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"It's weird," Harry laughed, leaning back on the sofa in Jerome's house, clutching the controller to the game they were playing his hand "You've never invited me to your house before,"

Jerome grinned "I couldn't let you meet my sister, remember?" Harry rolled his eyes, nudging him and sitting up, continuing to play. Poppy froze, walking into the room.

"Harry," she whispered. He turned, smiling perfectly at her over his shoulder

"Hey Poppy,"

Jerome turned slightly "Hey Poops,"

Poppy took a deep breath, sitting on the arm of the sofa, nearer Harry "This is the first time you've come here," she stated, Harry nodded, subconsciously moving closer towards her. "Watch out," she called, pointing at the Tv "That zombie's gonna rip your head off," Harry moved accordingly, turning to look up at her, impressed

"You play?" he grinned "You're perfect." Poppy's heart stopped at his words, and Jerome frowned

"What did you say?" Jerome turned to look at him, Harry managed a nervous smile

"I said: that's perfect, she can help me out," he lied, Poppy looked away with a smile. Harry really didn't want Jerome to know. Know what? Now that thought made her smile. Did Harry think there was something to hide? Thinking on her feet, like a Clarke, she needed to research. She slid off the arm, onto the sofa, her sides touching his. Harry froze, turning to stare at her wide eyed, as if screaming in his mind What is she doing?!

"What level are you on?" she asked

"23," Jerome managed, shooting a zombie, and moving his character onto the next floor. Harry moved his character more slowly, less focused.

"Here," Poppy stood, sitting in between Harry's legs, so he was push further into the sofa, she took the controller, to help him out. Jerome turned, looking at them in complete shock. But Poppy looked completely at ease, and Harry was trying to become part of the sofa so he wasn't touching her. Jerome let it slide, to Poppy being overly bold. They stayed like that for a while, Harry not quite touching Poppy, leaning back in the sofa, Poppy sat between his legs, playing better than her brother, and Jerome completely oblivious.

When half an hour later, Jerome's phone buzzed, he checked it absentmindedly, but then jumped up "Oh my gosh, I forgot I have a date with Mara!" he picked up his coat, and ran for the door. Harry frowned, calling after him

"Shall I leave?"

"Do what you want dude- I may not be alive!" the door slammed, and he was gone. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, sitting up slightly.

"What was that Poppy?" he cried, trying to face her, but the position made it difficult.

Poppy smiled innocently "I don't know what you're talking about," she shrugged "I was helping,"

"Yeah well…" Harry cleared his throat "I best be off," he gestured for her to move, somewhat awkwardly. Poppy simply laughed, shaking her head. He tried to remain firm for a moment, but couldn't stop the wide smile that spread across his face. He gripped her waist with his hands, and lifted her off him, despite her screams of shock. He lifted her high in the air "You are no match for me!" he laughed, placing her on the ground. Poppy whacked his arm

"Want some ice-cream?"

"That sounds perfect," he followed her to the kitchen, and he pulled it out of the freezer, as she sat on the counter, swinging her legs, watching him. It was a wonder she was even talking to him, her heart was beating so quickly. How could someone be so…good looking? It seemed unbelievable. He was wearing a v necked black sweater and jeans, yet he looked as though he was modelling the clothes. He turned towards her, meeting her eyes and she blushed at the fact she had been caught staring. But he was too polite to say anything. "Chocolate and caramel," he stated, holding the bowl in one hand, he took a spoonful, and moved towards her, standing between her legs, so that they were eyelevel. "Here," he fed it to her, and she almost melted despite the cool in her mouth. He swallowed thickly at her blue eyes glittered like stars "How does it taste?"

She smiled wildly "A bit too delicious," she took the bowl off him, and clutched his protectively, he laughed, leaning against the opposite counter, crossing his arms

"You are a lot like your brother," he nodded, still smiling "Can't share,"

"I am nothing like my brother." Her chin jutted out stubbornly, and Harry tried to become serious, but only ended up chuckling again "I am not! You like me more than Jerome, right?"

Harry's eyes widened at the question, and he looked away from her, rubbing his arm "Jerome's my best friend," he said quietly. Poppy waited patiently "Its… two very different kinds of like,"

Poppy smiled.

Line Break

"He's joined table tennis club," Jerome frowned, leaning back against the tree, one leg stretched out lazily, the other drawn up to his chest. "I'm worried about him, Jaffray,"

"Don't be," Mara smiled "He's doing perfectly fine,"

Jerome sighed, looking up at the sky "Poppy was acting weird around him yesterday, I think she might have a crush on him, it was…weird."

Mara bit her lip, but forced herself to lie "I don't think she has a crush on Harry," she said quietly "From what I heard, she likes a boy in her own year,"

Jerome smiled, comforted "Come here, Jaffray," he smiled, opening his arms.

Line Break

Harry took a deep breath, just staring at the table tennis bat that was lying on the playing table as he waited for Poppy. What was he doing? What was he doing here? He had promised Jerome, his best friend in the whole world, his first friend in the whole world, and he was breaking that promise. He pulled at the his red PE polo shirt, tugging at the collar nervously. He couldn't even remember how to play table tennis, his hands were shaking so badly.

"Are you okay?" asked Poppy, touching his arm, he jumped, turning quickly, and pulling his arm out of her grip. His skin was tingling from where she had touched him gently, and he took a deep breath, and he looked at her. The red polo shirt was fitting, and emphasised her wonderful figure. He tapped his chest lightly, trying to calm his heart down.

"Fine, fine…I'm…fine," he smiled at her, trying to be reassuringly, but failing, she laughed, pulling the hair band off her wrist, and tying her blonde locks back into a high pony tail. She didn't notice Harry's appreciative eyes following her movements, eyes flickering as he watched her.

"Let's practise together," she smiled brightly, moving to the other side of the table, she picked up her bat, and they began a gentle rally. And they kept it like that, either could have won the point quite easily, but they returned it nicely, enjoying the rhythmic tapping of the ball on the clean cut surface. "So," Poppy took a deep breath "What does Jerome think of you joining table tennis?"

Harry laughed, mostly to himself "He…he ugh thinks it's…it's pretty weird. I think he's worried about me,"

Poppy rolled her eyes "Sorry to tell you this Harry, but Jerome doesn't worry about anyone," Harry frowned, watching her as he returned the ball "Ever since I was little. It's just…he doesn't like anyone enough to worry about them, you know? He doesn't worry about me, he doesn't worry about our mum, he doesn't worry about you, he doesn't worry about Mara. He's…incapable of worrying about them. He just can't do it,"

"You're wrong," Harry said gently, green eyes sparkling "He does worry. He worries all the time, about how you're fitting in, he worries about your mum, and that he's not spending enough time with her. He worries about me, and that I shouldn't keep to myself too much. He worries about Mara, all the time. He just doesn't show it." Poppy rolled her eyes, but Harry persisted "He does. He…he's curious about who you want to date, if they're good enough for you, if they're right for you,"

"Yeah right," she laughed, in disbelief. "So what, he's warned you not to date me?"

She was laughing, but Harry was completely serious, he caught the ball in his hand and met her eyes "He's warned me to stay away from you." Poppy's eyes widened

"You're not doing a very good job," she noted quietly.

"No." Harry whispered, slamming his bat onto the table, shaking the empty room. His eyes glimmered with tears, and Poppy saw how upset he was. He was betraying his best friend, the good innocent Harry, for the first time, was lying to someone he cared about. "Because I can't stay away from you!" he cried in frustration, Poppy watched him carefully, guarded. He shook for a moment, bracing both hands on the table, and hanging his head, he took a deep breath "Damn." He whispered, "Damn, I'm sorry Poppy, I didn't mean..I…" he looked up;

But she was gone.

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