“I bet you look terrific in your contacts, Daisy,” Amy told me at school a few days later. We were at our lockers, getting ready to leave for the day.“I know I should be wearing them, but they make my eyes feel dry.” I blinked a few times as I thought of it.“If you don’t wear them, you’re never gonna get used to them,” Amy said. She looked at me sideways for a moment. “Are you sure dry eyes are why you’re not wearing them?”Amy knew me so well. The truth was the contacts weren’t bad to wear most of the time, but I still worried about others thinking I was trying to be somebody I wasn’t.And me showing up at school without glasses would get everybody talking about me again.“Don’t worry, I’ll try again tomorrow,” I said. “And I’ll wear them for sure to the ball. So you’ll get to see me wearing them there.”“I appreciate you letting me wear your green gown,” Amy said. “I think it’ll be fun to dress up for a change.”“I’m glad you’re looking forward to it.” I gave her a side hug. “I ca

When I got to school the next day, I was overjoyed to find Amy waiting in our usual spot. She waved and gave me a sheepish grin as I hurried to her side.“I’m really sorry about yesterday, Daisy,” Amy said. “It wasn’t right for me to get mad at you.”Amy bit her lip. “I guess I was just kind of hurt and feeling left out of your life more than I was mad.”“It’s okay,” I said. “I’m sorry too, and guess what ….”“No, listen.” Amy took my hand. “I want you to know I’m happy about how things have turned out. You deserve much better than the life you had with your adoptive parents.”I threw my arms around her and gave her a big hug. I should have known she wouldn’t stay mad at me.Plus, I totally understood that she was more hurt than angry. If Amy’s dad was having a big party for Amy’s eighteenth birthday, and I wasn’t invited, I would have felt the same way.“Oh, Amy, thank you. You don’t know how much better I feel,” I told her. “I was afraid I had lost you.”“Nope.” Amy grinned. “You’re

Amy and Mr. Gray arrived ten minutes early. I was waiting in the foyer with Benson, and we showed them to the drawing room, where Alex and Victor waited.Amy quietly looked around as I led her to the couch to sit with me. I could tell she was uncomfortable, so I squeezed her hand. It didn't help.Benson offered drinks to us and our guests, and then he served them on a silver tray. Amy was quiet the entire time while Mr. Gray spoke with Alex.It was apparent Amy and her father were uncomfortable, but Alex’s kindness began to put Mr. Gray at ease.“I’ve eaten at your restaurant on three occasions,” Alex said. “The food was wonderful. Your prime rib is the best I’ve ever tasted.”The praise made the chef more relaxed and happy. “Thank you, Mr. Wilson. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed my cooking.”“With your talent, you should consider getting into catering, too. There’s a lot of money to be made with less overhead than running a restaurant,” Victor added.“I considered catering at one time,”

It wasn’t taking me as long to put my contacts in lately. And I haven’t dropped one in the sink all week.I’ve worn them several times after Victor insisted when he took me out to eat dinner and stuff. He constantly reminds me I will only get used to them by wearing them.But I haven’t worn them to school yet because I didn't think I could wear them all day. I told myself I would try wearing them to school after my ball.Occasionally, the contacts still make my eyes feel dry. And then I start blinking like crazy, and my eyelids feel like sandpaper.But they worked great when Victor took me to the movies to see a new action flick that everybody had been talking about. The movie screen was nice and clear from our seats near the back of the theater.And my contact lenses are comfortable to wear while we have dinner in some of Victor’s favorite restaurants.Victor never explained why he was taking me out several times a week. I think it was to get me to wear my contacts and to help me get

I was excited when Victor picked me up the next day after school. We were going to Gisele’s to choose my ball gown.It was where Mrs. James told me to shop. I stifled a giggle when I envisioned myself telling her that’s where I bought my wetsuit.The ride to Gisele‘s villa in the Lamborghini was a lot of fun. The weather was beautiful, and I enjoyed how the air washed over me.I could feel the slight changes in temperature as we went from full sun to shade, and I could smell many different scents, like flowers, trees, and freshly mown grass.Victor glanced at me, and we exchanged a quick smile.He was such a skilled driver that the Lamborghini hugged the road and around the curves.Before I was ready for the ride to be over, we arrived at our destination. Victor parked in front of the Villa, and we went inside.“Ah, hello, Mr. Klein and Miss Wilson,” Gisele said as we entered the shop. “What can I help you with today?”Instead of answering for me, Victor put a hand on the small of my