoughts down.

I have something special for you guys! From now on, best who put the theory of the end of the chapter about what will happen or just a good answer of my questions, next chapter you will have a shout out! It does not have to be true btw. Just what is more sensible, I wanna see your creativity.

Q.O.C: How do you think Peter knew Daisy? And why was he waiting for her this long? Do you think Liam was only playing with her for the sake of his father?