Page 3 of Spotlight on Poppy

“Okay, that then. I want that.”

“Well, if just so happens I have one with me just for this very occasion.” said the woman giving her bag a small pat. “The one I have for you will work a bit differently, but I think it will work all the same.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a small vial.

“What do I need to do?”

“Ye’re a determined one, aren’t you lass?” the older woman smirked at her.

“Yes. I’m ready to figure things out and start living my life. I feel like someone hit the pause button on my life years ago, and I just can’t seem to get it going again,” Poppy said as she took the vial from the woman.

“Now what ye’re going to do is brew yourself a nice cuppa tea. Add this little potion to the tea,” she said gesturing to the vial in Poppy’s hand. “And while you drink it, write down whatever it is ye’re searching for on a wee slip of paper. Then I want ye to fold up the paper and tuck it under yer pillow. All that’s left then is to finish the tea and drift off to sleep.”

“That’s it?” Poppy asked warily. “Hannah had a spell she performed under the moon.”

“No, that’s it for this particular spell,” the woman answered back. “Just bear in mind that not all spells work the same. Some people’s love is somewhere across space and time, some are much closer. Just keep an open mind and follow your heart. I promise it will not steer ye wrong.”

Poppy examined the vial. It was a small glass vial filled with a shimmering iridescent liquid and a cork stopper poking out the top.

She looked up to thank the woman, but she was gone. Not like walked away gone, like gone gone. It was a little unsettling, but Poppy was anxious to try the spell.

“Hey Poppy, what are you doing out here?” she heard a familiar voice call to her.

She turned around to see Josh. They had been in the same class together since first grade. He was a person who was always just around. Although Poppy hadn’t thought that much about it before, he was very attractive. He was tall with a muscular build, but he was handsome in this boy next door kind of way. His eyes were a deep blue that sparkled against perfectly tousled brown hair. He was friendly and helpful and always had a warm smile on his face. Even though Poppy didn’t know him extremely well, he was naturally comforting. It was just nice to know people like Josh existed.

“I was just on my way back. I came out here to say goodbye to someone,” Poppy said as she made her way over to him.

“How about a dance?” he asked with a soft smile.

“Haven’t you had enough dancing with me?” she asked.

They were both in the community theater’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Josh was playing the part of Seymore, which always struck Poppy as funny. Seymore was supposed to be this nerdy little guy, and Josh was far from that. But he could sing and that is all that really counted in their little theater. Poppy, of course, was playing the part of Audrey. She loved being in the shows in Mystic Falls, but she had once dreamed of seeing her name in lights somewhere else, but here she was back in this town. A town where everyone knew everyone, but everyone especially knew her because of the orchard.

“Nah, I never get enough dancing with a beautiful woman,” he said as he held his arm out for her.

She threaded her arm through his and allowed him to lead her back to the reception and onto the dance floor. Looking around she took in the night. Hannah and Graham were lost in each other, gone and hopelessly in love. Sam and Jackson were dancing, Jackson whispering something in his ear while Sam laughed. The sun was setting on this September night and the fairy lights twinkled above the dance floor. There was something magical about this moment, besides the magic spell sitting safely in Poppy’s purse.

Josh took her hand and spun her with ease and caught her in his arms. He was quite debonair. As they danced, Poppy looked up and saw the first star in the sky. She couldn’t help but think of that spell in her purse. When she got home, she would put it into motion, and hopefully, soon she would be dancing at her own wedding and starting her own adventure.

CHAPTER2

Poppy

When Poppy got home that night, she took the vial from her purse. The woman said to add it to her tea and drink before she went to bed. She was exhausted from the day, so she was looking forward to bed for a couple of different reasons. After she showered and washed away the makeup and the hairspray, she put on her comfy pajamas and started to make some tea.

A small creak of the floorboard alerted her to her grandmother's presence. She entered the kitchen in her housecoat and slippers. Gran was a small woman. Poppy had been taller than her since fifth grade. The rest of their family seemed to take their height from her grandfather, but her slightness of stature did nothing to deter from her position as the strong matriarch she was.

"How was the rest of the wedding?"

"It was amazing,” Poppy said with a dreamy smile on her face.

"It was a lovely ceremony," said Gran.

"It really was. I'm so happy for Hannah. She and Graham look so happy. I want that," Poppy said wistfully.

“Don’t worry, darling,” said her gran. She gently patted her hand. “Your time will come.”

Poppy had always been a hopeless romantic with big dreams. She felt like there was more to life than what existed here in Mystic Falls. She wasn't quite sure what she was looking for, but she was hoping the answer was in the potion in her purse on the table.

Poppy got a mug down and poured herself some chamomile tea. "Okay, well, I'm off to bed Gran," she said as she stopped by to kiss her on the cheek.

---