When 17-year-old Rune returns to Blossom Grove, he’s desperate to know why Poppy—the girl he loved and who promised to wait—suddenly stopped talking to him. Her silence broke his heart. But when he finally learns the truth, Rune realizes the pain he’s felt is nothing compared to what’s coming next. What secret could hurt more than goodbye?
“As they’re walking on the beach, in the dark sky above the person’s life is played out for them to see. As each scene is played, like a movie reel, the person notices that two sets of footprints were left in the sand behind them. And as they continued, every new scene brought with it…
This morning when I left her bed, she told me to be ready for ten. She wouldn’t tell me why, or what we were doing, but I did as she asked. She knew I would. As I walked out of my door and down the hallway, I heard the sound of Poppy’s voice. “Hey, little…
I thought of the cherry blossoms in bloom in the grove. I envisioned us sitting under our favorite tree. And, unlike me as it was, I sent a prayer that she would make it that long. Poppy had to see the trees in their full flower. She simply had to hold on that long. “I…
Poppy moved away, allowing me to gather everything else. I followed her to a secluded spot on the far side of the beach, next to the pier. When we stopped, I spotted the post where I had kissed her all those years ago. A strange feeling spread in my chest, and I knew that before…
Poppy opened her mouth to speak, but I shook my head. “No,” I bit out. “Don’t.” Poppy closed her mouth. I closed my eyes, and forced myself to continue. “I went to school, but it wasn’t long before I fell in with people just as pissed at the world as me. It wasn’t long before…
And I don’t love her like I love you… Stepping closer to Poppy, I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “They’re going to find out at some point.” “But not yet,” she said, firmly. I smirked at the determination in her eyes. “But not yet.” “Rune? Get the hell over here, you got some explaining…
I huffed at that reminder. Poppy pushed me until my back was against the tree. I saw students beginning to enter the school, most of them looking at us. The whispers were already beginning. “Would you hurt me, Rune?” Poppy demanded. Defeated by her tenacity, I placed a hand on the nape of her neck,…
Everything faded away as I watched her. Then I closed my eyes. I closed my eyes and let the music take hold of my senses. I let it take me on its journey. As the tempo picked up, the vibrato echoing beautifully off the theater’s walls, I opened my eyes. And the tears came. The…
Poppymin. You know me. Only you know me.” Taking my hand, he laid it over his heart. “You know me, even under this anger, you know me.” He sighed, edging so close that we shared the same air. “And I know you.” Rune paled. “And if we only have limited time, I’m not going to…
I released Poppy’s hands and she grasped my hair. Her laugh began to fade as the kiss grew deeper, and then there was a loud knock on the door. We froze, our lips still joined and our eyes wide open. “Poppy! Time to get up, sweetheart!” Poppy’s daddy’s voice drifted into the room. I could…