Chapter Text
The thought that crosses Mac’s mind during the limo drive to Douglas Middle School with his father is how he wished to be pulling pranks in the school cafeteria with his best friend, Jamie Spano.
“Listen son, one of the best ways to rack in votes is going to school, making a speech promising something new etcetera, etcetera. Does that make any sense to you?”
Mac shakes his head with a perplexed look on his face. Mac understands what his father is saying, but he just doesn’t want to admit to himself that what he’s doing is lying.
The limo halts to the stop.
“Here we are! Now there are going to be a lot of people attending this event here at Douglas. Just smile at everyone and stick by my side. Deal?”
The young blonde wants to run out of this limo more than anything but decides to nod and listen to his father.
Cameras are flashing already as they step out of the limo. Reporters are talking over each other, stretching out their microphones to Zach Morris.
“Questions will be answered inside folks!”
The principal directs the two of them to the cafeteria but Mac slips away from the crowd of people talking to his dad. As he begins to wander, a voice rings through the halls. Mac walks toward the sound of the voice till he ends up in the library. Shelves filled with books are lined up throughout the library.
Books? Ugh.
“You hate books?”
Mac realizes that he said that out loud, not internally and turns around to see a girl that looks around his age. Her arms are crossed in front of her and she looks frustrated.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m practicing my presentation.”
“I’m pretty sure you should be in the cafeteria with everyone else.”
“To listen to a rich guy lie to a group of people? I don’t think so.” The brunette scoffs.
“Why are you asking me about being in the cafeteria while you are here too?”
Mac shrugs his shoulders. “What presentation are you talking about?”
“It’s for the science fair. I have to talk about the solar system.”
“That sounds boring.”
“I want extra credit.”
“Wait a second, you are doing this… willingly?”
“Yes? Look, I just need to be perfect. I just have trouble speaking out loud.”
“So you are practicing in front of books?” Mac gestures to the bookshelves, raising his eyebrows.
“It’s the only place that’s quiet in this entire school.”
“Okay, practice in front of me instead, an actual person.”
The girl laughs.
“I’m serious.”
“You’re kidding me. I don’t even know you.”
“Just start c'mon! I won’t judge.”
The girl clears her throat and stares down at the colored flash cards.
“There are eight planets-”
“Oh god.” Mac slaps his forehead and presses the bridge of his nose together.
“You’re judging already.”
“I’m trying to help you okay? Tip 1-”
“I didn’t ask for tips.”
“Listen buddy, the only way you’re going to get better is with tips.”
“Did you just call me buddy?”
“Yup, that’s your new designated name. Tip number one, you need to be more confident.”
“I’m confident.”
“The sarcastic attitude you were giving me minutes ago, use that except with a smile.”
“You want me to be sarcastic to the judges?”
“You know your stuff on these planets, just put it into motion and this time look at me instead of your flash cards.”
The girl starts over her speech again, smiling at Mac and he does the same right at her.
“See that wasn’t so bad. You did a great job.” Mac sits down in a chair next to his buddy and taps her foot lightly. He really looks at her this time, how her curly brown hair falls perfectly on her shoulders, and the navy blue dress she is wearing. The brunette smiles at him.
“There you are Mac, I’ve been looking for you! Who’s this?”
The brunette begins to speak but is interrupted by the tall blonde again, she concentrates on his face for a moment like she has seen him somewhere before.
“God, I’m so done with the press. We’re going home now.”
“Um, okay. Just give me a moment.”
“I’ll see you in the limo soon.”
Mac turns to his left at the brunette sitting next to him, he sighs.
“I have to go buddy.”
“Thanks again, for helping me with the presentation and all. I’ll see you sometime, right?” Mac’s face saddens for a second, realizing that he may never see this girl again and genuinely he had fun, in a library which will shock Jamie when he tells him.
“Hopefully.”
“Don’t say hopefully, promise.” The two of them link pinkies and smile at each other.
“Promise.”
That is how Daisy Jimenez meets Mac Morris for the first time, but memories change over five years and not everything is the same for either of them.
✮
Daisy has learned to accept changes throughout life, it’s nothing new for her. So when it’s announced that the Douglas High students will be transferring to Bayside she feels confident. She may not remember who pushed her to be confident, maybe it was her mother or Aisha but it paid off. Even though Aisha is skeptical during the bus ride, the excitement from Devante as he reads off extracurricular activities and sports on his phone pushes that nervousness aside.
“Here goes nothing.” The two girls look at each other and push open the double doors into Bayside High School.
“Wow, it’s so nice here.” A boy walks up to both girls.
“Hey, I’m looking for my Bayside Buddy. Uh, Aisha Garcia.” The brown haired boy says skeptically as he reads off in his index card.
“Yes! That’s me.” Aisha smiles from ear to ear as she shakes his hand.
“Jamie Spano.”
“Aisha, though I already said that.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re love sick already.” Daisy whispers in her ear. Aisha raises her eyebrows and then looks back at Jamie.
“Um, maybe you can help me look for my Bayside Buddy.” Daisy passes over her index card to Jamie.
“Ohhh, you have Mac Morris. My best friend actually, he’s right over there.” Jamie points and Daisy turns her head quickly in the direction where Jamie moved his finger, as she sees Mac walking down the stairs arguing with a blonde girl. She regains her composure and shakes her shoulders for a moment, alking up to Mac.
“Hi, are you Mac? I think you’re my Bayside Buddy. You’re supposed to show me around.”
“Oh awesome! Would you be able to lay down in a parking spot tonight so my frenemy can’t park in it tomorrow?”
Daisy laughs, trying to process what this blonde kid just said to her.
“You’re serious?”
“Very serious. This parking spot is life or death.”
Daisy grumbles under her breath. This is going to be a tough first year.
✮
“Can we switch buddies?”
“Uh how about hello, hi, how are you? I'm doing great Daisy, thanks for asking."
“Sorry, Aisha.” Daisy recognizes the sarcastic tone in Aisha's voice and places her backpack down on the locker room bench.
“Why would I switch when I have the hottest guy at Bayside walking around with me 24/7. I’m not giving that up.”
“Aisha, please. I can’t deal with Mac anymore. He’s such a pain and clearly doesn’t care about anyone.”
“What about the confident Daisy that I’ve known for my entire life, who takes no one’s shit.”
“She’s fading from existence.”
“Don’t be dramatic.”
“I can barely get myself around this building without ending up in the middle of a swimming pool.”
“Yeah there’s an indoor swimming pool.”
“You already knew?” Daisy exclaims, her voice echoing off the girls locker room.
“Calm down, listen. You're the only person I know who can change someone. This issue you have with Mac, it can change.” Daisy begins fumbling with her fingers, tapping them against her textbook in a nervous manner. Aisha is right, she can change people and maybe change this arrogant blonde boy too.
✮
“Hey buddy.” Mac walks up to Daisy as she grabs a binder from her locker. She stays silent for a minute, unsure what to say.
“Look I could tell earlier you were annoyed by my stories and I didn’t give you a tour actually.”
“Oh really? I didn’t notice.”
“We got off on the wrong foot, let’s start over. I’m Mac Morris.” He has his hand out waiting for Daisy to shake it.
“Daisy Jimenez.”
“I think you’re my buddy for this whole school transfer thing?” Mac smirks at her and Daisy decides to play along.
“Oh yes, let’s start off with the indoor swimming pool.”
“Lead the way buddy.” Mac ushers her to walk in front of him and Daisy rolls her eyes. She realizes that everything has already been flipped upside down since entering this pretentious rich school but it’s not so bad. Mac isn’t as bad as she thought. Mac Morris, calling her buddy, keeps entering her thought process during this week. That isn’t the only thought on her mind, she needs to keep up with her grades as well, she can’t let her mom down and-
“Hello? What happened to my tour guide?”
“Coming!” Daisy takes a deep breath and shakes her head side to side. She can think about all of that later but right now it’s time to give Mac Morris the worst tour possible.