A Poppy In The Stars

Chapter 10

I rummaged through my entire closet, trying to find something decent to wear to the carnival this evening. The blue denim sat neatly on the bed, but I couldn't find anything nice and pretty to wear that goes with it.
I finally came across a mauve colored crop top. Simple, but nice. I decided to wear it.

The evening came much sooner than I expected. I quickly washed myself and got into the clothes I picked this morning, and tied my hair into a tight pony tail. I never really bothered about makeup, but added a bit of cream to keep the dryness of my skin away.
After a half and hour, I heard the familiar honk of Eva's car. I pocketed my phone while kissing mom goodbye and rushed outside to join Eva in her car.

"You look good." She said as she drove off towards the school. I turned to her. She was wearing a short, black skirt with a checkered blouse, her red hair tied to a bun on top of her head.

"You look pretty too." I said, turning back to face out of the window.

"Well, I have to. I'm meeting Charlie, and it's our first date tonight." She blushed.

"Ooo, well, that sounds pretty amazing!" I said, thinking whether meeting Jasper is really a date.

"Are you excited?" She asked, searching for a place to park in the very crowded street.

I shrugged. "I guess."

She finally spotted a parking spot under a tall tree, and pulled over to park. We both got out and shut the car doors behind us. I looked around, and heard myself gasp.
The area was crowded and very brightly lighted with small spot lights. The noise somewhat calmed and eased the nervousness inside me as I walked with Eva to the entrance. The school ground didn't look like a school ground anymore, but a very joyous place with drink bars and food stalls, surrounded with various activities.

"Wow, this looks great." I said, handing over some money to Eva to pay for the tickets.

"I know right?" She gave me my ticket and we entered the carnival.

"Okay, so." She turned to me, stoping me by holding my arm. "I'm going over to the ferris wheel to meet Charlie. And you, I suppose you won't mind that? You can still hang out with us." She said.

"Um, no actually." I said, glancing around. "I have someone to meet too."

She smirked. "Who's that now?"

"Jasper." I simply answered.

"Oh." She smiled. "Okay then, you call him, okay? I hope you enjoy. And, remember, if you want to go home, call me immediately, okay?" She instructed. I nodded and waved at her as she walked off towards the ferris wheel.
I sighed and took out my phone to dial Jasper's number. Suddenly, someone took hold of my shoulder, making me turn. I smiled, feeling glad to see Jasper smiling beside me.

"I was kind of watching you." He told me as I pocketed my phone. "I was waiting for Eva to go so that I could come out over here to talk to you."

"Oh, that's nice. I was going to call you."

"Yeah." He nodded. "So, where do you want to go first?"

I glanced around. "Um, no where in particular. We can just walk and talk, you know."

He chuckled. "Of course. Do you want to go over to somewhere less crowded?" He asked.

"If possible, that'd be great." I said, making him laugh and nod.

He took my hand into his, making me look up at him. He smiled. "Is it okay if I hold your hand?"

"Um, yeah, okay."

"Cool." He said and we started walking.
We went to the very end of the grounds, where the crowd was thin and the noise is almost inaudible. The grass was thick on the ground, so we sat down.

Jasper looked up at the sky. "The stars are hidden today." He said.

I looked up. He was right. The night sky appeared blank above us. "Hm. My dad said that stars come up just to show us that they exist, and they disappear once in a while to show us that there can be dark times as well as bright. " I said and turned to look at him.
He was looking at me with a soft smile spread across his face. His blue eyes glinted in the dark and he ruffled up his messy dark hair. He was wearing a plain blue t shirt and black jeans, and it still made him look exceptional.
"Your father has taught you many good things now , hasn't he?" He said

"Of course he did. He was my world." I muttered, feeling a pang of sadness hitting me hard. I felt Jasper's cold hand on mine beside me. I looked up.

"I know. I'm sorry." He sounded worried.

I smiled faintly. "It's okay." I said. "And by the way, you didn't tell me about yourself the other night!"

"Um.." he cleared his throat. "You want to grab something to eat?" He asked.

I suddenly got the idea that he doesn't want to talk about his life for whatever reason. I decided not to ask him about it anymore. I nodded.

"What do you think that we should eat?" He asked.

"Well, can we just stay here for a bit? You know, I can't eat just now." I said. "Well, unless you want to."

He chuckled softly. "No. Let's stay then."

We sat there quietly as the time passed by. I saw Eva and Jacob here and there, but I didn't call them. I liked sitting on the grass with Jasper, hand in hand. He made me feel calm and comfortable. He squeezed my hand lightly, making me turn to him. He smiled.

"You look nice today, Hope." He said, making me blush. I hoped that he didn't see my flushed cheeks in this hour of the night.

"Well, you look pretty good too." I said back.

He laughed, surprising me. "You are different than many other girls I've been with."he said.

I surprisingly felt sad about the thought of him being with other girls, but I smiled anyways.
"How come?" I asked.

"You are honest, for one. And you make me feel at...ease. you...you don't jump at guys like other girls, now do you?" He said.

I shrugged. "I guess not. Maybe because I lived half of my life hiding in my room." I mumbled. "Are you....do you regret being here with me?" I asked before I could stop myself.

He smiled and leaned in closer. "I will never regret being with you, Hope. I really do like you." He said, and before I could say a word, he put his lips against mine.

I was lost in a world I've never been to. He kissed me so gently like I'm fragile, which I of course returned, even though my heart thumped hard against my ribs. His lips felt so right on my own, and I felt sparks of electricity flying from our embrace. His palms cupped my cheeks as I rested my hands on his.

He finally broke up and kept his forehead against mine. He smiled. "I love you , Hope." He whispered.

I felt totally lost for words, but I nodded and looked into his eyes. For some reason, this calmed me. "I...I.."

"You don't have to say that back to me." He breathed. "Just, let the time do the magic."

"Okay." I whispered. "I... that's the first time I've done that."

"I'm glad." He grinned. I smiled back, feeling glad myself to see the happiness in his eyes.

My phone suddenly started ringing. Curses!!
I broke from our embrace and took my phone from my pocket. It's Eva. I looked at the saddened eyes of Jasper. I rested a reassuring hand on his cold, but yet warm hands. He looked up
"Don't worry." I said. "We'll meet again soon. Thank you for... everything. I guess I like you too." I said. He smiled.

"Thank you too." He said. I stood up, immediately followed by him. He took my hand into his. "I'll walk with you."

I nodded. Then we walked away, hand in hand, back to the crowded area of the carnival.