Between Chords and Paragraphs (Polin fanfic) EN

Chapter 6

Colin

Things had gotten weird, but the kind of weird that makes you break out in a cold sweat and wish you'd learned to keep your mouth shut. Or in this case, your lips. Because kissing Penelope Featherington, my sister Eloise's best friend, was definitely not on my to-do list when I went to the graduation party. In fact, I'd only known her for a month. But there we were, standing under a blanket of stars like two criminals who had just escaped the scene of the crime.

The party music still echoed behind us as we stood far away. I wanted to say something, anything to break the tension, but every idea that came to mind sounded like a line from a bad rom-com script.

-Colin, - Penelope finally said, and I could tell she was just as nervous as I was. - About what happened in there...

-Yes, yes, about that... - I replied quickly, too quickly. I cleared my throat. - I think we should... clear some things up. - I was dying to tell her that I wanted to be with her, that what happened in there wasn't a mistake—it was exactly what needed to happen, and it was definitely going to happen many more times.

-That's what I'm trying to do, - she replied, with that mix of patience and resignation that only someone who's dealt with Eloise could master. - Look, I don't want this to be... complicated. - I could sense a certain discomfort in both her gaze and her words.

-Oh, right, complicated. We don't want that, - I repeated, like an idiot. It was the most clichéd phrase ever, but I couldn't think of anything better. - Definitely don't want to complicate things.

She looked at me with a mix of amusement and frustration. It was clear she wasn't going to let me off the hook that easily. - It's just... there's something I can't stop thinking about.

-What is it? - I asked, even though I already knew the answer. It had to be about Marina. Because, of course, why else would an amazing girl like Penelope be worried?

-Well, you and Marina, - she began, biting her lip. - I know there's something going on between you two, and I... I don't want to get in the middle or cause you any trouble.

There it was. Marina. The roommate who had been hogging my attention for weeks with her soap opera-worthy drama. And of course, Penelope had assumed the worst. I couldn't blame her; after all, we'd only known each other for a month, and I wasn't exactly an open book.

-Marina... - I repeated, trying to find the right words to explain without making it sound too complicated. Because it wasn't. Or at least, it shouldn't be. - She's not... what you think.

Penelope looked at me, clearly waiting for an explanation that wasn't coming. - Your girlfriend?

-Absolutely not, - I assured, raising my hands in a defensive gesture. - Marina is just my roommate. She's going through a rough patch, and well, I'm trying to help her out. It's more like... I don't know, a charity project with coffee included.

Penelope let out a laugh, but her expression remained cautious. - So, you're not interested in her?

-Not at all, - I replied, and felt my tone was a bit firmer than I intended. - What we have is more like... a friendship forged in the fire of arguments over who leaves the dishes unwashed. Nothing romantic, I assure you.

She seemed to relax a bit, but there was still something in her gaze that didn't fade. - Then why did you kiss me?

Good question. Excellent question, actually. Why had I done it? I knew I shouldn't have, I knew it would complicate everything with Eloise, and yet I had done it anyway.

-Because... because I care about you, - I finally said, because it was the truth, even if it sounded a lot more serious than I'd planned. - And because, despite only knowing you for a month, I feel like there's something... different between us.