A Poppy In The Stars

Chapter 03

"So, where do you want to go first?" Eva asked turning her convertible Mercedes to the main Street.

I shrugged. "You say. I have no idea."

"How about the mall?"

"That's good." I said and shifted in my seat, resting my head on the window. The sun shone brightly upon my face as I watched the shops we passed by.

"Can you show the high school on the way?" I asked.

"Oh, okay. Do you wanna have a stroll through the grounds?" Eva asked, turning the radio volume down.

"That'd be lovely. Are we allowed in there? I mean, obviously you are, but what about me?"

"Oh, don't worry." She said, turning the car into a different street. "The school is open for anyone."

"That's very good." I said, smiling to myself.

"Oh, and by the way, today there's basketball practices for the boys in our age. You'll be able to get a view of that too."

"Are you sure that's okay?" I asked.

"Why not? Besides, it'll be a good start of a day for you, trust me."

As we arrived at the high school- a big, old brick building with a huge ground and a dirt path leading the way to the entrance. The lawns are well kept, and the flag read, "Wisdom High" in bold purple letters,- Eva parked her car in a parking spot and killed the engine.

"Come on. I'll show you around." She got out of the car and went towards the main gates, closely followed by me.
The school main hall was huge, like gigantic. Lockers lined the whole right side wall and there was a huge trophy cabinet at the very end of the left wall. Few students were scattering the area, chatting and laughing.

"It looks great, Eva." I gasped. She shrugged.

"Not much though." She said and kept on walking towards the door on the other side of the room. " Come on. I'll show you our classes. Then we can go visit the ground."

She led me down a corridor lined with blue double doors and notice boards. There were posters here and there, reading some invitations to a game and an after party. Some smaller posters read about the school play.

"Here." Eva said and stopped in front of a blue double door, which was at the very end of the corridor. "Go ahead and have a look."

"Are you sure there's no one in there?"

"Just, don't over think this now. Go on. Open it and have a look around." She sounded very calm, so I opened the door and went inside.
The room was average sized, with rows and rows of single desks and chairs for each students. The white board was clean and beside it was the list of students in the class. Brightly colored papers lined the back wall with quotes from famous people. I smiled to myself.

"It looks comfy." I said.

"Yeah, it's fine. Just not when Mr. Brooks is in here. He has to be the worst teacher in the whole school."

"Don't say that." I muttered, even though I've heard about this teacher so many times. He has many faults, but he can't be the worst of them all, now can he?

"Come on. Let's go to the court. They've probably started the practice." Eva said.
I followed her towards a basketball court, surrounded by a net. There are hoops on the either side of the court and the ground's cement. Some boys, obviously the under 19 basketball team, were running around passing an orange color ball. A basketball.

"You see that boy over there?" Eva suddenly pointed to a boy who excused himself to get himself some water. I nodded. "That's Jasper!"

I turned to her. "You mean, the one who you told me about?"

"Mhm. That's the one."

I smirked. "So that's why you wanted me to come and have a look at the practice." I said.

She swatted my upper arm. "No! I just wanted you to have a better start for the day."

"Okay. Whatever." I said.

"Come on, let's have a seat." She started walking towards the stands, but I stopped her by pulling her arm.

"I...I can't." I said as she gave me a questioning look. "I...I'm not...I mean...you know what I mean!"

"Oh come on!" She smiled and took my hand in hers. "It's going to be okay. Besides, I'm going to be with you the entire time!"
She started dragging me to the stands, but someone spotted her from the team and waved. She started walking towards the guy instead of the stands, dragging me along.

"Hey Eva!" The boy greeted. His Chestnut brown hair is long enough to touch his shoulders and his Amber eyes glowed as he saw Eva walking towards him. He hastily wiped the sweat from his freckled forehead. "You okay?"

"Oh I'm great, Charlie. What about you?"
Oh, so this is Charlie, I thought, smiling to myself.

"Umm, sweaty, actually." He laughed. Eva rolled her eyes. He cleared his throat and nodded towards me. "Who is this with you?"

"Oh, this is my best friend, Hope!" She said, squeezing my hand. "She's just visiting."

"Nice to see you, Hope. I'm Charlie. Charlie Rossier."

I smiled and nodded. My stomach churned as I gave a slight squeeze to Eva's hand.

"Okay, so...we will be there watching you, okay? See you." Eva said and started walking back towards the stands. She found us good seats in the shades, and we both sat down.

"I didn't think that it's going to be that hard to talk to someone." I said and rubbed my palms together.

Eva chuckled. "You are over thinking this, Hope. Just....let it go. Talk with someone like you talk to me. Just, keep the limits. Those are the only rules you have to keep in mind when you're talking to a person. Just take a deep breath and....let the words flow."

"Easy for you to say." I muttered. She patted my back.

"You'll do just fine." She paused. "Oh look! Jasper's coming this way. Now brace yourself, okay? Just.... follow my lead."

I turned just in time to see a tall boy with very messy dark brown hair and dazzling blue eyes walking towards us, a bright smile plastered on his handsome face. Oh gods!!