Forever ; W.S

15. comfort

IRL

Penelope sat in her room, the sunlight streaming through the windows and casting a soft glow over her surroundings. She had spent the past few hours reflecting on her conversation with Blake and Ryan, feeling both comforted and more resolute about handling her situation with Walker. But as the evening approached, she knew she needed to share what had happened with her friends—especially with Sunny, who had been her rock through so much.

Sunny had been a constant presence in Penelope's life, always ready to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Penelope knew that her best friend would understand and provide the support she needed.

After a brief back-and-forth text exchange, Sunny agreed to come over for a late afternoon hangout. Penelope busied herself with setting up the living room, preparing a cozy space with blankets, snacks, and her favorite movies queued up. She wanted this gathering to be comforting, a way to ease into the difficult conversation she needed to have.

When Sunny arrived, she was greeted with a warm hug and a reassuring smile from Penelope. The two friends quickly settled into the living room, grabbing snacks and making themselves comfortable. "Okay, spill it," Sunny said, eyeing Penelope with a mixture of curiosity and concern as she reached for a bowl of popcorn.

Penelope took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past few days come crashing down on her. "So, I got a message from Walker," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "He reached out after weeks of being distant." Sunny's expression softened, and she nodded for Penelope to continue. "What did he say?"

"He apologized," Penelope said, her voice tinged with frustration. "But it felt so insincere. He didn't really address the core of why I was hurt. It was like he expected everything to go back to normal just because he said sorry." Sunny's brow furrowed in sympathy. "That's rough. How did you respond?"

"I told him that I was still hurt and that I needed time," Penelope explained. "But he seemed to think that just saying sorry would fix everything. And now he's asking for us to talk and hang out, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for that."

Sunny reached out, placing a comforting hand on Penelope's. "I'm so sorry, Penelope. That sounds incredibly frustrating and confusing. You've been through a lot with this, and it's completely okay to take your time to figure out what you need."

Penelope nodded, feeling a tear slip down her cheek. "I talked to Blake and Dad about it too. They've been really supportive, but it still hurts. I just feel like I'm stuck between wanting to move forward and being angry at how everything ended."

Sunny squeezed Penelope's hand gently. "I understand. It's okay to feel all of those things. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is be honest about your feelings and take care of yourself. And you're not alone in this. I'm here for you."

Penelope gave Sunny a grateful smile, her eyes reflecting both relief and sadness. "Thank you. I really needed to talk to someone who gets it." Sunny gave her a reassuring nod. "Of course. And if you ever need to vent or just hang out, I'm always here. We can do whatever you need to feel better."

As the conversation continued, Sunny helped Penelope process her feelings, offering comfort and understanding. They talked about their plans for the future, their dreams, and the positive aspects of their lives. The movie night they had planned was more than just a distraction; it became a healing moment, a reminder of the strong friendships that anchored Penelope amidst the chaos of her emotions.

By the end of the evening, Penelope felt a sense of renewed strength. Sharing her feelings with Sunny had lifted a burden, and she knew she had a support system she could rely on. With her friend's comforting presence and the support of her family, Penelope began to feel more hopeful about navigating the path ahead.

Sunny stayed over that night, and the two friends spent hours talking and laughing, allowing the warmth of their friendship to help soothe the wounds of the past. For Penelope, it was a small but significant step toward healing, with the assurance that she was surrounded by people who truly cared about her.

author's note!

realised i haven't posted an instagram dump in this book for a while loll