Death of the Perfect Girl

13- The Chasers

     Mason ran around the school looking for Poppy the moment he broke free from Sadie. His mind kept running to her during class. He was worried about her.

    When he saw her walking down the hallway, he sighed in relief. She still looked sad, but at least he had found her. He quickly walked over to her. "Poppy."

She furrowed her brows at him. "Hi?"

"Can we talk?"

"Why? Aren't you supposed to be following your master?"

"My what?"

"Nevermind. What do you want to talk about?"

"Why you were crying earlier? Are you okay?"

"I'm peachy."

Mason sighed. "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

Poppy shook her head. "No. I just told you, I'm fine. I have a class right now-"

"You didn't go to your Art class so I'm guessing you weren't going to this one before."

"I wasn't. But you've encouraged me to." She started walking away.

Mason sighed. "Poppy," he walked with her," I know that we're not friends and I know that deep down you hate me but I'm trying here."

"Trying to what?" Poppy stood still.

"Be the friend that you wanted me to be."

Poppy shook her head and turned away.

Mason put his hand on her shoulder. "I know that deep down you want to tell me what's going on with you. And I want to listen."

Poppy sighed then she nodded and frowned. "It's this guy...I like him, but he doesn't like me back."

Mason looked away, knowing that he could relate. "It's Fisher, isn't it?"

Poppy looked at him. "Yeah...How did you know?"

Mason shrugged. "I just know. How do you know he doesn't like you back?"

"He looks at me like he's annoyed by me. And I continue to chase him because I keep hoping that he would start to like me-"

"Why do you even like him?" Mason furrowed his brows and squinted. "I mean, nobody likes that kid except the teachers and Principal Turner and it's only because he gets straight A's and secretly hangs out with them in the teacher's lounge."

"Is that true?"

"I'm not sure but I wouldn't be surprised if it were. So...why do you like him?" "And not me?"

"Because after he helped me last year...when you and Sadie laughed at me when I had the accident-"

"I didn't laugh."

"But you smiled. You wanted to laugh but you held it in... He was there for me and I saw a side of him that everyone else ignores. I know that he thinks he's better than the rest of the world sometimes...but he's nice...to everyone. Not because he has to be, but because he wants to. He's a loving person and he's the kind of person I want in my life...So, him disliking me tells me that there's something wrong with me," Poppy pouted her lips and tears filled her eyes.

"Not this again-" "Poppy," Mason pulled her close and hugged her," there is nothing wrong with you. I don't know what Liam and Jenna have been telling you-"

Poppy pushed him away. "Liam and Jenna don't tell me anything. You and Sadie and rest of this school make fun of me. They treat me like I'm normal. Look, I should've gone to class. I shouldn't have spoken to you." Poppy walked away from him.

"Poppy," he called out to her but she ignored him.

Sadie and Fisher stood down the hallway.

"See," Sadie frowned," I told you he wouldn't leave her alone."

"Why?" Fisher looked at her. "Did they date or something?"

"No...They almost did. Until I asked him out and he stopped talking to her...That's why you need to keep her away from him."

"How?"

"She obviously likes you. Charm her or something. Make her like you more. Act like you like her."

"That's a stupid plan. I mean, I don't get anything out of this. What's the sense?"

"You get a girlfriend. Something you would probably never have if you turn her down."

Fisher rolled his eyes. "I don't want to use her-"

"You're not using her. You're giving her what she wants. She's basically using you. She'll date you until we all graduate and then move on. Or, heck, maybe you might fall for her."

"I doubt it," Fisher looked at the floor then he turned to Sadie," but I'll do it. Temporarily. I need some excitement in my life anyway-"

"Great," Sadie smiled at him. "Text me, alright?"

Fisher nodded. He felt something in his gut telling him that what he was doing was wrong. But another side of him was curious. Maybe fake liking someone would teach him to actually get a girl he liked. Like Charlotte.