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timetravesty · 1 year

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(Queen B Book 3) Say You Love Me Pt. 13

✨Pt.1300018 is here!✨ Please Enjoy!

Context: I'M BACK (at least for this new fic in the new year). Couple of things to note:

I have no writing schedule, everything is in the air

Peep the name change, much cleaner imo, thank you @yslrs 😽If it wasn't clear, this was originally "I'll Forget You Too" and will be "Say You Love Me" from now on.

Hope everyone is having a good new year so far, January felt too long...

Please enjoy! (and ignore any grammar mistakes, it's late 🫠)

Masterlist

General Content Warnings: Mature, Angst, NSFW, Cursing, Internalized Homophobia, Homophobia, Semi-Violence, Cheating, Slow Burn, Don Sterling 🥴(mentioned)

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“Usually the drink doesn’t end up on my shirt, I swear.” Bea commented, leaning against the counter as Lana walked over to the paper towel dispenser. The small click of her heels against the tile seemed fairly loud as she sighed to herself.

That also sounded pretty damn loud.

The two had walked quickly to the nearest bathroom, ducking away from the large groups of people until they were both completely alone. She grabbed a few towels, pointedly looking at the floor as she returned to where Bea was standing.

Okay, so this was not the time for jokes.

A few seconds of silence passed, some off tune beat vibrating from the club as Bea’s hands gripped the counter, knuckles turning white. In the silence, Bea hadn’t gotten a good look at Lana, who was wearing a striking silver dress with small pearl earrings. Bea guessed she was attending some kind of company event, but she coudln’t be sure. A nightclub was a weird place for an event.

It also didn’t help the fact that, if they were having a company event, Bea was wildly underdressed. A black tee now well-covered in two types of alcoholic drinks.

Bea tapped a finger against the counter.

“Lana-”

“Bea-”

They spoke at the same time, Lana finally looking up at Bea and smiling sheepishly. Not a typical look for her.

“Sorry, you can go first.” She murmured, gently dabbing the towels against Bea’s soaked shirt. Alcohol stains were definitely not going to be cleaned out by a dab of a brown paper towel.

“Thanks. I wanted to say I’m… glad I ran into you.”

“Really? How come?”

Bea swallowed hard. It felt like a giant jawbreaker was stuck in her throat and obviously, now was not the time to be a chicken.

“Cause I’ve made a mistake.” Bea admitted, heart thumping in her ear as Lana stopped dabbing her towel. “What I told you last week, I was a huge jerk…”

“More like a massive jackass.”

Bea grimaced. “...I was being a massive jackass. What I told you-”

Quickly, Lana placed her finger against Bea’s lips, shushing the girl. “Bea. I don’t want to hear a million excuses. Please be honest with me.” Lana took a deep breath. It seemed like she wanted that out of her system for a while.

The overhead light in the bathroom gleamed above, lightly displaying the red rims under Lana’s eyes as she looked at Bea silently. A little too puffy to be claimed as simple allergies. She had obviously been upset for the past few days which led to Bea pushing the dread in her stomach down. Lana dropped her arm, resuming dabbing at Bea’s shirt as Bea thought of the best way to word her thoughts.

Being honest shouldn't be so hard.

“I said I don’t date, which is kinda a half-lie. What I really meant was…while we both work under Poppy, she would make both of our lives a living hell if anything….” Bea gestured between the two of them. Lana’s eyes widened in curiosity, probably turning over this new info in that gorgeous head of hers.

Bea waited patiently, feeling a slight pressure lifted off her shoulders. It felt good to admit something honest to Lana. It felt weird though, to even reference Poppy by name when all Bea had done lately is avoid the very thought of her.

“But why would she even care?”

Cause she was bent on making Bea move back to SweetCreek and stay a nobody in that small town and possibly make her pick up pig goop for the rest of her life, all because of what happened at Belvoire. But she couldn't admit that to Lana without a whole sob story to follow. A pathetic sob story.

So she worked with what she could.

“Okay, honest truth, Poppy and I… we’ve got history. As in, she hated my guts in college.”

Lana barked a laugh, smiling to herself as Bea raised a sharp brow. “That’s funny to you?”

“I mean… I can see why. You seem like the complete opposite of Poppy. Though, you two went to the same college?”

“Yea, Belvoire… Can we back up for a second? You’re not pissed at me?” Lana laughed again.

“Of course I am, but you’re just so adorable.” She mumbled, finally tossing away the paper towels and returning her gaze to Bea. Her emerald green eyes sparkled just a little, as she reached out her palm, letting it rest on top of Bea’s knuckles, which were still white from gripping the counter. “I’m glad you’re finally willing to be honest with me at least. Though when you say you’ve got history…”

“We were just college rivals!” Bea answered quickly, hopefully not too quickly. “There’s like a whole history on Belvoire that is way too detailed to tell in a nightclub bathroom but-“

Lana broke into laughter, cutting Bea off as she gripped her stomach. Bea watched her before breaking into a few chuckles of her own. Lana’s laugh was infectious. A couple of seconds later, Lana wiped a few stray tears from her eyes as she smiled brightly at Bea. “Sorry, sorry. It’s just this whole thing… What’re we doing Bea?”

“Trying to get the alcohol stains out of my shirt?” Bea tried, causing Lana to break into a small grin.

“Okay that, but also… Why are we acting like we’re in high school? Poppy hated your guts in college, but we’re all adults now.”

Poppy probably didn’t have the same mindset, but Bea wasn’t going to argue with Lana. Especially because she was standing so close and smelled so good.

“Think we can just put this all behind us? Start over?”

Bea grinned brightly. No way would she be able to make herself look cool after thinking about Lana constantly for the past week. Mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

“I’d like that, I’d hate to continue being a massive jerk in your eyes for longer than a week.”

“You‘ll still be a massive jerk until you take me out on a date next Friday.” Lana said casually, never breaking eye contact with Bea who felt a chill run down her spine.

“Wait, really?”

Lana nodded confidently. “My contract with Pulse was terminated. You’re looking at the new junior model for Belle.”

“Which means that-“

“It means that I will also be working under Poppy, and since she apparently has ‘beef’ with you, we have two options.” Lana held up two fingers. Perfectly manicured nails that she waved slightly in the air to keep Bea’s attention.

“We can tell HR and deal with the madness that follows or we can wait until your contract with her is up.”

“…Seriously? You’d go to HR?” Bea asked as Lana nodded with resolve. She had moved herself a bit closer to Bea, smiling fondly as she kept her hand over Bea’s knuckles.

“I would because like I said, you owe me a date.”

Bea bit her lip, running through the options in her head. HR would be a mess. Not only would it be a problem for Kat, Poppy would probably be even more nit picky and bossy due to reasons Bea refused to name.

Yet her job under Poppy should only last until the early months of next year. Bea had been kept as a secret for much longer before.

“It’s only a year. I don’t think telling HR would be necessary. Especially since I’m just an external party.”

“Then it’s settled.” Lana smiled, the first genuine smile that Bea hadn’t seen in awhile. She wanted to possibly lean in, finally know what Lana tasted like, but a first kiss in a club bathroom would not only be embarrassing but possibly the most un-smooth thing Bea could do.

Also, Lana deserved more than a messy bathroom kiss. She deserved more than being a random hookup or a secret too, but the last one was out of Bea’s hands at the moment.

“Earth to Bea.” Lana said, snapping her fingers as Bea shook her head gently. That thought would have to wait. She didn’t screw it up, Lana was still here. Still standing with a slight lean towards Bea who was fighting the urge to reach out.

“Sorry, just lost in thought.”

“About?”

“…About where I get to take you on Friday.”

—————————————————————————

“Holy shit…” Bea mumbled, clicking the light on in Poppy’s bathroom and closing the door with her foot.

Bea had assumed she would need to beg hard to even get into this section of Poppy’s room, but it was safe to say the blonde was a little worn out after several rounds.

Bea glanced around the bathroom. It was average, gold lining, large walk-in shower and of course the biggest mirror Bea had ever seen in her life.

There was a scatter of makeup products as well. All surprisingly organized to perfection.

Bea rubbed the back of her neck, stretching slightly before pulling her hand away. Small traces of blood lined her fingertips as Bea turned her back towards the mirror.

“HOLY SHIT!” She hissed out when she finally saw the mess that Poppy had made of her back. Bea was right to comment on her claws as they had probably made a permanent indent on the skin of bea’s back.

She couldn’t lie and say she wasn’t a bit proud of that. Poppy seemed to have a good time, even though she would probably deny it to the grave.

Smirking to herself, Bea tidied herself up, walking out of the pristine bathroom a few minutes later to find Poppy sitting upright in the bed.

Her covers were loosely draped around her waist as she was currently holding a silver compact mirror. Her head was angled to expose her neck, rubbing slender fingers over the skin as she didn’t bother to acknowledge Bea’s presence.

Jumping on the bed was a big no. She could already tell as Poppy snapped the mirror shut just as Bea crossed her line of vision.

“God, you’re still here? I thought I told you to leave already?”

“Was that before or after you were-“ Poppy held up a hand, rolling her eyes as Bea leaned down to pick up her discarded jeans. Poppy was not kind to the denim.

“Leave SweetCreek. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Bea smiled, licking her lips as she casually threw on her pants, humming to herself as Poppy glared at Bea. She took her time slipping on her jacket too, wondering how impatient she could make Poppy.

“Alright, alright… I just wanted to say goodnight.” Bea smiled, facing Poppy who looked a little less irritated when Bea caught her staring.

That quickly changed back into her sour demeanor as Bea walked a step closer. That probably wasn’t wise as Poppy subtly straightened herself upright from her previously casual slant.

“Thanks for a good time, Poptart. I’ve got a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other soon.”

“You so wish.” Poppy bit back, narrowing her eyes as Bea laughed to herself.

She really shouldn’t admit it… but she really was wishing for it.

“Have a good night.” Bea smiled, turning towards the door, before a brilliant idea popped in her head. Bea walked up to Poppy’s bay window, undoing the lock as she heard a mutter of confusion behind her.

The storm had finally settled down, allowing Bea to open the window to a cool breeze with only hints of mist. IIt was a nice night, especially after such an active storm.

“What do you think you’re-“

Bea peered down the bay window, blocking Poppy out while she was probably shouting profanities at Bea’s turned back. Oh yea, she could climb that.

“Try not to think of me too much while I’m gone.” Bea said with a confident lilt, winking at Poppy as she ducked herself down, climbing down the vine that grew against the Zeta House.

The last thing Bea heard was a couple of curse words from Poppy’s window before finally hitting the ground, luckily not tumbling into the rose bushes below.

She obviously needed to make a cool getaway entrance which was achieved. As stupid as it could have looked…

Securing on her shoes, Bea walked off, humming to herself as she made her way to her dorm. What a night…

Bea could hardly believe it either. A girl’s night turning into sleeping with her mortal enemy? A week ago, it was a foreign concept to even think of fooling around with Poppy.

But of course, she had to admit that she had thought of it before. It was Poppy after all. She wasn’t the Queen B for nothing. Besides being a conniving bitch, she was possibly the hottest person at Belvoire.

Bea could admit it, especially after….

Shaking her head, Bea slapped herself mentally. What she wouldn't do is romanticize the whole thing. Poppy was bad news. Even though she had said all those cocky and confident phrases, Zoey would have her head for even messing around with Poppy for a night. Which is probably why Bea would be keeping this info to herself for the time being.

She ran home, memories of only a few hours running through her mind all the way to her doorstop. Sliding her shoes against the doormat, Bea slowly turned her key into the handle, creaking the door open softly, before breathing a sigh of relief.

Her dorm was pitch black, Zoey’s door completely closed as Otis slept in his small doggy bed next to the couch. Bea tip-toed inside, setting her shoes near the door as she passed Otis and made her way into her room, only for her light to be turned on and Zoey to spin around in her desk chair like some evil super villain.

“Well well well.” She said, uncrossing her legs as Bea caved her shoulders in. Busted.

“Look what the cat dragged in. Do you know what time it is?”

“...one…”

Zoey glared.

“...two…”

“Four in the morning Bea. I send you out looking like a snack to go meet Poppy in some swanky nightclub and you come back home at four in the morning.” Zoey stood from her chair, wearing a set of green silk pajamas as she tapped her foot against Bea’s carpet.

“Care to explain?”

It would likely be easier to tell Zoey that she had fallen prey to the wiles of Poppy MIn-Sinclair. But easier did not mean smarter.

“Hey, you know the story. Good looking bartender and a really good drink pun.” Bea shrugged, shrugging out of her jacket before, pausing as she heard an audible gasp from Zoey.

“Shit dude, was the bartender part werewolf?? Your back looks horrifying.” Bea blushed, taking the jacket off completely as she grinned as best as she could.

“Guess my puns weren’t all she liked.” Zoey gave her a deadpan stare, probably contemplating whether she was telling the truth as she tapped her slipper impatiently.

“Uhuh, and what happened to Poppy during the night?”

“She disappeared early, probably off to suck tongues with her new boyfriend.” Bea stated. This lying thing was coming out a little too smoothly.

A moment of silence passed as Bea stood awkwardly in her room, before nodding. “Fine, it’s believable. Just don’t give me a heart attack like that again. I called like five times and I was ready to accuse Poppy of first degree murder.”

“Sorry babe, won’t happen again.” Zoey smiled, walking past Bea and out of her room.

“You owe me dinner.” She called out as Bea yelled back in agreement before hearing Zoey’s door close and the sound of her whale noises resume.

Closing her own door, Bea mumbled out a groan, throwing her coat on her bed and walking towards the bathroom.

A cold shower was a necessity after the night she had.

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“Four missed calls from your father and three calls from Don Sterling.” Tevon said, reading off of his ipad as Poppy nursed a headache.

After that…fiasco of a party, she had returned to her penthouse and broke out the good wine…and brandy and some scotch as well. That was what her weekend included. Work, sleep, wine, brandy, scotch, and sushi. She had forgotten weekends were not as long as they felt.

Come Monday, she had woken up late and was in the office at lunch time, forcing Tevon to wolf down his tuna sandwich and read her the new list of tasks she needed to complete minus four hours.

“A meeting with a new journalist, a meeting with Paula Husk for an interview as well as the New York Pressed, and a tailoring at four.” He said, peering over his ipad as Poppy hadn’t lifted her head once.

“Ms. Min-Sinclair? I don’t mean to be blunt, but you look like you’re dying at your desk.” He said as Poppy looked up, not even bothering to hide the fact she had dark circles under her eyes.

“Tevon, I asked for an update, not an opinion.” She said, waving him off as she tapped her nail against her desk.

“Push the tailoring to tomorrow, and move the interview to next week. As for Don… what does he want now?”

“He said he wants to reschedule dinner on Thursday. Something about being interrupted previously.”

“...tell him Thursday doesn’t work for me.”

“He also said Friday would be better for him.”

Poppy scoffed. Of course he did. “Fine, Friday is fine.”

“And your father?”

“Ignore him.” Poppy mumbled, turning on her monitor and clicking it to life. “Also, call Rensler and schedule a meeting with Bea Hughes.” She said as she typed in her password. “But tell her to come to my office. I have a few comments on the latest layout changes.”

Tevon nodded, leaving Poppy’s office a second later, right as she left her head hit the table again.

She shouldn’t have had so much to drink last night. She wasn’t entirely sure what made her drink so much in the first place. Sure, she was a little… miffed about the whole Bea situation, but that was hardly a reason to drink herself into a stupor.

Bea had pissed her off plenty of times during their Belvoire days. It was the same thing everytime. Even two years couldn't change the way Bea made her skin boil.

Right as Poppy lifted her head, probably to reposition her head, the phone connected to Tevon’s rang, causing her to jump. Poppy cleared her throat, straightening her jacket as she clicked accept.

“Poppy Min-Sinclair speaking.”

“Good afternoon Ms. Min-Sinclair. I’m a reporter for the New York Pressed and wanted to confirm our meeting for tomorrow?”

Poppy raised a sharp brow, looking over at her door where Tevon was likely sitting. “Yes, I’m sorry, didn’t my assistant already confirm your appointment?”

“Yes ma’am, but here at the Press, we like to have direct confirmation with our interviewee.”

“I see… well in that case, yes, I look forward to meeting with you Ms… I don’t think I caught your name?”

“Oh right, Burnett. Carol Burnette. I look forward to our meeting Ms. Min-Sinclair.”

The line went dead as Poppy hung up the phone, lips pursed at the reporter's name. Carol Burnette… that name was oddly familiar. Before she could think any longer, Poppy felt a sharp pang hit her head, causing her to wince.

“Tevon! Could you please bring some Advil and some water?” She asked through the speaker of her office phone, allowing her head to drop once more.

-------------------------------------------------

“Bea Hughes.” Bea said, tapping her foot restlessly as Tevon clicked away on his computer. The man was quiet, focused on his work as he smiled up at her. It was a well-practiced secretary smile.

“I’ll tell Ms. Min-Sinclair you’re here. Please take a seat.”

“Thanks.” Bea moved towards the waiting chairs, setting her bag down as Tevon left the room, walking into Poppy’s large solo office as she breathed out a sigh of release.

In reality, Bea hadn’t expected to see Poppy as soon as a few days later.

After the sudden bump in the club, the reconnection with Lana, and a very tired Bea looking up great date spots over the weekend, she wasn’t sure if she could handle the Min-Sinclair wrath.

But here she was.

Dressed in casual black jeans and a button down top, ready to attend to her client’s every need. Which was a lot. The majority of her weekend consisted of checking over designs and emails from Poppy about the layout and timing.

She was adamant about finishing this project at lightning speed it seemed.

“Ms. Hughes? Ms. Min-Sinclair will see you now.” Tevon called, snapping Bea out of her thoughts as she nodded. Standing up, Bea approached the large double doors, opening one as the light hit her straight in the eye.

While they hadn’t discussed what Poppy’s personal office would look like in the new building, Bea had assumed it would be as big and bright as her current space. A better view as well considering her current layout only overlooked other buildings.

Poppy was currently sitting in her large leather chair, spinning on the wheels slightly as she typed away on her fancy keyboard. Her hair was perfectly framed around her face, not a strand out of place, but oddly enough she was wearing a pair of dark rimmed glasses.

Bea pursed her lips, walking into the office as Poppy’s hands stopped their movement.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Min-Sinclair.” Bea said, watching Poppy push herself away from the keyboard to look at Bea in the eyes. Or at least she assumed considering how dark her shades were.

“I’m not sure how good of an afternoon it is, Hughes.” She mumbled back, reaching into one of her desk drawers as Bea took a seat from across her desk.

Poppy was... noticeably clumsier today. Bea could see the mess of papers across her desk, the pens scattered across, and a bottle Advil almost tipped over. There was also the fact that Poppy's coat was just draped over her desk and not hung up neatly in the closet near the corner.

Poppy shuffled around in her drawer, pulling out a stack of papers as she sighed heavily. “Look, I called you in today to briefly go over some of the new design choices. I’m not really in the mood for a full blown session, but my secretary can-”

“Are you feeling alright?” Bea blurted out, stalling her hand from slapping over her mouth as Poppy looked up.

“Excuse me?” She asked, scrunching her brows from what Bea could tell.

“Sorry, you’re just… wearing sunglasses inside.”

“What I wear inside my own building is none of your concern, you-.” Poppy snapped, before drawing back, clearing her throat and tapping a sharp nail to her desk.

“I’m fine.” She ended, taking off her glasses a moment later as Bea nodded in compliance. She was definitely not fine if the bags under her eyes were any indication. It looked like she was auditioning for a local punk band.

“Now, can we carry on with business?”

“Yes, of course….” Bea paused, reaching for her bag as Poppy resumed shuffling through her papers. “...you know whenever I’m hungover, I always drink some powerade.” Bea said as she pulled out her laptop.

Poppy sighed, casting a blank stare over at Bea who was humming to herself. “I’m not hungover.” She stated, feeling the thought of a fight rather draining. She was extremely hungover.

“I didn’t say you were. I said when I’m hungover, I drink powerade.” Bea stated, placing her laptop on the desk as she looked up at Poppy.

Call her crazy, but with everything working out with Lana, her job, heck, even being in Poppy’s company, something seemed a little brighter.

Poppy scoffed. “That never worked for me. You know-” She paused.

You know I tried it at Belvoire.

“Energy drinks are unhealthy.” She said, flipping the idea away as she cleared her throat and pointed at her monitor. “Now, back to business.”

Bea could have figured how that sentence would have ended, but they had promised they wouldn't pry. They wouldn't discuss the past and would only focus on the future, besides, she had at least tried to do her good deed for the day.

“Right, I was looking over these designs…”

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Poppy spun in her chair, tapping her nails against the arm as her phone rang for the sixth time. She knew who it was, but she still wouldn’t feel inclined to answer.

Bea had left over an hour ago. It seemed she was in a better mood than she had been for the past few days. Poppy wasn’t sure why.

Stopping her chair mid spin, Poppy reached for the powerade she had asked Tevon to bring her. She had forgotten about this home remedy that…Bea had once told her about.

It felt like years ago and it was, but saying it was only two years made Poppy feel a million times older. The last time she saw Bea, in her mind, was at least a decade long.

She took a tentative sip, recoiling at the sudden burst of taste. When Bea said it worked for her hangovers, Poppy assumed that was because she probably recoiled from the taste versus the electrolytes helping.

Though, she distinctly remembered a certain cup that Bea would always carry around, filled with red liquid. She was always the hyper type.

The phone paused its ringing, allowing Poppy to take another sip of her drink before the ringing resumed. She set the drink down, finally pulling out her phone and accepting the call.

“Poppy, I’ve called several times.” Piers shouted through the line as Poppy stood up from her chair, walking over to her floor length window as she took a deep breath.

“I apologize, I was just in a company call.”

Piers grumbled through the line, something about ungratefulness and pride, before her cleared his throat. “I’m assuming you received a calling card from Don recently?”

Of course her father was interested in Don Sterling's pursuits and nothing else. Certainly not the fact that Poppy’s newest issue was a few weeks from release.

“I have, we’re having dinner this Friday.” Poppy commented, hearing her father huff in pride.

“Good! Good! I’m calling because I want you to invite Don to the Leighton-Sinclair Golf Club Tournament next month.”

Poppy crossed her arms over her chest, walking over to the phone and picking it up. “The golf tournament you wouldn’t even invite mother or I too?”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“You want me to invite Don?”

“Poppy, is the reception at your office bad? You heard what I said.”

“I don’t think that’s the best idea…” Poppy stated as Piers let out a hearty evil chuckle.

“Nonsense. I think it’s a marvelous idea! Your mother is looking forward to it. You know how much she loves Don.”

“It’s almost as if she should be wooing him instead.” Poppy snapped back, scrolling through her computers calendar as her father released an awkward mumble.

“Now Poppy, you know Don is a highly respectable man. Handsome too, wouldn’t you say?”

She didn’t exactly know how to answer that. Don Sterling was handsome in the sense that most modern movie stars were. Conventionally attractive, but nothing else.

“He’s a good man and he’s certainly brilliant.”

Living off of his father’s fortune took a lot of brain power according to Piers.

Poppy didn’t bother to answer, scrolling her calendar to next month only to see a large strip of purple over the weekend of the tournament.

“I already asked Tevon to clear your schedule for that weekend. So that you’ll have time to fly out to Colorado and spend a relaxing weekend with your family.” Piers stated as Poppy mentally calculated how much to take out of Tevon’s bonus for this betrayal.

“Dad, I don’t-”

“Poppy, it’s settled. Invite Don when you see him this Friday.” Her father stated with an air of authority felt even through the phone line.

Poppy kept a fist glued to her desk, nodding as she closed her eyes. “Of course, dad.”

“Perfect, goodbye Poppy.” He hung up before she could even muster a fake reply.

Setting down her phone, she took a seat in her chair, slumping a little low as her forehead hit the desk with a rather loud thump.

A date with Don, more meetings with Bea Hughes, a magazine release week, and now a doomed and inevitable mini-vacation with her parents.

Reaching for the powerade, Poppy took a swing, similar to how she had taken down shots only a night before. Maybe it wouldn’t cure the hangover, but it certainly could drown out something.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Red? Black? Purple?” Bea asked, shifting between hangers as Zoey casually scrolled through her phone.

“Red is hot, blue brings out your eyes, and black is a no-go.” Zoey commented as Bea gave her a pleading look.

“Zo, c’mon. You gotta help me here, I’m not sure what to wear.”

“Bea.” Zoey said in her most dead-pan voice. “It’s one date, not marriage.”

“It’s not just one date!” Bea smiled, thinking of how many ways she could attempt to woo Lana in less than 120 hours. “It’s Lana, and she’s-”

“Gorgeous, kind, unbelievably sexy? You told me and I stalked her picta. You definitely have a type.”

Bea shrugged, casting a glance over at Zoey who was still browsing on her phone. “Even though I said I wouldn't talk about she who won’t be named, Lana is nothing like Poppy.”

“Except they’re drop dead gorgeous, both fairly smart as much as I hate to compliment the devil, and weirdly attracted to you.”

Bea scoffed, pulling away with a beige checkered blazer. “Rude, you know I’m hot.”

“I think you think you’re hot. You’re attractive, sure, but it’s a little unheard of for two drop-dead girls going after your gay ass.”

“I guess I’m just living the gay dream. And not even a comment about my stellar personality?” Bea remarked as Zoey rolled her eyes.

Zoey laughed, swaying to her feet and taking the beige jacket from Bea. “Tell you what, I help you with this outfit, and then you tell me about your new boss.”

“Zo…”

“No Bea, I’ve been on tour for months. I deserve a touch of drama, I mean for heaven’s sake, the most drama I got these past months was someone constantly stealing Peter’s sandwich.”

“That was probably you.”

“Maybe, but not the point. The point is, I wanna hear what our old rival has been up to for these past few years.”

“You’re out of luck then. She’s as dry as a well.”

“That can't be true. Poppy always had a flair for dramatics.”

Bea moved to sit where Zoey had been, stretching her leg as other customers bustled around the store. “It’s the truth. Sometimes, she’ll be completely chill and then she’ll just…snap.”

“Snap like, hot snap or bitchy snap?”

“Second one.”

“Ouch.”

Rubbing her palms over her jeans, Bea thought back onto recent conversations with Poppy. As much as she might want to find some common ground, the way everything had ended was a complete mess. Bea wasn't sure if there was even a ground to reach.

It felt a little too much like falling without end.

“Point is, I probably only have to work with her till the end of this year and maybe a little longer, but after that, we’re done.”

Zoey paused her shuffling through the racks, tapping her heel to the beat of some upbeat pop song, which was coincidentally her own. “...In a way, it’s a little depressing huh?”

“What? What’s depressing?”

“Poppy I guess. Like, she made this whole empire with Belle and stuff, all for her to have a stick wedged up her-” A mother walked by, covering her child’s ears as Zoey corrected herself. “Handbag.”

Turning with a gray plaid fitting blazer, Zoey smiled sheepishly as she set the blazer down on a nearby automann. “Like, in Belvoire, she was a mess too, and even out of Belvoire? She’s still the same Poppy.”

“What am I supposed to do about that?” Bea snapped a little too quickly as Zoey raised a sharp brow, returning to the clothing rack.

“I’m not saying you’re supposed to do anything. I’m saying that Poppy was a bitch in college and she’s a bitch now. Seems like nothing has changed.”

Bea kept quiet, staring at the marble floor as Zoey cooed at various outfits. Zoey had never… know the full extent of Poppy and her relationship. She knew it happened, she knew Bea was a mess for awhile, but she didn’t know much else.

Mostly because of all the shit that went down during Belvoire, but also the fact that Bea kept most of it private. While she didn’t have to worry about Poppy spewing anything, Bea didn’t think she needed to say anything either.

In the simplest way she could put it, Poppy and Bea’s relationship was their own. It was hers as much as it was Poppy’s. It was private because they kept it that way and even though it was never an official thing, it was still theirs.

“See why I don’t want to talk about it now?” Bea asked as Zoey smirked.

“I mean, a small sliver in me was hoping you’d come back with more interesting news than just Poppy hasn’t changed one bit, but yes, I get it.”

Zoey walked back over to Bea, patting her firmly on the head as Bea squirmed away. “Now come on Casanova, it’s time to actually start getting ready for your date, and in your eyes, the rest of your life.”

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세계의 끝까지

#poppy min sinclair #poppy x mc #mybeahughes #queen b choices #queen b 3 #playchoices #time for that five months break now/j

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