A Poppy In The Stars

Chapter 09

*Hey, it's me, Hope..*

A minute passed. *Oh, hey..!! So, Jacob finally gave you my number. *

*Oh, yeah, he did. Just this afternoon.*

*Great.*

I racked my brains, trying to think about something to say. *So, I've never done this before other than with my friends...so....you better keep the lead.* I typed faster than I intended.

*Sorry. Okay then, if this is hard for you to do then maybe we can meet, yeah?*

So smooth. *Um, I guess that's okay.*

*Great. Now, where do you want to go?*

*You say.*

*Okay....so how about coffee?*

My face screwed up. *Ugh no. That's not my thing actually. Not a big fan of coffee.*

*Then....oh, how about you come to the carnival at school this Friday?*

*That sounds great. I'll certainly come.*

*Great. Then I'll meet you there.*

*Okay then.*

*Bye.*

*Bye.*
I sighed heavily and threw my phone onto the coffee table in front of me. I took the TV remote and turned it on.
A carnival, huh? Well, that sounds great! But Jacob and Eva didn't even mention anything about a carnival due on this Friday, and it's already Wednesday now.
I suddenly felt someone shift beside me, and I turned. Mom was looking at me closely, her eyes narrowed.

"What are you thinking about so badly?" She asked, taking the TV remote from me.

I shrugged and turned back to the TV. "Nothing, really. Just thinking about going to the carnival this Friday."

"Oh, a carnival." She flicked through the channels. "That sounds cool."

"I know right! So, I was thinking maybe I should go? It'll be something new for me, mom."

"Yeah, sure. But it's something that you've got to decide. Whether you're ready or not....I mean, to face that big of a crowd? So, the best option is for you to decide." She said and smiled.

I smiled back. "Yeah. Okay. So, can I go? I think I'm ready."

"Sure, why not?"

I hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. "You really are the best mom in the world."

"Okay now." She patted my arm. "Don't make me change my mind."

"What do you think that I should wear?" I asked, breaking the hug and standing up.

"Anything you want, but certainly not a dress." She said.

"Okay." Then I made my way straight upstairs to my room.
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"Hey, what's up?" Eva's voice answered just after two rings. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, but did you forget to tell me about something?" I asked, sitting on my bed.

"Um...not exactly."

"Anything on this Friday?"

"Um..." She tried hard to think. "Oh, yeah. The carnival. How do you know?"

"Jasper told me. He asked me to come. Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, feeling slightly hurt.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She apologized. "It's just...I had my head wrapped around with so many things to deal with, and I forgot. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay." I mumbled. "So, why didn't you come with me to visit Jacob today?"

There was a pause. "I....um...was busy." She stammered.

I rolled my eyes. "Are you seriously thinking that I'd believe that?"

"Well,...."

"Why, Eva? Come on, we never have secrets!" I reminded.

"Well, after Jacob heard from Harry, he called straight to me. He sounded angry...well, furious with me. He asked me whether this is some sort of a joke, and I said no. Of course, I did. But, he didn't believe me. He...um...he told me that he has nothing to do with me anymore. Like, that we are not friends anymore, so..... that's what happened." She finished.

I felt my heart stop with shock and worry. "But...but...no! Why would he be angry with you and not me? I went with you to meet Harry, remember?"

"He doesn't want to be angry with you, Hope. He thinks that I did this because....you know about me having a crush on him when I was little? Well, because of that. He thinks that I wanted him and Harry to breakup because I wanted him!" She sounded annoyed.

"Well, that's just ridiculous!"

"I know!" She agreed. "Why would I ever want him now that I know he's gay?! I don't know, Hope. He's hard to understand."

"Is it okay if I talk to him and explain? I mean, he clearly knows that you have interest in other people, right? So...if I can just explain..."

"No!" She stopped me. "Just don't. It's okay, really. I'm fine." She paused. "And I have something else to tell you anyways."

"What's that?" I sounded curious. So curious.

"Well, I started dating Charlie." She said shyly.

A smile spread across my face as I imagined her blush. "That's great, Eva!! He's cute and you two really go well together!!"

"Okay now. I'm not going to marry him!" She breathed.

I laughed. "We'll just see. Who knows? Maybe you'll have babies one day!" I teased.

"Shut up!"

"Okay, okay." I chuckled. "I got to go. It's so late now. See you on Friday."

"Yeah, see you."

I turned my phone off and switched off the lights. I plopped down on my pillow and soon, drifted off to a dreamless sleep.