Page 7 of Five Summers

I'm on my front patio, unseen, watching everything go down. Why not watch it? I’ve got nothing better to do. It's looking like this will be my only source of entertainment tonight.

Poppy rushes through the front gate and plops down on the curb, chilling under the cozy glow of the streetlights.

Her mom is hot on her heels, all furious. “If you don’t make a decision, you’ll waste your life just like your father did,” she says, standing at the gate with her hands on her hips. “You have to choose.”

“And as I’ve already said, I’m not doing this right now.” Poppy inserts one earbud, deliberately tuning out her mom's never-ending chatter.

“I’ve had enough of this, Poppy. I need your answer by tomorrow.”

“Can you please go away?”

“I mean it. You better give me an answer tomorrow or there will be trouble.”

“Yeah, that's not gonna happen,” she says with a dismissive tone and a hint of frustration in her voice. With an eye roll, she inserts the other earbud, blocking out her mother’s voice. Then she starts scrolling through her phone.

Poppy's mom walks over and taps her on the shoulder. “Poppy,” her mom says, trying to get her attention.

Poppy brushes off the fact that she just spoke and starts singing.

It’s “Rebellion” by Arcade Fire. Gotta admit, she's got good taste in music.

“Ugh, why are you so damn stubborn?” Her mother adds, clearly annoyed as she walks away. “You can be so frustrating sometimes. You know that.”

From my hidden spot, I spy on her mom as she goes to her car, gets in, slams the door, and quickly backs out of the driveway.

Angry as hell, she steps on the gas and zooms off down the street.

I look over at Poppy, thinking she’ll go inside, but she stays put, belting out her tune.

Damn, the girl can sing! I take a few steps forward, closing my eyes to fully absorb the sound of her voice.

As the song ends, there’s an eerie silence on the street.

The hunger hits, so I quickly go down the front steps to find some food. I remain vigilant, keeping a close eye on Poppy as I proceed. Once again, her voice resonates, but this time, there’s a subtle tinge of sadness that was absent before. Emotion seeps into her voice, causing it to crack as she sings the lyrics to one of my all-time favorite songs: “Creep” by Radiohead.

As she sings, her voice quivers. A delicate tremor, like a whispering breeze, dances upon my ears, sending a shiver down my spine. It is as if every word carried the weight of her emotions, raw and unfiltered. The slight quiver in her voice hints at a tinge of sadness, a longing to find her own place in this world. At that moment, my body moves instinctively, drawn towards her like a magnetic force.

I feel a pang in my chest as I listen to her like she’s talking straight to my heart. There’s a sadness to her I’ve never seen before. And, before I know it, I’m standing in front of her, staring at her like a total creep. Luckily, she has her eyes closed.

As she passionately sings the lyrics, her voice captivates all my senses. I stand there, unable to move, unable to tear my eyes away from her. Every note she hits sends shivers down my spine, igniting a surge of emotions. I am completely spellbound, caught in a moment where time stands still.

I’ve never seen her like this before. And I dislike how her husky, seductive voice affects me. This is Poppy Reeves, one of the weirdest chicks at school. However, I cannot dwell on that at the moment. The minuscule cracks in her voice consumemy thoughts, which give it a delicate quality, as if her voice could vanish into thin air. Still, it persists and resurfaces, unwavering in its conviction, as if this song was specifically written for her and the burdens she carries. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness this. I’ve grown accustomed to witnessing her clever remarks and sassy attitude. It’s what everyone gets to see. But now, her tough facade is cracking and I see her vulnerable side. Despite our different backgrounds, Poppy Reeves and I share a common desire to conceal our pain behind a mask.

There is something about this girl that deeply stirs my emotions. As she sings, a lump forms in my throat. It’s the combination of her voice, her expression, and the overwhelming sense of hopelessness that she portrays. The pain she conveys feels raw and authentic, making it the purest form of art.

The last note of the song sends chills down my spine, causing the hairs on my arms to stand on end. I can't move at all. Because damn... Poppy managed to arouse me without even laying a finger on me. It’s as if her seductive and delicate voice wrapped itself around my very being, demanding my undivided attention. This girl is truly talented. Never before have I felt so understood by someone, as if they truly comprehend who I am. Every note that escapes her lips feels like pure magic.

When she opens her eyes, my heart skips a beat, but I play it cool.

With a startled expression, her eyes widen in shock, causing her phone to slip from her grasp and skitter across the road. “Shit!” she says, leaning forward to retrieve it.

I take a step forward, attempting to grab her phone, but she beats me to it. She's totally focused on the screen, wiping away the dirt with her fingers.

“How long have you been standing there?” she asks, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment.

“You were really getting into that song, huh?” I know I'm being a total jerk by messing with her and making her feel embarrassed, but this girl somehow managed to get through to me in a way no one else ever has. I’m always in control, but now I feel the need to regain my power. I give her a sly smirk and casually slide my hands into my pockets. “So, what made you sing in the street? You know everyone can see you, right?”

She exhales deeply through her cheeks before getting to her feet. “What do you want, Xander?”

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