Bumps and giggles could be heard by all residents on the fifth floor of the apartment building. Their efforts to minimize the vocal intrusion to his neighbors were futile. Branch was certain to receive a few complaints from the Super in the morning.
An extra loud "thump" slammed against the door of 5E, followed by muffled laughs and "sshhhh!"
"Wait, wait…I can't—fuck, will you stop hugging me for one sec, Poppy?!"
Poppy snorted and sniffed.
"Why? Is it making it harder to get your key in the hole?"
"Yes! Hey—th-that's my butt! Will you quit it! Just let me—wait! I got it!"
The latch clicked and the soaking wet couple stumble through the door—practically tripping over the door jam in the process.
"How could we have forgotten the umbrella?!" Poppy chuckled, kicking off her sandals and tossing Branch's mail on the coffee table. Branch yanked off his sneaker one at time (nearly falling over in the process) and laid them neatly along with Poppy's on the rubber mat next to the door.
"We didn't forget it, Poppy," Branch grunted in response. "You said I wasn't gonna need it because the "Skies looked friendly today"."
"Sure, but I ALWAYS say that," she replied, pealing the dripping jacket from her body. "But you usually check the local weather app anyway."
Pulling his hoodie over his head, he held it up to the light, frowning at the large, dark brown stains splattered like bugs on a windshield over the fabric. His head shook in disapproval.
"Did you have to jump in EVERY puddle on the way home? Even the muddy ones?"
"That's a silly question—of course I did!" She smiled, freeing her trademark pink hair from a sequent scrunchie. Poppy winced when a few wet strands ripped out in the process.
"There's no way to tell how muddy they are, bud, until AFTER you jump in them," she snickered, planting a kiss on Branch's pink, cold nose as she handed over her jacket.
Branch rolled his eyes half-heartedly. He'd love to be angry at her in these moments, but by blessed irony, he finds himself growing more appreciative for the unique and irrational that is Poppy. Poppy swung her hair to the side. After winding it into a twist, she started to squeeze out the water-drops pitter-pattering on the beige carpet.
No! Branch yelled-shooting his arm toward her, palm straight and commanding in the universal "stop" signal. Poppy held still, biting her lower lip, eyes glued to Branch, wanting so bad to squeeze out just a little more to see what would happen.
"Just... Don't...MOVE." Branch backed away slowly, trying his best to not appear like he was daring the girl to defy him. Poppy could sense weakness. "I'll get you a towel," he mumbled and tried to leave the room.
"Wait!" She yelled out. "Better take these too!"
Branch turned back just in time to see Poppy shove the waist of her jeans clear down to her ankles with one quick bend. Branch didn't have time to avert his eyes away in embarrassment. With a butt shimmy, and a couple of one-legged hops, they were off. Poppy swung them playfully over her head before flinging them at her boyfriend. Frozen by the site of Poppy's lacey pink panties, Branch was unable to react and the sloppy, muddy jeans slapped him unpleasantly across the face. With a deep blush blooming clear to the tips of his ears, Branch forced a blink and tore himself away from the scandalous view. Grumbling to himself, he leaned down to snatch the jeans from the floor and headed toward the laundry.
Poppy watched him shuffle away and buzzed excitedly inside. It was always the highlight of the day to have the chance to embarrass Branch. So serious and prone to anxious outbursts, a little surprise sexual tension had the ability to flip his world over like a underwater summersault- shortness of breath, disorientation, and choking/sputtering like water up the nose. Super entertaining! Branch's reactions nearly always struck him tongue-tied (even if he was in mid sentence). But selfishly, Poppy held hope that one of these times, Branch would forget his apprehensions and smash into her uninhibited when she ventured to show a little skin.
Branch tossed the grubby clothing into the washing machine. With a quick sprinkle of detergent, he slammed the lid and cranked the dial to "Deep Wash". Branch stared down through the window, watching the water fill the vessel and the soiled fabric begin to swish rhythmically back and forth. Holding onto the side, the vibration of the motor was grounding.
Damn Poppy is hot. Why the hell did she choose pink for today? Poppy KNOWS he loves pink. Had she planned on showing them off?
Branch sucked in a quick, nervous breath.
Come'on Branch, you can do this.
He grabbed a couple of clean towels from the pile and walked back to the living room. Poppy still stood next to the door, rubbing at her arms and shivering. He grabbed the larger of the two towels and flopped it over her head—scrubbing it hard into her scalp to mess up her hair even more.
"Hey! Quit it!" Poppy growled giving Branch a firm shove. He lifted the edge of the towel and retuned a kiss to Poppy's nose before letting the fabric drop back over her face. Branch chuckled as he made his way to the bedroom.
Closing the door, he quickly disrobed the rest of his damp clothes, tossing it into the closet hamper. No sooner had he pulled up a fresh pair of cotton pajama pants, the door burst open like it was rigged with explosives.
"Oh my gosh! OH MY GOSH! Poppy came plowing into the room clutching a letter in her fist—waving it in the air like a golden ticket from Willy Wonka himself. Poppy grabbed Branch's arm and bounded onto the bed, dragging the boy along for the ride.
"Look! L-l-look! LOOK!" She was nearly screaming now, shoving the already opened mail into his hand. Branch grinned awkwardly, unsure about what someone like Poppy could possibly be freaking out about. He took the letter from her trembling fingers and unfolded it slowly.
"Read it out loud…" Poppy whispered excitedly. Branch cleared his throat and started.
Dear Mr. R Branch,
We are pleased to inform you that your poetic entry intitled "My Rainbow" as been approved for publication by our acceptance board at New Authors Magazine….
Branch couldn't continue out loud. His voice had left him like a white rabbit down the hole to wonderland. He swallowed and resumed reading to himself.
We have found your poetry both enchanting and creative. Winning out over 2000 entries, your poem will appear in the April edition of this year. We are happy to congratulate you on this great achievement. As a part of the New Authors family we look forward to publishing future approved works as well.
Yours sincerely
Cap N. Starfunkle
Senior Editor, New Authors Magazine
Branch flipped to the next paper to see a printed copy of a poem. The same poem Branch had gifted to Poppy nearly 4 months earlier.
"Poppy…" his voice was weak, confused "Th-that's my poem-I mean, your poem. I didn't intend…" Branch turned to look at his girlfriend.
"I wrote this for you." He said quietly.
"I know," she grinned, and interlaced her fingers softly with his. "And I am so proud of it. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever read, Branch, and I wanted to share it with, well, everyone. So I may have sorta sent it out to be entered in a poetry contest."
Branch's brows knotted. Unsure of what to think about Poppy going behind his back to expose his private thoughts to the entire world. Poppy squeezed his hand a little tighter, bobbing it up and down against his lap.
"Look." Poppy responded as if reading his thoughts. "You are a fantastic writer, but you always keep them to yourself. I think you deserve credit for the things you accomplish."
Branch turned his view back to the paper in his hand.
"Wow." He stared at the letter, reading through it more carefully. "I can't believe I'm going to be published."
"Hey!" Poppy perked up—I'm dating a published author! HOW COOL IS THAT?!" She bounced happily on the bed and Branch snickered to himself.
Unbelievable.
"This is great, Poppy." His eyes sparkled, turning is attention back to the beautiful, caring woman beside him. "This is REALLY great."
He set the letter on the bedside table and quickly turned to wrap his arms around the girl.
"Thank you," he whispered, hugging her tight. What Poppy did, it was a pretty thoughtful gesture. It took courage that he, himself didn't possess. Branch leaned in and gently kissed his girl. HIS girl. This magnificent, selfless, and outrageously irrational woman was HIS GIRL. He kissed her again. Then again. And then again…
