So sorry guys for the long wait, school is really stressing me out & taking up most of my time. I will try my absolute hardest to get updates in quicker !!! thank you all for the love and support and sticking with me ❤️💕

I'm gonna update again super soon Bc this is a filler and I have a lot of drama planned !
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Calabasas, California
The Winsley Mansion
June 2nd, 2012

The gentle sound of piano was faintly heard from downstairs as Poppy applied generous coats of mascara, and other various sorts of makeup.

Her silky, flowing hair had been straightened to perfection, a diamond headband on top. Her floral printed dress hugged her body tightly, blending in perfectly with her baby smooth, tanned skin.

She stared at her reflection for what seemed like ages, trying to find any sort of flaw. Her reflection stared back at her, almost hauntingly.

After several minutes of fixing any sort of imperfection she could see, she tore her gaze off of the mirror, slipped on her flats, and made her way to her mothers garden party.

Before she made her way to the garden, she straightened her dress out, staring into her phones camera to make sure her hair looked acceptable. After applying a coat of lipgloss, she inhaled, mustering up a million dollar smile. Another event, another day of faking perfection.

Only two steps into the sun, many had already rushed to her, eager to say hello and communicate. Poppy smiled as always, nothing but.

Perfect family, perfect daughter, she repeated in her head, over and over.

It was then at that moment that Harry noticed her, when the guests had gravitated towards her. He rolled his eyes at the sight, knowing Poppy probably loved the spot light.

Hours later, they had ended up by the fountain together, both eating cheesecake. Harry noticed she was only taking nibbles.

"Not a big fan of the cheesecake?" He asked, his eyes roaming over her worry-stricken face.

She quickly set her plate down. "I uh- no, I probably should- couldn't finish, would you like the rest?"

Harry furrowed his eyebrows at her odd behavior, choosing to ignore it. And that's when her parents had noticed the pair, making their way to them with happy smiles.

Poppy was relieved.

"Hello, darlings, enjoying the cheesecake?" Her mother asked with a wide smile. Harry turned to look at Poppy, looking down to see her thin leg bouncing up and down.

"I ate so much, couldn't finish," she lied, smiling. She had eaten a piece of ham that day, and that's about all.

"But I didn't see you eat earlier dear, there's still some food-"

"-I ate just moments ago, right Harry?" She smiled, her baby blue eyes begging him to go with it. He just looked down, grabbing his glass of scotch and walking away politely to fill it back up.

She followed him.

"You're one hell of a liar, Winsley."

Poppy looked down at her feet, before turning to let her eyes roam around all of the guests.

"And if I wasn't, I wouldn't be much of a Winsley."

--

Poppy's POV

"Hate to break it to you, but that design is hideous," I grimace, staring dead into the webcam.

I've been Skyping my parents for a good hour and a half now, and it's been good catching up with them. I hate to admit it, but I miss them more than I thought I would.

"I think it's lovely!" Mom gasps, holding up the dress with a saddened expression. Her pin straight hair falls over her shoulder a bit, covering her pearl necklace.

Dad just chuckles, "Poppy knows best."

Now that, is true.

"Did you expect me to lie to you?" I ask honestly, taking a sip of my latte. I'm an honest person, she wanted my advice.

Mom sighs, placing the dress down. "I guess not. How are things with Harry?"

At the mere sound of his name, my heart beats a million times faster in my chest. My throat instantly becomes dry, my lips parting.

Before my mouth can even open to speak, I feel as if I've lost all train of thought. All ability to..lie?

My brain is telling me to lie, say he's a great babysitter and although he can be pestering, we don't fight and get along great as friends. My heart is stopping me, however, telling me to tell them the truth, admit I'm utterly and completely in love with him.

But I can't.

"Things are great," I force out, my heartbeat becoming louder and louder. "We're good friends, even though we argue most of the time," I laugh, and they laugh along with me.

"That's great! But, you won't have to put up with him for long, even though you two get along so well!" Dad cheerily tells me, and my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. What?

"What do you mean?" I speak slowly, feeling my throat tighten. No.. please don't say what I think you're going to say.

"We have some exciting news!" Mom says happily. She claps her hands together, and I suddenly feel like throwing up. Please don't..

"Everything is going perfectly! And if we can finally launch the line next week, we'll be home by the end of the month!"

I gasp, but not from excitement, from horror.

Two and a half weeks.