Poppy Pov
Two hours later, we were home. I don't know why, but I felt bad about what happened. So, I did what I never thought I would- I texted him.
Me: Are you up???
Me: You do know what happens was an accident right??
Immediately I pressed send, I screamed into my pillow. Why did I text him? For something so trivial at that?
Few seconds later I got a text notification and I rushed to read it
☠ Colin parker☠: Is that your way of saying sorry?
☠ Colin parker☠: I think the better question to ask is why are you saying sorry?
Me: Well, I think that the question we should be asking is why are you always so difficult?
☠ Colin parker☠: I think your boyfriend is the one being difficult.
☠ Colin parker☠: There is no way he didn't do that on purpose.
☠ Colin parker☠: What is his problem with me??
Me: stop being dramatic.
☠ Colin parker☠: Also, I can't believe this is the second time my tutor is texting me. At least it is not a book link.
☠ Colin parker☠: Isn't it the tutor's job to constantly check her student's progress?
Colin parker: Are we meeting up tomorrow? I need to arrange my schedule.
He is so annoying, my God. The texts seemed like they just won't stop coming.
Me: Yeah. Like you could possibly have anything worthwhile doing.
☠ Colin parker☠: So. are we like texting buddies now? ☺ ☺
Me: No.😐 😐 😐 We aren't. I still don't like you and I never will.
☠ Colin parker☠: Ouch ☹
☠ Colin parker☠: Good night, Miss poppy. Don't dream of me.
I dropped my phone on my bedside table without responding and fall on my bed, burnt out from today's activities. So many things happened today, but there was only one thought that came to my mind- Colin parker was definitely infuriating.
###
It was a bright day. I did well on my tests, so dad gave me extra allowance to spend on whatever I wanted. It was the weekend and I didn't have to tutor Colin till next Monday. We haven't really talked after we texted each other the other night; just a 'hi' or 'hello' whenever we ran into each other at school. I was not sure if I should be worried, but I wasn't quite bothered about it for now.
Sarah and Lucy were busy…doing stuff, and Liam was at football practice. I wondered just how much practice they did that he couldn't even make time for his girlfriend. Well, he was always talking about getting into a good college, with a scholarship. Things haven't been so great with his father's business recently. I guess it wasn't possible to meet frequently. But would it kill him to text or call? I wanted to complain, but I didn't want to seem too clingy.
Although this was my first relationship, I wasn't really sure if that was how it worked. If I told Lucy about this, she would only defend him and only God knows why; it was not like they are close. I was positive that Sarah's solution would be to break up with him. Since I didn't have the opinion of a neutral third party, it felt like I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Sighing, I walked into Gene's comics, the only comic book store in my area. Coming here was my guilty pleasure. My first comic was an issue of Amazing Spiderman, where Spiderman defeated Carnage and My dad also bought me the DK's ultimate guide to Spiderman because I loved the 90's show. It was like I fell into a wormhole ever since and that was probably why I always found myself picking up Spidey and Venom comics every week. Liam didn't know that I love comic books. I tried bringing them up once and he said they were lame and for kids. Sarah and Lucy were indifferent about them, so I had no one to share my hobby with.
"Good afternoon Mr. Gene," I said as I entered the bookshop. He was at the counter and I gave him a mock salute. "Got anything new this week?"
"Good day to you Poppy. Of course, we do," he said cheerfully. "Just check that pile over there."
I was going through the comics when I heard a familiar voice.
"Mr. Gene, do you have what I ordered?" God, please not him again. I turned towards the direction of his voice and that I confirmed that it was definitely Colin. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans. I never noticed it before, but his hair seemed a little longer now.
At least, he didn't see me yet. Just my luck.
"It's right here, colin. Just come to the counter," Mr. Gene said.
"Yes!" he said and walked in long strides to the counter.
I turned around quickly, using my hair to hide my face, hoping that he doesn't see me.
"Poppy?" I heard him ask.
Crap. I back turn around, putting on a smile. "Hey Colin. Funny seeing you here."
He looked shocked to see me. "What are you doing here?"
I scowled at him. "Are you asking because you are lost?"
"No. you didn't seem like the type to—I mean I don't think I've ever seen a—" he caught the look on my face and stopped talking, which was definitely a wise decision.
I raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Girls are not supposed to be in comic book stores?
"I didn't mean it like that." He sighed. "Must you always turn everything into a fight?"
I go back to searching for comics. "What can I say? You bring out the worst in me."
He walked towards my direction, and before I knew it, he was searching for comics in the pile next to mine. I could smell a lavender scent, which I had now recognized to be his.
What is happening to me?
He started speaking. "When did you become interested--"
I cut him off. "You know I just received a text from my mom. Too help her start preparing dinner."
He looked at the clock on the wall and then looked at me disbelievingly. "It is five minutes past twelve. Besides, you are not holding your phone, so how did you get the text?"
Crap. "She actually told me before I left the house. It is a very, very, complicated dish. She needs all the help she can get. I was not very good at lying, so I was pretty sure I wasn't sounding convincing at all.
His gives me a tired look. "Are trying to you avoid me?"
I laughed. "That is ridiculous. Why would I avoid you?" I can feel my face turning pink and I know knows I was lying. I was not even sure I know the answer to that question
He looked like he was about say something, but he just shrugged. "Okay then. Whatever you say."
I hurriedly drop the comic book I was holding. "Bye Mr. Gene."
I don't know why, but I walked very fast out of the store, which turned into a fully blown sprint as soon as I was outside.
This meant that I might have to find another store.
God help me.