Poppy

Harvard Specter

God!
She rolled her eyes at her fellow students. As soon as they'd found out she was a Specter, they all wanted her in their sororities and parties and clubs and it sucked! She wanted to earn it. It was the whole reason she didn't want favors from Dad. She'd told some girls earlier that she wasn't telling her dad who any of her friends are, and he didn't want to know. They'd called her some choice words and walked away. Harvard sucked. How long could she keep up this charade. Eventually, dad would discover the truth. Mom was right. He would take it better if she fessed up, than if he found out some other way.
"Excuse me," a baritone voice sounded behind her. She ignored it and texted her best friend Katie from High School.
"Hey!" The voice grew agitated and she rolled her eyes. Geez! These law students were just like uncle Louis! She turned in her chair to see...a surprisingly underdressed guy. He wore a tan cardigan and black slacks. His hair was endearingly mussed, making him appear vulnerable and underqualified to even be here.
"Get up," His tone had a hard edge.
"Excuse me," Hope arched a perfect ginger brow.
"Oh, I apologize am I supposed to bow formally when addressing you, Princess?" He rolled his eyes.
Immediately her defenses rose. What the hell?
She stood in indignation, the Specter anger boiling in her veins. A whisper soft calm fell on her, though, as she took in his appearance. He clearly wasn't after her Specter relations, and this somehow settled her.
"Omigod," she breathed in surprise.
"What?" He seemed impatient for her to move.
"You are working your way through school. Either that or you're on scholarship. You study harder than anyone here. Which means you either have something to prove or you're supporting a family. Your accent is Midwestern which means you are probably feeling completely out of place here, and are overcompensating by pretending you don't care, and don't want friends."
Her breathe was oddly steady. What had just happened?
He was pale. He yanked her into the chair next to him.
"How did you know all of that?" He whispered.
She honestly had no clue, it had all just happened so quickly. It had seemed so obvious. So she said the only thing she could think of.
"I'm Poppy."
"I haven't said a thing to anyone. There's no way..." he shook his head.
"Listen," she held up a hand as an idea struck her. "I think we can help each other."
"How?" He glanced at her skeptically.
"Well first of all, I must have guessed correctly, which means I know your secret. Second, you are a fashion emergency. You must be good to be here on scholarship. Most of these kid's parents or relations donate heavily to the institution. You are at a disadvantage. I can make 100% sure that you get into a top law firm."
"No. I don't want favors. I want to get there because I earned it!" He seemed angry.
"You think I'm gonna give you a free ride? You're insane. No. You're gonna show me what you got, and I'll help you look the part. It's all in appearance. Dress to kill. Befriend the best, and you'll get your respect. You are wearing a Chaps cardigan! The Courtneys and Kennedys and Specters of the world will laugh you out of here. With me? You'll have your pick. What do you say?"
After a few seconds, he let out a long suffering breath.
"Fine."
Hope smirked, and started to walk away.
"Did you say Poppy?"
She froze. Why had she said that? God! She kicked herself. It must've shown up on her face because he smiled. It did things to her stomach that she didn't want to talk about. A smile shouldn't be that enticing. She hated him for it.
"Its Hope. My name is Hope." She grit out.
He shook his head still smiling, "No if you get to boss me around and tell me what to wear, then I get to call you Poppy. I'm Lucas, by the way."
She spun away on her heel her navy Stella McCartney dress suddenly felt too tight.

He watched the psychotic red head click away in a way too expensive dress and even more expensive shoes. He should be elated that the daughter of Harvey friggin Specter was going to help him, but he couldn't help feeling like he was inviting trouble.

The next day, an important looking man arrived to take in his measurements. He asked why and only got a...
"Miss Hope's request."
"Who are you?" Lucas asked.
The man appeared to be offended by the question so Lucas stopped talking.
"You're suits will be ready in a week."
The man stormed out, leaving Lucas stunned. Suits?

"Did Giovanni measure you yet?" Poppy asked the next day before Study Hall.
"Was he a short angry Italian man, if so then, yes." He was annoyed. Mostly by her proximity.
She smirked and arched a brow.
"I ordered you twelve suits. I'm going to have a helluva time explaining the bill to my parents, but it's worth it. I take it you've never worn designer suits before?"
"No." He grumbled, " It doesn't feel right you doing all of this for me. Isn't it a guys job to..."
"Wow. Sexist much? This isn't that kind of relationship, Pretty Woman. Right now it's my turn, when it's your turn, you better come through for me." She crossed her arms and he took her in.
Today she wore a pink sleeveless dress that hugged curves like he didn't know a dress could. In St. Louis there were girls who dressed up, and we're pretty, but Poppy was...different. She arched a brow and his breathing hitched.
"I'm a Specter and everyone tells me how lucky I am to have the name and my dad, and I love my dad. He's my hero, but can you imagine how heavy the pressure is to measure up, when you know deep down you won't ever be able to?"
He watched her face fall. Ugh! Emotions. He didn't do this. Facts and figures and law technicalities? Yes. Feelings? No.
"I didn't realize. That must suck. " he sighed awkwardly shoving his fists in his pockets.
She looked at him, really looked. She was getting in his head and peering at his soul and he didn't like it. Then she smirked in a way that confused him.
"I can't believe this." She continued to smile, something he found himself wishing she would do more often.
"What?"
"I can't believe that out of all the students here, I found his exact replica." She shook her head. It was obviously an inside joke. But oddly, he found himself wanting to be on the inside of it. Loners like him didn't go out of their way to make new relationships, nor did they like maintaining them, but Lucas, for once, found himself in one that he hoped would last.