A Lesson in Love ও

𝟏𝟐 ❝𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲❞

✧˖*°࿐

NARRATOR'S POV

➳♡゛

Stella dragged Poppy out of her bedroom door into the living room, "Tell her she looks good Mr Conway." She demanded. 

She pushed Poppy in front of the coffee table obscuring Mr Conway's view of the TV, "Yeah, you look lovely." He moved his head about looking through the gaps between the girls trying to continue watching his show.

"He's just trying to watch the TV, I bet he doesn't even know where we're going." Poppy walked out of his way as she made her way back to her bedroom.

"Shush you, he said you look lovely," Stella exclaimed following behind her, "Hurry up and get your shoes on Jasper will be here soon." 

Poppy rolled her eyes as she slipped into her boots, "I regret agreeing to go to the party." 

"Shut up, it's too late," She peered outside of Poppy's bedroom window, "Jasper's here."

"Oh fuck me!" Poppy exclaimed as she was once again dragged out of the comfort of her own bedroom by Stella.

"Poppy!" Mr Conway scolded.

"Now you're listening!" She argued, "Don't wait up!" Poppy added as Stella dragged her down the stairs to the honking of Jasper's truck. 

✧˖*°࿐

The party was in full thrust and it was barely 11 pm, Stella had gone off elsewhere looking for a 'snack' but Poppy knew what she was really looking for. Jasper had gone to the bathroom leaving Poppy alone stood in the corner of the room a half drank beer bottle in her hand. The same one Jasper had handed her at the start of the night. Poppy had been drunk before, in the safety of her home with her dad and Stella but she didn't know or trust most of the people at this party. 

Across the room, Riley with Rebecca at her side stared an awkward Poppy. She looked out of place nervously glancing around the room looking for Stella or Jasper. Nudging Rebecca with her elbow Riley nodded her head towards Rebecca, "What?" Rebecca frustratedly asked.

"Look at her, what does he see in her?" Riley began, "Like she's so nerdy, she's weird. She doesn't even dress nice. Like that dress doesn't even look nice."

"You have that exact dress and you wore it last week," Rebecca reminded her.

Riley scoffed and rolled her eyes as she walked away from Rebecca towards Poppy, Rebecca moved forward to top her but was unsuccessful as people dancing got in her way. Riley moved gracefully through the crowd of dancing people. They parted and moved out of her way as she strutted through, her heels clicked against the floor. 

"Poppy!" She enthusiastically greeted, Poppy knew she was being fake. Riley bullied her when they were in 1st grade before she met Stella and she beat her up on Poppy's behalf. 

Rebecca pushed her way through the crowd towards Riley, she didn't want her to cause a scene since this was her house and if she trashed it her parents would be pissed. Placing a hand on her shoulder Rebecca butt in before a panicked Poppy could mutter a word and said, "Riley if you're going to cause a scene because your ex has moved on and you haven't then you've got to leave."

Jasper made his way back from the bathroom and downstairs, shaking the excess water from his hands, "I'm not leaving!" He heard Riley shout.

As he got closer to where he left his fake girlfriend he saw her pale in the face and wide-eyed. He hurried over there and pushed his way between Rebecca and Riley who were arguing back and forth. He took the slipping beer bottle from her hand and placed it on the side table next to the sofa.

He began moving Poppy away, placing a hand on her lower back he guided her through the crowds and out the front door towards his truck. Unlocking the truck he quickly opened the door and ushered her inside. Walking around the front of the truck he quickly climbs into his seat.

"You okay?" He asked.

Poppy looked at him, her eyes welled with tears as she giggled and wiped them away, "Yeah yeah." She began laughing, "I'm fine. Riley kept asking me questions and she thought that you cheated on her with me." Her laughter died down as she looked over at him. 

Jasper smiled at her, reaching over he cupped her cheek and wiped away a stray tear. Poppy leaned into his hand and smiled, "I never cheated on her, she cheated on me."  He spoke quietly, his voice was barely a whisper.

Poppy blinked, her eyes saddened as she pulled away from Jasper's hand, "Even though you're only my fake boyfriend I would never cheat on you." 

"Poppy?" Jasper began, "You don't have to be my fake girlfriend if you don't want to."

She opened her mouth to begin her protests but Jasper continued, "You can be my real one, only if you want to though. This is me trying to ask you ou-"

"Yes." Poppy interjected, "I would be happy to go out with you, I've only really known you for a week and you seem like a genuine guy. To be fair when I have always thought you'd be a douche,"

"Ouch," Jasper mocked being offended.

Poppy continued, "But since knowing you properly and fake dating you, I have realised you're not, you're kind, caring, honest and a bunch of other things I can't be bothered to list. So yes Jasper Walker I would like to be your girlfriend."

Jasper was in a mild shock, he reached and pinched his own arm. Poppy giggled, "This isn't a dream dumb dumb." 

He looked over at her and leaning he took her hand in his, he brought it to his lips. Placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand he spoke, "You make me happy."

Poppy pulled her hand away. 

"Sorry, did you not like that? I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry." Jasper quickly apologised.

"No, that was fine, very gentlemanly. I'd just rather have you kiss me when Riley wasn't watching from across the street like a creep." She giggled.

"What does it matter?" Jasper scooted across the seat closer to Poppy. He placed a hand on her flushed cheeks and leaned closer, "Can I kiss you?" He asked.

Poppy took a moment before replying, "Don't expect me to be any good I've never kissed anyone before."

Jasper smiled as he closed his eyes and leaned in, Poppy copied him. She closed her eyes and leaned closer slightly as the gap between them sealed. It was a shorter kiss, not a peck on the lips though but it was an amazing first kiss and Poppy wouldn't have asked for anything better.