Hi Patty, Penelope hopped in with a smile, why did you leave so early today I was looking for you. What are you doing here, it's not lunch yet, Patrick asked in a hostile tone changing the topic, the truth is he left early intentionally in order to avoid Penelope. Well I told the teacher I have a serious headache and that I could genuinely pass out from it, she grinned, since you're perfectly okay you should go back to class so you don't get in trouble, he answered feigning busy by typing continuously on his laptop. Well who's gonna tell her I lied, not me, definitely not you, by the way, are you free after school let's binge watch boy meets world, I love that show, she shrugged with a smile. No thank you we have a meeting at school today, oh then you can come over after the meeting, it's a school night you should go to bed early, his voice began to shudder, okay the weekend then, no, he snapped and hit the table, which left Penelope stunned, she froze in place fear in her eyes for Patrick for the first time in her life, he had never raised his voice at her before, his angry expression was a first for her.
I'm sorry Patty did I do something wrong, she stuttered shuddering, Patrick wanted to tell her there and then that it wasn't her it was him, but he couldn't dare, leave, he let out in a low tone. Patty what's wrong I…, I said leave, and don't come to my office again, he repeated loudly this time, a tinge of sorrow in his voice, Penny ran out at the sudden burst of anger, tears glistening in her eyes as she went back to class. Stupid, stupid, Patrick repeated as he hit himself, how could I be so harsh on her, he said to himself as he stared at the words on his laptop which read out I think I like her, she makes me nervous, I have to let go, over and over again. I'm sorry Penny, you'll have to stay away from me now, he whispered to himself his head hung low in defeat.
The next day Patrick made sure to leave super early again, he wanted to apologize to Pen, but he knew if he did that she wouldn't leave him alone. During break time Penelope hopped to his office smiling widely, as she turned the knob she felt shivers down her spine, yesterdays events refreshed in her brain, don't come to my office again rang in her ears repeatedly, she let go of the door knob and stood sadly before going back to the lunch hall. Upon seeing the door knob shift back into position Patrick heaved a sigh of relief.
Hey Laura, her colleague at work whispered as he put his arm around her shoulder, she quickly shrugged his hand off in disgust, picking up the papers she printed and turning away, the colleague eyed her up and down with lust in his eyes as she walked away. Want some coffee, Estella proceeded to make two cups of instant coffee upon Laura's soft nod. So when are you gonna do something about that guy, Estella queried as she plopped the mugs on the lunch table, who, she squinted, Mark, you shouldn't be bothered about him, she scoffed and said, trying to wave her worries. No actually I think you should be bothered, it's not written on his face, but his actions show that he's a potential grapist or worse, I've heard some gossip about him, and to top it all off he's a nepo hire so there's no kicking him out, Estella explained. Oh please he couldn't possibly be a rapist, he's too soft, you worry too much, Laura replied and laughed as she sipped her coffee, please just be careful, you ne…, hold that thought, she held her finger up as a call came in, sorry I have to get back to work, she said and rushed off after gulping down the rest of her coffee, that woman never fails to work herself to the bone, Estella said and sighed.
Hi mom, Patrick called out in a soft whisper as he got home, hey baby, why so dull, bad day at school, or are you missing someone. Patrick's gaze flicked to his mom as he heard her words, shocked as to how she figured out what was going on, judging by that reaction I got it right, hmm who could it be, she tapped her cheek with her finger, a soft smile playing on her face. When you decided not to come home at all during uni so you could save up even a tiny bit to help lessen my burden I didn't object at all, but now you're back and working at dear Penelope's school, do you have any idea how much she missed you, how much she cried everyday, and how heartbroken she was when you didn't even come back for the holidays, she was convinced you didn't like her anymore. After four long years you're finally back, and what, you just yell at her and tell her to stay away from you, she opened her hands in a questioning manner, you know you can tell me anything baby.
Oh, so she told you, he spoke ever so softly, it felt like there was a lump in his throat, all he could think of was how hurt Penelope must have been this whole time. Please talk to her, you guys can get through anything, I'm sorry mom, but I'm not sure of who I am anymore, of what type of person I've become, and until I stop being this way, I have to stay away from Penelope, and so does she, he completed, tears glistening in his eyes, before heading up the stairs. Please think about this again, you just have to give it time, keep her close and let her keep you close or you'll regret it, Laura yelled as he ran up the stairs. Patrick plopped onto his bed, trying to fight back the tears and block out the sad thoughts that took over his mind.
Patrick was sad, but quite proud of himself, he had completely avoided Penelope for a month, although it took a toll on him, he was looking quite disheveled, but weirdly his bed style hair, bushy beard, mustache (stubble), and eyebags only made him look more handsome. Do you think I look fat, Penelope queried as she took a little twirl, of course not Pen, you look perfect like you always do, he smiled sheepishly, thank you, you too Steven, but I mean honestly did I put on some weight, she stared intently at him, she had her long choco curly hair down, which complemented her sparkling hazel brown eyes, she wore a cute pout awaiting Stevens answer. Steven felt his breath get stuck in his throat, he wondered why he had stared into the eyes of this ethereal beauty, he chocked and came back to his senses before replying, you look amazing as always, with a wide smile, which resulted in Penelope flashing a wide smile at him and embracing him in a tight hug which left him frozen, he smiled weirdly at her as she let go.
Pen, I've been wanting to ask this for a while now, Steven started, go ahead, she said with a smile, why haven't you been visiting Patrick at his office for like a month now, her expression dropped instantly at this question. Well I mean you were so happy when he started working here, you said you'd go there everyday, and you did for a few days, but then you just stopped suddenly, he turned a sad expression on her face. Say, would you like to go on a movie date with me, she let out after a moment of silence, when she noticed the shocked look on Stevens face, she smiled and continued. Actually I've only ever watched movies with my parents, aunty Laura, and Patrick, her expression and voice dropped before picking up again a second later, you're the first close friend I have after him, so I'd like to expand my movie list. Steven adjusted his glasses, to happy to know the words he was supposed to say, wow, he exclaimed, looking like he had just seen a meteor shower, wow, wow, oh my gosh, he kept on exclaiming, which made Penelope laugh.
I'll take that as a yes then, pick me up by 3 o'clock tomorrow, it's a date, he finally managed to say before squealing excitedly. Penelope stood in front of her mirror, checking herself out, this was a first for her, she had never felt insecure about her body, but after the incident, her parents and aunty had just been over feeding her so she felt that had something to do with it. Maybe I should take a walk, she tilted her head with a cute pout contemplating a quick jog.
Patrick stared at Penelope's house through his window, it had become a hobby by now now, he'd always stare at her house every chance he got. He quickly ducked when he saw Penelope stroll out of her house as if she could see him. She stopped outside to adjust her tracksuit before continuing and bumping into a hard surface. Ouch, she let out softly while rubbing her head, sorry, a low familiar voice said, are you okay, she put out her hand gesturing for him to stop when he tried to touch her hair. I'm fine, where are you going at this hour, Patrick started as Penelope was about to leave, I thought of taking a walk, I have a date tomorrow, Patrick felt a sharp pain in his chest at this answer, but tried not to show it in his face, a date, he repeated, with who. With Steven, since you hate me now, I figured I should get new friends, so I don't end up lonely, she said with her arms crossed a hint of hostility in her voice. Can I go now, Patrick grabbed her hand softly as she walked by him, a sudden rush of life spread through him, he got to see her up close after so long, and even hold her hand, even though she acted differently with him, but what did he expect. Go inside, it's quite late, you look perfect as usual, you don't need to change anything, to his surprise, Penelope wriggled her hand out of his, turned heel, and went back inside without putting up a fight.