Chapter 70

Chapter 39 Grayson My Flower has been a bit... irritable lately. I knew exactly why and maybe egging her on wasn't the best idea, but what could I say? I love bugging the hell out of her, especially if kissing her was what was bothering her. "Grayson, I'm serious," Poppy said. "Stop." "But you're so kissable," I murmured into her neck before kissing it again. "Screw off." I stopped kissing her, looking up at her with a raised eyebrow. "Do you not know what day it is today? And you're seriously telling me to screw off?" "Of course I knew what day it is today," Poppy snapped. "Because you won't shut up about it. You're nineteen now, I get it. You don't have to make a big deal out of it." "Oh, I am so sorry," I said sarcastically. "I never knew that the very first birthday I get to spend with you wasn't a big deal. I'll ask you next time. Or, better yet, I'll tell you to screw off in ten days. How about that?" Tears began filling in Poppy's eyes, causing me to sigh. I really hated this time of the month for her. "You don't have to be so mean about it." "I'm sorry," I said. "Forgive me?" Poppy scooted away from me, crossing her arms over her chest after wiping the tears away. "No. You're my boyfriend and you're supposed to be nice to me." "You're the one who told me to screw off!" Poppy ignored me, getting up from the couch and exiting the basement. I followed her but stopped at the bottom of the stairs leading to the second floor. "You can't ignore me forever!" I called. "Give it four days and you'll regret telling me to screw off!" "Screw off!" Poppy called again, followed by the sound of her door slamming shut. Gene laughed as he walked out of the kitchen. "I'm guessing it's her time of the month?" he asked. "Yes, and I wish it was over," I said. Poppy on her period was basically the most annoying thing ever. She was always telling me to screw off, she hated losing in video games, and even cried when she lost. Sometimes, I had to let her win, but then she figured it out and cried some more. Not to mention she hated kissing me when she was on her period and I hated not being able to kiss her. It was almost as bad as her telling me to screw off. "By the way, your family is coming over soon," Gene said. "Well, minus your parents, of course. Are you fine about that?" I nodded. Sure, it sucked being in a huge argument with my parents on my birthday, but I liked Poppy's parents better. But then Poppy was being overly dramatic on my birthday and that sucked even more. "Your sister said that they're bringing over the cake," Gene continued. "Hopefully, it's chocolate so Poppy could eat some and shut up," I said. Gene chuckled. "You and me both, Grayson." "I'm going to try getting her to calm down," I said before going up the stairs to Poppy's bedroom. She was sitting cross-legged on the bed, punching a pillow. "Need some company?" Her reply was the throw the pillow at me. I sighed walked over and sitting beside her on the bed. "Don't kiss me," she said. "Come on, I didn't come up here just to kiss you," I said. "I wanted to tell you that my brother and sister are going to be here soon?" "And?" "And I would like for you to be calm so you can come downstairs to see them," I finished. "So just take a few deep breaths and you'll be good to go." She picked up her pillow and started beating me with it. "Don't! Tell! Me! What! To! Do!" "Ow, Poppy, stop beating me!" I said. Believe it or not, it actually hurt whenever she beat me with a pillow, which was often. "Not until you screw off!" "I'm not screwing off!" "Screw! Off!" Feeling fed up, I ripped the pillow out of her hands, laid her on her back and pressed my lips onto hers. I knew she didn't like kissing me when she was on her period, but I really needed her to stop telling me to screw off. Surprisingly, Poppy wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, pulling me closer as she kissed me back. I pulled back kept my face close to hers. "Are you done freaking out?" I asked breathlessly. Poppy bit her bottom lip and nodded. "Good." "Grayson! Your family is here!" Gene called. "Want to come downstairs?" I asked. "Later," Poppy replied softly. I nodded, giving her a kiss before getting off of the bed and heading downstairs. When I saw the exact family members that were here, I was very surprised. I was expecting Gale and Graeme. They also brought along Ginny, which I was happy for because I did miss my annoying little sister. But then with them was also my grandma, someone I hadn't seen in years. "Grandma!" I said, giving her a hug. "What are you doing here?" "I wasn't going to miss my favorite grandson's nineteenth birthday," she said with a smile. "Now wait a minute..." Graeme starting objecting, but nobody let him finish. "I was very disappointed when I figured out you moved out," Grandma said with a frown. "I went to my daughter and son-in-law's house to surprise my grandson and then Gale here told me that you live with your father's co-worker." I raised an eyebrow as I looked at Gale. "You told her that I live with Dad's co-worker?" It was true, but I was wondering why she never told Grandma that I was living with my girlfriend and her parents. Grandma furrowed her eyebrows. "So you don't?" "No, I do," I said. "I just wouldn't have worded it like that." Poppy suddenly came down the stairs, looking angry again. "Hey, Flower." "Screw off," she said yet again before heading into the kitchen. I sighed, not even bothering with Poppy before looking at my family. "How about we go sit in the living room?" I suggested. Grandma nodded, so all of us went to the living room. Ginny immediately sat on my lap, which made me miss her a whole lot. The last time I saw her was probably when I moved out. And that was a couple months ago. "So," Grandma said. "How are you, Grayson? Your parents haven't really told me that much about you. In fact, I probably don't know anything new from when I last saw you. Anything new?" I sighed. "A lot. I, um..." I didn't really want to tell her this, but I had to. She was my grandma after all and I loved her. "I have depression. That was one of the reasons I moved out. Dad and I don't really have that great of a relationship." "Oh, Grayson, I'm sorry to hear that," Grandma said. "I wish I was here for you when you were diagnosed with it. When did it happen?" "A few weeks after my Senior year started at school," I said. "It was hard at first, but I have people supporting me through it." "Good," Grandma said. "And don't be afraid to call me if you ever need to talk to someone." Poppy walked out of the kitchen, carrying a bucket of ice cream. And that was my ice cream. We each had our own bucket and we knew not to eat the other's. "Isn't that mine?" I asked her. She looked down at the bucket before looking back at me, tears filling her eyes again. Great, now what was making her cry. "I'm so sorry, Grayson," she said. "I finished my ice cream and my stomach really hurts and this is the only one left and I'm really sorry." I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "Fine, you can eat it. Just... stop crying over little things." "Thank you," she said before walking back into the kitchen. "What's up with her today?" Gale asked. I gave her a look. "Oh." She then smirked. "Are you having fun?" I glared at her. "No. One minute she's fine, then she's telling me to screw off, then she beats me with a pillow, then she's crying and I can't handle it anymore." Graeme smiled as he leaned back in his seat. "Living with girls is always so fun." "So is living with douche bags," Gale shot back. "Kids, I do not need you to start arguing," Grandma said sternly. "Kids?" Graeme repeated. "I'm turning twenty-two." "And I'm turning twenty-four," Gale said. "Then stop acting like you're four," Grandma said. "We are here to celebrate Grayson's birthday. I do not want to hear anymore arguing. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, Grandma," Gale and Graeme both muttered. Grandma smiled. "Great. Now, Grayson. I have a very important question. Does that girl that's eating your ice cream know you're in love with her?" "Uh... What?" "I can see it in your eyes," Grandma said, smiling even wider. "You are in love with that girl, aren't you." "Uh, she's... Did Gale and Graeme even tell you who she is?" I asked. Grandma shook her head. "No. They only told me that you're living with you dad's co-worker with his wife and daughter." "Oh, daughter," I said, glaring at my older brother and sister. "It's nice of you to think that she is just Dad's co-worker's daughter." "I'll tell Grandma," Gale said. "Grandma, that girl in the kitchen is Poppy. She's your future granddaughter-in-law." "No, she's not," I objected. Though that would be nice... "Poppy is..." "Grayson!" Poppy called from the kitchen. "Your ice cream tastes like horse poop!" "Then don't eat it!" I called back. "I need ice cream, though!" I sighed, excusing myself from my family before heading to the kitchen. "I'll take you out for ice cream later," I said. "Can you please come to the living room? My grandma is visiting and I want her to meet you." "Fine," she said. "And don't tell me to screw off." Poppy smiled and kissed my cheek. "When have I ever done that?" Was she serious? "You told me... You know what? Never mind." I led her into the living room. "Grandma, this is Poppy, my girlfriend. Poppy, this is my Grandma." Grandma immediately smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Poppy. Tell me, would you like to hear embarrassing stories about Grayson?" "I'd love to!" Poppy said. "No, you wouldn't," I said. "There's really no embarrassing stories about me. Since you're not feeling good, how about you go have a nap upstairs?" "Don't be silly," Poppy said as she pulled me to the couch. Ginny sat on Poppy's lap because she probably loved my girlfriend more than she loved her own brother. Traitor. "I'm feeling fine." "Then why did you tell me to screw off? I asked. "Five times?" "What are you talking about?" she asked. "I only told you once." I give up. I could never understand her. "So," Grandma said. "I remember this one time; Grayson wore this beautiful fairy dress." "No, not this story!" I begged. "Anyone but this one!" "Grayson, shush, it's not polite to interrupt the elderly," Grandma said. "Anyway, he wanted to put on a show for me, so he wore this pink dress that once belonged to Gale when she was in her dress-up phase. He was twirling around the living room with a sparkly wand and fairy wings and everything." Poppy started laughing, but I was pissed at my Grandma. Out of all my childhood stories, she had to tell that one. "I was a little boy!" "You were eleven," Grandma pointed out. "Eleven?" Poppy asked between giggles. "I wish I could have seen that." I glared at her. "Like you haven't done anything embarrassing. And don't forget that I can always ask your dad or, even better, Tony." Poppy shrugged. "Nothing would be as embarrassing as that!" "I'll have you know that I rocked that dress," I said. It was true. I looked hella sexy in that dress.