Dying to Breathe

7.1: tempting fate, sensing danger

A/N: Welcome back! I'm doing the shuffle song thing again.  I love the killers. 

Chapter 7, Part 1: Tempting Fate, Sensing Danger

Penelope was cautious as she walked through the academy foyer. She also had an extra outfit in her locker. And her hair was up in a simple ponytail instead of anything that took time and effort.

She wasn't trying to tempt fate, the universe, the gods, or Karma today.

Glancing down at her phone as it vibrated with a notification, she read through her texts from last night and this morning with a small smile forming on her face.

(1) Space Expedition – Morning, beautiful. Come see me at lunch. At our spot, ok? I miss you.

(2) Fae Bae – Congrats on the job! But I don't forgive u for telling Cor first. Better not replace me, bitch.

(3) Pop's Shop – Be careful today, Penny! I'd hate to see another vid. The academy is ruthless!! I'm here if u need to talk. Kisses!

(4) Peach – We're working the same shift tmr! Can't wait. Did you do your English paper? I have no idea what topic to do. Brainstorm with me after school at the café?

(5) Siiiko Daddy – I just want you to know that I am re-watching all the stupid videos of you and showing them to all my friends. Fucking funny shit. At least you're good for something, new blood. x

(6) Mother redruM – Congrats, heard u got the job. Nina's mad u didn't tell her first. Café after school?

(7) Good Pair of Jeans – *meme of a cat*

And as always, she ignored the bajillion texts from the group chat. Half of them were in lingo she didn't understand yet, and the rest were either memes or group plans—which she always received separate duplicates of thanks to Levi and Nina anyways.

"Whoa, fuck." A swift hand wrapped around her torso, hastily pulling her back into a warm chest just as the ceramic bust from on top of the mezzanine wall above her fell—directly on the spot she had just been standing in.

The ear-splitting sound of the crash was distinct even with the surprised screams of the loitering students nearby.

Did she almost just...?

Her heartbeat hammered in her ears as she caught up to the situation. Everything felt cold. Her skin tingling from the numbing effect of the near-death experience. Swallowing back the suffocating lump in her throat loudly, she glanced up behind her, meeting familiar blue eyes. They were wild with adrenaline, matching her wildly on-edged ones. He stepped back, unwrapping his tensed arm from around her frozen torso.

"You don't know how to take advice, do you?" The tall, wiry teenager breathed out, guiding her away from the powdery and sharp mess on the ground with his long fingers around her buzzing wrist.

She felt faint. Her hands shook as her legs trembled beneath her quaking knees. "Holy shit." She squeaked, letting him lead her to a seating arrangement in the long room. Her vision spotted as she stumbled down into a plushy chair.

He crouched down in front of her, his dark hair falling into his squinted eyes as he rested his elbows on his knees. Propping his face inside of his palms, he carefully watched her every movement, "You okay?"