Chapter 2

Stomach Drop

Poppy had driven back to her house discouraged but she should've known that branch wouldn't answer the door. She didn't even know if Branch was alive since she hadn't seen him all summer. She saw him around at school and he would occasionally glance at her but that was about it. She decided to put him out of her mind and get ready for the party, it was starting to get dark out. Everyone started to arrive and the music was blasting very loud. People were getting drunk and going off the walls crazy, so poppy had wondered if the party had been a good idea. Creek was the one who was drunk out of his mind.

Poppy: shouldn't you lighten up on the beer a little?

Creek: oh come onnn it's the last day of summerrr

Poppy: but we have school tomorrow though

Creek: so?! All we do is go over the syllabus it's not a big deal! And it's senior year! I've been accepted into college so I can afford to miss the first day

Poppy didn't like when creek got like this. She felt a little scared of him, she always told him how he felt about him drinking and the way he acted when he did but he insisted it wasn't a problem and he wouldn't hurt her.

Creek: come on my love..why don't we end the night by sealing the deal?

Poppy: no way! You're drunk! And I already told you how I felt about doing that!

Creek: oh shut the fuck up, you know you want me

Poppy: go away creek (walks away from him)

Creek: you can't get away from me!

Poppy walked around. She was looking for a certain someone even though she knew he wouldn't be here. Instead she saw someone else she didn't want to see.

Poppy: Bridget?

Bridget: oh hey poppy (gives her a fake smile)

Poppy: what'd you doing here?

Bridget: enjoying the party...why is that wrong?

Poppy: I don't recall inviting you

Bridget: oh poppy (laughs) we used to be such great friends what happened to us?

Poppy: you're the one who started the feud

Bridget: (shrugs) well I thought spreading the rumors would get you out of the school play, you knew I wanted to play the lead

Poppy: maybe I was just better than you

Bridget: well I hope you enjoyed playing the lead for the last years! I've been preparing all summer for this musical and I won't let you take that away!

Poppy: (rolls her eyes) all summer? When did you actually have time to have fun?

Bridget: Ha-ha for your information I've been training with a professional, I'm gonna blow the crowd away just you wait (winks at her before walking off)

Bridget and poppy were once friends when Bridget had been new to high school freshman year. Poppy had the most amazing voice and loved singing so she landed the lead in every musical. Bridget was jealous of her so it had turned into a competion to the point where their friendship turned them into enemies. Poppy rolled her eyes, they hadn't even announced what the musical was so she wasn't sure what "training" Bridget could have done. Poppy didn't care if she had the lead or not in this production, she liked the theater for everything it had. she had been Elphba in Wicked, Belle in beauty and the beast, and sandy in grease, but it disappointed her a little that her father was never there for her productions. She knew he had to work and he had a girlfriend but she longed to have a better relationship with him. Poppy didn't know what was wrong with her, normally at her parties she would be the life of it! Dancing around and singing karaoke and taking some shots, but now she just wanted to be left alone. She made sure her friends weren't around when she went upstairs to her room, but when she walked in, creek was waiting for her.

Poppy: what'd you doing here?

Creek: (smirks) that's a nice question to ask..(walks towards her) I want you (kisses her neck) I'm sorry about the way I acted baby...I really do love you..

Poppy: (felt a little weak at her knees) creek...I..I don't know about this...

Creek: I love you..don't you love me?

Poppy: I do..but

Creek: then what's the problem?

Poppy hesitated...she always thought about her first time. Maybe this would help their relationship and help her forget about branch...and the stress of school...her father being absent. A strong force overcame her and she closed her bedroom door and locked it. Creek picked her up and started to kiss her intensely until the two found their way on her bed. The next thing they knew, clothes were off and some moans that were muted by the loud music out the door. By the end of it, poppy didn't know what to feel...she thought she would feel better but she didn't. She thought the first time was supposed to be magical, but something just didn't feel right. The party finally ended around 1am and poppy's friends and everyone headed out. Creek offered to stay, but she insisted she would be fine on her own.

Poppy went downstairs. Everything was a mess! She didn't have time to clean this up, she had to sleep so she would have time to get to school tomorrow! She hoped her dad wouldn't be home early! She went back to her room and set her alarm for the next morning. All and all it was a good summer. She looked out her window.

Poppy: what'd you hiding from me branch?

Branch laid awake in his bed. The clock read 2:34 am. Great so much for a goodnight sleep. He would normally take sleeping medication to help, but he was trying not to get addicted. He hated being alone with his thoughts. Screw it! He'd stay up all night and catch a nap in class! He was ready to just be done with senior year. As soon as he graduated he was moving far away for good!

The alarm went off. Poppy woke up and smiled! She was excited to start senior year! She quickly showered and did her makeup. She wanted to look cute, so she wore a nice floral dress and curled her hair at the bottom, and wore some nice pink heels. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled to herself. She went downstairs and saw that everything was a mess so she had to mentally remind herself to clean it all up when she got home. She got into her car and started to drive to school..her music blasting really loud, school would keep her busy and she was excited for the new musical! For prom! Graduation! This was going to be a great year! When she pulled up to the school she saw her friends pull up and gather around to wait for her.

Poppy: heyyy guys!

Satin: poppy! My god!

Chenille: you look absolutly amazing!

Suki: gorgeous!

Cooper: maybe I should've looked more decent!

Poppy: we have all year to look good!

Biggie: do we all have any classes together!

Guy: where's creek?

Poppy: (rolls her eyes) he's hungover so he's not coming

Suki: well he got accepted anyways!

They compared each other's schedules and each of the group shared a few classes along with the same lunch period.

Guy: this is so great! Our same table as usual?

Poppy: whoever gets there first saves it!

The bell rang. And all the students sighed as another year started.

Poppy: well looks like we gotta go...

Satin: well all see each other later!

Biggie: have a great first class!

The group separated as they headed off to class. Poppy looked at her schedule. Her first class was AP calculus. She forgot she had signed up for that class...she wanted to go to school in California and it was going to be expensive so she was trying to take the AP classes to get a scholarship. None of her friends would be in that class but that was ok! Maybe there would be new friends she could make! She walked into the classroom, she felt a little nervous since this was her first AP class but she held her head high and chose a seat in the middle. She was getting some things out of her book bag and when she looked back up...her stomach dropped...there standing at the door was Branch.