Life.

"Johnny?"

"Yeah?"

I sigh, looking at the floor. It weird how different things look when your dreading something. The concrete floor glitters with the morning quickly evaporating rain. Just him and me. Alone. Tell him. Tell him now. Why are you so scared? He might like you too... And he might not. But you have to try...

"Never mind... I've got to go. I-I'll see you later."

I turn to go, half wishing he'd stop me and press the matter.

"Poppy?"

I face him again immediately, and his face makes my heart thump.

"Yes?"

"Dom's still missing you."

I sigh again, my head slightly dizzy. He's Johnny's friend, And that's why I cant just tell him. He's the reason. I want to scream it. JOHNNY MUTANT IS THE REASON I BROKE UP WITH DOM.

"Yeah, I know."

I dawdle on the way to class. I'm late already, and what they throw at me doesnt matter. It's only a detention.

I laugh with Kate, Yvette and Joanna, But my laughters off. What would they say if they knew I liked Johnny, and that as soon as he'd become available I realised it wasn't pointless to like him? And that it was him that made me break up with Dom, though he doesnt know it? And an even scarier thought, WHAT IF THEY ALREADY DO?

Simple answer: I'd shout an inward string of swear words.

"I'm over Mike now. I need to find a new target."

I laugh. Eloise is such a flirt! She actually picks targets and then they are the one she flirts with, just for fun! It is really fun though...

"How about Louie?" I suggest.

"Louie! Oh yes... I mean, he's not that good looking but did you see him in that leather Jacket? And his voice, God, great choise Poppy!"

So we walked and ran past him all lunch, Eloise twisting her golden-Ginger hair. She was a much better flirt than me. She went up to Harry, Louie's best friend while I was in the toilet and said that I had rage and obsessive needs though! I'm so mad at her for that! We walked up the Ramp to our Tutor Room, me kind off screaming stuff like "OBSESSIVE NEEDS???" and "You said I had RAGE???" but, unfortuneately, Johnny heard this.

"What?"

I looked at him.

"Eloise said to Louie that I had obsessive needs and rage."

Johnny looked at me with a teasing smile.

"Oo-h,Poppy, Do you FANCY Louie?"

"No!"

Eloise stepped forward. I'd forgotten I'd told her.

"No! Eloise! Don't say it!"

I'd Die if Johnny, of all people, Johnny, knew. I'd tell him when I was ready. Hang on, I'll never be ready.

Luckily, Eloise didn't tell him. But he was  mouthing "You fancy Louie!" at me across the room, causing me to mouth "No!" repeatedly at him, but then Barry saw him, and said, "Johnny, You really love Poppy, don't you?"

I wish.