My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 16

"I believe you, Delilah," she said, "Sorry for being weird. Poppy is still just a bit of a sore spot for me."

"No worries. I get it," I reassured Sydney.

I knew that I was going to be heading over to Poppy's after work, so I would be able to check and see if she was truly upset over my slip up calling her by my nickname I had for her.

As I was about to leave, Poppy called me.

"Ugh," she said, "My brother and his girlfriend are sleeping over at the apartment tonight. Apparently, she got into a fight with her family."

"You can come to my house," I said to Poppy, "My mom is out and won't be home until very late most likely."

"Are you sure?" Poppy asked me.

"Of course, you're more than welcome."

"Thanks, Delilah. I'll be there soon."

"Sorry about my slip up at work, calling you 'Poptart'. Are you upset about it?"

"No, not at all," Poppy chuckled, "I actually thought it was pretty cute, I just saw the look on Sydney's face."

"Yeah, she questioned me about it. But she believed me when I said it was the first time calling you that."

"Good. That's a relief."

Poppy showed up at my house a half hour later, and she seemed thrilled to see Penelope.

"I think you're more excited to see my cat than me," I laughed.

"Oh, stop it," Poppy said, and she leaned over and kissed my cheek, "You know that's not true."

My face grew warm from the sweet gesture of Poppy kissing my cheek. She hadn't done that before.

"I hope you didn't mind that," Poppy said to me.

"It was really sweet, actually," I smiled at Poppy.

Later on in the night, I ordered a pizza for Poppy and I to share, and she said to me as we ate sitting on my bedroom floor, "I'm not a fan of my brother's girlfriend, Lizzie. She's kind of a cunt."

"If you want to avoid her, you can sleep over here," I suggested.

Very unlike me.

"Really, I could stay over?"

I nodded, "Sure, why not?"

I realized that with Poppy sleeping over, she was going to see me with no makeup on. That is a big insecurity, as I feel like I don't look attractive without my heavy eyeliner and lashes.

Poppy and I each washed our faces in my bathroom, and of course, she still looked stunning without makeup. Her olive toned skin was clear as could be.

She waited for me in my room to finish washing my face, and when I walked back in I said, "I don't let people see me without makeup on. Ever. So you should feel honored."

Poppy was sitting on my bed, and I sat down next to her.

I turned to face her, and she looked into my eyes.

"You're just as beautiful without makeup. If not more," Poppy said, and she reached over to gently tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. Her soft hand brushed my cheek as she did so.

Electricity ran through my veins from even that light touch from Poppy.

"I mean it," Poppy continued, "You shouldn't feel insecure without makeup. Especially not around me."

I took Poppy's hand in mine and said, "Thank you, Poppy. That really means a lot to me."

Poppy nodded and smiled at me, while giving my hand a gentle squeeze.