Chapter 1: All For A Daisy

"Have you ever been in love, Natalie?" my best friend, Delilah, asked me. She was patiently waiting for me to answer with her chin rested on her palm. "Like, for real?"
The cafeteria isn't a really good place to have a deep conversation.
I simply shrugged. "I don't know."
She nudged me. "Come on! You have so been in love!" she said surely.
I stared at her blankly. "Being in love isn't simple."
Delilah's eyes looked past my shoulder. "It is when he's around."
I turned my head slightly and took a look over my shoulder. It wasn't that hard to spot was she was staring at.
Of course, it just had to be Jake, didn't it?
How do I even start? Jake was an all-around good guy. He's smart, sensitive, kind, and single. And he's extremely hot. His broad shoulders and angular face make it too easy for all the girls to just dream about him. And his perfect smile just lured you in.
I guess you could say it's fun having a hot best friend. For one, it makes the girls all jealous to think you guys are going out. And when sick, perverted guys check you out or try to make a move, I can count on Jake to simply put his arm around me as if I was his girlfriend. Okay, that just made me sound like I use Jake. But I swear, I don't. We're just really close friends.
I smiled as I saw him make his way to our table. I began to think, how on earth did I end up so lucky with such a sweet guy like Jake?
He sat down at his regular spot. "Hey, guys. Have any plans for tonight?" he asked.
I laughed. "Why so sudden, Jake?"
"I don't know." He shrugged. "I just really want to go out for frozen yogurt tonight or something. I just have one of those feelings again. You know?"
"Yeah, we know," Delilah and I said in unison. We laughed.
He stared at me for a while. "So, Natalie? Are you in or what?"
I smiled. "Most definitely. Come on. Frozen yogurt is my favorite!"
Delilah frowned. "Well, this sucks. 'Cause I have a family dinner I have to go to tonight."
"Trouble with the parents again?" I asked.
She nodded slowly. "Oh, well. Good luck without me."
We watched Delilah stand up from the table. She quickly sucked on her ketchup-stained fingers. "Have a test to take for French. I'll talk to you guys later. Bye!"
And she was on her way before I got the chance to even say something.
I turned to Jake. "What's up with that?"
He shook his head while popping a french fry in his mouth. "No idea."

After my last class, I made my way to my locker. I put in my combination and opened the locker instinctively. But I saw something there that I didn't put there before. I quickly stopped myself.
I picked up the strange thing. It was a...daisy?
Who would leave a daisy in my locker?
Then, I saw a note that was set right under the daisy. Who would be leaving mysterious flowers in my locker? And how did they get my combination?
I opened the note.
It read:
Dear Natalie,
I've been waiting so long for a girl like you. And it's taken me a while to realize I'm in love with you. Everything about you just makes me believe that first loves actually exist. And I won't tell you who I am just yet. But I do know you like adventures. So if you'd want to know who this beautiful daisy came from, here's a little riddle I'd like you to solve:
Your favorite place of silence
Smells like coffee too
Just think, write, and relax
While you look for your next clue.
Sincerely,
Your Secret Admirer
I didn't know who the hell this was. I didn't even have the slightest hint. But I loved adventures and I loved how this was like a scavenger hunt. Someone out there has a crush on me and if I wanted to know, I'd have to do this. Plus, this guy must pretty much know me well. This would be so much fun! And I just kept thinking, why not?

"Who do you think would leave a daisy in my locker?" I asked Jake as we entered Pinkberry.
He simply shrugged. "I don't know. But the guy kind of sounds...dedicated."
Hmm...I looked straight into his emerald green eyes. "How so?"
We fell in line and waited. His arms were crossed and I could tell he was deep in thought.
"He's going through all this trouble so you can play a silly game that you might not even play. And how can we trust this guy? How do we know he's not dangerous?"
I rolled my eyes. "Would a guy who was really dangerous leave a daisy in my locker? Yeah. Sounds totally hostile to me," I said sarcastically.
"Maybe that's exactly what he wants you to think," he warned.
I stared at him for a while. "I don't think so," I concluded.
"How can you be so sure?" he challenged.
"Actually," I replied. "I'm not sure about that. But I am sure that he is really knows me well. I don't know if that's the work of a stalker or whatever. But this guy..." I sighed and drifted off into empty space. For a moment, I blanked out.
I didn't realize Jake was staring at me. "Earth to Natalie!" He snapped in my face.
"Yes?" I directed my attention back to him.
"What do you want?" he asked. I didn't even realize we were in front of the line already.
"Oh. An original with strawberries, granola, and chocolate chips, please," I said the the cashier.
Just like always, Jake payed for mine. We decided to just go outside and walk while as we ate our fro-yos.
"So how's your dad doing with the recording studio? Any cool new bands I should know about?" I asked Jake.
"No but guess who's coming to record their new album on Sunday," he told me with a playful grin.
I shrugged with a mouthful of granola and frozen yogurt in my mouth.
"It's just this band called The Sentimental Sunrise," Jake said calmly, faking like he didn't know them.
I nearly choked on my frozen yogurt. I playfully punched Jake's shoulder.
"Oh. My. God!" I gaped. "Are you kidding me?! They're like..."
"Your favorite band? Yeah, I know," Jake finished for me.
I was speechless. "Oh. My. God. OH MY GOD!" was all I could say at that moment. I was totally freaking out!
He just laughed at me while he took another mouthful of his yogurt.
"When did you find out?!" I asked, half pissed that he didn't tell me earlier and half too excited for Sunday.
He swallowed. "Right after school. My dad was on the phone and he was talking about how he had the studio available and on the other line I heard a voice say 'Sentimental Sunrise'." He nodded. "So...yeah. That's what happened," he explained.
I smirked. "Man. You are so lucky."
It wasn't long until both of us were finished with our fro-yos. We made our way to a trash-can on the curb. We simply tossed them and just stood there for a while.
"So...what are you gonna do?" he asked me as he shoved his hands in his jacket pockets.
I looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, with the game." He rolled his eyes. "Where'd you put the daisy and the letter anyway?"
"In a vase in my room," I replied. "The letter..." I reached in my jean pocket and pulled out the letter. "I've got right here," I said and handed it to Jake.
He opened it and simply skimmed through it until he reached the riddle.
"Hmm..." He was definitely concentrating on the riddle. I just leaned my head on his shoulder, waiting for him to say something. His shoulder was definitely nice to lean on. "Your favorite place of silence...smells like coffee too...just think, write, and relax...while you look for your next clue." He looked baffled. He folded it and handed it back. "So are you going to do this?"
I lifted my head and looked at Jake. "The little scavenger hunt he set up?" He nodded. My eyebrows came together. "I really don't know. Do you think I should?" I asked for his opinion.
He shrugged. "It's your call. The guy is in love with you, not me."
I took a deep breath and sighed. What on earth was I going to do? Should I actually play the game? Did I want to? Of course, I wanted to. Why do it? Because maybe this was my chance to finally find who I was looking for.
I simply smiled up at Jake who was looking at me weird. "Okay, why are you smiling?" he asked.
"Are you ready to help me with this?" I asked hopefully. Please say yes. Please say yes!
"Well, I don't know. The guy wants you to find the clues. Why would he want me to tag along?"
I hook my arm through his. "Because you're my best friend." I said smiling. Just say yes already!
He sighed. "Fine," he finally gave in.
"Great!" I interjected. "Are you ready?"
He shrugged. "I have no idea what I'm in for. So, where is this favorite place of silence that smells like coffee?" he asked happily.
I grinned and grabbed his hand. "Just come on. It's not far." I simply pulled him just around the corner, not answering his simple question.

Barnes & Noble always had a café and tons of books. It was quiet most of the time unless there were those loud business people talking on their phones or a baby crying annoyingly you can't even concentrate on what you're thinking. Trust me, it's happened before.
I took a deep breath and took it all in. Where in the world would that clue be?
I paused in front of the door. "Where could the clue be?" I asked, hoping maybe he could have an idea.
He thought. "Where's your favorite place in this whole store?" he asked.
"It'd have to be the Nicholas Sparks corner. Let's go," I said enthusiastically.
We past tons of books and bookshelves until we reached the Nicholas Sparks corner, i liked to call it.
His books just really spoke to me ever since sixth grade. It just made me think about all the possibilities there were when it came to love.
I knelt down on the carpet and Jake joined me.
Gosh, I had so many memories there in that corner. When I bought my first book that got me into reading. Then, I wrote my first poem about the different forms of love. Corny, I know. But it did win me first place in the poetry contest we had at school in the eighth grade. And sometimes, I would just sit there and think for the heck of it.
Jake stared at me, waiting for me to do something.
But I just sat there and started thinking. All these questions just started popping into my head. Who was this guy? Who would fall in love with a girl like me? Who would go through all this to set up these clue for a silly game? Why would he go through all that trouble? How was he so sure I was going to look for the clue? Why was I so desperate for someone to just...love me?
Thankfully, Jake jerked me back into the present and saved me from a major headache by saying, "Why is this your favorite place in the whole store anyway?"
"Well," I began. "I've had so many memories in this corner. And when I have all these thoughts bouncing around in my head, this is where I go to think and maybe write a little. And I am absolutely addicted to the smell of coffee," I admitted.
"I know. Remember when we drove to Safeway and bought those coffee beans and you just kept sniffing the bag?" he said with a smile.
We laughed. "How could I forget that? The smell is just addicting! You could practically get high on those coffee beans!"
"Please. It's only you who could get high on them," he said.
After our giggling fit, we started talking and talking. People who walked by stared at us like we were crazy or because we were just plain loud. I could really be stuck in a room with Jake and just talk for hours. We totally got each other.
Jake's eyes moved from me to the bookshelf. He eyed at the Nicholas Sparks books.
"Why do you like his books so much?" he asked.
That was such a silly question to ask a girl like me! "Obviously, you haven't read one of his books."
"Obviously," he admitted.
"Well, are you ever going to?" I questioned. "Because I think you should."
He shrugged. "Maybe. But I'm not really a... romantic sort of guy."
I eyed him. "I find that hard to believe."
"Why is that?"
"Because...you just have that sort of...vibe about you. I can't explain it," I said with a grin.
I sighed and pulled The Notebook off the shelf. I tossed it to Jake.
"You remember this, don't you? We've seen the movie a hundred times."
He looked down at the book and nodded slowly. "Yeah, I do. You make me watch it every time."
I giggled. "I know," I said proudly.
He placed it back on the shelf. I took out another.
This one was called Dear, John and handed this one to Jake.
"This one is about a guy who serves in the army and when he comes back home, he meets the love of his life. But oh my God, it's truly heart-breaking when you get to the end," I said, placing my hand over my chest.
He looked up at me. "I'm guessing all his books pull on everyone's heartstrings."
I nodded. "Yup."
I grabbed another one of my favorites, A Walk To Remember.
"And this one's--" I stopped myself. I looked at the book carefully.
Jake was staring at me curiously too.
We were both staring at the book. There was a daisy sticking out of it.
I quickly opened the book to the page.
And there it was. Another piece of paper. Another clue to finding my secret admirer.
Jake scooted a little closer so he could read with me. We both read it silently.
Dear Natalie, I'm glad you've accept this challenge in finding me. And here's another daisy as your reward. Honestly, I can't stop thinking about you. And everyday just makes me go crazier and crazier. I know you must still be wondering who I am and where I am. Don't worry. I'm not any dangerous convict or stalker. So if you're still interested in knowing who I am, here's another riddle:
This little place is filled with beads and rings on a chain
But look for the key and it will explain
For all the locks unlock with a key
You'll be one step closer to finding me
Sincerely,
Your Secret Admirer
I looked to Jake. What the hell? "This is so confusing."
Jake kept staring at the letter with his eyebrows drawn together.
"The only thing I understand is 'the little place filled with beads and rings on a chain'. I just don't get where I could find a key in a jewelry store," I said with a sigh.
Jake asked, "But which jewelry store could it be?"
I pondered. If this guy knew me well enough, this jewelry store would be one I've been to and love. And they have to sell keys.
I smiled at Jake. "I know just the place."
"Where?" Jake asked, still puzzled.
"Rosalie's Corner Store," I answered with pride. I couldn't believe I solved it so easily.
Jake just sighed. "Look, Natalie. It's getting late. We have to leave. The store will be closing soon."
"Yeah." I nodded. "I guess you're right."
We neatly placed the books back on the shelf and stood up from the floor.
I had the daisy in my hands and the letter in my pocket.
Jake and I walked back to his car and he drove me home. I stared at the daisy practically all the way home.
I was about to get out of the car before I remembered to tell Jake. "Hey, Jake?"
He locked eyes with me. "Yeah?"
"Thanks."
He smiled genuinely. "You're welcome."
I swung the car door open and looked back with a smile. "Night, Jake."
"Goodnight, Natalie!" he called before I shut the door. And I silently watched him drive away into the night.

I was totally wiped out. I went straight to bed after I was in my pajamas and freshly showered.
I put my new daisy with my other one in the vase on my side table. And the two letters were laying right next to it.
My first attempt to sleep wasn't so successful. I ended up staying awake until 2 in the morning. These questions just kept running through my head.
Who was this guy and why couldn't he just have told me straight up? But honestly, I just love this game. It was really fun, I have to admit. Plus, I get a prize for every time I solve a clue. And he did go through a lot of trouble to make sure my daisy was there when it was.
I simply sighed. Yeah, all for a daisy.