A Poppy In The Stars

Chapter 13.

My hands felt raw after all the clapping. I looked down at my palms to see them glistening red. I smiled. For a very strange reason, I loved the pain in my hands after appreciating all these graduates.

"Now," the announcer called after another round of applause. "It's time to introduce one of the brightest, and one of the most active athletes in our school. He is someone who deserves to be appreciated, and a kid who always respected everyone else. Now he's not a kid anymore. Please welcome our first special award of the evening, Jasper Alby!!"

I clapped very hard and almost felt as if my hands are going to fall apart. The noise of the clapping sounded like a bomb going off. I wanted to cheer, but I knew I have to keep my manners. The bubble of happiness in me grew larger and larger as I saw Jasper walking up the stage, running a hand through his hair. He smiled to the audience and bowed. His blue eyes sparked an electricity of happiness. I smiled to myself. For the first time ever, I felt proud about someone that matters in a very special way.
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"Hey!" I walked up to Jasper as he walked out of the backstage. He hugged me back with a huge smile plastered on his face, his certificate clamped tightly in his hand.

"Did you see me on the stage?" He asked as we broke our hug. He wrapped an arm over my waist as we walked out.

I smiled. "Of course, I did. I was waiting for him to announce your name!"

He kissed my cheek. "I wasn't smiling at the audience. I was so busy smiling at you. I'm so happy you came."

"I'm happy that I came too. I'm so proud of you, Jas." I said.

As we walked out of the school, a cold breeze rustled past us.
He turned to me. "I'll drop you off." He offered, taking my hand in his.

"No. It's okay." I said smiling. "Eva will drop me off."

"I want to." He said, pouting. I laughed.

"Jasper?" A woman's voice called. We both turned to see a middle aged couple walking towards us, wide grins plastered on their faces.
The lady has the same blue eyes as Jasper's but with blonde hair. The man has squinty black eyes with dark brown yet greying hair.

"Mom!" Jasper said and hugged her. I smiled and felt nervousness slowly gliding into me.

"I'm so proud of you, honey!" She squealed. "You looked great today. Even Mrs. Wagner said so."

"Eveline, will you please stop that? We don't need others to be proud of our son!" The man said back, who sounded annoyed, but still happy. His eyes glowed as he turned to his son with a very proud look on his face. "You did good, son!" He patted Jasper's shoulder.

Jasper did a slight bow. "Thank you, sir." He grinned.

His mother's eyes suddenly met mine. I smiled politely at her, which she returned.
"And who are you exactly?" She asked.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm.."

"Oh Mom, this is Hope, my girlfriend." As Jasper introduced me by taking my hand back into his, Mrs. Alby's eyes widened, but she smiled. Mr. Alby kept looking at my face with his lips curved in the edges. He nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Hope." He said. "I do hope you like my son?"

I found it as a strange question, but I gave a soft chuckle. "I don't like him." I said. "I love him."

Jasper's eyes brightened as he smiled at me. "I do too." He breathed.

"So Hope, I didn't see you on stage tonight? I mean, I haven't seen you in school at all." Eveline said.

My cheeks flushed. "Well, Mrs. Alby, I'm not a student here, or anywhere near here. I'm...uh well, I'm home schooled." I mumbled.

Her eyes widened, but she smiled kindly. "Do you have a reason?" She asked.

"Mom, is that really necessary?" Jasper asked, running a hand over my waist.

"Well, I'm just curious." She replied and turned back to me. "I'm sorry, dear."

"Oh no it's fine." I said, shaking my head. "Well, I had social anxiety when I was a kid, but now I'm fine. So the doctors let me out of the house, making me promise not to try anything that I'm not ready to. So... that's why I was home schooled."

"Oh." Mr. Alby said simply.

"I'm so sorry, my dear." Eveline took my unoccupied hand into hers. "I really am."

"Yeah, I mean, it's okay. I'm fine now, aren't I?" I said and smiled. She smiled back nicely.

"Well, I hope that we'll meet soon, Hope. I really do like you." She said.

"Thank you." I simply said.

She nodded and turned to her husband. "Shall we go now, Pete?"

"Okay. You coming, Jasper?" He asked, taking the car key from his coat pocket.

"No. I'll come with Hope. I've got to drop her off at her place." He replied.

His father nodded. "Okay then. See you Hope. Don't be late, son." He said and walked away, hand in hand with his wife.

I turned to Jasper. "Your parents are nice."

He smiled. "Yeah, I guess they are."

"Now, seriously, I can go with Eva. Or Jacob." I said, glancing around hoping to see any of them.

Jasper turned my face to look at him by placing his index finger under my chin. "I'm not letting you." He said and placed his lips on mine.
The familiar feeling of electricity rushed inside me as his hands took hold of my waist and pulled me closer to him. I placed my palms on each side of his face and slowly made my way into his mess of hair. His hands traveled its way up and rested itself on my neck. Every sound around us, every scream, laughter,...it all got muffled and became inaudible to me. It's only him that mattered, it's only him. Jasper, with me.

As we parted, he smiled and ran a finger on my lips. "I will take you home." He whispered in my ear.

"If you say so." I breathed back.

He kissed the tip of my nose and took hold of my hand. "Shall we get going then?" He asked.

I smiled. "Yes, sir!"
We both laughed as we made our way towards his car.