Innocence Lost On the Gamble of Love

Innocence Lost On the Gamble of Love: Chapter 19

The question hit him like a ton of bricks. He hadn't thought much about it, but he figured that as long as they were both happy, then it shouldn't matter. Everything would work out on its own. The chips could fall where they may.

But Penelope was having a crisis. Graduation was five weeks away. She wanted to know how many people she would have to say goodbye to. That maybe they should quit while they were ahead and lead by Ritchie's example before they crashed and burned. Or were they strong enough to overcome this? She needed answers.

"I just need consistency," she revealed in a small voice.

Derrick could offer her that much, he was sure.

"Yeah, okay," he agreed with a small nod. "So we're both going to community college," he said in reassurance. "And then I'll go wherever you go," he vowed with yearning eyes.

Penelope was a good influence on him, and Derrick didn't intend on getting rid of his positive outlook on life anytime soon.

"Are you sure?" she asked with fear in her eyes. "I want to transfer, and go out of state."

Derrick nodded. "It doesn't matter now though. We can deal with it when the time comes."

"Okay." Penelope exhaled a breath that she didn't even know she had been holding in. "I guess I should go now..."

"No," Derrick said too quickly. "Stay, please."

Penelope was his only escape from reality. He didn't like being away from her for too long. 

"It's kind of awkward now," Penelope said, frowning a bit.

"Is it because of what I said earlier?" Derrick asked somewhat sadly.

"Yeah."

"Then let's talk about it."

They shifted themselves into a respective seating arrangement and after a moment, Penelope said, "To me, love means doing everything and anything for that one person that means the world to you. I don't know if that same connotation applies to you," she said with a devastated voice.

"It does," Derrick pleaded. "I don't go around saying it. Not even to my own family."

"Well, right now, they're just words to me."

"Then what do you want me to do?" Derrick sounded like he was begging. He had worked so hard for her approval, now he wanted to earn her respect as well as her heart.

Penelope wondered for a moment, creating a scenario in her head before saying, "If I were about to be hit by a car, what would you do?"

"I would try to stop the car," Derrick said obviously.

Penelope scoffed and rolled her eyes. Wrong answer.

"What? What did I say?" Derrick demanded, hating this internal torture.

What does she want me to do? Scream it on top of a mountain or something? If actions speak louder than words, then I think I did my job on Valentine's Day.

"Not what I wanted to hear obviously," she sneered, running a hand through her hair in irritation.

"Well, then what?"

"Then nothing. Just...forget it." Penelope huffed before she stood up and headed out the door.

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