Flowers and Pop Rocks

17

p o p p y

"So, still not gonna take me up on that date?" I didn't need this distraction. 

Was it so hard for people to leave me alone when I was clearly doing something?

My locker doesn't fix itself. God knows it needed to be fixed after I just threw all my stuff in there as I rushed to my next class this morning from the second period.

People's voices were in the background, but nobody seemed to care that my ex was pestering me again. If they did, they were either too scared of Troy or too busy to do anything.

"So we're back to you not talking to me again?"

"I don't have to talk to you if we have nothing to talk about," I concluded.

He continued to talk even if I thought I made it perfectly clear that that was the last thing I wanted. 

"Why are you bothering the poor girl, Troy? Come on, Poppy. Don't mind this idiot."

Finally, someone noticed how uncomfortable I was.

"Reed, relax," Troy brushed his comment off. "Poppy and I are friends."

"Sure you are," Grant replied sarcastically, pulling me away from Troy. "The marshmallows are waiting, Pop."

It took me a second to realize what he meant, but I got it eventually. I was incredibly grateful for the intervention.

We walked away, Troy very clearly annoyed that he got nothing out of that conversation, and me very clearly annoyed because I didn't even get to fix my locker.

"You good?" Grant noticed my expression and watched me worriedly.

"Yeah, all good," I assured him. "Just didn't get to fix my locker like I wanted."

"To be honest, I'm pretty sure if you ask Blake to do it, he'll do it," he advised. "Better yet, you should ask that new guy from Chemistry. I'm sure you can use his crush on you to get things done. Just don't go too overboard."

I rolled my eyes. "You're a "use things to your advantage" type person, huh?"

He shrugged. "Nothing wrong with that. I learned it from a young age. But seriously, I know Blake, he's my best friend. That guy is organized. You'd never think he's the one who fixed his room. Don't even get me started on his closet. It looks professional. Ask him to help you."

"That guy surprises me everyday," I admitted. "And I actually have seen his room. It is really tidy."

"Exactly why I'm telling you to make him fix your locker," he pointed out, finally stopping as we arrived at the cafeteria. "Come eat at our table today? I already know Nixon wants you there."

"I'll have to see. If Sabrina and Angel agree, I'll eat with you guys," I affirmed. "I'll catch up with you."

"Alright, I'll see you," he waved goodbye and walked towards their crowded table.

On the other hand, I beelined straight to my usual lunch table to see my cousin and Sabrina already there as usual.

They were usually earlier than me because they get too lazy to put their books in their lockers before lunch. They always do it before the next class.

"Any chance you'll let me sit with the guys today?" I tried.

Angel raised an eyebrow. "Just today?"

"Of course," I nodded. "You guys can come too if you want to. I'm sure they won't mind."

"I'll take a rain check on that," Sabrina eyed their table worriedly. "I'm okay here."