That's My Sister ➼ tas

Chapter 18

I stood nervously at the entrance to the mansion-like house that stood in front of me. I fidgeted with my hands as I stared up at the building before taking a deep breath and hoisting my bag up my shoulder. I pushed the button to open the automatic gate in front of me, and two seconds later a buzzer went off at the gate slowly opened. I walked into the open courtyard, the gravel beneath my feet crunching with every step. I approached the front door and held back from knocking.

I never felt this nervous when I first entered Cameron's house...or Kieran's, or Jennifer's. But it felt like I'd swallowed a brick now they I was standing in front of Poppy Heaven's front door.

I took another deep before raising my fist and knocking twice on the big wooden door. I stood back and waited, but two seconds later the door was being opened and a woman in her late thirties stood in front of me. She had sleek, brown hair that was straightened and reaching her waistline, and was wearing a tight pink blouse with ruffles on the chest and white skinny jeans. On her feet were a pair of open-toed, black suede heels. She looked me up and down; me in my denim jeans rolled up at the ankles, a white t-shirt, red flannel tied around my waist, and fading converse on my feet.

"Uh, hi," I stammered. "Is Poppy home? Like, is this Poppy's house?"

"Yes it is...who are you?" She didn't smile but also didn't look stern - and that made me even more nervous.

"I'm Caitlyn, a uh, friend, from school," I played with my fingers, finding it hard to maintain eye contact.

"Oh, Caitlyn!" Well, that took my by surprise. The woman opened her arms and beamed, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me into the house. "I'm Mari, Poppy's mother. I've heard a lot about you!"

She pulled me into a hug, my face squished against her perfume infused chest. I gave a small smile, before turning around and taking in the room.

When I say room, well, it was a foyer. And a classic one at that. We stood on a white marble floor with intricate patterns; the walls stood so high and were coloured a light cream; to the left was entrance to a living room and to the right was a study; at the back of the foyer was entrance to what looked like an extravagantly clean kitchen; in the middle stood a white staircase with golden banisters that curved round as it went up; dotted around were plants that stood taller than me and the walls were adorned with artistic paintings and a family portrait.

Just then I heard soft footsteps from above me and a few seconds later Poppy was delicately skipping down the staircase.

"Caitlyn! You're here!" She beamed at me, making her way over and engulfing me in a hug. She was dressed in a nude coloured body suit, no doubt an undergarment to shape herself for tonight's party - although I was one hundred and ten percent sure she didn't need anymore shaping. "Thanks mum, you can go now."

Her mum rolled her eyes for a split second, before her facial expression turned into the same sickly sweet smile that her daughter so often gave me, and walked away towards the study.

"C'mon, let's get ready!" Poppy grabbed my hand and pulled me up the staircase, and I looked back to check I wasn't leaving any footprints on the perfectly polished floor.

We entered the door down the far right hallway, and it was more or less what I expected - a white panel flooring that was mostly covered by a plush pink rug; a queen sized bed in the centre back wit a fluffy quilt laid across it; a white vanity table covered in a variety of makeup sitting under the windowsill to the left of a balcony door; a white desk on the opposite side of the room where school folders sat; a door leading into an en suite bathroom; and another door leading into a walk in closet.
I was taken aback by the beauty and wealth that radiated from this room, this entire house even.

"Nice room," I managed to mumble out in a dazed voice.

"So, what are to wearing tonight?" Poppy placed herself down on the vanity chair and became inspecting her skin.

"Uh, I'm not sure, maybe this?" I gestured down to the outfit on my body. "I mean, I have another top in my bag, as well as-"

"Oh, honey," Poppy cut me off, giving me a sympathetic smile. "You can't wear that! Us girls are always the hottest ones there, don't worry, you can borrow something of mine."

She got up from her seat and flounced over to the doors of the closet. I placed my backpack on the floor and the end of the bed and followed her into the new room. Each wall had a rack of hangers and clothes: tops and jackets; bottoms and skirts; dresses; shoes and bags - you name it. Poppy walked up to the rack of skirts and began flicking through the items. On occasion she'd turn around and eye me up and down, before turning back and muttering something to herself. She pulled out a a skirt and pair of pants,and then a few tops before throwing them my way.

"Try these outfits on," she instructed before making her way to the shoes.

I quickly undressed and slipped the first top over my head - it was a navy blue crop top with long sleeves - and then paired it with the white jeans. They outfit fitted rather well when I looked at myself in the mirror.

"Nice!" Poppy looked at my appearance. "Try on the skirt with that top and then change tops, so we can see the different combos."

I did as she said, peeling the White jeans off and replacing them with a white skater skirt.

"Hmm," Poppy tapped her perfectly manicured index finger on her bottom lip. "Your ass looked better in the jeans but you legs are so tan in this. Switch tops."

I followed her orders and changed from the blue crop top into a tight, long sleeve black top with holes in the shoulders. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought this top was the best. Poppy voiced my thoughts.

"Okay, definitely that top!" She smiled at her work, before Quincy speaking again. "Wait! I might have another skirt!" She turned back to the rack of skirts, flicking through them quickly. She stopped on a short pencil skirt and threw it my way. It was black and white Aztec patterned, and when I tried it on, or reach halfway down my thighs. I turned to look at my reflection and smiled. I looked really good. Luckily I'd shaved my legs and moisturised this morning, thank god.

"Perfect!" Poppy squealed, before turning to the shoes. "Wear these too." She chucked me a pair of black Chelsea boots with a two inch heel.

She turned and floated out the room, picking up her own outfit that was laying across the bed. It was a pale yellow boys con dress with long sleeves, which she paired with a black leather jacket and black similar to the ones I was wearing.

After insisting that she do my hair by curling it and tying half of it up on the back of my head, and makeup, consisting of a face full of powder, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick, we were ready to go.

It was 8:30 as we made our way down the elegant stairs. "Kim and Layla are meeting us there. The party began about an hour ago, but you never go that early." Poppy pointed out to me. "Mum will be giving us a lift there, and then depending on how pissed we are, we'll either stay over or come back here. Got it?"

I just nodded my head, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and nervous again. I'd never been to a party like this before, and I wasn't too keen on drinking alcohol or being surrounded by drunk teenagers. I checked my small shoulder bag (it was actually Poppy's) which consisted of my phone, the lipstick Poppy gave to me (her exact words: "oh I have like three of this colour, you keep it") and some cash, before hoisting it up my shoulder again. I followed Poppy out the front doors and into her mom's white Land Rover. I chuckled to myself - of course this would be their car. I hopped in the back and sat down on the smooth leather seat next to Poppy.

"Well don't you two look gorgeous!" Poppy's mom exclaimed from the front seat. Poppy just rolled her eyes in reply.

I buckled my seatbelt and took deep breaths as the car left the driveway.

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lol I wrote this on my phone so it's rly prone to spelling mistakes lmao

~ shay xo