Evan turned away as if listening to her, before turning, shoving her to the side, and punching Francis in the side of the face.
"Evan, stop it!" Poppy pulled him backward, her hands on his shoulders. "What is the matter with you?"
Evan shoved her off but turned away from Francis. "Fine. Fine! Let's go inside. Come on, Poppy." Poppy hesitated, looking between Francis and Evan. She sighed and then kneeled beside Francis, offering him a hand.
She gave him a small smile and rolled her eyes. "Craw, you're face-down in the lawn outside my house after getting your ass handed to you by my boyfriend. I think you do kinda need my pity." She offered her hand again. "Come on, get up." "Poppy! Come on!" Poppy ignored him, her eyes on Francis, waiting for him to respond.
He turned his head, glaring at her with fierce eyes before toughing it out and getting up on his own. For him, it was painful, but he said nothing.
She looked up at him and sighed before straightening up herself. "I'll see you in class," she said quietly, turning on her heel to return to her house.
When Poppy came into class the next day, she seemed weary. Her shoulders were tense, and she had dark circles under her eyes from a lack of sleep.
Francis sat uncomfortably at his desk. There was a bruise on the side of his face, and it seemed that any way be was sitting it would still be painful.
She slid into her desk and put the bag on her table. She was quiet for a moment before sighing. "Are... Are you doing okay?"
"I'm fine," he said sharply, before leaning into hand and speaking with a mumble. "I'm just lucky he doesn't have as strong of a kick as I do."
She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ach. Look, I'm sorry about yesterday. It wasn't supposed to happen."
