Penny Lane 💙

Chapter 3

Chris came out of the kitchen later that night as he heard Penelope slam the front door as she entered the house. He didn't say anything as she glared at him, having obviously been crying as she rushed up the stairs. He sighed, hesitating. He finally decided to take the cup of tea he had made for himself up the stairs. He knocked softly on her door as he heard her crying. He opened the door to see her laying on her bed, crying. He set the cup on the dresser before sitting next to her on the bed as she ignored him, "Penny? What's the matter?"

She turned away from him, "fuck off Chris. Don't pretend like you care. Just leave me alone."

Chris hesitated, watching her for a minute. He sighed and got up and left her room, closing the door behind him. He leaned against the wall next to her door as he heard her crying still. He shook his head before going back downstairs.

Penelope sat up from the bed to see a cup on the dresser. She looked to see Chris had left her a cup of tea. She smiled, wiping her face before picking up the cup, taking a sip. She carried the cup down the stairs as she heard Chris playing the piano, singing quietly to himself.

🎵 Why do you ask him move heaven and earth
To prove his love has worth
Would he walk on water
Would he run through fire
Would he stand before you
When it's down to the wire
Would he give his life up
To be all he can
Is that, is that, is that
How you measure a man🎵

Chris looked up to see Penelope watching him from the doorway. He smiled, watching her as he finished another verse.

🎵If by chance all he had to give you
Was three words wrapped around your finger
Would that be deep enough at the end of everyday
And how will you ever know if a man is what he says🎵

Chris pulled away from the piano, turning to face Penelope on the bench, "are you okay? Do you want to talk?"

She shrugged, motioning to the piano, "you're really good. I had no idea you were so good."

He sighed, standing up to go to the kitchen, "you don't know anything about me Penny."

She shook her head at his snide tone. She held up the cup of tea, "well, thanks for this."

Chris stared down at the counter, leaning on his hands before he groaned, "wait." He went into the hallway as Penelope started to walk back up the stairs. He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, "you're welcome. And I'm sorry for earlier. For the old woman comment. We both know that isn't true." He broke eye contact, looking at the ground, "you're beautiful Penelope. And I would be lucky to be linked to you. It isn't about that."

Penelope sighed. That was twice now he called her beautiful. She nodded, approaching him as she rested her hand on his arm, "I appreciate that. And I know that isn't the problem. And I'm sorry for making the comment about being legal. Low blow."

Chris looked up at her, locking eyes with her as he nodded, "thank you. For the record, I don't actually have a girlfriend. I was just annoyed at being forced to pretend to be in a relationship with you." He groaned, "not you. Just with anyone really."

She chuckled, "I know."

He hesitated before motioning to the living room, "do you want to watch a movie or something?"

Penelope nodded, "I'd like that."

He smiled, grabbing his cup of tea before plopping on the couch with Dodger next to him as he turned on the tv. Penelope chuckled, sitting next to him as he put something on. She watched Dodger rest his head in Chris's lap. Chris watched her lean over, petting Dodger as he laid on him. "Trouble in paradise?"

Penelope groaned, pulling away from Dodger, "I'd rather not talk about it. Okay?"

Chris nodded as he looked back at her to see she was on the verge of crying again, "okay." He patted the couch next to him for her to move closer to him. He saw her hesitate, but move closer, resting her head on his shoulder as the movie started.

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Penelope woke up startled as she realized Chris was setting her on her bed.

Chris chuckled, "I was just carrying you to bed. You fell asleep on the couch."

She nodded as she tried to calm down her racing heart, "right. We were watching a movie. I'm sorry."

Chris shook his head, covering her with a blanket as he sat next to her. "It's fine." He brushed blonde hair out of her face as she grabbed his hand, keeping it on her cheek. "I should go to bed."

Penelope nodded again as she watched him hesitate, looking at her, "okay." She let go of his hand as he sat watching her.

"Go to sleep." He watched her close her eyes as he carded his fingers through her hair, watching her for a minute.

Penelope didn't open her eyes as she felt him playing with her hair, "I'm sorry Chris. For whatever I did to make you hate me."

He sighed, removing his hand, "I don't hate you. Goodnight Penny."

"Goodnight Chris."