The Last Five Years

Poppy

  We had just finished breakfast, and I could feel a nap coming on, so I was trying to rush to get out of here. Peter being Peter, he was so adamant on finishing the part he was coloring. I sighed, wanting to be mad but appreciating his child like nature.

After he finished, we were standing up when I noticed something coming into my line of vision. Of course, Drew was walking toward our table. I rolled my eyes so hard it made my head spin.

"Drew!" Peter said cheerfully, pulling his lying, screwed up best friend in for a hug. Our eyes met, and he didn't seem phased by the glare I was giving him.

"I was just coming to say my goodbyes." Drew's puppy eyes shifted over to me, and he held his arms out for a hug. I settled on shaking his hand, and I couldn't miss the look of hurt that covered his features.

"It was nice to see you, but we ought to get going." I felt a jab in my arm, and I looked up to see Peter staring harshly at me.

"Don't mind her. She gets cranky without a nap."

Drew raised his eyebrows, fighting a smile. "A nap you say?"

Once again, I rolled my eyes. "Yes, very funny. I'm going to wait in the car." I gave one last look to Drew, trying to remember everything about him. From his dimples to his nose, to the scar below his left temple. I wouldn't forget anything. "Nice seeing you, Drew."

"Nice seeing you, Pop." He flashed one more smile, and with that, I quickly walked to the car.

Peter intentionally slammed the car door when he got in. I was scared to look over at him, but I forced myself to. He had one had clenched on the steering wheel, the other rubbing his eyes.

"Any particular reason you were acting so childish in there, Poppy?" He asked through gritted teeth.

I shook my head. "None that I can pinpoint."

"How about I give you one?" Peter turned to face me, his eyes narrowed. "It comes in the form of our friend Drew."

"He's your friend, not mine."

"What is your deal?"

"He ruined my life, Peter!" I suddenly blurted. "When he chose medical school, he made it apparent that I wasn't good enough. I'm finally starting to feel like I deserve something and with him here, I just remember how he made me feel when I was still a child."

Peter nodded slowly, pursing his lips. "I see." He started the vehicle, and he ignored me the rest of the way home. He threw the car in park, and blew out a sigh of annoyance. "Do you still love him, Poppy?"

"What?" I laughed at the ridiculousness of the thought.

"Please. Answer the question." He wouldn't meet my gaze, and I could feel my blood boiling. I was so angry, and I didn't know how to control it.

"You're ridiculous, you know that?" I unbuckled my seat belt, slamming the door behind me as I stomped my way inside.

I wanted to be angry. I wanted to start a fight. How could I, though, when I had no proof to deny that I loved the one I wasn't with?