Urban System in America-Chapter 154 - 153: DAISY + REX = ?!?

The rest of the journey passed on without any hitch and they soon reached university, smoothly pulling into the parking lot. Inside, Rex cut the engine and glanced at Daisy. "We’ve arrived. Safe and sound."

Daisy rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smirk tugging at her lips. "Wow. Barely made it alive, huh?"

"Survived a ninja bird attack and an emotional ballad. I deserve a medal."

He opened his door and stepped out, then casually walked around to her side like a proper gentleman. The moment Daisy stepped out—sunlight hitting her hair just right, breeze teasing the hem of her skirt—everything... paused.

Or at least, it felt like it.

Because in that one fleeting second, the entire campus seemed to collectively forget how to function.

A group of girls near the entrance blinked, stunned.

A pair of guys chatting by the nearby suddenly dropped their cups.

Even the squirrels froze.

Daisy, the untouchable campus goddess, just got out of the same car as Rex Aeric, the aloof, devastatingly good-looking guy who had rejected confession letters like spam emails.

And it was morning.

And they were together.

As in got out of the same car together.

The rumors didn’t need time to start. They exploded like wildfire doused in gasoline.

"Wait, did they just—?"

"Is that Daisy and Rex? Together??"

"No way. No freaking way."

"Oh my god!

"They’re dating. They have to be. Morning arrival together? That’s couple-level behavior!"

Somewhere in the back, a poor soul dropped their bubble tea and whispered, "This is the biggest plot twist since the midterm paper leak."

Daisy felt the stares like lasers on her skin—piercing, burning, curious, like walking onto a stage mid-performance.

Rex noticed too. His smirk twitched. "Hmm. Is it just me, or are we the main characters today?"

Daisy shot him a look, cheeks already warming. "You just had to pull up in front of the main entrance."

"What can I say? I live for the drama."

A girl nearby gasped. Another frantically typed on her phone.

DAISY + REX = ?!?

Daisy tugged her bag higher on her shoulder and tried to walk normally, but the weight of a hundred gazes made her stride stiffen.

As for Rex? Even though he was also a bit overwhelmed by this unexpected situation, but he didn’t care much, maybe spending decades with legendary figures who treated fame worse than shoe’s dirt, had changed him in a way, even he didn’t know yet.

So naturally, he strode forward with the kind of confidence only a runway model at a luxury fashion show could pull off—calm, effortless, and entirely unbothered by the whispers trailing behind him.

"Stop walking like that," she hissed under her breath.

"Like what?"

"Like you’re modeling for a cologne ad."

He glanced at her with mock innocence. "This is just how I walk."

"You’re doing it on purpose."

Rex leaned closer and whispered, "Come on, everyone’s shocked. Might as well give them a show."

"Agh, YOU!" Daisy huffed, exasperation laced with reluctant amusement. She exhaled sharply, trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably. "You’re impossible."

"I know," Rex replied smoothly, tossing her a wink that was far too smug for someone who’d just orchestrated their social death. "You’re welcome."

Despite everything—his ridiculous dramatics, the unwanted attention, the chaos that trailed behind them—Daisy couldn’t stop the quiet laugh that escaped her lips.

Somehow, without either of them noticing, the weird unfamiliarity that had hovered between them had begun to melt away.

They had been classmates for nearly three years—shared the same hallways, sat through the same lectures, and existed in the same orbit. But they’d never truly spoken, never crossed that invisible line between mild acquaintances and something resembling familiarity.

Until today.

Maybe it was the ridiculous bird incident. Maybe it was the emotional ballad he’d sung. Or maybe it was just the car ride filled with unexpected moments and awkward silences turned inside jokes.

Whatever the reason, that strange, careful distance—the not-quite-friends-but-not-strangers phase—had slipped away like fog lifting from glass.

And maybe it was because they were classmates. Or because their personalities clashed just enough to make things interesting.

Whatever it was, Rex and Daisy had somehow... clicked.

Without trying. Without even realizing.

The tension that usually lingered between them, the cautious politeness of distant classmates, had been replaced with something... easier. Warmer. Comfortable.

And now? Now they were comfortable enough to joke, to tease, to walk side by side through the chaos like it didn’t matter.

As they stepped into the main hallway, the buzz behind them only grew louder. Students who had just been minding their own business were now throwing side-glances, pointing subtly when they thought neither of them was looking, and whispering behind cupped hands.

Daisy’s cheek burned hotter and hotter, she didn’t expect that just this seemingly simple thing would cause such a commotion and she would be unexpectedly embroiled in the controversy.

But still... if it was with Rex...

She risked a sideways glance at him—and regretted it instantly.

He caught her looking, of course, and leaned in slightly, his voice low and teasing. "I know, I know. I’m too handsome," he said with an exaggerated sigh and a smirk. "Just be careful not to fall for me for real."

Daisy blinked, scandalized. "Whaaat? What are you dreaming about?" she shot back, a hand dramatically flying to her hip. "There’s no way I’d ever like someone like you."

She turned her head with a little huff and quickened her pace.

Rex only chuckled, "Sure, sure," he said, following after her.

And that’s when Adrian, Rex’s close friend and a few familiar classmates, appeared from around the corner.

Seeing Rex and Daisy together and getting all the important info from surroundings, they raised a brow and looked at him with a knowing smirk.

Adrian raised a brow, arms folding across his chest, lips twitching into a smirk that practically screamed caught you. "Well, well, well... what do we have here?"

The rest of the group didn’t even try to hide their amusement, and looked at him with varying expressions.

And just then, as if they had planned it beforehand, Sophie and Hannah also just happen to meet them, and looking at their shifty eyes filled with curiosity and sly grins, it was clear that they had also heard the rumors going around.

Seeing them like this, Daisy had a bad feeling, but before she could respond, Sophie and Hannah swooped in from behind, flanking her like two gossip-fueled velociraptors.

"Morning, sunshine," Sophie grinned, eyes glinting dangerously. "Anything interesting happen today?"

"Anything at all?" Hannah chimed, leaning forward with exaggerated curiosity.

And judging by their shifty eyes and sly grins,

Daisy blinked, remembering the song, the forbidden territory moment, the atmosphere in the car... and immediately blushed.

Sophie and Hannah froze.

They had been joking. Teasing.

But now?

They exchanged glances. A slow, sinister smile stretched across both their faces—like evil third-rate villains sensing weakness. It was the kind of smile that said we’re not just going to ask questions—we’re going to dig, dissect, and possibly hold a mock trial.

Daisy’s danger radar blared.

"I—uh—I have class!" she blurted, taking a cautious step back.

"Class can wait," Sophie purred, cracking her knuckles.

"Tell us everything," Hannah added, inching closer.

Nope. Nope nope nope.

Daisy turned and bolted.

"AFTER HER!" they shouted in unison.

They sprinted after Daisy, heels clicking with villainous energy.

Rex watched the whole thing unfold like a soap opera.

As for helping her?

(End of Chapter)