True Friend or True Love

Chapter 1

"Poppy! Spence is here!" Poppy's mom yells up the stairs. "So how was your mom's birthday, Spencer? Did she get our card?" She asked, tightening her apron around her waist. Mrs. Stanley led Spencer past their into the kitchen, where she was busying herself by baking snickerdoodle cookies. Spencer had on a long, black wool coat, gray sweater, faded blue jeans, and blue converse low tops. He ran a hand through his shaggy brown hair. "Oh, she had a good birthday. She went out to dinner with Dad and yes, she got your card. She said she'd call you soon." "And how's her pregnancy going? I've been meaning to visit her but I've just been so busy lately. I feel bad!" Spencer shook his head. "Oh no. Don't be. She understands. she's getting nervous. She hopes the baby comes after the New Year!" She nodded as she pulled the hot tray of cookies from the oven. At that moment, Poppy, with her brother Greg, entered the room, wearing a red and purple striped buttonup shirt, a purple scarf, and dark wash jeans, and tall brown boots. Like her mom, Poppy had her ebony hair pulled into a messy bun. Her mom had passed her Cherokee roots down to her children, gifting them with long dark hair and olive skin. Greg was her older brother who was visiting from college for christmas break. He wore a green thermal shirt with black sweatpants and nike socks. "YES! The snickerdoodles are done! Thanks, Mom!" His hand darted to the hot cookie sheet, but was swatted away by his mother's hand. "Wait for them to cool, Gregory!" Poppy stood on her tiptoes to ruffled his hair playfully. He grumbled and bumped fists with Spencer. "What's happenin, man? Haven't seen you in a while." "That may be because you've been at college for half a year." Spencer pointed out. "You ready, Spence?" Poppy asked as she pulled on a long purple coat and a red beanie. He nodded and they waved goodbye to Poppy's family. Before walking out the door, she pushed her wallet and phone in her pockets then called out. "Don't let Greg eat all the cookies! I want some!" "No promises," her brother boomed, chuckling.

Once in Spencer's car, he spoke to her. "Nice outfit. You pick that out for me?" He joked. She rolled her eyes. "You wish, Silly. I told you last night. Jake got a new job at the theater. I plan on surprising him with a visit." Spencer nodded. "And you're sure you're not dropping by to spy on the pretty manager's interactions with him?" "I have trust in my boyfriend. It's that... homewrecker, Candi, I don't trust."  She glared out the windshield as Spencer began to drive. "Homewrecker? Where'd that come from?" Poppy turned to him.

"Karen's older sister used to be best friends with her in their freshman year of college. She was expelled after getting caught having an affair with one of the professors. She caused a divorce, Spence. She's nothing but trouble!" Spencer whistled low. "But wouldn't that mean she likes older men?" "She likes anything with a pulse! She stole Karen's sister's boyfriend before she tranferred. I don't want Jake alone with her for hours on end. The thought makes me nauseous." She shook her head and clenched her teeth. "You shouldn't worry. As much as I don't like Jake, he wouldn't do that to you. And if he ever does, he's gunna have to have a talk with me and the rest of the basketball team." He hints. Poppy finally broke into a grin and giggled. "There's that dazzling grin! I missed it for a while."  She laughed again.

He turned on the highway and began to start a new conversation. "Christmas is in 4 days. How 'bout we stop by the mall before we go to the movies? I've still got a couple more gifts to find for people." "Sounds great. Is your dad taking off for Christmas?" Spencer's father was a major lawyer in Virgina and seemed to always be working. "Yeah. He promised my mom he'd take Christmas and the day after off. Then the day after New Year's. He's working on a big case, so this is more than we could have hoped for with him." Poppy nodded. "How's Nathan?" She asked softly.

Nathan was Spencer's 10 year old brother. "He's fine. He's been teaching himself to ride a skateboard now. Wanted me to tell you." He stopped talking to chuckle. "He still has a crazy crush on you. You should stop leading on my bro, Pops." He joked. Poppy hit him playfully. "I babysat him when you were at camp last summer. And I didn't lead him on!"

"Whatever. I didn't ask for all the scandalous details. You don't have to explain anything to me." "Don't mock me, Spence!" She scolded as she punches his shoulder. "He knows I am taken." "You think that will stop him?" He laughs loudly. Poppy fumes. "Ok. Keep this up and I'm returning your gift!" "Ok, ok I'll stop!"

There was a short silence,then, "You didn't have to get me a gift. I know you've been trying to find a new job... since that creep ruined your old one." Poppy had lost her job at Chipotle after punching her egotistical and perverted manager and giving him a black eye. She shook her head. "No no. I wanted to. But getting fired was worth it! Plus, I still have some money left over from summer lifeguarding. You're my best friend. Of course I'm gunna get you a present."

Spencer grinned at her and pinched her cheek. "So sweet." He teased in a baby voice. She pulled his hand off of her face and rolled her hazel eyes. "I still don't know if I'll even give it to you!" Spencer put his other hand back on the wheel to turn into the busy mall parking lot. "Oh, you will..." He scoffed. She shrugged then giggled as Spencer parked and turned the car off.