Forever ; W.S

21. my girls

IRL

Penelope set her phone down and leaned back against her pillows, a smile playing on her lips. Talking to Walker again felt like a breath of fresh air. She knew they had a lot to work through, but the fact that they were communicating was a good start.

The past few weeks had been a whirlwind. Her brief fling with Dylan had been fun, but it became clear that her heart wasn't in it. Ending things with him was the right decision, and thankfully, he took it well. They agreed to remain friends, which made things less awkward on set. She felt a sense of relief knowing she hadn't lost a friend, even if their brief romantic connection had fizzled out.

Penelope reflected on her conversation with her stepmom, Blake, and her dad, Ryan. Their support had been invaluable, providing her with the strength to face her feelings head-on. Blake's advice to be honest with herself and with Walker had resonated deeply. But even as she tried to move forward, her thoughts kept drifting back to Walker.

She picked up her phone again, scrolling through old messages and photos, reminiscing about the good times she'd had with Walker. Her heart ached a little as she remembered their laughter and shared dreams. She wondered if those feelings were still there, lurking beneath the surface, or if they were simply memories of a time when everything felt simpler.

As she was lost in thought, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from Walker.

Walks 🌚

Hey Penelope, I've been thinking about
our conversation. I know things have
been weird, but I want to try and sort
things out between us. Can we talk soon?

Penelope's heart skipped a beat. She had hoped for this, but now that it was happening, she wasn't sure what to feel. She wanted to respond positively, to bridge the gap between them, but she also wanted to be cautious. It was easy to fall back into old patterns, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for that yet.

She took a deep breath and began typing a response.

Hey Walker, I appreciate you reaching out.
I've been thinking a lot about us too.
I'm open to talking, but I think it's important
that we both take things slowly. I hope you understand.

She hit send and waited, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The response came quickly.

I completely understand. Let's take it
one step at a time. I really want to work
things out with you, Lola.

Penelope smiled at his message. It was a step in the right direction, but it was also clear that there was still a long way to go. She was still processing her feelings, trying to understand what she wanted and how to move forward.

As the days passed, Penelope found herself increasingly preoccupied with her thoughts about Walker. She was happy to be talking again, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more she needed to figure out. Her feelings for Walker seemed to be resurfacing, but she wasn't sure if it was just nostalgia or something deeper.

Penelope decided to reach out to her friends. They had been incredibly supportive throughout this whole process, and she needed their perspective. She texted Sunny and the group.

Penelope set her phone down, feeling a little more at ease. She knew that discussing her feelings with her friends would help her gain clarity. They had always been there for her, and she trusted their judgment.

The day of the hangout arrived, and Penelope headed to Sunny's house, her mind still buzzing with questions and uncertainties. She was met with warm hugs and familiar faces, and for a moment, it felt like everything was falling back into place.

Sunny had transformed her living room into a cozy haven, complete with blankets, pillows, and a selection of Penelope's favorite snacks. The group settled in, and the atmosphere quickly became relaxed and inviting.

Penelope took a seat on the couch, feeling a mixture of comfort and apprehension. She had been looking forward to this hangout, but she knew it was also going to be a significant conversation.

"So, what's on your mind?" Sunny asked, handing Penelope a bowl of popcorn.

Penelope took a deep breath. "I've been talking to Walker again. It's been... confusing. We're communicating, which is good, but I'm not sure where things are going. I feel like I might still have feelings for him, but I don't want to rush anything."

Sunny listened attentively, her expression thoughtful. "It sounds like you're in a really tough spot. Sometimes, it's helpful to take a step back and really think about what you want."

Penelope nodded. "I keep thinking about all the good times we had, and I wonder if those feelings are still there. But I don't want to get my hopes up and risk getting hurt again."

Xochitl nodded in agreement. "It's important to be honest with yourself," Xochitl said. "And if you need to take time for yourself to figure things out, that's okay too."

Momona added, "You have to trust your own feelings and give yourself the space to figure out what's best for you."

As the conversation continued, Penelope felt a sense of relief. Her friends' support and advice helped her feel more grounded. They talked through her concerns, and their perspectives helped her see things from different angles.

The evening ended on a positive note, with laughter, games, and a renewed sense of camaraderie. Penelope left Sunny's house feeling lighter, more focused, and ready to face the next steps in her journey with Walker.

She had her friends, her family, and a renewed connection with Walker. No matter what the future held, she knew she had the strength and support to face it head-on.

author's note!

hey guys! hope u guys are enjoying the book. unfortunately i might be updating abit slower from now on. as uploading twice a day is not fit for my new schedule...very sorry :(((