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Everything had been a little weird between the best friend group since Padraig had kissed Poppy on the ice during the winter festival. Sure, she had said that everything was okay and after he'd gotten over his embarrassment at her not immediately returning his feelings, everything had seemed like it was back to normal. But everything wasn't. Pad would catch her glancing at him during classes sometimes and her hair would always turn a little pink. One time their hands brushed at lunch and her skin turned a vivid pink. He would often feel his heart beating in his ears whenever they were together, yet both of them seemed to be making sure not to be alone together, often pulling Zoe between them. They never discussed what happened on the ice, and for a while, that seemed to be the way things were going to be. Right before they left school for the summer, Poppy approached him to talk, but then everything got busy and they never had the chance to talk just the two of them. Padraig couldn't let that go all summer. It took him a while, but he finally built up the courage.

One night he texted Poppy and said that he still had feelings for her and when he kissed her on the ice, he should have asked permission first, but he wanted to kiss her again. Then he asked her out on a date, like a proper date, He'd been nervous as hell when he sent that text, but she responded almost immediately and said yes. The two of them planned to meet at the ice cream parlor in Diagon Alley and set the time and date. On the morning of the date, Paddy woke up early and spent an agonizing amount of time going through his closet. Should he go formal? Most first dates were formal affairs, right? He dressed in a suit, then changed. They were going to an ice cream parlor, so not super fancy. A pair of jeans and a tee shirt? He asked his sister for her opinion and Xeno had just shrugged. Vee was no help either. Finally he settled on a relaxed look, but not too relaxed. He dressed in a white shirt with a red button up over it, unbuttoned of course. Then he paired it with a pair of tan cargo shorts and his Chuck Taylors. There, that looked good right? On his way out, he cut a fresh lily to bring with him to offer to Poppy.

Arriving at the ice cream parlor, Padraig realized he arrived too early and he began to pace nervously outside of the establishment. This date needed to go well, not only because he had feelings for Poppy, but also because she was one of his best friends. If things didn't go well, it would torpedo their friend group. They'd been friends since first year and if things got awkward between him and Poppy... that would be bad for their best friend core. Drawing in a deep breath, he did his best to calm himself down. She wouldn't have agreed to a date if she didn't have feelings for him too, right? If she didn't also like him, she'd have let him down softly so that he knew she only liked him as a friend. But she'd agreed. She wasn't doing this because she was too nice, right? God, he hoped not. He couldn't let himself spiral. This was going to go well... it had to. Trying to relax, he leaned against the building to wait for Poppy to arrive.

It felt like he'd been waiting forever, but that could just be his nerves talking, or maybe it wasn't? He checked his watch, then sighed. No, it was definitely his nerves talking. He was still early. But what if she decided not to come? They'd been dancing around talking about their feelings for each other, so maybe she'd gotten cold feet? A voice cut through the crowd and straight through the fog in Paddy's brain. It said his name in Poppy's voice. There she was, dressed in black and purple dress and looking absolutely stunning as always. Gosh, she's so beautiful, he thought to himself and a dopey smile crossed his lips. "H...hey Poppy," he said, his voice breaking a little. A blush colored his cheeks when she got to him and he took a breath to try and calm himself a little bit. His heart was beating in his ears again, seemingly so loud, and his stomach was aflutter with butterflies. "Oh, I uh, brought this for you," he said, producing the lily that he brought from the garden at home. "I thought that, um, you might want to wear it behind your ear or something... It's pretty and it reminded me of you." Oh God, had he just said that out loud?! His cheeks turned red again and he shifted nervously.

The dopey grin that occupied Padraig's face stayed firmly plastered despite the rising color in his cheeks. Poppy was just so gorgeous and she was blushing as well. He also noticed the tinge of pink in her hair, which he'd taken to be a blush reflex as well. He grinned a little when she blushed at the flower and nodded when she thanked him. They were still just standing awkwardly outside of the ice cream shop, but thankfully Poppy broke the awkward silence by suggesting ice cream. "Right, uh, yes... Of course!" God, his heart was literally beating out of his chest right now? Could Poppy hear his heart beating so hard? Gosh, he hoped not. Stepping over to the door, he pulled it open so that Poppy could go first, then he followed her inside. The butterflies in his stomach were making it hard to think, since his focus was drawn there. He also wasn't even sure he'd be able to eat with the commotion going on there. But he wasn't about to admit his nerves. He moved up next to Poppy to look at the menu and his hand accidentally brushed against hers while he gazed at all the choices.