It's been fifteen years since then. Poppy always marked that day when he finally disappeared from her life as if he was but a ghost. She always wondered where he was, whatever happened to him. It took her ten years to realize his parents died of a car accident and he had to stay with his grandmother somewhere far. Apparently, her dad bought the land to help the old woman in raising Branch at her farm.

Her friends never believed her whenever she talked about him. They swore they never heard of him and soon, she was left to wonder if her memory was failing her. The only proof of his existence was with the notes they kept passing to each other and the tree outside her house. His letters were about how he loved his parents and his bad experience in school. All written down and badly spelled from ripped pages of a notebook.

Thinking about him, she realized she never knew him as much as she thought. She always called him "Branch" since it was what his parents always used to call him. She couldn't even remember his last name. She tried asking her dad, of course, but he seemed to panic and wave it off saying it was a long time ago.

She checked her clock on the nightstand. It was too early to get ready for work and even if she was late to go to the station, she'd air in about noon anyway. Singing wasn't really a new passion for her, but considering the local radio station always asked her if she could apply and the payment they offered. It was worth it, hands down.

What if Branch was listening to her sing on the radio? He wouldn't know it was her anyway, as she wasn't allowed to say her real name on air. She hummed in thought. What would he think if he finds out she got thousands of listeners sending her fan mails?

"He'd probably laugh and call me insane." She smiled to herself.

Poppy looked through her window and saw the leaves of the tree sway from the gentle breeze. She leaned her head atop her palm to the base of the window, her thoughts backtracking to her long lost friend. What would he look like as an adult? How was he? Was he thinking about her just as much as she does? Was he having fun without her?

As she admired the gentle song of the rustling leaves and the breeze hitting her face, her throat itched for a song and the bubble in her stomach made her giddy in excitement. She closed her eyes as a random song played in her head.

Ultimately, I don't understand a thing

I try to do the best I can

I know you try to do the same

But we're just so bound to be apart

You could call it a disposition

I apologize for all your tears

I wish I could be your comfort

But I'm still growing up

Into the one you can call your love

I don't know if I'll ever be enough

I'm throwing in my chips

I guess I tend to push my luck

She wanted to see him, if only she could. She wanted to give him the hug she promised and another because she missed him. She smiled to herself of the thought of his arms around her, happily receiving her hug.

And ultimately, I believe we'll be okay

It's so cliche to say these things

But repetition is a key

I think I'm better when I'm with you

But I worry when you're gone

I think I need to learn to love myself

A lesson to be strong

She doesn't notice the eyes watching her from the sidewalk, wondering whoever the beautiful voice had come from.

So for now we'll say good bye

Although, it pains me and my heart

Your words they come to me in memories

They sing to me like songs

It won't be long until I'm here

Soon, I'll make my arrival

Under shady trees

A quiet street

The roads that I have traveled

The stranger had a faint smile, staring at the girl on her window, unbeknownst the butterflies she was giving him.

Ultimately, it's a beautiful thing

Like flowers blooming in a lonely field

The petals drift through crossing winds

They find their way to river streams

That scent the water beautifully

It takes me back to you

She opened and fixed her eyes on the rustling tree. Her eyes glimmering with hope to see her best friend again.

It takes me back to you

She felt eyes on her and glanced to the sidewalk to see a man with a heavy looking backpack and a duffel bag on the ground. She knows everyone in town but she's never seen him before. Certainly a stranger.

"Can I help you?"

He instantly realized he was gawking and cleared his throat as he blinked a few times to get his mind back to reality. "I-I'm looking for a girl named Poppy? I think she lived around here about fifteen years ago?" He asked her.

"You a fan of her or...?"

"She was my best friend, actually."

"How so?"

"Do you know her?"

"Everybody knows everyone around here except for you, mister."

"Right, I just..." he was running out of things to say. He placed a hand on the back of his neck, nervous if he might get himself in trouble out of stupidity. "I used to live around here with my parents. Things... happened, and I had to live with my grandmother by the mountains." He points behind him, where the main road that led to his home.

Her expression seemed to soften, but blankly stared at him. Assuming that she seemed interested of him to continue, he put down his backpack on the ground next to his duffel bag and took out a photo from one of its small pockets.

"Its kind of blurry and I know it's probably stupid, but she's really important to me." He walked across her lawn and raises the photo up for her, but it was impossible for her to see anything from where she was.

"I just really thought - OW!" He rubbed his head where an acorn fell on him. He sighed, his eyes downcast. "I gave her an acorn as a parting gift." He knew he was a kid then, but HAIR wasn't he smart to hand her that as a gift? "I don't know if she planted this tree with it or something else. She used to sing to me every time I was in a bad mood and I just wanna thank her about everything she did for me. She's ..." he laughed, wondering why he was telling all this to a stranger.

"I'd tell her she's insane and she'd quipped 'insanely pretty.'" He waved his hands in a cartoonish way with exaggerated fluttering of his eyelids. "She's my best friend..." he concluded in a fruity voice. He looks back at her and he felt his body freeze as soon as he saw the tears on her face. Befuddled, he stood there, awkward and nervous.

"Branch?" Hearing the familiar nickname, his eyes widen in shock. She hadn't bothered to wipe her tears away, as she had her hands on her mouth to muffle her sobs.

"Poppy?" She let out a breathy laugh and happily nodded. His smile was sweet and his eyes looked at her as if he just saw an angel. Both wondering if it was ever just a dream or a dream come true.

Author's Note:

Hi there! So that's done...

I really like how it turned out, don't you think? I had fun writing this. Though, I did rewrote it because I wasn't kinda happy with the first one. I'm still happy. I did change the song just a tiny bit. The song title is "Ultimately" by khai dreams. It's a very... breezy kinda song. I have weird descriptions of songs, apparently. ANYWAYS, leave a heart if you wanna give some love for this thing I'm doing. A follow, if you wanna be notified for a new upload. Comment or PM me about your thoughts. Gimme your thoughts! If you have any suggestions, comment or PM me.

Sooo... thank you for the love! I do appreciate it so much. BroppyBriff, seriously, thank you. Compliments just don't fall from the sky, you know? Unless if you're an angel. Which you are! Really, thank you. AND the followers too.

Thank you, guys! See you on the next one :)