Flowers and Pop Rocks

10

p o p p y

School dragged on more and more each day that I thought the week would never end, but Friday rolled around eventually, and it was time for Levi's party.

"The red dress, Pop, come on," Angel whined, trying for the nth time to get me into the tight dress I'd gotten from her as a birthday present.

I would've gotten ready with Angel and Sabrina, but my best friend's parents were watching her like hawks, so she declined the invitation, no matter how much she wanted to go.

"I won't be able to breathe in that, A," I cringed, thinking of how it would look on me. "I'll just wear jeans and a nice shirt. That's better. You can even pick what shirt."

She groaned. "Just try it and then tell me what you think."

The dress came flying at my face as I screeched, lunging to catch it. "You can hand it over like a normal person, you know?"

"Now where's the fun in that?"

I changed into the dress and stared at myself in the mirror. "I don't know, A."

My cousin got up from my bed and stood beside me, looking at the mirror. "It's perfect on you, Pop. I knew it when I bought it. Come on, you have to wear it."

"Really? Are you sure, A?" I adjusted the thin strap as it slipped down my shoulder slightly. "It's not too much?"

"You look hot, okay? Now, just let me get my dress on real quick, and you can start with your makeup," she instructed.

Two hours to the time we were supposed to leave turned into just fifteen minutes in the blink of an eye.

I'd managed to get my straight hair into loose waves and pinned them back so it wasn't just all over my face.

They say that time flies when you're having fun, and I definitely was having a lot of fun with our spontaneous concert in my bedroom.

"Heels, Poppy, please," Angel begged. "It looks better with heels."

I eyed the pair in her hand warily and sighed. "Fine, give them to me."

She grinned and handed the pair to me. "Throw them on and then we can go."

"You really wanna drive my car?" I asked her. "I can drive."

"I don't have a car to drive, Pop," she reminded me. "Plus, I know you won't be able to say no to a few drinks. I'll drive us home."

"What would I do without you?" I mumbled, slipping my feet into the heels.

"Not go to the party," she laughed, knowing that I wouldn't have gone if I didn't know she would make me.

Soon, we were at Levi's house. Borderline mansion, honestly.

Let's stick with "Levi's huge house". Yeah, that's good.

"Come find me when you wanna leave," Angel called before turning around and leaving me to enjoy the party alone.

I was a few drinks in already when I felt strong hands come around my waist from behind me.

"Let go of me before I break your wrist," I warned, downing the last of the beer in my cup before setting it down on the table beside me.

"That's a little violent, don't you think, Flower?" Blake breathed into my neck, making me involuntarily shiver and chills run down my whole body.

I reached up and cupped his cheek before turning around. "A little creepy just walking up behind me like that, don't you think, Blake?"

"Fair point," he chuckled. "Why are you alone?"