Poppy and Lotus [COMPLETE]

•❀Eighteen❀•

I wasn't quite sure what I was going to say to Hinata when I saw him, but I couldn't chicken out now. I looked so cool leaving the club room! Ren and Sumire were following me, expecting me to be this magnificent hero who defended all women from womanizers.

We went from classroom to classroom, clubroom to clubroom looking for him. No one knew where in the world he was, and after 30 minutes passed, Ren suggested we look for him in the garden where Sumire had seen him.

"He was supposed to be back here for the Flapp meeting..." I gritted my teeth, more and more angry with him by the minute, but I led us all to the school gardens anyway. Sumire led us to the area she'd seen him in, and then ran off to duck behind a bush and hide with Ren.

I'm gonna chew him out when I see him!

I grit my teeth and quietly sneak around the giant bushes and trees, occasionally stealing a glance around a corner before turning it. I felt like some kind of secret agent, ready to catch Hinata in the act. I couldn't believe someone who appeared so sweet could be such a womanizer! I guess you become full of yourself when you get so much constant attention.

Well it ended today! I was going to confront him! Girls like Sumire needed someone to defend them.

I finally spot Hinata's golden blond hair from behind a bush. There was an area with a bench here, just in case someone wanted to sit. It was a rather dumb idea to have it at a school, I guess. Anyone could just skip and hide here if they wanted.

Taking a deep breath, I came out of hiding and stomped up to Hinata. He was sitting leaned over with his head in his hands, sighing over and over like some overdramatic prince. When he heard me clear my throat, he looked up slowly and tensed up.

"Ah, Ayame..." he shook his head and closed his eyes, "I'm sorry, I know I'm supposed to be at the meeting, I just..."

"You poor thing," I narrowed my eyes at him and put my hands on my hips, lifting my chin to seem more intimidating, "Too many girls to handle, right! Beauty is a curse."

Hinata pretty eyes blink at me as he stares back blankly. I don't let the silence last too long, however, and I keep going.

"How could you?! Is that your game? You let girls throw themselves at you and you kiss them and junk but you never commit or think about how they feel?"

Hinata squirmed a bit, looking bewildered and confused. "Um...Ayame, I don't think I..."

"Sumire saw you! You were kissing some girl right here in this very spot and you know what! She came to me crying about it!" I folded my arms over my chest, growling out every word.

At the mention of Sumire, Hinata's expression changed. His brows furrowed together and his lips parted as if to say something, but they emitted no sound.

"How could you?! You know she's really hurt!"

"She's upset...?" Hinata's eyes leave me, falling toward the ground as his blue eyes widen in realization. I gasp when I realize what I'd just said. Anyone could catch onto that.

Sumire's going to kill me!

I wrack my brain for an explanation, but I can barely get it out before Hinata stands to his feet and looks me deeply in the eye. He takes my hand and speaks to me carefully.

"Ayame...where is Sumire now?"

He's never looked this serious before!

Just before I could answer him, I heard the sound of grass crunching under someone's feet, right behind me. I turn in time enough to see a teary-eyed Sumire just before she turns and runs in the opposite direction.

"Ayame, how could youuuuuu!"

I blink and turn to look back at how Hinata was still holding my hand and standing close. We both quickly pulled away from each other and sighed in frustration as Hinata ran off after her.

Ren doubles over, panting after running to catch up with her here, but when she and Hinata take off, collapses.

"Couldn't you have kept her away just a bit longer!" I roll my eyes at Ren and he looks up at me, shrugging.

"This is actually a good thing," Ren lays down in the grass and turns over on his back, still panting. Man, he was out of shape.

"How! This turned into a mess!"

"Not exactly. You see, Hinata likes Sumire, too."

"What!" I look down at my boyfriend, frustrated that he always seemed to be holding out on me. "Since when!"

"Since forever. He's head over heels. But he's just as shy as she is and he hates himself for it. All these girls throwing themselves at him just make it worse.."

Now I feel like a butthead!

I collapse down in the grass with Ren and he whined about having to run back and forth before sliding his way into my lap and laying his head down there.

"Eugh...why is love so difficult..and exhausting..and...ow...I pulled a muscle."

"You know, for someone who looks really in shape, you're really out of shape, Ren."