Dying to Breathe

8.5: manipulation & calculated charisma

*the A/N was written BEFORE my camping trip lmao I'm so sorry I'm an idiot so pls forgive me and continue to support DtB—I'll post the next part early to hopefully make it up to you guys*

A/N: I already know y'all gon hate this part :) But next week we're ontoI'm chapter nine and it is EXCITING. So get through this, and you'll be rewarded. Lmao

Update on the daycare: No call back unfortunately. They might have had people with actual childcare backgrounds so I can't blame them.

this is relevant cuz you don't like gabe, but I went on a date last night and the guy was like... the opposite of me in every way and in every belief. Oh lord. Did I still make out with him and agree to plans to see one another again? Yes, my hypocritical ass did. Stay safe out there guys--hot guys are too easy to forgive (GOD he was SO hot why). I just relate to our girl Pen, being blind to red flags is a favourite pastime of mine. (ok I'm gonna go make a date with the leftest, sweetest, non-conservative guy i can find now to balance my nasty energy... GOTTA GO REALIGN MY CHAKRAS AND READ THE STARS. BUY SOME CRYSTALS. ok bye gonna go pull some tarot cards and ask for forgiveness. namastay and pass the wine. goddAMN.)

Chapter 8, Part 5: Manipulation and Calculated Charisma

"I missed you." Gabriel's voice hummed out as Penelope curled up under her blankets, closing her eyes and listening to his soft voice through the phone.

The sounds of the city buzzed in the dark room as she exhaled with a smile curving her lips, "Did you?"

He chuckled, "Of course. I only get to see you lately at school or with friends." With a sigh that matched hers, he continued, "I want you around me more, Elly. I want you to invade every part of my life."

Giggling, she felt her skin warm at the thought, "How very romantic."

"Only for you, baby." He purred out, making her shake her head embarrassedly. "Tell me something I don't know about you."

Opening her eyes, she stared at the lights coming from the cracked open window.  It was impossible to tell what was the moonlight and what was the city night coming to life.

She bit her lip, making a sound of unsurety.

Gabriel laughed, "Too many things to choose from, Indecisive Elly?" He joked as if all-knowingly, "Okay, how about the real reason you decided to come to the academy?"

Penelope's chest squeezed as she inhaled deeply, shakily. "My sister enrolled for me. It was a surprise." She spoke slowly, calculating how much information she gave out.

She didn't know why, but the idea of everyone knowing about Millie and their secrets made her feel uneasy. It was like it wasn't supposed to be spoken about—like speaking of it would ruin everything. Like it would make her really lose Millie for good.

"Sounds like a good sister." He replied, his voice gentle as if knowing it was a touchy subject.

Penelope chuckled amusedly, "Good..." She mused over.

Was Millie a 'good' sister? She was fun, never boring, and always there to show her a good time. She urged her to live life and do things she didn't necessarily have the nerve or even the want to do. She was more than important—Millie was a crucial part of Penelope. But was she a 'good' sister? She didn't know how to answer that. Millie was selfish—her reasons for helping Penelope always connected to something that would help her or her reputation. And she was stubborn, she didn't do anything she didn't want to do, even if it was something that could really help Penelope out. Ultimately, Millie knew exactly how to get what she wanted from her sister through her perfected manipulation and calculated charisma.