Colin Pov
Somi returned a few seconds later with our order on a platter- a large slice of chocolate cake, a large slice of cheesecake and two chocolate milkshakes.
I brought them to our table and set them down.
Poppy sighed. "I don't even what to think about how much that food costs. Why don't I just pay you?" she said as she reached into her bag, probably for her wallet.
I raised a hand to stop her. "Just take it as a thank you for the tutoring sessions."
"Thanks," she said again. "Are you ready to start studying now?"
She just can't take a break, can she?
I took a long sip of my milkshake. "Why don't you give me time to acclimatize?" I pointed to the large windows that gave us the view of a variety of flowers from the flower shop across the street. "It's a beautiful day. There is nothing wrong with stepping back and just appreciating nature."
"I knew that this would happen." She muttered to herself. "Acclimatize huh? That's a pretty big word for someone who needs tutoring," Poppy says and immediately clamped her mouth shut. After a moment she said with her tone softening a bit, "Sorry, that was uncalled for."
I was amused. "Poppy Williams apologizing to me of all people. Did the sky fall today? Don't worry, I have my moments. No offense taken at all." I grinned in satisfaction as I saw her blush.
"Still annoying," she muttered and I couldn't help but chuckle.
I was looking at her and as if she felt my gaze, she turned her head in my direction. We stared at each other for what seems like an eternity. I didn't know why I had never noticed it, but her eyes seemed have a hint of gold in them. Although they were greener, they were still somehow a mix of the two.
She suddenly broke the gaze and started fanning herself with her hands. "Why is it so hot in here?" she said as she took a long sip of her drink with a rather impressive nonchalance.
I looked at her weirdly because the air conditioner was on full blast next to us. "Really? I didn't notice. Seems cool enough for me."
We ate in silence for a couple of minutes, not paying attention to the books in front of us. Then I decide to ask what has been on my mind for quite some time. "So, what's your deal Poppy?"
"My deal?" she looked confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Well, you are obviously smart enough to tutor me in English and from what I've heard, you are a straight A student. You live next door to me and you like comic books. But that is all I know about you."
She looked at me pointedly. "We are here to study Colin, aren't we?"
I wave a hand dismissively. "We have got time."
"Well, which means that you have got plenty of time to know me. So, for now we should spend as much time studying. I want you to do well in your exams."
"So, you are saying you do care about me?" I grinned at her impishly.
She groaned in frustration and said with a flat voice, "What I meant to say was it's my job to make you pass. My grade is also at stake here. So, I need to do my best and I expect you to do the same."
I sighed I frustration. "You are so inflexible Poppy." Upon seeing the look she gave me, I relented. "Fine I am listening, O wise one."
I saw the hint of a smile before it faded and she said, "Alright then, let's begin."
She outlined the first chapters of Lord of the files, since she knew that I was definitely not going to read it again. She laid out the themes and writes down the discussion questions for our next study session. I didn't interrupt her, but also never contributed. It was fun seeing her talk.
As she talked, she ate and I could see from her face that every penny I spent on her food was worth it. I knew she could tell I noticed, because I was definitely looking at her humorously at that moment. So, she did her best to control her expressions.
"Would you care for another slice?" I asked.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hands. "I'm fine. I need to have dinner later." She glanced at her watch. "Oh shit!" she said as she started shoving her things into her bag, not bothering to arrange them. "I was supposed to meet Liam by 4:30 in Lucy's workplace and now its 5 pm. No thanks to you."
I laughed disbelievingly, looking at her with a bemused expression. "Me? What did I do this time?"
"If we didn't make me come to this café, then this wouldn't have happened," she said rather a touch defensively. She removes her phone from her bag and checked it. "Shit. Three missed calls. Great." "What's going on? Do you want me to give you a ride?" I asked.
"No, I don't. I can manage on my own."
"I just want to help. Why are you mad at me?"
"You've done enough."
"I think the better question to ask is why you are avoiding me," I said after a moment.
She scoffed and looks at me incredulously. "And what make you think I am doing that?"
"A couple of reasons actually. You never accept my rides every time I offer, even though we live two minutes away from each other and we never really hang out apart from these tutoring sessions."
A, I don't feel the need to hang out with you all the time; B, I am a very busy person and C, I don't know if you have not noticed, but we don't particularly like each other."
"You don't even know me, so how are you so sure?"
"Well, I—I" she stumbled, trying to find the right words. Finally, it seems like she just gave up. "You know what? Never mind. I gotta go. We'll meet at the library next time."
"You never really answered my question," I said mockingly.
She narrowed her eyes at me and I flicked my fingers in a mock salute. "Ok then. See you when I see you."
She started arranging her things in a calmer manner and after they are properly arranged, she grabbed her paper plate and milkshake to throw out. "Thanks again for the food."
I nodded at her, my brown eyes meeting her green ones. "Anytime Poppy," then she walked out if the café in a hurry.
As I drove home, I couldn't help but wonder who Poppy really was under that surface. She was definitely interesting, even if she could be stuck up at times.
Maybe subsequently during our next study sessions, I'll gradually come to know and I don't think I'd mind that much if that was the case.