PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PART 9 | PART 10 | PART 11 | PART 12 | PART 13 | PART 14 | PART 15 | PART 16 | PART 17 | PART 18 | PART 19A | PART 19B | PART 20 | PART 21 |
Just started reading again from the beginning Deconstructed
I was wondering if you are still writing?
Have a good day!
Hi! I'm doing okay. I hope you are doing well.
Thank you so much! It really means a lot that you’re still reading. I honestly didn’t think anyone still was, I really appreciate it. I do feel a bit guilty for not writing as much, it's been hard. I’ve got a lot of ideas, but getting them down is the hard part.
Knowing that someone out there is enjoying my work really warms my heart. Thank you for taking the time in your day to leave me a message. I hope you have a wonderful day! ❤️❤️❤️
The painting has driven Morgan crazy these past few days. She can't quite get it. The watercolour is challenging to work with… yet something about the colours, the transparency, the layers, the softness and the brush strokes attracted her. Morgan sighed. It was morning once again, and I barely got a wink of sleep.
This woman has taken over her thoughts. May it be her dreams and waking moments. Morgan busies herself with tidying up her things. Nothing is worse than a stiff brush; what a waste of money.
Morgan was exhausted. These past few days have been hectic. She had just finished her plates and had been running on 5 mugs of coffee that night. She may or may not have drunk the watercolour water once or twice…again. Tastes strangely of something savoury. It made her stomach churn unpleasantly.
Morgan takes the quickest shower of her life. It's too early to let Steve lecture her on punctuality. She can only take so much before she explodes. Morgan quickly looks around, smiling softly at her half-finished painting. Oil would be nice, too. Maybe next paycheck.
It was past morning rush in the cafe, and Morgan sulked. Her gaze fixed steadily on the door, hoping the woman would come in again. This time, she would really ask for her name. But she did not come.
Sam patted her on the back. "I am beginning to think this woman is a figment of your imagination." Sam teased. Morgan's eyes have been fixed on the door for the past few hours. Willing someone to come in.
Morgan lets out a deep sigh, forcing herself to turn away from the door. "It's not that- I… I'm just checking if the lunch hour is over."
Sam smiled at her knowingly. "I know you. You've been talking my ear off about this woman."
Morgan sighed. "I can't believe I didn't get her name."
Sam chuckled.
As soon as her shift ended, Morgan quickly changed out of her uniform and waved to Sam as she exited the coffee shop. She must arrive on time, not when it's free seating. She should get her spot in her Anthro class.
Morgan frowned at the contents of the letter. Poppy seemed so sad, and Morgan wished she could reach out and comfort her, but the best she could do was write a flimsy letter.
To the mysterious Poppy, keeper of my sketchbook.
Lately, you've been down. I want to know how to cheer you up. How can I help? Sometimes, we cannot help but put ourselves on a pedestal. I cannot pretend to know what you're facing, Poppy. I can only offer my support. I want you to know that someone out here is rooting for you.
I have barely gotten enough sleep these days. Between school and work, I barely have enough time to complete what has consumed my thoughts for the past few days. That is to say, you also consume my thoughts. Your letters are something I look forward to.
So… What's your favourite colour? I realize… You've told me a lot, but I do not know the simplest things about you. I hope you don't mind.
PS I attached a drawing of my cat to cheer you up. I do miss him despite him being a spawn of hell.
- Morgan
Morgan attached a quick drawing of her cat, the orange devil, back on the farm. She folds the letter over and slips it inside the desk compartment. It's such a pity that the weekend has ended, and now she has to focus in class. No time at all this week to focus on the drawing she's making.
Morgan stood up after class and approached her professor. "Hey, Ms Kingsley. Do you know who sits on my desk in your other classes? Poppy?"
Kingsley looked at her. "I don't have a Poppy in my class. Not that I remember." Kingsley smiled apologetically.
Morgan chuckled at Poppy's audacity, using a fake name. But she'd let her. After all, this is an innocent letter exchange. It was fun having someone to talk to. Someone who cannot judge her at first sight.
She found herself looking forward to Anthro class. Early as can be sitting in her seat, just to swipe her hand under the desk and light up at Poppy's letter. Morgan hoped no one noticed how she smiled when she read the letter.
Morgan shakes her head. Shaking off the thoughts of the woman on the other side of the letters. What was she like?
Dearest Artist, Morgan,
There is a hole in my heart that could never be filled. I'm sorry to burden you with my personal feelings. But as such… are the burdens of an only child. Just your letters are enough to brighten up my day… So thank you for not being tired of me yet.
Colour… What an interesting question. You could have asked about anything, but you chose this super hard one, heh.
I couldn't live without pink. I can imagine you rolling your eyes at the girliness of the colour, but it calms me. It reminds me of sunsets when the sky is coloured pink and blue. Always reminds me of good times when I was free to play under the sun.
Your cat is adorable. I cannot accept that this angelic-looking creature would be equated to a devil you so warmly call it. Thank you, though; it made me smile. I love animals as well… I used to dream of owning my own shelter one day. This is what I hope won't be an unrealized passion of mine. I am determined to make it come true.
It's only fair to ask you a question as well. What's your favourite song?
Poppy
Morgan smiled when she got the letter. Morgan smoothed over the paper and put it in her bag. Morgan couldn't help but conjure an image of who this Poppy is. Morgan is sure she isn't like the spoiled and arrogant kids in Belvoire well as much as she's seen.
Ms Kingsley's research was fascinating. A hierarchy in school is a recipe for disaster, but. She digress. She hoped Poppy was unlike the entitled kids in Belvoir. She seemed kind.
Dearest Poppy,
I am sorry to hear that… I wish in whatever capacity I can bridge the gap in your heart. I, too, have grown fond of our exchanges. I hope you don't get tired of me. Your letters have become an integral part of my day. Dare I say the most exciting part of it. You can always tell me anything that burdens you. People say I'm a good listener. Well… reader in your case.
I won't judge your favourite colour! You got me wrong on that one. It's nice that you love the sunset. I myself am a lover of the sunrise. I love the blues in the sky as it grows brighter. I am ashamed to say that I stare at it for too long as the blues become lighter, and I also become late for class on maybe one or two or… a lot of occasions. I can imagine you as an animal lover… well, you're kind enough to write back to a complete stranger. I wouldn't assume otherwise.
Favourite song, huh? So you want to get to know me really deeply, haha. Right now, it's "You make loving fun." Something about it is that I can feel the magic. I've never been in love, but I can imagine…. I've seen the movies and heard the songs… By far, it's my favourite way to describe what love is supposed to feel like.
For my next question, what is your favourite drink? I bet I can make it. I am awesome that way.
With endless fascination,
Morgan
Poppy smiled at the neat way Morgan wrote her letters. It starts off stiff, then becomes loopy as Morgan is excited to write something. She must admit, there is a growing pile of letters and sketches in one of her drawers. Poppy's eyes softened at the song. She'll for sure find the song and listen to it later. Poppy quickly pockets the letter as her friends approached, not wanting to be in the middle of another teasing session.
Veronica raised her eyebrows at the way Poppy pocketed something so fast. She did not comment and just handed her her drink from one of the coffee shops near campus, "Pour Decisions." Their signature drink that Poppy loved. They said some alumni made it when they were working there, and that's become the signature drink since then.
It's a witty name and nice coffee. Poppy only came in once or twice since she came to Belvoire. She couldn't find herself coming in when the barista she wished to see wasn't there. The barista never seems to be there. Poppy couldn't believe she didn't get her name.
Under the soft glow of string lights and amidst the delicate ambiance of blooming flowers, Bea took in the unexpected scene before her. Poppy, usually brimming with confidence, leaned against the railing, her gaze lost in the dusk sky. With a tender step, Bea approached, her presence going unnoticed until her arms gently encircled Poppy's waist.
"Have you been waiting long?" Bea's voice, a hushed whisper, brushed against Poppy's ear. The faint strains of their favorite song in the air, creating an intimate backdrop to the moment. Poppy's attire exuded impeccable elegance, though a hint of nerves can be seen in her poised demeanor.
Poppy startled, yet her lips curved into a smile as she turned, finding solace in Bea's embrace. "I've missed you," she confessed, a touch of longing tinging her words. "Why did you take so long? I couldn't help but wonder..."
A mischievous glint sparkled in Bea's eyes as she leaned in, brushing a gentle kiss at the corner of Poppy's lips. "You know me better than that," she murmured, a soft laugh threading through her words. "I'd never betray your trust. My heart belongs to you alone."
Poppy's smile widened, a mixture of affection and playful teasing. "Oh, I know." she admitted, her voice a gentle caress against Bea's chest as she nestled her head there. Together, they swayed unconsciously, dancing to the melody that enveloped them.
In a moment pregnant with emotion, Poppy reached into her clutch, producing a small ring box. With a mixture of vulnerability and determination, she held it out to Bea. "I've been wanting to do this for a while now," she confessed, her voice carrying a tremor of anticipation. "Bea, will you marry me?"
Surprise painted across Bea's features, a bright laugh bubbled from her lips. "Yes! But you beat me to it," she marveled at the beautiful ring Poppy slid into her fingers. Bea's hand reached into her coat pocket to reveal another ring box. Playfully, she raised an eyebrow. "I've been carrying this around, waiting for the perfect moment. Only you could make me kneel." Chuckling, she gracefully descended to one knee, extending the ring towards Poppy.
As their fingers intertwined, exchanging rings and sealing their commitment, a radiant smile graced Bea's lips. "You're going to be my wife and I am yours." Bea mused, her voice tender and full of promise. "It sounds great—it sounds like a dream come true. My future wife, my fiancée." Poppy’s joy was palpable, a reflection of the sheer bliss that enveloped them.
As the days passed, the push and pull between Poppy and Morgan continued, with Poppy persistently trying to ask Morgan out, and Morgan dodging her every attempt. Poppy didn't give up easily though, and she kept making attempts to win Morgan over.
One day, Poppy presented her with a rose and she smiled in a non-threatening way, or at least she thought so. Without breaking eye contact, Morgan dropped the rose into the trash and walked away, leaving Poppy gaping. (Morgan had been so sick of seeing roses; it had been a week, and she still found rose petals in her room. Her room had started to smell like a funeral home.)
On another occasion, Poppy bought Morgan some imported pastries, ones that she had shipped straight from France, hoping to impress Morgan with the gesture. But once again, Morgan's response left her frustrated. She gave the pastries away without even tasting them, asking if anyone else wanted a piece. Poppy started to question her approach.
—-----
"Time was running out, Pops, and we were already in Plan K." Veronica tried to rile her up, amused by her disastrous plans. What did you guys think? What strategy did you want our Queen to try next? Click the link to vote! Veronica's live stream and teasing about Poppy's numerous failed attempts at winning Morgan's heart only added to Poppy's frustration.
She grabbed Veronica’s phone and tried to turn it off, trying to regain some control over the situation, but Veronica easily took it from her. "You're not that tall, you know?" Veronica teased, holding the phone out of Poppy's reach.
"She was playing hard to get. I thought it was cute before, but now it was just annoying." Poppy bit her lower lip. Morgan was really frustrating.
Chloe tried to offer some advice. "Maybe tone down the cockiness when you're asking her out. Girls don't like that. If I were Morgan, I, for sure, would be terrified."
Poppy defended herself, insisting, "I'm not cocky!"
"Whoa, chill. We're just trying to help you out." Chloe responded.
"Okay, fine. Let's just go with my plan, okay? Plan K will make me proud." Poppy said, hoping that this time it would be different.
"Well, the 11th time's the charm." Veronica said. Poppy playfully punched her on the arm, but Veronica quickly distanced herself to avoid further retaliation.
"Ow, now I'm beginning to feel sorry for Morgan if this is how you show your appreciation.” she said, trying to lighten the mood.
-----
"Morgan," Poppy called after her.
Morgan turned, already feeling exasperated. She knew that voice. "Poppy, I swear to God, if this is another one of your bizarre games, I'm gonna lose it."
Poppy could tell that Morgan had had enough of her unpredictable behavior. But this time, Poppy was done and had nothing to lose, so she followed Chloe’s stupid idea.
"Please just listen," Poppy began, her voice filled with genuine emotion. "I- I'm sorry for being too presumptuous. I just really like you, okay? Give me a chance, please." Poppy would have died if Veronica knew, but right now she wasn’t above begging.
To her relief, Morgan didn't pull away or reject her this time. Instead, she let Poppy reach for her hand, signaling a willingness to hear her out.
"Fine, if it doesn't work out, you'll leave me alone?" Morgan asked, her voice weary from the chase.
Poppy didn't hesitate. "Of course, I promise. I won't bother you anymore if you don't want me to."
Morgan seemed to weigh her options for a moment before finally relenting. "Okay, fine." She agreed, her tone softening. Morgan had always found it hard to resist the charm of beautiful girls.
Poppy was surprised and elated by Morgan's response. She hadn't expected her to say yes so easily. "Oh, You will? Was that a yes?" she asked, a smile spreading across her face.
Morgan rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a small smile of her own. "Yes, but don't screw it up," she warned.
"I won't, I promise." Poppy assured her, feeling a sense of relief and excitement. "I'll text you when. Thank you, Morgan."
She couldn't help herself and rose up to her tiptoes, planting a kiss on Morgan's cheek before walking away. As she left, Morgan could feel the warmth on her cheek where Poppy had touched it.
------
“Sooo? Are we moving to Plan L? That one’s my favorite.” Veronica asks her when she sidles up to them after asking Morgan out again.
Poppy smiles triumphantly at Veronica's reaction. "No, I already have a date." she announces proudly. Veronica's eyes widen in disbelief and excitement.
"No way! You finally did it. I'm so proud, I might even cry. It was getting really painful to watch you fail." Veronica said.
Chloe joins in, cringing at the memories of Poppy's failed attempts. "Yeah, really painful."
Ignoring their playful jabs, Poppy admits. "I didn't plan this far. I was too focused on getting her to say yes."
"That's sad. But you know we'll help." Veronica reassures her, placing her hand on Poppy's shoulder. Chloe nods in agreement. "Absolutely, we'll come up with a perfect plan together." She says.
-----
Poppy looked at her friends incredulously. "Are you freaking serious?" she asked, not convinced by their choice of an amusement park as a date spot.
“The amusement park is a good date spot, says so on Bing,” Chloe replied.
“She’s right, I took a girl there. She was all over me by the end of the day.” Veronica said, her eyes glazing over. Poppy and Chloe rolled their eyes at where her thoughts were heading.
“But the germs and the people,” Poppy shuddered. “Can’t we have dinner at an expensive restaurant or something normal?”
Veronica shook her head. "It's Morgan we're talking about. I bet she's tired of all this pretentious stuff. And because I asked Zoey, the amusement park is high up on the top 3 list."
"What are the other options?" Poppy asked reluctantly, feeling like she was being cornered.
Chloe grinned mischievously. "Okay, you asked for it; the Zoo and fruit picking. I doubt you can handle that much physical activity and proximity to animals."
"That's it? Those are terrible first date options!" Poppy exclaimed, feeling a bit frustrated.
"We told you so," Veronica said with a smirk.
Poppy took a deep breath and conceded defeat. "Fine, amusement park it is. I'll text her now." She said, taking out her phone. As she texted Morgan to confirm the date, she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. While it may not be the luxurious or fancy date she envisioned, if it would bring her close to Morgan, then she would soldier through the ordeal.
-----
She picked up her phone and sent a text to Morgan, trying to act casual even though her heart was racing.
Poppy: Hey, are you free this Saturday for our date? In case you forgot.
A few minutes later, Morgan responded, and Poppy couldn't help but smile when she saw the message.
Morgan: Yeah, what time?
Poppy took a deep breath before responding, trying to sound confident.
Poppy: Is 9 AM good for you? I'll pick you up.
Morgan: That’s weirdly early but, okay.
Poppy locked her phone, feeling nervous, but she'd be damned if she backed out now.
After several hours of shopping, Poppy was at her wit's end. She couldn't believe she had allowed Veronica to drag her into this, but she was too stubborn. As they continued to browse through various stores downtown, Veronica seemed to be having the time of her life, amusing herself by showing Poppy every frilly and fuzzy item she came across.
Poppy's patience was wearing thin, and her eyes twitched with irritation as Veronica shoved yet another plush bear under her nose. "V, if you're not going to help, go outside." she snapped, trying to suppress her growing frustration.
Veronica pouted and dropped the bear. Chloe, their other friend who had joined them, patted Veronica on the back in a comforting gesture.
"But I am helping." Veronica mumbled, trying not to show her disappointment.
Several more stores and agonizingly long minutes passed, and Poppy could feel her sanity slipping away. She usually enjoyed shopping, but this was a different story altogether. The sheer amount of options and choices overwhelmed her, and she couldn't find the things she wanted, or more accurately, she didn't know what she wanted.
As they entered yet another store, Poppy let out a sigh of exasperation. "I can't do this anymore. This is too much." she groaned, running her hand through her hair in frustration.
“Why don't we take a break and grab something to eat? It might help clear our minds." Chloe suggested.
Poppy nodded gratefully, realizing she needed a breather. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
They decided to take a break at a nearby café, where they could relax, chat, and for Poppy to calm down. As they sipped on their drinks, Poppy started to feel a bit calmer. She comforted herself with the thought that soon Veronica would be chauffeuring her around New York. Poppy smirked at the thought of Veronica sitting in traffic while she sipped coffee in the back.
-------------
She had planned a full-on romantic apology, and then she would ask her out. That's what girls want, right? She was all about assumption at that point, with Poppy never being the romantic type, and this grand gesture was completely out of character for her. Poppy was used to being wooed, not the one doing the wooing. Even with numerous men and women clamoring for her affection, she had never really felt a romantic connection with any of them.
With a deep breath, Poppy looked around the room, double-checking everything she had prepared for her romantic apology. Roses flooded the room, check. The bouquet that she was not crushing in her hand due to nervousness, check. This was nice, this was great, Poppy thought.
She set everything up with the help of Chloe, her ever-loyal pup. Veronica was tasked to distract the roommate, for a few hours at least. She was confident that she would succeed in the first try; she could almost see the look on Veronica's face. She grinned and continued preparing with renewed confidence. After all, who could ever resist her...
As she waited, she shook off the doubts that started to creep in. What if this whole thing was too much? She wouldn't have time to clean the petals up. What if Morgan didn't feel the same way about her? What if she ended up making a fool of herself? But then she remembered all the people who had expressed interest in her before, and she had never felt that connection with any of them. Morgan felt different, and Poppy wanted to give this a shot.
Chloe sat patiently outside the room, ready to alert Poppy when Morgan or Zoey was on their way back. Veronica was off on her distraction mission, and Poppy hoped everything would go according to plan.
Just as she started to feel more anxious, her phone buzzed with a text from Chloe. Morgan was on her way! Poppy took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.
—-------
Earlier, Veronica suggested that she surprise her. “Hide under the bed. Then when she enters, jump out and offer her your flower.”
Poppy couldn't help but blush at the implication. "What the hell, V! Stop being gross." she said, turning away from her friend.
Veronica chuckled and quickly clarified her intentions. "I didn't mean it like that, I swear. I meant your bouquet, obviously. Why would you even think that?" She smirked playfully, glancing at Chloe, who was trying to hold back her laughter.
Poppy rolled her eyes, knowing that Veronica had a tendency to make cheeky comments. "I know what you meant!" she said, trying not to strangle Veronica. "But hiding under the bed? That's a bit too much, don't you think?"
Veronica shrugged. "Come on, it would be fun and unique! Plus, it would totally surprise her, I heard from Zoey that Morgan likes surprises." she insisted, still finding the idea amusing. She was totally lying.
Chloe finally spoke up, unable to suppress her giggles any longer. "I think it might be a bit too dramatic. Just give her the bouquet and apologize sincerely." she suggested with a smile.
Poppy nodded, feeling relieved that Chloe was on her side. "Yeah, I think a simple apology and a heartfelt gesture would be enough. I don't want to scare her away with some crazy surprise." she said, regaining her composure.
Veronica pouted. "Weak shits." she said, still finding amusement in the situation. “Think about it, Pop.”
As they finished their coffee and parted ways, Poppy decided at the last minute to go with Veronica’s idea. What does Chloe know anyway.
—--------
Moments later, she heard the door opening, and Morgan walked in. Poppy's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, well, of her shins and feet… because she was under the bed like a monster… The realization came too late; she pushed aside her nerves and tried to appear composed.
Okay, deep breaths. One, two, three.
She was ready to jump out when a shirt dropped in front of her, followed by jeans. “Oh god, no. This isn’t happening to me.” Poppy blushed furiously, wondering how she was going to get out. Her plan very quickly turned out to be a disaster.
Her heart raced as she heard the bathroom door close, and she knew she needed to act quickly to get out of this predicament. With a mix of embarrassment and determination, she started to wiggle and crawl, trying to maneuver her way out from under the bed without making too much noise.
There was a click. Panic set in again, and Poppy froze, unsure of what to do next. The room was suddenly bathed in light as the lights flicked on, and Poppy's heart pounded in her chest. She couldn't believe she got herself into this awkward situation. Morgan stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, her wet hair falling loosely around her shoulders.
A blood-curdling scream was heard throughout the building. “God, what’s wrong with you, newbie?” Poppy asked as if she wasn’t upside down and crawling out from under the bed, looking like the ghost girl from the grudge. Poppy stood and straightened up and approached Morgan like nothing happened.
Morgan looked at Poppy with a mix of surprise and fear. “If you’re here to kill me, you better make it quick.” Morgan croaked out, slowly backing away, forgetting her state of undress.
A beat passed between them. Poppy finally got it. “Wait! No, I’m not here to-” Poppy insisted, cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.
As the other residents rushed into the room, they saw Poppy and Morgan in an awkward and compromising situation. Poppy quickly understood the misunderstanding and tried to explain herself. The other students exchanged confused glances, not sure what to make of the situation. It was clear that something unexpected and awkward had occurred.
Seeing Morgan's discomfort, Poppy took a step closer, placing her body between Morgan and the others to protect her privacy and decency.
“Cover yourself up, Farmsville.” Poppy was mortified. She mustered up whatever was left of her bitchy aura and glared at the surrounding crowd. They mumbled and retreated. She grabbed a sheet and threw it over Morgan, not before catching sight of her toned body.
Oh no. She’s hot too. Poppy’s thoughts were no longer working; she walked out averting her eyes, dragging an equally embarrassed Chloe as she shooed the crowd back to the hall and closed the door. As Morgan stood in her room, still processing the unexpected and awkward encounter with Poppy, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Confusion, embarrassment, and a hint of curiosity swirled within her.
Leaning against the door, Morgan tried to gather her thoughts. "What the hell was that?" she muttered to herself, trying to make sense of the situation.
She took a deep breath and looked around the room, finally noticing the scattered rose petals and unlit candles on the floor. Her confusion deepened as she realized that Poppy had clearly planned something… but it had all gone awry.
"What is happening?" Morgan wondered aloud, still trying to process everything.
Just as she was about to contemplate further, her phone buzzed with a notification. Opening it, she found the photos that were taken earlier, now posted on The T.
Our beloved newbie is seen climbing something or should I say someone other than the Queen B’s rank. Kudos to Queen Min-Sinclair, Hughes is a catch.
- Kisses The T
She sighed at the misunderstanding; they made her sound so desperate. Morgan picked up the letter left by Poppy on her bed. Opening it, she noticed Poppy's flawless handwriting, and for a moment, she couldn't help but chuckle. Of course, her handwriting was all loops and curls; it fit her well.
She started reading the letter, and as expected, Poppy's tone was still a bit brash and sarcastic. Morgan rolled her eyes at the mention of their earlier encounter being partly her fault for being annoying.
Morgan,
I know we didn’t have a great start earlier, but it wasn’t entirely my fault. You were being too annoying, but anyway, let me make it up to you.
-P
“Seriously, Poppy? Could she be any more abrasive?" Morgan muttered, feeling a mix of annoyance and amusement. Yet she still kept the letter on her desk.
—--------
Poppy and Chloe crossed the quad running, and Poppy quickly grabbed Veronica, who was still flirting with Zoey, dragging her along. She made a “call me” sign at Zoey, who laughed at her. “Wait, I’m still- W-what are we running from?” Veronica asked, glancing back to see if some lunatic was chasing them.
“Poppy’s disaster.” Chloe casually replied, earning a swift slap on the back of her head.
“Shut up, Chloe, and it’s not my fault. I didn’t know Morgan would-” Poppy gritted her teeth at the embarrassing memory.
They could finally catch their breath in the safety of the Zeta Sorority House. Their phones chimed simultaneously. Veronica pulled her phone out and burst out laughing once she saw the post, earning a dirty look from Poppy.
“How can you go from an apology to this? Only you, Poppy.” She shook her head, still snickering.
“I can never show my face to her ever again.” She sat down on the sofa and buried her face in the cushion.
“Are you conceding? It’s been, what, barely a day?” Veronica made grabby hands, asking for her car keys.
“No. Stop that, not yet. I just have to think of something else.” Poppy wasn't quite ready to give up just yet. She mumbled a response, her voice muffled as her face was still buried in the cushion. She was still feeling a bit flustered from the day's events.
Chloe offered her advice, patting her head gently. "Maybe you should try a more direct approach." she suggested.
Veronica lifted her head slightly, looking at Chloe. "Where's the fun in that, Chloe?" she retorted with a half-hearted grin.
Veronica and Chloe exchanged amused glances, but Poppy's grunt indicated that she was not in the mood for further teasing.
"Alright, alright, we'll lay off." Veronica said, trying to be more considerate.
“You two just shut up.” Poppy's voice was muffled once again as she buried her face further into the cushion, trying to hide her embarrassment.
------
“Hey, guess what? What the hell.” Zoey walked into Morgan’s room, seeing her miserably picking off all the petals Poppy scattered on her carpet.
“Zoey… help.”
“I think someone’s trying to tell you something.” Zoey chuckled, getting the vacuum from the storage. Zoey shook her head with a knowing smile as she started vacuuming the excessive amount of petals scattered across Morgan's room.
"She must have bought all the flowers in the shops downtown." Zoey commented, clearly amused by Poppy's elaborate gesture.
"Well, I'm not going to fall for it. If she thinks for one second that I—" Morgan started to say, but she was interrupted when she picked up the bouquet that Poppy was supposed to surprise her with.
"You what?" Zoey raised an eyebrow, looking at Morgan knowingly. Morgan sighed, feeling a mix of emotions.
"I'm still apprehensive. She was all up in my throat earlier. What changed?" she admitted, trying to make sense of Poppy's behavior.
“Maybe she just likes you and has a terrible way of showing it?” Zoey shrugged.
“I doubt that, maybe it’s a keep your enemies close sort of thing. Who knows what’s going on inside her head.” Still, as Morgan said that, she couldn’t stop the hope blooming in her chest. “I’m going to talk to her tomorrow.”
------
THE NEXT MORNING
Morgan couldn't shake the feeling that Poppy was avoiding her, and she was determined to clear up the misunderstanding between them. However, every time she caught a glimpse of Poppy's strawberry blonde hair, she seemed to disappear from sight, making it difficult for Morgan to find her.
"She's hiding from me." Morgan commented distractedly as she sat down for lunch with Zoey.
Zoey tried to offer a more positive perspective. "Maybe she was just busy. It's a big campus, and people have different schedules." she suggested.
"I saw her try to duck behind the hedges when I called her name." Morgan said.
Zoey laughed at the image of Poppy hiding behind some hedges like a criminal fox. "Well, try to ask Chloe. She's always following her around like a lost puppy." she suggested.
Morgan considered the idea but ultimately decided against it. "Never mind. I'll figure it out myself." she said, feeling determined to confront Poppy directly. Just then, she spotted a flash of strawberry blonde hair again, and this time, she saw Poppy entering a building. Without a second thought, Morgan sprinted after her, trying to catch up.
Morgan was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of another girl. She blinked in surprise, still a bit out of breath from her search for Poppy.
"Uhh... Do you need something?" Morgan asked, feeling a bit awkward about the situation.
Taylor stammered nervously, "T-This is for you." before quickly leaving without saying anything else.
Morgan looked down at the bear in her hands, puzzled by the unexpected gift. She noticed a card attached to the bear and picked it up to read it.
Morgan,
I'll be there at 7 pm sharp, so you better be ready.
-P
Morgan furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of the message. "Pick me up for what?" she wondered aloud, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. This is the most threatening letter I have ever received.
Morgan couldn't help but feel exasperated by Poppy's mysterious and indirect approach. "Is P, Poppy?" she muttered to herself, rolling her eyes. "Why couldn't she just speak to me like a normal person?"
She walked back to Zoey, still holding the bear in her arms. As she hugged it close, she caught the faint scent of Poppy, making her heart skip a beat. "What am I doing?" she wondered, feeling a mix of confusion and low-key attraction.
Zoey raised an eyebrow when she saw Morgan with the bear. "So... You followed her and came back with that?" she asked, curious about her friend's actions. Morgan was at a loss for words, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. She didn't know how to explain the situation without sounding even more confused.
Other people started to look in their direction, and Morgan noticed a couple of them taking photos, presumably for The T.
"Let's go, Zoey. I hate when people stare." Morgan said, feeling a bit embarrassed by the attention.
Zoey chuckled and stood up. "You've been a hot topic from day one. Get used to it." she teased, trying to lighten the mood.
They began walking back to the dorms together, and Morgan couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, she was annoyed by Poppy's cryptic actions, but on the other hand, there was a part of her that was intrigued and drawn to her.
-----
She had been trying all morning to avoid Morgan, and she was proud that she had been doing a good job at it.
Veronica texted her: I heard you were avoiding Morgan, wtf are you doing you gay disaster.
Poppy: I got it under control. Don’t worry. PS I’m not a disaster, I do everything with grace.
Veronica: Yeah right. I’m more worried about Chloe, she might die from second-hand embarrassment.
Veronica: Anyway, just go to her, you’re making it seem like you hate her.
Poppy: NO! Can’t show my face yet. I’ve got a plan.
She received another text from Taylor, her lackey. "It’s done, Poppy." Attached was Morgan’s photo, hugging the bear with a small smile on her face. She smiled, staring at the picture. She forwarded the photo to their group chat, captioned: SUCCESS! She couldn’t wait to rub it in Veronica’s face later. She absolutely did not save the picture. She had no plans of staring at Morgan’s smiling face later. None at all.
She walked back to the Sorority House while typing up a new text to Morgan.
Poppy: Hey, We’re still on at 7, right? – P
Morgan: How did you even get my number, you’re such a creep.
Poppy: I have my ways. So? Is it a yes?
Morgan : So, you just assumed I’d go out with you? Why exactly are you doing this?
Poppy: You’re pretty, I’m gorgeous. We’d look good together.
Morgan: If this is your demented way of flirting, think again. It’s a no for me.
Poppy: No one says no to me, Morgan. You’ll realize that sooner or later.
Morgan: Like I said; it’s creepy, Min-Sinclair. I’m not going.
“Where did I go wrong?” Feeling defeated, Poppy couldn't help but thump her head on the table, regretting her approach. She had hoped that her gesture with the bear and the invitation would make things easier. Poppy was starting to think that she was the problem. Impossible, she was the picture of perfection.
It was 11 AM on a Monday, Poppy and Veronica just got out of their anthropology class. They were walking when Veronica spotted the new student everyone’s talking about.
"Hey, Pop? Isn't that the new girl?" Veronica whispered to Poppy. She extended her arms, stopping the blonde from walking.
Poppy scoffed, not even bothering to avert her eyes from her phone. "I don't care." Poppy exhaled, voice dripping with disinterest. She swatted Veronica’s arm away from her path. She continued walking, she paused, noting the unusual silence from her friend. She saw Veronica’s eyes still locked on the newbie.
“Seriously?” She sauntered back to Veronica and resorted to dragging her by the arm. “You should watch where you’re going!” Poppy chides her, annoyed at her friend’s diverted attention. Veronica narrowly dodges the column, Poppy chuckles darkly. She barely dodges the trashcan herself, as she’s laughing. She pretends not to notice Veronica’s expression.
As they turned, Veronica cleared her throat. “New girl is totally your type. Hot, blonde, and fierce.” She knew that those magic words would surely pique Poppy’s interest. Poppy abruptly stopped walking and looked for the newbie. Veronica laughed.
She scrutinized the girl in front of her. Her eyes were narrowed looking for any flaws but all she can find are her off-brand clothing. She thought that she looked gorgeous. Poppy quickly stood straighter, and schooled her face back into the uninterested expression she wore before. It was too late, Veronica quickly noticed her reaction.
“I knew it,” Veronica smirked, thrilled at her discovery. “You have the hots for the new girl! I can’t wait to tell Chloe.”
Poppy quickly clapped her hand on Veronica’s mouth. She looked around, relieved that no one noticed. “Why don’t you scream it louder.” Poppy remarked sarcastically. “Anyway, I’m not interested.”
Veronica gave her a knowing look but bit back a remark. She laughed suddenly, and Poppy looked at her like she was insane. She pointed to her right; Poppy looked at where she pointed. She saw the new girl in a heated argument with Chloe. She saw that Chloe was fuming, her voice near shouts and the new girl bites back.
“Are you gonna rescue Chloe? Please say yes. My followers have been starving for drama lately.”
Veronica whips her phone out as they both walk over to Chloe.
A few choice words from Poppy and she gets the newbie’s attention. She gave her a sadistic smile and gave her a nickname. She is pleasantly surprised that the other girl did have a fire in her. Who else was stupid enough to take her head on? She liked it, it’s been a while since she’d been challenged. Veronica was right, Farmsville is her type. She was also secretly happy that she gave her name out in the process, which suits her. Morgan does have a nice ring to it.
Their squabble quickly became heated, Morgan going as far as threatening to usurp her. In the middle of their fight, Morgan was suddenly pulled away and disappeared into the dorms.
“Huh?” Poppy was dumbfounded, looking at the spot where Morgan was standing seconds ago.
“The look on your face!” Veronica bent over laughing at Poppy’s dumbfounded expression. She wipes the tears from laughter, she jogs to catch up to Poppy, already walking away.
“Guess, the newbie already has a knight in shining armor.” Veronica teased Poppy on their way to lunch.
Poppy hated to admit it but she did get a bit jealous at that, but knowing Veronica, she’s just trying to rile her up and get a reaction out of her. Maybe for her Veronicats or just to annoy the life out of her. She doesn’t humor her with a response and instead sits on one of the tables. She glared at the crowd on the way. They dispersed rather quickly, terrified of her infamous temper. She admonished Chloe for being too carried away with her anger and dragging her into it.
They were peacefully eating lunch when Veronica suddenly jumped, startling Chloe. She snapped her hands in front of Poppy’s face, getting her attention.
“I’ve got a brilliant idea!” Veronica said.
Poppy eyed her mischievous expression warily. “No.” She immediately turns down whatever disastrous idea Veronica has in her head. There was no need to feed the bad ideas she had.
“Oh, come on! This one’s really interesting.” Veronica pouted and tried to convince Poppy to listen to her well-thought-out, awesome idea.
“The past few times you said that you got us all in trouble.” Chloe reminded her, shuddering at the memory.
Veronica looked at Poppy with sad pleading eyes.
“Well? Spit it out, so I can have lunch in peace.” Poppy looked at her, clearly irritated. Veronica just beams in response. She’s gotten used to her temper, knowing that she has a soft spot for her friends, it’s all for show.
“Why don’t we have a bet?” Veronica said excitedly, knowing Poppy never backs down from any challenge. The indignant look that crosses her face alone is worth it.
“What bet?” She asks her suspiciously.
Veronica held back a smirk, she was certain that she’ll accept it eventually. “Make Morgan Hughes fall in love with you.” The corner of her lips twitched, as she watched Poppy’s expression change from annoyance to confusion. “Your time limit is a month, you can choose to do whatever you want after.”
Veronica’s smile widens, even more, becoming a full-on grin. “To make this more interesting, if you succeed, I’ll hand over my Lamborghini to you, but you’ll give me your Bugatti if you fail.”
Poppy sneered. She thought it was completely absurd, why would she even waste her time on something like that? She thought Farmsville was attractive, yes, but to stoop so low as to make the first move was completely out of the question. She’s used to being chased, not the one doing the chasing.
“Are you insane? I’m not going to be part of your little games!” Poppy seethed. “Besides, I can buy myself a Lamborghini if I want to. Poppy said, then forcefully prodded what remained of her salad.
“Just say so if you’re scared, but yeah, to be honest, I thought it was an easy win for me. Should have known you’d realize that.” Veronica goes back to sipping her green shake and drops the conversation. She makes a disgusted face. Who even drinks this? In her mind, she counted back from five. Just on cue, the clang of the fork dropped against a plate.
“What are you saying? You think I can’t do it?” Poppy scoffed, offended at the insinuation that she’d fail.
“Yeah, pretty much. Listen, let’s drop it. It’s a stupid idea anyway.” Veronica waved her off. “I was even thinking that I’ll be your chauffeur for a month and all my videos will be Poppy-centric. Insane right?”
“No, no. I think it’s a great idea. You’re right, I can win this one easily. I’m Poppy Min-Sinclair after all.” Poppy said in a haughty voice. Against her superior judgment, she agreed to Veronica’s stupid idea. “Though if this blows up in our faces, I’m blaming you.”
“Well, if you insist. Little advice, you’d better start now. From your performance this morning, I would say you’re at a disadvantage.” Veronica smirked.
“Morgan- This is … my daughter, Elizabeth” Poppy’s voice shakes, unsure of the situation. This was not at all how she wanted Morgan to know she has a daughter. Morgan stiffened and looked blankly at her, she had an idea but the confirmation still threw her off.
“You- your daughter…” Morgan trailed off, her gaze fixed on the little girl. Elizabeth looked curiously up at her. Morgan can’t help but smile. “She looks just like you.” Morgan said softly.
"You can call me Lizzy too. I'm five and a half! I want to be a palea-paleontologist when I grow up.” The girl's face lit up with excitement as she proudly pronounced the words correctly. She looked up to her mother for reassurance. Poppy nodded and smiled softly, Poppy lovingly ran her fingers through her daughter's hair. Morgan watched the soft exchange.
“Hi Lizzy. It’s nice to meet a fellow dinosaur lover.” Morgan shifts her attention back to Lizzy, her smile soft and genuine. Poppy was taken aback by the sight, feeling a twinge of nostalgia as she witnessed Morgan's smile once again, even if it wasn't directed at her. The warmth emanating from Morgan's expression almost took her breath away.
"You look a lot like your Mom," Morgan complimented, still amazed at how much the little girl resembled the woman standing before her. “How rude of me, my name is Morgan.” Morgan smiled as she introduced herself.
"You're Mommy's friend! She's always talking about you." Lizzy's excitement was obvious as she jumped up and wrapped her arms around one of Morgan's legs. Morgan chuckled warmly and patted the little girl’s head, feeling a rush of affection for the adorable little girl.
"Is she?" Morgan
"Liz, why don't we take a seat? Let's not bother..." Poppy began, smiling apologetically at Morgan as she attempted to gently pry Lizzy away. But Lizzy was determined to stay with her “Aunty Morgan."
"I want to sit with Aunty Morgan," Lizzy said shyly, seeking permission from Morgan. Her eyes held a pleading look, and Morgan found herself unable to resist. She had a soft spot for blondes, and Lizzy's charm was hard to resist.
Morgan looked at Poppy stoically, a mile away from the warmth she’d shown her daughter. "It's alright. I don't mind at all," she said, welcoming Lizzy's company. Morgan couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected joy that Lizzy brought her.
"It's okay, I still haven't ordered yet. Why don't we find somewhere to sit?" Morgan's warm smile invited both Lizzy and Poppy to join her. Morgan held Lizzy's hand as the little girl giggled, excitedly babbling about everything she could think of. Poppy remained momentarily frozen, her heart conflicted by the emotions that surged within her. Oh, how she wished the scene was how she imagined it, wished the scene meant different things, how good Morgan was with her daughter. How she could have been-
Both Morgan and Lizzy turned to her at once, their expressions similar and curious as to why she wasn't following. Lizzy eagerly spoke up, interrupting Poppy's thoughts. "Mom, let's go!" she exclaimed, reminding her mother to join them.
Snap out of it, Poppy. She chided herself for getting lost in her thoughts. With a smile, she walked over to them, her heart filled with affection for both her daughter and her… Morgan. For a moment Poppy could almost believe that the three of them were a family like she had always dreamt.
"What do you guys want?" Morgan asked, taking Lizzy's order first and then Poppy's. As Poppy moved to stand and go with her to the counter, Morgan's expression turned sour, unnoticed by Lizzy, it made Poppy stop, her hand hovering over her purse. For a moment she had forgotten that she and Morgan had drifted apart.
Poppy glanced at Morgan as she came back to the table, but she quickly looked aside, as if engrossed in her own thoughts. Morgan made an effort to suppress her feelings, her feelings for Poppy were far more complex than she cared to admit.
