[🔶️] The Hero Meets the Villain ☆ Penn Zero x Reader

Chapter 10: Inching Closer

"Can I borrow your eraser? I forgot mine at home," Sashi asked you, her hands on her lap.

"Here," you said, handing her the eraser. You took the chance to sneak a glance at her paper, which was a sketch of a girl on a skateboard. You nodded in approval at the perspective she's practicing on. "Thanks." 

"No problem," you replied. "I love your character's design; the glasses, the pigtails- oh." You looked at Sashi who was now trying to hide her paper from you with her cheeks flushed. It made you chuckle a bit, giving her a teasing look. "Looking cool, Sashi."

She sighed in annoyance but continued drawing anyway. You playfully shook your head at her and stared at your own drawing. It was a piece that wasn't too serious but it wasn't a lighthearted one either. You wanted to impress Rippen, pander to him in some sorts by drawing him as an evil antagonist in a movie poster. You kept on observing his posture as he circled around the classroom, judging the works of others as you used that as your reference in drawing him. 

You gave the character a maniacal hair style, a villainy clothing and using your dark pastel crayons, he practically lives in the darkness. You used the palette of sickly greens and grays, capturing the devilish look of his face. 

The clock soon striked 2:30 PM and Larry bid you all goodbye, saying that the unfinished works should be continued at home. You thought that you're already finished so you should have nothing to worry about, but you might change your mind later because you're such a perfectionist. 

Students flooded outside, while some stayed for a while and took their time packing all their stuff while talking to another student who was waiting for them. When the five of you are ready, you all walked out and through the hallways. When you reached the gates, you turned around and began to walk towards the park waving all of them goodbye.

"Bye! I'm gonna go to the park now, Community service waits for no one!" You expressed, slightly forced. You accidentally met eyes with Penn and your smile instantly widen after that, and you had to turn around again to hide the blush of your face before walking off.

Sashi, of course, being the observant friend, noticed the interaction. She glanced at Penn who was already wearing a dreamy smile on his face. She elbowed the red-head, making him wince in pain. "Hey. Get it together, PZ. What's going on?"

Penn, unable to hide it, had a big silly smile on his face. "It's nothing, Sash. You don't have to know."

"Tell me." She glared at him with immense fury. 

He jumped out of fear as his eyes widened. "Okay! I asked her out on a date. You happy now?"

"Huh," Sashi folded her arms, leaning on the one side. She gave him an amused smirk. "Took you long enough. When is it?"

He couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly. "Tonight, approximately an hour after work."

"Well, it should be 2 hours after work because dude... you smell pretty bad after a mission."

"Boone?! Why the heck are you listening?" Penn exclaimed. 

"Hana left like-  a minute ago after Y/N," Boone replied, crossing his arms. "Of course I'm gonna hear the conversation."

Sashi rolled her eyes. "Boone is right, you smell."

"Sashi, not you too! And for your information, I do not  smell bad after a mission. My deodorant is effective for 24 hours!" Penn wailed. The three of them began to venture the sidewalk towards the abandoned cinema. 

"Okay, that doesn't matter anymore. If you think that you smell good, fine. Where are you taking her for dinner?"

The ginger looked anywhere but at his friends. "Uh, somewhere where you could buy a 40 dollar meal for two..?" He hesitated.