After a long day of work, I get into my favorite car, Susan, and drive her home. Susan is a black  Jaguar I just got off the lot. She was my present to myself for my hotels expansion in New York. What can I say? I love flashy cars and I love typical suburban mom names. Sue me.

Sighing, I take off my grey Armani suit and fold it neatly on my bed before checking my phone. It has twenty four texts and one missed call. Out of all the texts, I look for Poppy's name and unlock my phone to reply to her.

From: Poppy
1:34 PM
heyyyy harry can you come over around two? bring chicken nuggets plz I'll love u forever

I check time on the top of my screen, 2:23. Perfect timing. Stuffing my phone in my back pocket, I dig through my drawers looking for my swimming trunks and once I find them, I quickly change and put on a white t shirt as well as some slip ons and I'm on my way to Poppy's.

"Harry!" Poppy greets me at the door, not exactly looking at my face, but more of the bag of McDonald's in my hand. Her face lights up and she jumps in joy. I notice that she's wearing a light pink bikini which makes her tan skin really stand out. Pink is a nice color on her.

"Here's your food," I say, handing her the bag. "Thank you!" she squeals, quite literally snatching it out of my hands, and running to the kitchen. Chuckling, I follow her and watch her happily take her chicken nuggets out of the bag.

"Harry, why didn't you get anything?" She asks, taking a bite of a chicken nugget. I just shrug, "already had lunch with a friend."

Poppy nods slowly, grabbing the bag as well as her little box of nuggets before leading me to a sliding door that leads to one of the biggest and nicest lounge areas I have ever seen in a backyard. "Damn," I mutter.

It's an extravagant, round-shaped pool, with a big, brick waterfall and other tiny waterfalls around it. From what I can see, there's lights built into it. Surrounding the pool are lounging chairs and several tables. I can spot a fire pit from a distance, with lights surrounding that as well. 

"It's beautiful outside, isn't it?" Poppy sits down and I sit next to her. She places her food on the nearby table and takes off her jean shorts before continuing to eat the rest of her nuggets.

"So what's the plan for today?" I ask. It's getting boring watching her eat.

"We can swim, and then paint if you want? I have an art room downstairs. I haven't been in there in a while."

Painting? I haven't painted in years. It is refreshing to do all these things again that I haven't done since I was a teenager. I've noticed that Poppy doesn't ever mention parties, drinking, or drugs. Most kids her age with a budget like hers would be doing things she hasn't ever talked about. She likes simple, fun things. Like piano, panting, swimming. It's a nice change from what I've read and heard about. 

"Yeah, we can paint, I really want some cupcakes though. Do you think we can be bakers for today?" I ask her, wiggling my eyebrows. She giggles and nods. "Baker Harry and Poppy coming right up."

I laugh, looking over at the glimmering pool. Feels good to be young again. Twenty three is considered young to most people, yes, but Poppy carries this young, lively vibe about her that I didn't expect.

After she finishes eating, we both jump in the pool and begin to swim around. "I'm still laughing at your yellow swimming shorts, Harry." I look down at them, the yellow color popping out underneath the water. "What's so wrong with yellow?" I ask.

"They're hideous." She raises her eyebrows at me and swims near the waterfall.

"Whatever, princess Poppy. Sorry my yellow swimming shorts don't please you." Poppy rolls her eyes.

I decide to change the topic. "Do you miss your parents? It's been what, two or three days since they left?"

Poppy noticeably becomes upset. "No."

I'm surprised by her answer. Who wouldn't miss their parents? It's a shame they're going to be gone for so long.. Poppy must be used to it.

"Poppy, don't lie, it's okay to-"

"I said no," she snaps flatly. I just nod, swimming further away. A pissed Poppy is not someone I want to mess with. 

We continue to swim in complete silence and awkwardness. After a while, I finally swim right in front of her and look into her eyes. She stares right back with an emotionless expression.

"You can be such a brat sometimes, you know that?"

She glares. "Like I care what you think." Ouch. I thought we had made some progress. Guess not.

"You were acting fine yesterday, and the day before, what happened back there?" I ask softly, not wanting to upset her. I just want to see if everything's fine.

"Nothing happened," she seethes, clearly angry. "You just take things up the ass." It's my turn to get angry.

"Well excuse me for thinking we had made some progress. I thought we were fine. I don't know why you're acting like this," I exclaim, fury igniting my entire body.

Poppy just swims away from me, near a ladder. "You and I aren't friends. You're my babysitter. Get your head out of your ass."

"I thought we had gotten somewhere, Poppy, what are you even talking about?" I run a wet hand through my hair and stare at her, "I could of even considered us becoming friends."

She turns to face me, and laughs. "Friends? You're not my friend. You're just company. Don't flatter yourself." 

I would be lying if I said that one didn't sting a little. I can feel the anger slowly start to fade, and complete surprise kicking in. I cannot believe a seventeen year old girl managed to hurt my feelings.

I just laugh, a forced laugh, before shaking my head and quickly getting out of the pool with a shake of the head. I'll be damned. 

"Harry, wait," Poppy yells out. I ignore her and grab my t-shirt and phone before walking away. "I didn't mean it!"  I just shake my head again and continue leaving. I will not be putting up with this. 

I quickly dry myself off with my towel and get into my car. With a sigh, I start up my engine and drive off. So much for trying to bond with the brat.

--

It had to happen guys, I'm sorry. couldn't have her act all nice forever, there's gotta be some character development :)

kisses,

M