Poppy pov
I saw the most beautiful girl today.
When we made eye contact for the first few seconds, I felt warmth spreading throughout my body. I know this sounds cliché, but I still remembered all the details about her. I've never seen eyes quite as green as hers and it felt like I could drown in them forever. She had thick, glossy, slightly wavy dark hair, pulled hack into a high ponytail and flowing past her shoulders. When we touched, it felt like electricity was coursing through my veins. I could still remember the feel of her hands on mine.
The moment would have been considered romantic if she wasn't so mad about being covered in dirt. So much for not wanting to be in any kind of relationship here.
Roger was still on a timeout at the backyard till I said so. Stupid dog. I only wish I could see her again to apologize and also, to tell her I wished she didn't destroy my favorite shirt. But hey, people do irrational things when they are angry.
"It's a small town. You'll definitely see her again." My dad said as we were eating the takeout I got, which seemed to be the only thing we ate these days.
"Although it seemed to me that your interest goes far beyond paying for her dry cleaning. You've spoken quite a lot since you came back." He winked at me.
I rolled my eyes and said. "Don't be ridiculous dad."
He looked at me like he doesn't believe me but raised his hand in surrender "Ok if you say so. Could you help me check the car for my office files? I can't find them anywhere."
"Sure dad" I grabbed his keys and headed for the door. I was going through my phone when I opened the door and before I could notice that someone was in front of me, I had already bumped into them. It seemed like I had become accident prone in this town.
What is with me today?
I looked up to apologize only to discover that it was the girl from earlier. With a pie smeared all over the front of her white t-shirt. Or what was supposed to be a pie. With the icy glare she was giving, I knew she remembered me too.
She raised her hand before any words could come out of my mouth. "Don't even bother apologizing." she said through gritted teeth and shoved the bowl in my hands. She turned around and then turned back to say. "You are a walking disaster. When you see me next time, pretend I don't exist. I'll gladly do the same. Don't even think about following me." Then, she walked off angrily to the house just across ours. Could this day get any worse?
My dad approached me and looked at the mess. "What the hell happened here? Did you have a food fight or something?"
I groaned "I don't think I gave our new neighbor a good first impression of me. Or second. That was the girl I told you about today and I just plastered her welcome gift all over her shirt." I closedmy eyes in mortification.
"Yikes. What's with you today buddy?" He pats my shoulder and sighed "Why don't we give her some time to cool off? Maybe we can go say hello after school tomorrow with cookies or something to make it up to her."
"Yeah. You're right." Although with all that's happened today, I don't think I ever will.
Things are off to a great start
***
For a small town, Greendale high school seemed too big. Walking through the school hallways was like walking through a maze. The fact that people were moving in all directions wasn't helping. Even with the map on my hand, I still seemed to be lost.
Then I saw her coming down the hallway with her arms linked with another girl. She was laughing at something the other girl said and when we made eye contact, she frowned immediately and recoiled, giving me a wide berth, almost as if she preferred merging with the walls. I smiled as I approached her.
"Good morning." I said, not losing my smile. She ignores me and goes her way.
"Do I even know you?' She gave me the most condescending look I have ever seen and continued going her way. Well, that was harsh.
The other girl stops and gives me an accessing gaze. "Umm maybe we do. We always lend a helping hand to handsome strangers. Are you lost?"
I looked at my school map "Do any of you happen to know where class 5 A is? I have calculus."
"Well that's where we are going." The other girl replied. "I'm Lucy Hale and this is Poppy Williams. You must be new here."
So that's her name. Poppy.
"I moved here on Saturday. I'm Colin Parker. It's nice to meet you Poppy". I say and I get a scowl in return.
Lucy takes my class schedule from my hands. "You are in the same grade with us and I see that you have the same classes as Emily." She looks at Emily. "That's great. Maybe you can show him around."
Emily's mouth forms into a thin line. "I'll prefer not to."
Lucy looks at her strangely. "Ok but--"
Poppy drags Lucy impatiently. "Are you done? Can we go now?"
"What is with you today? It's not like -?" her gaze travels back and forth our faces and a realization dawns on her face. "Wait a second." Lucy laughs. "You couldn't possibly be her new neighbor right?"
I knew I was blushing. "Guilty as charged. I take it that she hasn't still forgiven me." Poppy gives me a cold look. "I figure that you know the whole story?"
Lucy snorts. "How exactly did you manage to cause so much damage in one day? Do you happen to have a picture? I would give anything to see her face." Lucy laughs.
"Ha, ha. Very funny." Stacy says sarcastically.
Stacy unlinks her arm with Lucy's. "Well, why don't you walk with dear Colin here since you too get along so well?" she gives us a dirty look and spun on her heel and left. For all that had happened, she was cute. I hated myself for thinking that, but she was cute. She looks back at us again and walks ahead with a huff.
Lucy shakes her head. "Don't take her too seriously. I know I don't. She looks like she has a bit of a temper but she's a big softie. Just bake her cookies with lots of chocolate and you'll be fine."
So she has a sweet tooth. I save that info for later, even though I don't know why.
I could already tell I was going to like Lucy. "If you say so." I reply.
She looks at me expectantly. "Well what made you move to St. Augustine?" she said St. Augustine in a way that meant no one should consider moving here.
I shrug. "My father said we needed a change of pace."
She sighs. "At least you've experienced a life that is not here. I'm a born and bred St. Augustine local. My parents were born here and went to high school and college here. It's kinda funny how most kids are doing everything to leave but people just keep coming." She shakes her head
"Well, small towns have their own charm I guess." I say.
"I like you. Not romantically of course but if you are ever interested, my arms are always open." she winks and I laugh. "You can sit with us during lunch if you'd like. I'll save you a spot. "
"I don't think Emily would like that so much." I reply.
"You let me worry about that." She replies. "Anyone who decides to move here deserves a warm welcome and I'm more than happy to give one." She comes to a halt. "Here we are class five A."
"Aren't you going in?" I say
"I am definitely not a science student. God knows I don't have the brain for that. You are looking at a future fashion designer and we take art class in five B. Later." She waves to me. I enter the class and I could see the teacher was already standing at the podium.
"You must be our new student. Come on in and introduce yourself."
"Hi guys my name is Colin Parker and I'm from Georgia." I say.
He scans the class and points." You can sit on that empty seat over there. Hurry along now."
My eyes moves towards the direction of his fingers and my smile fades gradually as I see the seat next to mine is occupied by Poppy, who looked like she'd rather be buried alive than to sit next to me.
Mr. Mike holds a sheet of paper. "Before I forget, you would need to write your names according to how you are seated. This would be your permanent sitting arrangements for this class. Your seating mates will also be your partner for the group projects we'll be working on. "
Next to me, Poppy looks at me horrendously and makes a sound of what I would simply call despair.
It's hard enough working in groups. It's another entirely when you are paired with someone who hates your existence.
This semester is off to a great start.