"Jesus, Pops, what happened to you?" Chris grimaced taking in the sight of his daughter. He had just finished getting ready when he walked out into the hallway, fixing his cuff-links when he noticed Poppy's dishevelled look.
Poppy nodded lightly, not really caring for conversation this morning. She was already up and dressed and it wasn't even 8 yet, so naturally Chris was surprised.
"Tough night hun." It had been more than a statement especially when he saw the drooping lids above his daughter's eyes.
It had been the same routine for a few days now and even some of her teachers had expressed their concern for the Mead, especially after altercation with Sian.
"Yeah." She whispered quietly. "Something like that."
"Was it that essay? The one Tom wanted you to finish?" Chris asked.
She nodded.
Poppy had been up most of the night trying to complete the essay that Mr Clarkson wanted in today, she had taken a diazepam capsule, the ones that Kyle had got her, just to help keep her calm but by the time she had been ready to start she was unable to concentrate, her hands shaky as she attempted to write. She had given up shortly after 1AM.
Chris turned back to his daughter for a moment, she was slightly concerning him but he knew better than to argue with her. "Just take it easy, okay?"
She nodded again, concerned that if she spoke she would just crumble.
"Come on, let's grab some breakfast." He smiled, guiding his daughter towards the kitchen. "'Eh up, we're on time today." He let out a chuckle.
"First time for everything." She eventually spoke, allowing herself to laugh a little.
Chris and Poppy arrived at school on time and whilst Chris had headed straight up to grab a coffee in the staff room Poppy had been greeted by Finn.
"Morning." He charmed, his signature grin on full show.
"Hiya." She said simply. "Where's Josh and Lauren? Thought they were meeting us by the gates?"
Finn raised his eyebrow before letting out a chuckle. "Were you not part of our conversation yesterday or something?" He asked, referring to the phone call he and Poppy had shared last night. "Josh is sick. He texted me whilst we were on the phone? I told you, remember?"
"Oh."
"What's up with you?" Finn asked Poppy who pushed the arm he had rested on her shoulder away from her.
"I'm not in the mood, Finn- just tired." She murmured. It hadn't been a lie, diazepam was known for its use to promote drowsiness.
Finn spun around, now facing Poppy. His hands placed firmly on her shoulders. "No, don't give that excuse. Something is clearly wrong?"
"Finn. Stop." Poppy snapped. Her voice making a few of the stragglers turn around and watch the scene. Poppy and Finn were known for their constant flirting and making every other teen in school envy then despite not being involved in a relationship. Anyway, what was wrong with some harmless flirtation? Noticing that most eyes were on them Poppy sighed. "We're gonna be late."
"After you." Finn grumbled. Poppy was really annoying him and he was sure that she wasn't doing anyone else any favours.
"Hey Pops! Done that paper? Stupid question, course you have!" Lauren chuckled. "Whilst we're all going for the C's hoping Byrne 'll keep us on she's hitting the A*"
"You can't get A* in AS, Lauren." Poppy pointed out. "Anyway, fat chance of that." She grumbled before marching ahead.
"What's up with her?" Lauren raised an eyebrow as she adjusted the strap of her bag.
Finn shook his head, a sense of nervousness etched his features. "I'm not sure, but I'll find out."
The two made their way to English, finally catching up with Poppy who had practically refused any conversation with Finn. She had been glad that Lauren was there which meant she could keep him off her back for a little while, even if it was only until they got to English.
"You sure you're okay, Pop?"
"Uh?" Poppy looked up. "Oh, I'm fine. Just can't wait for these sodding exams to be over with." She let out weak chuckle as she rooted through her bag for the paper that was due in for Mr Clarkson.
Finn ran up to the class ahead of Poppy and Lauren leaving them to follow them to class where Mr Clarkson was waiting. "Poppy Mead. Just the person. Finished that paper yet?"
Poppy reached into her bag pulling out a few crumpled pieces of paper before the teacher could speak up. "Here. Sorry it's a mess. I didn't get a chance to print it." Poppy rambled on, placing a hand on her shoulder he let out another small chuckle.
"Thank you, Poppy." Tom smiled. "Come on you lot, hasn't it hit you yet that your exam is a WEEK today." He sighed as he moved into the room.
After the class settled or rather argued quietly Mr Clarkson continued with his marking, but he really didn't like what he saw, words were jumbled and no sentence had any structure. It was clear that there had been little time and effort given to the task.
Meanwhile, Poppy, who had been trying to concentrate was also trying to stop her hands shaking as she wrote. They had been tasked to complete an essay extract but Poppy Mead was struggling to remember anything right now, she wanted something. She needed something.
"You're even shaking." Finn commented. "Are you sick or somthin'?" He asked curiously, wondering if that had been the reason Poppy Mead had become so withdrawn.
Poppy hid her hands under the table. "Finn. I said leave it." She warned.
"Maybe you should see someone, if your sick. You might have the same bug as Josh." Lauren whispered from beside her best friend. She hated to think that there was something wrong with Poppy...especially after Sam.
"I'm not sick." Poppy screamed back at them, snapping at her friends for the second time today. "Just leave me the hell alone." She stood up angrily and was ready to walk out when Mr Clarkson beat her to it.
"Sit down, Poppy." Mr Clarkson looked up from the essay he was marking as he heard the girl scream from across the tables. When Poppy didn't comply he tried again. "Poppy?"
"Sorry, sir." She mumbled before dropping back into her seat, her arms crossing in protest.
It hadn't been long before the bell sounded signalling the end of second lesson. Packing her stuff away Poppy stood up from her seat beside her bestfriend.
"Poppy, could you stay behind for a moment, please?" Mr Clarkson asked from his desk as he watched the other students walk out the door, heading to their next lessons.
The teen looked up turning her head to her friend who had been ready to leave. "I'll catch up with you in PE" Lauren said, grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder before she headed towards the door. "See you later, sir."
"Is everything okay?" Poppy asked as she made her way to Mr Clarkson's desk where he was flicking through a bundle of papers.
"Your essay..."
Shit. Poppy mumbled under her breath.
"Poppy, it's just- it's just scribbles." Mr Clarkson said. "It's not even- Mr Byrne warned you about your work standards."
"Look sir-."
"Poppy. I don't know what's going on with you anymore." Tom sighed. "I'm going to have to tell Mr Byrne."
"Sir. Please. He'll tell my dad, he'll go mental." Poppy pleaded. She loved her Dad and she knew how much he had put his neck on the line just to keep her in the school. Since her mum died he had given everything up for her. This wasn't how she should repay him.
Taking a breath Poppy tried to hide the tears that threatened to fall. Without another word Poppy fled the classroom ignoring Mr Clarkson's repeating calls for her.
Poppy stormed through the halls eventually appeared in front of the girls toilets. Quickly surveying the room to see if there was company and satisfied she was alone she locked herself in a cubicle and pulled the cylinder from her bag. Her hands shook and tears rolled down her face, she hadn't wanted it to come to this but it was the only way she could get through these upcoming. Swallowing the capsule she stuffed the container at the back of her bag out of sight. She quickly straightened out her shirt and made her way towards PE with Mr Diamond.
Whilst sat in his class Tom had been marking some of the homework tasks from the younger years but his mind kept wandering back to Poppy's essay. He understood that exam stress could possibly be the cause but something told him it wasn't.
Getting up from his desk Tom began to search through the filing cabinets for examples of work Poppy had completed for him throughout the school year. After finding what he was looking for Tom began to move through the corridor only stopping when he realised Matt, like himself had a free lesson.
"Sorry to barge in, have you got any examples of Poppy's theory work?" He asked as he peered his head around the corner.
Matt nodded, getting up from the piano he moved over to the shelf where pupils left their files so they didn't have to lug them around all day. "Here. This is her theory work. It starts at the start of the school year." Noticing the expression Tom had on his face and how it continuously faltered as he flicked through the sleeves, he questioned. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah..well I'm not sure. Poppy Mead. She handed me an essay this morning, no where near the standard of her usual work.
Matt couldn't help but chuckle. "You can't be hard on her for that. She can't be expected to top the class on everything she does. That was her mother's job." His smile turned sincere.
He shook his head, although he couldn't help but let out a small smile as he remembered Charlotte Mead, she was a teacher, an English and Drama teacher to be exact. "But would Charlotte agree with this?" He sighed as he handed Matt the pieces of crumbled paper Poppy had handed him earlier.
Matt Wilding's eyes widened. "And she handed in like this?" He asked as he briefly tried to make out what had been said.
"Yeah." Tom nodded. "Something's not right, Matt."
"Does Chris know? And Michael?" He asked, now understanding Tom's concern.
He shook his head. "I'm heading up to see Michael now, I just needed to see if it was just English she was struggling in. I think Chris has an idea but I don't want to worry him." Closing the file Tom ran a hand across his face. "Do you think it could be a delayed reaction? She's grieving for Charlotte now?"
Matt sighed. "I don't know. That kid loved her mum, Charlotte was her everything. If it is-" Matt closed his eyes as he recalled his colleague. "I don't think she'll recover."
"We better hope not then." Tom said.
What do you want to see next chapter?
If you'd like me to continue with this then please leave suggestions. Also, I have started 'Finn Sharkey's Twin' If you'd like to read that please let me know.