Poppy and Lotus [COMPLETE]

•❀Fifteen❀•

I'm so nervous...

My entire body was trembling as I stood on the beautiful welcome mat that lead to the door of Sumire's gorgeous family home. The fascinating exterior decoration was so incredible, it didn't even look real.

I wasn't quite sure what I expected — Sumire carried herself like a princess. I guess I didn't think her house would match! It was like some kind of modern day castle!

A few days ago, during one of our club meetings, Sumire and I brought up that we wanted to hang out together this weekend but had no idea what to do. She ended up inviting me to her house. From what she told me, she had a fairly big family,and they were all really excited to meet me.

As I debate over when to knock, I hear shouting on the other end of the door. It swings open abruptly, causing me to gasp.

"I thought you said she was close —- oh!"

An older woman stands in the doorway, surprised as she realizes I'm standing on the other side. I could tell immediately by noting her features that she was Sumire's mother. She had the same figure, the same long dark hair, and the same gorgeous blue eyes.

"Ayame Hinageshi?!" a smile lights up her face as she opens her front door widely for me. I reach out to shake her hand, smiling nervously.

"Yes, that's right, Watanabe-San!"

"Ah, what a lovely girl!" She disregards my hand and draws me into a huge bear hug. I cant hide my shock at her friendliness. Japanese people didn't show affection like this to strangers!

"Mother! Don't do that!" Sumire runs up to the front door and pries her mother off of me, taking my hand and pulling me inside. Shes wearing a lovely white sundress and has her hair up in a tight, perfect bun without a strand out of place. I take my shoes off in a hurry as she seems eager to give me a tour of her home.

"Pardon the intrusion!" I shout, and Sumire takes me immediately upstairs to her bedroom.

"Ah, your home is so lovely! I thought you were going to give me a tour!"

"I'll give you a tour later, my bedroom is much more interesting!"

I giggle as she leads me to a golden brown door down the hallway. She was so sweet and happy go lucky outside of school — it was a wonder she completely took on a shy persona among our classmates. When she had such a great personality, I was sure so many of them would love to see it.

Sumire's room is a beauty — neat and orderly but highly decorated. She had clean, white wood floors and a king sized bed covered with stuffed animals. Pictures of her from her childhood hung up on the walls, some framed, some decorated polaroids. She looked incredibly happy. I cant help but grin as I admire them.

"You loved to streak around the house as a 3 year old, I see!"

"Oh, don't look at those embarrassing pictures! I don't even know why they're still up on my wall!" Sumire placed her hands over her eyes, collapsing back on her bed comfortably. I set my purse down on her desk and move to rest next to her on the edge of her bed.

"Don't mind my mother — she was raised in America. I hear they're very affection there and make close friends more easily..."

"No way! America?!"

"Yeah, her parents worked there for 15 years until they decided to move back to Japan.. that's where she met my father."

"That's so cool, Sumire! Did she ever teach you English?"

"I'm fluent."

"Ah! You'll come in handy for my next English exam."

"Meh. What if I don't want to help?"

"I'll partner you up with Hinata and only Hinata for all of our partner events for the Flapp club!"

"Tempting, but Ren is your boyfriend — wouldn't you pair up with him anyway?"

"Ugh. He's annoying. We'd get much more work done not being around each other."

"Oh my," Sumire bats her pretty eyelashes, causing me to hold back my laughter at how silly and out of character she looked, "Does that imply that you two know how to distract each other?"

"Sumire! What are you suggesting?"

"I'm only asking a question!"

The two of us were able to joke like this after only a few weeks of getting to know each other. Being with Sumire and bonding with her reminded me just how proud I was of myself for organizing the club. If it weren't for the Flapp club, I may have never known the best friend that I had now.

We spend the rest of the night together, talking and watching movies and videos. Come dinner time, I met her father (even quirkier than her mother), 2 little brother's, baby sister, and her 3 shiba dogs. They were such an interesting family — the atmosphere surrounding them reminded me of my own. They were so kind and welcoming, I became comfortable in no time.

The friends who had betrayed me in the past had relatively judgmental and rude family members they rarely brought me around. They always made me feel uncomfortable when we so happened to meet. Interesting that I never noticed that the apple doesn't fall too far from the family tree...

But, of course, Sumire's family was a present surprise. I had been panicking, thinking about what ways I could present myself to them to seem impressive. I wanted their approval because I loved Sumire so much. And here I was now — they just seemed happy that Sumire had brought a friend along. They barely knew me and I felt like I was just another family member at their dinner table.