Summer was about to begin , but as Poppy noticed it , here in England summer was way colder than Californian summers. Her belly was so round she could barely see her feet , when she heard people on talk shows or at school talking about the percentage of teen moms in the world ...she never thought she'd be one of those girls. Poppy Moore , invincible , perfect little miss California couldn't be a pregnant woman ...she wasn't even a woman yet ! She couldn't take care of herself properly, she couldn't possibly take care of a baby ! Poppy turned around , looking at her reflection in the mirror ...how was she supposed to look good on graduation pictures with that stomach ? She put on her graduation gown; a silky burgundy thing , at least hidden behind this mass of silk her belly seemed less round.
"Poppy you coming out soon ?" Kate asked
"Uh...yeah ...I'll be ready in a couple of minute ..."
Sitting on her bed she sighed , everything should have been perfect on graduation ...It would not be, not for her it seems .Poppy put her face in her hands ...everything was perfect until that night...she couldn't be mad ...it wasn't his fault. Kate entered the room in a whirlwind and saw her friend on her bed face in her hands.
"Poppy"
"I'm hideous ...I can't go out there..."
"Your not hideous, you're only pregnant."
"I feel ugly ..."
"come here"
Poppy snuggles against Kate , both girls were silent. Only the sounds of a few students in the hallway resonated in the lonely room. Kate softly stroked Poppy's messy hair. She was wondering ...since Freddy and Poppy had agreed to be only friends after the young girl accidentally set fire to the school's kitchen, who was the father of Poppy's child ? She knew for a fact that as a pretty girl Poppy had had a few dates with boys from town. The more she thought about it, the more curious she was...Freddy didn't come to Abbey Mont anymore...he came for Christmas , Easter and March Break, it seemed like Kate wouldn't have an answer.
"Help me Kate ...please ..."
"Anything Darling..."
"I have to tell my Dad ...about my situation"
"Poppy ! You are over seven months pregnant! You haven't told anything to your family yet?"
"I tried ! ...I tried but every time I failed I was so afraid ..."
"What about Molly she must know."
Poppy thought about how her sister would react...Poppy shook her head from left to right.
"They at least know the father of your child ?"
"They don't ...please help me Kate ! I'm begging you !"
"Fine ...But we have to catch up with the others before ...if you want to graduate"
Poppy took a lock of her hair , she couldn't get out looking like she hadn't slept for centuries. Kate who understood took her friend's hands and helped her sit on the edge of the bed. Kate who wasn't a professional hair dresser, tried her best to make that bun look graceful. The result wasn't bad , in fact it was rather pleasing, Poppy's face looked a bit pale but she was magnificent still.
"What would I do without you ?" Poppy muttered
"Don't mention it , come on ! We're gonna be late !"
The graduation was set in the court yard , parents were sitting in black plastic chairs , some waiters were serving Champagne in black and white tuxedo. Poppy felt her heart stop when she saw her family stand in the crowd. Josie , Drippy and Kiki were chatting with other girls who were graduating. Poppy and Kate walked towards them feeling both the stress of ending high school and keeping Poppy's secret. Josie let a high pitched scream when she saw Poppy.
"Girl ! you look brilliant !" Josie almost screamed
"...Yeah ...Thanks to Kate"
"Look who's there" Whispered Kiki
"Prince Charming himself!" Kate laughed
Everyone seemed to laugh , except Poppy ...she didn't want him to see her like that. Freddy Kingsley was standing right in front of her , he had his back to her but she was absolutely ,a hundred percent sure it was him. He was there in all his beauty , his blond hair always a mess of curls , his blue eyes glimmering . Poppy felt another stress factor on her shoulders , not only was her family here ...and they were going to see her with that huge stomach ...now Freddy had shown up. The young girl just wanted to hide , she looked pleadingly at her friends , imploring them to keep him away.
"What's wrong Poppy he used to be your friend?" Drippy asked
"He his ...but , I just don't want him to see ...This" Poppy said showing her round belly.
"What's the problem with that?" Drippy asked crossing her arms.
"I don't want him to think I'm a whore ..."
"Why would I think anyone's a whore ?" Ask a masculine voice
Poppy froze when the sound of his voice got to her ears , Freddy was standing just there a couples of millimeters away from her. She shut her mouth , and looked to the ground avoiding Freddy's glance. She knew deep down that he must be thinking she was a "Californian chick" who got every guy she wanted in her bed...the truth was she was really shy when it came to deep relationships. Yet she was pregnant.
"Hi ...it's been a while" Freddy whispered.
"Almost a year ..." Poppy smiled , fighting the tears of shame blurring her vision.
"You...you are ..."
"Yeah I noticed it ..." whisper Poppy her right hand automatically got to her round belly.
"I was going to say beautiful...but that too...you are very much pregnant."
She wanted to leave, to be anywhere but here.
