A text from Veronica with an attached video pulled her from her video time. She opened it and saw a very sad and drop Poppy singing at the top of her lungs. Veronica pointed the camera back to herself.

“Hughes, you'd better fix this! I will not be spending my nights doing this because you don’t know how to recognize when someone likes you!”

Bea was dumbstruck. It was not her fault that she didn’t realize that Poppy being mean meant the opposite in this case. She was not in kindergarten when kids were mean to the people they liked. She did want to make it up to Poppy somehow. She wanted to, at the very least, talk to her. If she were lucky, then maybe Poppy would even forgive her. She decided to come up with a plan and decided to recruit Veronica’s help.

Night fell upon the Zeta house. Poppy walked out of her room, noticing how quiet it was in the house. She was used to something going on or some type of sound. It was eerie. She forgot Veronica had taken everyone out for a party. Poppy couldn’t be bothered to go out tonight. She wanted a sad snack. The house had been walking on eggshells due to her mood. On the positive note, she could wallow in peace. As she was walking down the stairs toward the kitchen, she heard something move around. She was supposed to be alone. As she walked down, she grabbed her keys that had pepper spray attached. She was on edge, hearing movement when no one was supposed to be home.

As she turned the corner and saw a person, she sprayed first and decided to ask questions later. The person yelled in pain. She realized the person was Bea.

“Farmsville, What the fuck are you doing here?

“Oh, hey, Pops. Fancy meeting you here.” She was trying to wipe her eyes. The pain from the spray was radiating. She tried her best to keep her composure. She was sure her eyes were red. She kept blinking, hoping for the pain to subside. It felt like her face was on fire.

“Dumbass I live here.”

“Well, I was hoping that I could offer you a nice meal so we could talk. Right after I rinse my eyes out.” Bea turned up the water as cold as it could go and stuck her face right under the water. The pain was still there, but the ice-cold water at least made it feel somewhat better.

Poppy took the time took look around the kitchen while Bea poured water on her face. There were candles lit and twinkling, lights. Her favorite dish was plated and served along with a pink bouquet of flowers. There stood Bea with a nervous expression and red eyes. Poppy turned around, starting to leave the kitchen.

“Pops please wait.” Bea ran around and stood in front of Poppy.

“Get out of my way, farmhand.”

“Listen, I know you hate my guts, but I need you to believe me with what I am about to say. Please give me a chance, and after you can tell me to fuck off. ”

“Fine, you have until I finish eating.” Poppy was hungry, and so she would at least get a free meal out of it. She had fully planned to tell Bea to fuck off either way.

Bea pulled out the chair for Poppy and pushed it in for her as she sat. She served her a glass of wine recommended by Veronica.

“Thank you for giving me a chance, Pops.” Poppy didn’t respond as she ate. “I know I fucked up massively. I don’t know if a word has been created for how badly I messed up. I didn’t see the signs about how you felt. I may be a bit oblivious, it turns out.”

“No shit, Hughes.” Poppy snapped. She was regretting saying yes to this. The food was somewhat making it worth it.

“I deserve that. I will try to make it up to you every second. I really like you. I was just stressed with the week, and the alcohol made it easier. I just wanted one night where it didn’t feel like I was being smothered under the weight of the world. One thing led to another. I know it doesn’t excuse it, but I swear if I knew then it would have never happened.”

Poppy listened and looked at Bea. She could see how truly exhausted she was from the week. It lessened her anger a little. Just a little. She hated finding Bea with Chloe of all people. She wasn’t the most obvious with her feelings. Honestly, she liked to pretend she didn’t have any feelings half the time. Something about Bea softened her. Sometimes she hated it because she was forced to be the best. Her father hammered the ideals of being the best and showing no weakness.

Bea offered kindness and a sense of comfort. Even when she has shown her the worst of her behavior, she always took it in stride. The more she thought while she ate, the anger in her lessened. She still wasn’t going to make this easy for Bea.

“How do you expect me to believe that? Of all the people you could have hooked up with, why her? It felt intentional.”

“I swear, Poppy, it wasn’t like that. She was there. After you left, we realized it was the alcohol, and I went back to my dorm. I know it will take time, but let me make it up to you. Everything will be on your terms. Give me one date. Plus, doesn’t taking pepper spray to the eyes help balance the scales?” Bea had a hopeful grin on her face.

God she was getting soft. “ Fine Hughes. One date, but I swear if it doesn’t go well then that’s it.”

Bea jumped up with excitement. “ Yes, you won’t regret it. How does your schedule look this Sunday? No, wait, screw that, how does tomorrow sound? It will be the best date ever.” Poppy couldn’t hide the smile as she watched Bea.

“I can make tomorrow work.”

After the food was done and Bea cleaned up her mess, Poppy walked her to the door. She was feeling lighter after her talk with Bea and enjoyed dinner.

“Hughes, I am sorry about the pepper spray. If you tell anyone I apologized, I will deny it.”

“I would never tell anyone about the soft side of Poppy Min-Sinclair.” The pain had subsided, but it was so worth it to have spent time with Poppy.

“I will see you tomorrow, Hughes.”

“Good night, Pops.” Bea kissed Poppy on the cheek and went to leave. She felt her grab her wrist. Maybe it was the light feeling Bea gave her, but she decided to be bold. She pulled Bea into a kiss. Their lips moved together, and Bea was sure there was no better feeling in the world. She would happily be pepper-sprayed again if it meant she could kiss Poppy again and again.

Once they broke a part Bea had a goofy smile one her face.

“Good night, Hughes.”