Ashleigh and Low

[low, Color me crazy...]

((Hey, I gotta go, but I'll be back in a while. Byes!!!))

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie decided he'd have to get over Poppy. He called his sister's friend's older sister, who was in his algebra class.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie got off the phone with Sandra. They were meeting at a small diner. He sighed and went to the door. Richie was surprised to see Poppy standing there.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie sighed and moved aside so Poppy could come in. "What's the problem?"

[low, Color me crazy...]

"And what might that be?" Richie asked dryly, walking up the stairs to his room so he could change his clothes.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie froze as he pulled his shirt off. He stepped out of his room and looked down the stairs at Poppy. "*What*?!"

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Like-like a brother though, right? Because you have a boyfriend and all…" Richie said, thinking that that was what she must have meant.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"But… but you love Tom," Richie said, trying to make sense of it all.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"You love… me," Richie said. "I'm confused."

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Okay, let's sit for a minute," Richie said. He put on his old shirt and sat down on the couch in the living room.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"When did this happen? Because just fifteen minutes ago, you insisted that you and Tom were happily in love," Richie said.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"What's Mr. Perfect gonna say? Does he know?" Richie asked.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"You should tell him," Richie said. "Unless you two are gonna keep going out. Which would be fine. I have a date tonight, anyway."

[low, Color me crazy...]

((I gotta go but I'll be back in a while. Byes!!!!!))

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Yeah," Richie said. "Look, you told me you and Tom were happy together, do I figured I needed to get over you."

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie sighed and shut the door. Then, he picked up his phone and called Poppy.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie groaned and dropped the phone onto the couch. Then, he called Sandra and cancelled the date. He decided to drive around town to see if he could find Poppy.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie drove around and finally spotted Poppy at the park. He parked but stayed in the car and texted her: you okay?

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie snorted and typed back: yeah right. Come on, pops. Come sit w/me.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie typed: then I'll sit w/you. I'm coming right now so don't even try to make a run for it.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie got out of the car and strolled over to the bench Poppy was sitting on. He sat next to her. "What's up?"

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Poppy," Richie groaned. "Are you stonewalling me? For real?"

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie squatted in front of Poppy and looked at her. "C'mon… I thought you were madly in love with me," he teased.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"What if I kissed you right now, hmm? Would you stay unresponsive?" Richie said smirking.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie grinned. "Oh you like the thought of that, eh?"

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Hey," Richie said gently. "Would you tell me what's wrong? Please?"

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Please?" Richie repeated softly.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie rolled his eyes. "I'm not a mindreader."

[low, Color me crazy...]

"I cancelled just for you," Richie said.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Of course I like you," Richie said.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Look at me," Richie said.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"You should tell him," Richie said.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Tell Tom your feelings," Richie said. "You don't want to cheat on him, do you?"

[low, Color me crazy...]

"I don't know," Richie said.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"What?" Richie said.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Yeah… d'you want me to come?" Richie asked.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Alright. Why don't you call him?" Richie asked.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"I mean call him to meet you somewhere, you goof," Richie said.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie chuckled.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie tapped a best with his fingers on his leg.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie sat on the bench, listening to Poppy's end of the conversation.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Okay," Richie said. "Just… stay calm and cool. And be nice." He smiled encouragingly at Poppy, hoping Tom wouldn't blow his top.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie nodded. He looked around, the sky was dark now. Richie saw Tom's car pull up.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie glanced at Tom and then at a nervous Poppy.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie stood as well and watched as Tom greeted Poppy. Richie rolled his eyes and plopped back down on the bench.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie smirked at Tom, who had turned to look at him for a moment.

[low, Color me crazy...]

"Nothing, nothing," Richie said in an amused.

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie smiled at Tom, who was glaring at him.

[low, Color me crazy...]

((I gotta go. I'll be back in a while. Byes!!!))

[low, Color me crazy...]

Richie raised a brow at Tom, who looked like he'd been slapped.