**Edited**

Poppy's POV

I happily munched on my cereal as I enjoyed the complete silence my apartment currently had to offer. Kiara didn't come home from her outing last night - as I predicted - so I had the place all to myself until she showed up.

I glanced down at my phone for the first time since I'd woken up. I brought the thing with me from where it was on my bedroom floor, but I had yet to muster up the courage to actually turn it on. I knew the second I did, I would be bombarded with missed calls and text messages. Not willing to give up my peace and solitude just yet, I made a promise to turn in on in five minutes - that would give me enough time to brace myself for what was coming.

Just as I finished my last spoonful of cereal, Kiara made her usual over dramatic entrance. So much for enjoying those full five minutes.

"Girl, what the fuck is going on! I was in the middle of finally getting laid by my man when Knox started blowing my phone up, demanding that I talk some sense into you. Spill!" She exclaimed. My initial reaction was to laugh at her misfortune since the last time she tried having sex with James I was the one who interrupted, but then what she said actually registered in my brain.

"He said what?!" I burst, outraged by the implications of his words. Talk some sense into me? He wanted Kiara to talk some sense into me. Who the heck did he think he was? And if anyone needing some freaking sense talked into them, it was him!

"All I know is that he's pissed as fuck at you. What did you do, Poppy? Wait no, that's not right at all. What did he do that he's now mad about the repercussions? Tell me what happened," she said, rubbing her temples dejectedly as if the situation at hand was stressing her, of all people, out. Well me too, sister.

"I didn't do anything! He lied to me even after I told him that I refused to be in a relationship with secrets. He knew what I expected of him, which isn't even something abnormal to expect, before he agreed. It's not in any way my fault that he thinks he's invincible to rules," I scoffed, shrugging my shoulders and going back to eating my breakfast.

"I can't deal with you two this early. Not before coffee," she muttered while throwing her hands up in the air. Shaking her head, she began walking off to her room, mumbling under her breath.

"Was it any good?" I yelled out, effectively changing the subject and catching her attention once again. I decided that it was time to face the music and held down the power button on my phone, watching the device boot up while I waited for her reply.

"I was so close, Poppy. So close. THIS CLOSE," she yelled while coming back into the kitchen, holding her thumb and forefinger up until they were almost touching, "to having an orgasm. But then my phone started going off and wouldn't stop. He's pretty big though, ya know," she said with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows before pointing towards her pelvic region. I giggled at her antics as she prepared her own breakfast and joined me at the table.

I was again reminded of how nice it was being able to let my guard down and completely be myself around at least one person in my life. It wasn't often that I found someone I was comfortable enough around to do just that, but Kiara had always been that person for me. My attention was torn from her when my phone started buzzing out of control with notifications. I blinked rapidly as I saw the extent of how hard Knox had tried getting ahold of me last night.

212 missed calls. 30 new voicemails. 140 text messages.

Kiara's shocked expression mirrored my own.

"Jesus. I always knew he had it bad for you, but he's, like...obsessed. What did you even say to him?" She asked incredulously, still staring at my flashing phone screen. I groaned heavily with frustration while resting my forehead in the palm of my hand.

"It's a long story, so I'll give you the Sparknotes version. I confronted him when I found out he lied about the whole being in a bar fight thing and he freaked out. Then, I told him it was over because he'd lied to even after I explicitly told him that was one of the three things I wasn't going to tolerate. He then proceeded to get more mad and told me that I wasn't allowed to break up with him. He stormed out before I could get my final word in, so I texted him that he wasn't the only one who got a say in the relationship and that it was over. I didn't even give him a chance to reply because right after it delivered I immediately turned my phone off and went to bed."

She chuckled. "You two are one hot ass mess of a couple. I just want to remind you, though, that anything Knox wants he always finds a way to get it. You know this, Poppy," she stressed. I didn't miss the concerned twinge in her voice.

"You act like I didn't grow up with him, Ki," I grumbled. She emitted another round of laughter before nudging my shoulder, trying to lighten the mood. I decided against calling Knox right away; I needed to think about what I was going to say to him, and I really didn't care if he sat around and let his anger fester.

I picked up my phone and sent a quick text to Corbin telling him he was right about Knox and that he and I weren't going to be together anymore. When he replied that he didn't believe me, I told him I wanted to get together and discuss what it was he was going to tell me about Knox the other day. He responded minutes later with a plan to meet at the same coffee shop we'd visited before.

I was positive the only reason he agreed to meet me was to give me the information I'd asked for. I didn't blame him for his animosity towards me - I could see why he would believe I strung him along, but I did think he could've found a better way to communicate his displeasure that didn't include screaming at me on a public sidewalk. That was neither here or there and what's done is done. I threw on a pair of shorts and faded t-shirt, yelling a quick goodbye over my shoulder to Kiara before heading out.

Entering the coffee shop, I saw Corbin sitting in the same window seat we'd occupied last time. Two drinks sat in front of him, collecting condensation and soaking through the napkin they were sitting on.

"I got you green tea like you had last time. I figured I'd get you another since you left before you could finish it last time," he said with a smile.

"You didn't have to do that, but thank you," I murmured genuinely, returning his friendly smile. I lifted the straw to my lips and took an appreciate gulp of the cold minty goodness after taking a seat.

"So, you two are seriously over?" Corbin abruptly blurted, "because if so, that didn't last long at all," he chuckled. I flinched at the bluntness of his statement but he didn't seem to notice.

"Yeah. I really don't want to get into what happened because that's kind of private, but he did something I didn't agree with and it was one of my deal breakers," I mumbled, not having any interest in talking about the subject further, trying to keep my explanation as vague as possible.

"No shit? What was the deal breaker?" he prodded. I looked at him with an are you serious? expression. Did he not just hear me say that I didn't want to speak about it? I wasn't saying that for fun, but he apparently thought it was just an attempt at building suspense or something.

"Like I said, I don't really want to talk about it. Just know that I am sorry for everything that happened between the two of us. I wasn't sure what my feelings were towards you until I allowed you to kiss me, but once we did I should've told you right away and been more up front. Letting you kiss me and then having a boyfriend the very next day was not...ideal. I understand how awful that must've looked from the outside, and I deeply regret it," I finished, conveying my sincerity in the best way I could.

"The kiss or having a boyfriend the next day?" he questioned instantly.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, caught off guard by the odd question.

"Which one do you regret? Kissing me or kissing me and then having a boyfriend the next day?" he continued, looking me dead in the eyes. My forehead creased and I realized I didn't have an exact answer to his question. Which one did I regret? He gazed at me impatiently as I pondered my answer. I knew what he wanted me to say, but I couldn't bring myself to lie to him just to spare his feelings.

"I'm not entirely sure," I responded honestly, my voice barely above a whisper. He scoffed before scooting his chair back and darting out of the small café. I gaped and stared after him in shock. He hadn't even given me a chance to ask the questions and get the answers that I came here for. I sighed, completely and utterly exhausted from the last two days of whiplash emotions. I was having trouble deciding if all of this was more trouble than it was really worth.

I glanced out the window and caught Knox's friend, Zane, staring at me like he had the night of the party. A dreaded sense of déjà vu washed over me as I watched him look away and begin feverishly typing on his phone. Glancing back up at me, he quirked a single eyebrow up before looking away for the second time. I noticed that he was with a completely different girl than he was when I'd first saw him, something that confused me. From what Kiara's told me in the past, he's more of the commitment type than a "hit it and quit it" kind of guy. I ignored the strange feeling that grew in the pit of my stomach, taking it upon myself to pick up Corbin's empty cup before grabbing my own half-full drink and leaving for a walk around campus.

For a mid-morning Saturday, there sure were a lot of people loitering around like I was. I chalked it up to the fact that it wasn't nearly as hot as it had been recently. I breathed in the fresh air, quickly spotting a beautiful weeping willow in the smack dab center of the campus green space. It's peaceful sight was begging for me to rest underneath it.

A genuine smile graced my face as I sat back against the rough bark, concealed from sight under the trees thick draping of leaves. I leaned my head back against the trunk and people-watched while sipping my chilled tea. I hadn't realized I'd dozed off until I heard a deep, baritone voice shouting angrily from some feet away. I searched for the source until my eyes finally settled upon Knox's huge, angry form. He was seething with anger as he talked with Zane, his tone now hushed enough to not further alarm other passerbys. The pretty red haired girl Zane was with earlier was now nowhere in sight. Despite his now-quiet tone, people all around campus continued to stop whatever it was they were doing to watch the interaction, just as I had. I needing to get going, but I knew better than to step out and reveal my hiding spot until after he'd left. I still wasn't ready to face him in person yet.

Luck, however, wasn't on my side. A giant spider chose that exact moment to crawl up onto my shoe and ascend my leg while I wasn't paying attention. I glanced down once I felt the strange tickle and let out an ear-piercing scream. I scrambled to my feet and stopped the ground around me repeatedly. I felt a guilty pang hit me after I was finished freaking out. I may have killed the innocent little guy, but he picked the wrong girl to use as a jungle gym today; I had the worst case of arachnophobia of anyone I knew.

I squeezed my eyes shut and placed a hand over my racing heart as I tried to calm my erratic breathing. When I finally opened them again I saw Knox making a beeline for me, his eyes narrowed and shoulders rigid with barely contained rage.

I let out a startled squeak before turning to find someplace else to hide. I got about five steps away when I remembered my empty cup that I so carelessly forgot about. Turning back around, I sprinted back and snatched it up before trying to not so obviously run from the brooding man heading straight for me. Not even thirty seconds later a large hand clamped down on my forearm and spun me around.

"Did you seriously turn back around to get an empty cup?" Knox questioned in astonishment and disbelief.

"I didn't want to litter," I grumbled back. He rolled his eyes at me, but I saw the corners of his mouth twitch as he contained a smile that wanted to break free. The moment disappeared moments after it came as he wiped his face of any emotion other than anger.

"Why the fuck didn't you call me back yesterday? Were you too busy fucking around with that little dickhead, Colby?" he sneered, his own words spurring on his anger. I felt throat constrict with emotion at how little he clearly thought of me.

"His name is Corbin and no you butthead! I was sleeping - something most normal human beings do - but it's wonderful to know how highly you think of me!" I shot back before ripping my arm away from him and turning on my heels. I trudged off with my head hung low, the tears I tried so hard to suppress were now clouding my eyes and threatening to slip down my face. I heard him groan loudly behind me before I was stopped in my tracks once again. Spinning me, he cupped my pink-tinged cheeks and swiped away the single tear that was about to slide down my cheek with the pad of his thumb.

"C'mon, Flower, you know that's not what I meant," his murmured, his tone softening considerably.

"Actually, I don't. Contrary to what I used to believe, I really don't know a single thing about you, Knox," I confessed. I could see guilt overtake his anger, making me instantly felt more comfortable in his presence. While I knew he would never raise a hand at me, sometimes his words could cut deeper than knives.

"I know, baby, and I'm so sorry. For everything. Just let me take you home and I swear I'll make this all better," he cooed. I wasn't sure if he was trying to come off as manipulative, but that's the vibe I was getting from his attitude. I didn't want him to make this all better, I wanted him to tell me the freaking truth! I shouldn't have to continue begging and pleading with him to stop keeping secrets from me. With that thought in my mind, I shoved his hands away for the final time and wiped my runny nose with the back of my hand.

"No, Knox. I have no desire to go anywhere with you right now. If I change my mind, I'll let you know," I finalized before turning my back on him and making my way home.