A Poppy In The Stars

Chapter 06

Me and Jasper stepped inside of the house as the night got colder. We had a great conversation. We laughed and smiled.....I've never actually been this satisfied after a conversation with someone who I've barely know.
I nodded as he suggested for us to go sit on the only couch that was available in the living room.

"So," he turned to me as we sat down, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Tell me a bit about you."

"Like what?"

"Like....what school did you go to?" He asked.

I flushed. "In my living room." I muttered.

He smiled. "So you are home schooled." I nodded. He shrugged, much to my surprise. "I see now. That's why I've never seen you!"

"Um...well, not exactly." I said, deciding to tell him the truth.

He gave me a questioning look, which made him look so adorable. "Then what is?"

"Well, when I was....hold on. First, I want to know whether I can really trust you!"

He chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, you can trust me."

"You promise?"

"You want me to swear? Oh, how sweet!" He teased.

"Well, my mom always said that bad things happen to people who break their promises. Especially pinky swears. "

Suddenly, he pointed his pinky towards me. I looked at him with wide eyes. He shrugged. "If you say so. And you do want me to promise that I can be trusted yeah? So here you go!"

I shrugged to myself and entangled my pinky in his. "Swear that you can be trusted?"

He smiled. "I swear, mademoiselle."

I laughed as I took my pinky from his.

"So what were you saying?" He asked.

"Okay, so...when I was only ten, I got diagnosed with social anxiety. I couldn't go out like I used to. I had fits whenever someone knocked on the door...it got worse by day. My parents did their best to keep me steady and calm, but unfortunately, my dad died when I just turned 12." I stopped. Thinking about my dad always throws me off the edge, but I wanted to finish what I've started. Tears blossomed in the corners of my eyes, but then, Jasper kept a calming hand over my hands on my lap. I looked up at him to see him smiling reassuringly. I smiled faintly.
"Sorry."

"No it's okay. I get it." He said.

I cleared my throat. "Yeah, so, after that, my anxiety got worse. So much worse than ever before. My mom feared that I'll die from a seizure, and once I actually had to go to the hospital and admit. But one day, one of my childhood friends showed up. Eva. She was there for me from that moment onwards. She always stood by my side, even when I had break downs. Then came Jacob. He was just the same. They were rocks holding me down. I owe them my life for that. Because of them, I got better. Now look at me, in a party. A very crowded party." I looked around me.

"You are so brave being here." He said, taking his hand from mine.

I smiled, blushing. "Thank you."

"I guess you and your dad were so close?" He asked.

"Yes. Very. He was my everything and I was his. He and I used to gaze up at the stars and figure out the patterns. He called me his own star. I just...I miss him." I whispered the last part, feeling something hollow inside me.

"Look here." Jasper said. I looked up at his handsome face. "You know, people who leave us, especially ones who are close to us, lives inside our souls. They always stay by our side. They actually never leave. So, don't ever say that you miss him, okay? Because he's actually not gone."

I smiled at him, feeling pleased. "Yeah, I know. " There was a slight pause. "Now, tell me about you." I said, feeling suddenly eager to listen to whatever he has to say. But my hopes were crushed when Eva came up to me with her purse in her hands.

"Time to go. It's 10.23." she said.

I turned to Jasper. Was that relief I saw in his face? I shook my thought away. "Thank you Jasper, for everything. I hope we'll meet again?"

He stood up as I did. "Of course! We'll meet. No worries there." He smiled his sweet smile.

I smiled back. "Okay then. See you soon." I said and followed Eva out of the house and to the car.

"Okay...what the hell.was that?" Eva asked as we pulled to the street.

I smiled. "Nothing. We started again."

Eva nodded and smiled. "I'm glad. That's very good, really."

"I know."I said, feeling glad myself.
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That night I surprisingly dreamt about Jasper and stars. This has to be the only night that I dreamt such nice and comforting things.

"Hope, hon, wake up!" My mom's hand was resting hard on my shoulder as she shook me awake. I woke up, rubbing my eyes and feeling slightly annoyed with my mom for disturbing my dream about Jasper floating on a star.

"What?" I asked and yawned.

She sighed in relief. Her face was flushed red and sweat was dripping from her forehead. "You scared me!"

"What did I do?" I asked sleepily.

"Do you know what time it is?" She asked, almost scolding me.

"What?"

"It's ten o clock in the morning, young lady! You've never slept this long!"

"Okay. I'm sorry." I said and stood up from the bed. "Don't worry about me so much mom!"

"Oh? Then about who should I be worried about?" She swatted my shoulder.

"Okay okay. I'm sorry. Now, what's for breakfast?" I asked as I made my way to the bathroom.

"I made some french toast. Come downstairs quickly, or it'll be time for lunch already." She said and left.

Robby greeted me with a lick on my feet as I came downstairs. I kissed the top of his head and he tried to lick my face. I dodged him and came to sit on the breakfast table. I was so glad to see a steaming plate of French toasts on the table, waiting for me to dive in.

Suddenly, a knock came on the door. I went to answer it.
"Hey." Eva and Jacob greeted me. I grinned, feeling so happy to see them.

"Why so suddenly here?" I asked.

"Nothing. Just came here to drop by for a bit, if it's okay?" Eva said.

"Are you kidding me!? Come on in!"