𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘'𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 | 𝐍.𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐗𝐓𝐎𝐍 |

chapter thirteen | wildest dreams

Song Choice: Crush ~ David Archuleta

THIRD PERSON POV

Although Josh was putting on this front as if he were still upset with Penelope, he still couldn't help himself from smiling at the words she said when told Mikal that he was who she wanted to be with in the beginning.

Something inside of him told him what he already knew, but he wasn't the type of man to force a guy to be with him. He was patient. He had waited for years for Penelope to see what he always knew for herself.

But still, there were obviously some things that they needed to get off their chests before things were established, and something told him that the conversation was about to be had.

"I'm sorry," Penelope blurted out. "I'm sorry about everything. I'm sorry for leading you on. For only calling you when it benefits me or whenever I need a shoulder just to toss you to the side like you're not one of the most important people in my life, when you are."

Oh? Josh thought to himself, still fighting back the grin that was spreading on his face.

"I'm sorry for ignoring how you felt about me...and how I've felt about you. I've wasted your time...and you didn't deserve that. If you're tired of me...or if you need some time to just think things over, I'm completely okay with that and I understand it. I just needed you to know how I felt..."

Josh raised an eyebrow. "How do you feel?" he asks, leaning against the car.

"What?" Penelope questions.

"You never said how you felt," He says. "So, how do you feel?"

Penelope shook her head. "I told you back there..."

"No," he says. "You told Mikal. You didn't tell me anything."

Penelope froze and for a moment, she contemplated snatching her heels off and sprinting down the road until she had magically arrived home.

She had never been the type to outrightly express her feelings for a guy right in front of them. For a moment, she forgot everything that she had ever known.

She was just that nervous.

Only he could make her that nervous; she called it The Josh Effect. It was an extreme condition that she had contracted the day that she met him, and she hadn't gotten over it since, because, for her, there was no cure.

Then she really thought about it, if she backed out of telling him how she felt about him one on one, then that could possibly be his last straw and she'd lose him before she could even get him.

Lord knows that he was who she wanted, but she also knew that Josh had been considerate enough to always let her know exactly how he felt about her, even when she was dealing with Mikal, he did it in the most subtle ways possible, but it was still made known.

She had to say something. No more being scared.

"I don't wanna sound like a teenager, but...I like you, Josh," she says with a wide grin. "Like, a lot. I've wanted you since I first walked into the gym and you and Brunson accidentally hit me with a basketball."

Josh chuckled at the memory and nodded his head. "That was an iconic day." he says.

"It definitely was," Penelope giggles. "So...how do we do this? Do we take things slow or—."

"Fuck taking things slow," Josh grabbed her by her waist, pulling her to him. "I've waited my whole life for this."

"For wha—."

Before Penelope could finish her sentence, Josh pressed his lips against hers, and as if it was almost on cue, thunder rumbled in the sky and it began pouring raining. That didn't stop the new couple, instead, they smiled into the kiss and imagined of the possibilities that came with their new found relationship.

* * *

MEANWHILE, INSIDE OF THE restaurant, Ahmad had joined the group at the table and his attention was solely on Autumn. He engaged in conversation, but he would mainly try to stay in a conversation where he could hear or speak to Autumn.

She noticed Ahmad's efforts, and thought that it was cute, but after what just happened to her, she wasn't giving into any sort of attention from a guy right now—at least not publicly. She thought he was cute—well, cute wasn't the exact word that she'd use, but she'd keep her Rated R thoughts to herself.

Her trust issues had gone through the roof after this "slut shaming" ordeal she was going through at the moment, and all she wanted to do was stay out of sight, but now given her newfound career, and this extra spotlight on her because of Nic, it was as if all eyes were on her and she hated that.

"So, what else y'all got planned for tonight?" Ahmad asks.

Ivy shrugged. "Nothing much," she says. "We were just coming here for dinner and to cheer Autumn up."

"Have y'all ever been to the Summit One Vanderbilt?" Ahmad asks, glancing around the table.

"Nah," Stefon says.

Paisley and Cameron nodded. "Yeah, we've been."

"What the fuck is a Vanderbilt?" Ivy asks, her nose scrunched in confusion.

"It's this place where everything is reflective," Wynslow explained. "It's really nice."

Donte has returned a few moments ago, but had been radio silent. He grinned at the mention of the Summit One Vanderbilt and nodded his head. "Yeah, I took Wyn there for our first date in New York."

"Anyways!" Wynslow says. "It's about time that I get back..I'm tired and I have to get on the train tomorrow."

"When are you coming back?" Paisley asks.

Wynslow shrugs. "Whenever we play you guys."

"We?" Donte questions. "It's a we thing now? Thought you were a Knicks fan?"

Wynslow raised an eyebrow. "I am still from D.C, Donte. My cousin is on the team, so is Jordan, Deni and Corey. I can support both."

Donte ticked his jaw and shook his head. "You can't have both."

"Stop trying to make everything about you," Wynslow snapped.

"It's not about me," He snapped back. "It's about us."

"Can y'all not?" Paisley said.

Wynslow nodded and stood up, "Sorry. I'm just gonna go. Love you guys, talk to you soon..."

Everyone watched as Wynslow walked away and left out of the restaurant. Donte clenched his jaw and fought within himself, but instead of staying behind, he stood up, grabbed his things and walked out of the restaurant.

* * *

END OF CHAPTER THIRTEEN