When We Were Wildflowers

Chapter 11 - First day of school

As much as I dreaded my first day of eighth grade at Vaughn Middle School, walking toward the unassuming, two-story brick building with my bestie at my side is a major confidence boost. In a whirlwind week, Poppy and I forged an unbreakable bond in the water and the woods under the golden summer sun and the silver rays of the moon. We spilled our deepest secrets and uttered unbreakable vows of sisterhood. Plunging into the cool, creek water and sleeping in a tent under the full moon liberated something inside. This new part of me is an unstoppable force of nature, just like Poppy.

We stride down the main sidewalk side by side, like celebrities, with our heads held high and shoulders pressed back. Poppy stops in her tracks and hits a pose, tossing her glossy, black hair over her shoulder.

"There she is, Alicia Overton, my ex-best friend." Poppy points to a group of guys and girls standing by the flagpole. "Simping on Adam Sharp."

I notice the tall, gangly boy with a mullet and prominent Adam's apple, which seems fitting. The bubbly girl with black corkscrew curls and wide set brown eyes standing across from him must be Alicia. She's shaped like Poppy, but shorter, and that tingle of inadequacy rushes through me. "She's really pretty."

"Yeah, but she's rotten on the inside." Like a mind reader, Poppy takes me by the hand and speaks with unshakable confidence. "She doesn't have a heart of gold like you. I'm so glad you're my new best friend."

"Me too." I give her hand a quick squeeze.

Poppy takes the first step forward. "Let's do this."

I understand the assignment and we strut proudly past Alicia and her minions with matching scowls on our faces. Poppy and I stare Alicia down, locking eyes until her grin deflates into a frown, and we turn away on cue with our noses in the air. It's petty but perfect.

"Did you see her face?" Poppy smirks. "She's so jealous I've found someone to replace her. Someone better."

We burst through the double doors gloating over our victory in the stare down with Alicia. I scan the crowded hallway filled with dozens of unfamiliar faces, except for one.

"Hey, isn't that Luke?" I point to a boy with blonde hair standing at the water fountain.

"That looks like him, but no. Luke's in high school. Tenth grade."

"You're dating a sophomore?" I'm shook. My brother Teddy is going into 10th grade too.

"Yeah, but don't tell my mom, okay? She would freak if she knew he was that old."

I nod, although I am secretly worried about Poppy and nervous about keeping a secret from her mom. "So, does that mean Spence in 10th grade, too?"

"No, he's in eighth grade like us. They're cousins." Poppy nudges me in the ribs. "Should be easy to make the first move if you see him everyday. Did he ever respond to your message?"

"Not yet." When I didn't hear from him after went into full detective mode, found his profile, and messaged him the night of the full moon, my hopes were dashed. "I don't think he's into me."

"Then let's get his attention." Poppy pulls over in the crowded hallway next to a wide bulletin board decorated with cutout construction paper stars that reads, 'Believe in Yourself and You Will Be Unstoppable!' She points at it and grins. "That's another omen! You've got to be more confident."

"Easy for you to say. You look like a fashion model and I could be mistaken for a sixth grader." I groan.

Poppy studies my outfit, indigo jean shorts and a t-shirt. "Mind if I make a few adjustments?"

"Hurry up." I shrug, hoping she will be quick enough no one will notice us standing there.

Poppy's hands go right for my jean shorts and she rolls the legs into cuffs to be as short as hers. Then she grabs my t-shirt, twists the bottom hem, and ties it into a tight knot at my right hip. The pink flesh of my belly is showing in the gap between my shorts and my top, just like hers. She studies me again, and shakes her head in disapproval.