A Thousand Boy Kisses

Poppy’s father knocks on Poppy’s door, and Rune leaves through the window, seeing Poppy fill out two hearts. Rune’s father tells him that he and Poppy’s father think Rune should stay away from Poppy. Rune storms out and finds Poppy, Ida, and Savannah. Poppy tells Rune to spend more time with Alton, noting how Alton idolizes Rune. Rune and Poppy greet their friends. Everyone but Avery is excited about Rune and Poppy’s relationship. Rune plans to watch Poppy practice cello at lunch, and they repeat their vows of “forever always” and “for infinity.”

A week later, Poppy comes to take Rune on a date. Rune enjoys listening to Poppy sing on the drive. They go to the beach and reminisce about kiss 75 when they were nine years old. Poppy tells Rune how she started to feel tired after Rune moved to Oslo. At first everyone thought she was brokenhearted, but then her family took her to a doctor in Atlanta. For two years, Poppy’s family lived with her aunt, DeeDee, in Atlanta while Poppy received treatment. When the treatment proved ineffective, the family moved back to Blossom Grove. Rune explains that he grew consistently angrier in Oslo, gradually befriending other angry people, drinking, and smoking.