Between Chords and Paragraphs (Polin fanfic) EN

Chapter 5

Colin 

The night of the graduation party had arrived. I put on my dark blue suit with a tie of the same color and red accents. I touched up my hair with my fingertips to give it a casual look and headed towards Marina's room. But I remembered my sister's words, sometimes it's better to give space and listen when she's ready to talk. So I turned around and left my apartment, heading to the estate where the party was being held.

I was nervous, not because of the graduation itself—I should have done that three years ago—but I had to admit I didn't have many friends in this class. I only shared three subjects with them, and I hadn't attended as many classes as I should have. So I waited at the door, hoping my sister would show up any minute.

And she did. In just ten minutes, Eloise was getting out of the taxi, but I didn't care; I could only focus on Penelope Featherington, who was wearing a red dress that seemed tailor-made, highlighting her figure in a way that took my breath away. The dress had lace details on the shoulders and a V-neckline that enhanced her elegance without being too daring. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and her red lips perfectly matched the dress.

I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, until I felt a nudge in my ribs. It was Eloise, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and amusement. 

-Have you seen a ghost? - she asked, raising an eyebrow. 

-You, which is worse, - I joked, trying to regain my composure. 

Eloise let out a soft laugh. -Shall we go inside, or are you planning to stay out here all night watching who comes in?

I followed her inside the estate, still a bit dazed. The place was decorated with soft lights and garlands, creating a cozy and festive atmosphere. There was live music, and some of our classmates were already on the dance floor, moving to the beat of a popular song. 

As we walked towards the dance floor, I saw Penelope approaching. Her smile lit up the night, and my nerves intensified. 

-Hi, Colin, - Penelope said, with a smile that made butterflies flutter in my stomach. - You look quite dapper, - she laughed. - Seriously, you look very handsome.- That warm smile again that made me feel at home. 

-Thanks, Penelope. You... you look spectacular,- I replied, stumbling over my words. We both laughed, breaking the ice a bit. 

-The last time we were on a dance floor with neon lights, you made me cry, - she joked about that night at the café. 

-I remember, but I liked the part where the redhead on stage danced to the Spice Girls. You should have seen her next to my sister, - I said, laughing. 

She burst out laughing. - I think I'm glad I missed that, - she said, placing her hand on my shoulder. 

I put my hand on her waist. -I think it was the best performance I've seen in years,- I whispered in her ear. 

-Maybe you haven't seen many, - she whispered back. 

And I lowered my arm to her hip as my pupils sank into the clear blue of her eyes. I felt the same sensation as at the Jazz Café. I wanted to kiss her, I was dying to kiss her. I could feel her minty breath on my lips, but I wanted to feel more, much more. Without thinking any further, I closed my eyes and brought my lips to hers. It was a soft, slow kiss. I felt like the world was collapsing and everything was falling into place at the same time. 

-I think this is the best performance I've seen in years, - I whispered when I pulled back just a few inches from her mouth. 

Penelope laughed softly. - And you haven't even seen the full show yet.

Penelope

It had happened. I had kissed Colin Bridgerton, the brother of Eloise Bridgerton, my best friend since I started my first year of Journalism at the university. But I didn't care; I just wanted to do it again. As I leaned in to kiss him once more, the name "Marina" flashed in my mind, and I stepped back a little.

-Shall we go get some fresh air? - I asked, trying to regain my composure.

-Uh... yeah, sure. Are you okay, Penelope? - His tone and eyes showed genuine concern. - I'm sorry, I...

I interrupted him. - No, don't say anything, Colin... I'm fine. I just need some air. Maybe the drinks aren't sitting well with me. - I made an excuse, though I couldn't remember drinking any alcohol.

-What drinks, Penelope? - he asked, puzzled.

-The ones I had with your sister before coming here, - I replied sharply and headed for the door. But before I stepped outside, I noticed two figures making out in the distance—my two best friends. I couldn't help but laugh, but when I realized Colin was right behind me, I turned around with wide eyes.

-Look, you're right! Why go outside? Let's stay in here! Let's dance, get something from the bar! - I said, nearly shouting, caught between nerves and exaggerated gestures.

-What's wrong, Penelope? You're acting weird. Was it the kiss? I'm sorry... - But as he looked up, his expression changed. He had seen what I had seen just minutes ago. He moved past me and headed straight for his sister.

-ELOISE BRIDGERTON! - He grabbed his sister's arm and pulled her away. Eloise's face was a picture, but even more so was Phillip's, his lips smeared with my best friend's lipstick.

-Colin, let me go! - protested Eloise, trying to free herself from her brother's grip.

-What do you think you're doing, Eloise? - Colin demanded, his tone protective and worried.

-None of your business! - retorted Eloise, looking at Phillip with a mix of defiance and nerves. - Phillip and I... we're exploring something.

-Exploring something, huh? - Colin glared at Phillip. - Last I checked, we graduated in Journalism, not Biology, OR ANATOMY. - He gave Phillip a challenging look.

Phillip swallowed hard, clearly scared. - Colin, I... we...

-Enough! - Eloise intervened, her eyes shining with determination. - It's none of your business. I'm fine and I don't need your help.

-Fine? - Colin repeated. - Since when does 'fine' mean exchanging tons of saliva at a graduation party?

Eloise rolled her eyes.

-And you, what makes you think you can kiss my sister in public? - Colin turned his attention to Phillip again.

- Well, technically we were in a dark corner, so... - Eloise said quietly.

Colin frowned, clearly worried and protective, and turned back towards the entrance of the hall. I stood there, stunned, watching how Colin's protective side emerged with his sister, and a kind of tingling sensation ran down my spine. There was something incredibly captivating about the way he looked after Eloise, making me feel a pang of jealousy because no one had ever taken care of me like that.

As he walked past me, I managed to catch up to him, running my fingertips along the palm of his hand, a gentle gesture I hoped would calm him. He took my hand, guiding me to a quieter place where we could talk alone. I felt his hand strong against mine, but gentle, and my heart skipped a beat.

- Sometimes I forget how protective Eloise can be. You saw how she defended that Philemon guy.

I laughed softly, still feeling the warmth of his hand in mine. - His name is Phillip, and I think it runs in the family. The Bridgertons are known for looking out for their own.

-And the Featheringtons? - he asked, a spark of amusement in his eyes.

-We do too, I suppose, though sometimes in more... reserved ways - I replied, laughing.

We fell silent, enjoying each other's company and the starry sky. I felt like I could stay like this forever, with Colin by my side, protecting me and making me feel safe, and with the certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be.