Chapter 42 The birthday before the chaos
ADRIAN
The walk to the cafeteria is usually something I look forward to. Food, noise, people. But today? Today, I feel like I’m stuck between two ticking time bombs.
Iris walks on my right, Daisy on my left. Neither of them has said a word to the other since we left class. Their silence isn’t the peaceful kind, it’s suffocating. Thick. Heavy. Like I’m stuck breathing through cement.
I clear my throat. Loudly. No one reacts. I slow down, stopping right in the middle of the hallway. They both pause, glancing at me but not at each other.
“Alright,” I say, crossing my arms. “What’s going on?”
They speak at the exact same time.
“She-”
“She’s being-”
They both stop. Narrow eyes. Crossed arms. Oh good, now they’re fully glaring at each other.
“Seriously?” I sigh. “Can one of you talk like a normal person?”
“She accused me of betraying her,” Daisy snaps, voice sharp.
“She did betray me,” Iris fires back, voice full of heat. “She told Zeus about the mark.”
My brows shoot up. “What?”
Daisy’s face twists in disbelief. “Continuing to repeat it like a broken record won’t make it true. I didn’t tell him anything!”
“You’ve been sleeping with him,” Iris says, her voice cutting and unforgiving. “Why should I believe you?”
“What?” I blurt again, staring at both of them like they’ve lost their minds.
Daisy flushes red, but her anger outweighs her embarrassment. “You don’t get to throw that in my face when you were letting Darian crawl through your window like a midnight visitor!”
I blink. “Okay, okay. Everyone, calm down.” I step between them, palms out like I’m stopping a bar fight. “I get it. Emotions are high. But Daisy didn’t tell Zeus.”
Iris scoffs, crossing her arms. “How would you know?”
“Because I’m the one he overheard,” I admit, looking between the two of them. “He didn’t get it from Daisy. He overheard me and Darian talking about it some time ago.”
Both of them go still.
Iris’s mouth parts slightly. Her shoulders slump.
And Daisy?
Daisy looks like I just hit her with a truck.
“I-I didn’t know,” Iris stammers. “You didn’t say anything.”
Daisy’s eyes flash, hurt flashing across her face like lightning. “No. You didn’t ask.”
She shakes her head, lets out a hollow laugh, and takes a step back.
“You really think I’d sell you out over a kiss?” she says, voice trembling now. “I’ve kept your secrets for years, Iris. I covered for you, lied for you. And you think I’d throw it all away for him?”
“I didn’t-” Iris starts, but Daisy holds up a hand.
“No. You did. You already decided who I was.” Her voice cracks. “So I don’t really care what you have to say now.”
She turns on her heel and storms off down the hallway.
I almost go after her, but the look on her face stops me. That wasn’t anger. That was heartbreak.
I glance at Iris.
She’s standing still, staring at the space Daisy just walked through. Her lips are pressed tight, jaw clenched. But the guilt is obvious. It’s all over her face.
“Hey,” I say gently. “She didn’t deserve that.”
Iris swallows hard, nods once.
“I know.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Iris mutters, her voice still tight.
I blink. “Tell you what?”
“That Zeus overheard you and Darian!” She turns toward me, arms flying up in frustration. “If I’d known, maybe I wouldn’t have gone after Daisy like that.”
I raise a brow. “Oh, so now this is my fault?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it.”
She groans, running her palm over her face. “Whatever. I’m just saying, you could’ve told me earlier.”
“And I’m just saying, maybe don’t jump to conclusions next time and accuse your best friend of espionage and betrayal over nothing.”
That earns me a look somewhere between a glare and a resigned nod.
She exhales. “I know. I messed up.”
“Yeah. You kinda did.”
She gives me a shove. “Not helping.”
I grin, letting the tension between us lighten. “You know what would help?”
“What?”
“Apologizing. Like, now. Preferably before Daisy sets fire to your hoodie collection out of revenge.”
Iris sighs. “I know.”
There's a long pause, and then she looks up at me hesitantly. “Will you come with me?”
I blink. “To the studio?”
“Yeah.”
I smirk. “You scared of your own best friend?”
“I’m scared of her never speaking to me again,” she mutters, then straightens. “Are you coming or not?”
Before I can answer, she’s already marching off down the hall, hair bouncing with every determined step.
“Guess that’s a yes,” I mutter, following behind.
\~~~~
When we reach the studio, the door is cracked open. The soft sound of crying leaks into the hallway.
Iris pauses just outside, biting her lip. She pushes the door gently, and we step in.
Daisy is curled on the floor in the corner, back turned, her shoulders shaking. The sight hits harder than I expect.
Iris crosses the room slowly. “Daisy…”
Daisy doesn’t even look up. “Get out.”
“Please,” Iris says quietly. “Let me explain.”
“You did. ” Daisy snaps, voice thick with emotion. “You already told me what you think of me.”
“I was wrong,” Iris says, kneeling a few feet away. “I shouldn’t have assumed. I should’ve trusted you. I just… I got scared.”
Daisy finally turns to look at her, mascara streaking down her cheeks. “Scared of me?”
“Scared of losing everything,” Iris whispers. “And I ended up pushing away the one person who’s always been there for me.”
For a moment, Daisy just stares at her.
I step forward a bit, clearing my throat. “Okay. I’m not great at this whole emotional support thing, but… Iris knows she messed up. You’re hurt. And I get it. But if either of you wants to stay miserable, cool, stay silent. If not, hug it out already so I can stop standing here like an awkward third wheel.”
Both girls look at me, then at each other.
Daisy sniffles. “You’re a terrible mediator.”
“But effective,” I say with a shrug.
After a long pause, Iris crawls closer and opens her arms. “I’m really sorry, Daisy.”
Daisy hesitates.
Then finally, she leans in, wrapping her arms around Iris tightly.
They hug, heads tucked into each other’s shoulders, and the tension finally breaks.
I let out a slow breath.
Then, because I’m me, I ruin the moment.
“So…” I start, arms crossed, “you’ve been sleeping with my brother?”
Daisy pulls back, wide-eyed. “Adrian!”
“What?” I grin. “It’s a valid question.”
Daisy rolls her eyes but lifts her chin, a teasing edge in her voice. “We both have.”
Iris practically chokes. “Excuse me?!”
“Oh, come on,” Daisy says. “You think we didn’t notice the way you walk after a night with him?”
“I-what?! No! We- That’s not-”
I just raise a brow. “You want to finish that sentence or should I help?”
“You’re both impossible,” she mutters, face red.
Daisy leans over and nudges her. “You’re just mad we figured it out before you admitted it.”
Iris groans, covering her face.
I laugh, then clap my hands once. “Anyway. Now that we’re all being honest and emotionally vulnerable, Darian’s birthday is this Friday.”
That catches both of their attention.
“His birthday?” Daisy brightens immediately. “Are we throwing a party? Please say yes. I’ve been dying for a reason to wear that silver dress.”
I nod. “Yeah. Something low-key, probably a small gathering. He doesn’t like big things, but a few people, drinks, music. It'll be nice.”
Daisy’s practically bouncing. “Count me in. I’ll bring cupcakes. Or champagne. Or both.”
I glance at Iris.
She’s quieter now, fiddling with a string on her sleeve. “I don’t know if I should go…”
Daisy frowns. “You have to.”
“It’s… complicated,” Iris says softly.
“Darian’s not mad at you,” I assure her. “If anything, he’s been thinking about you non-stop since he got back.”
She looks up at me, hesitant. “Really?”
“Really,” I say.
Daisy smiles and nudges her again. “Come on. Silver dress, cupcakes, awkward dancing. It’s basically therapy.”
Iris finally cracks a small smile. “Fine. But if anyone makes a speech, I’m leaving.”
“No promises,” I say.