Where the Sun Sets

Seven.

"So Spencer just magically became normal towards you?" Nelson raised his eyebrows at our cousin. Shoveling a few fries in his mouth, he glanced at the ginger sitting across the room.

Pen shrugged and leaned over to grab my Dr Pepper. She hasn't really told me what Spencer said in the letter. At the same time why would she? She thinks I hate her so why would she share that with me.

But also, I can't be mad because I haven't told her what I have done.

"I still hate her a little." Penny swallowed the burger she'd been chewing for way too long, "I won't say anything beyond that."

"You wouldn't ever be her friend?" I glanced at her, shifting the croutons around in my salad.

Shy snorted, "Ginger freak. She's probably mad she doesn't have any actual friends besides Kay."

My head shot in her direction, "I think making fun of her natural hair color is uncalled for." When I realized everyone was staring at me, I cleared my throat, "Sorry. This pottery project made me talk to her and I forgot how evil she is." Oh and we're in this weird situation phase at the moment and I'm afraid I actually like her.

Shy frowned, "I knew this would happen." Then she laughed, "At least it's Natalie being brainwashed."

Penelope kicked her chair, causing her to fall, "That's the worst one out of the group for it to happen to."

Shyloh rolled her eyes and shifted her chair closer to Liam, "I think she can get some inside information and we can totally expose her right before graduation."

I choked on my soda and felt my eyes water as the carbonated liquid shot out of my nose, "Sorry." I coughed and held my hand up, "Sorry."

Nelson and Liam were laughing hysterically as were the girls. I knew I was making a fool of myself and if I continued, it would be really noticeable why.

I wiped my nose and silently hoped Spencer didn't see that. That's the most embarrassing thing. The biggest turn off ever.  Imagine seeing your lil yeah choking on Dr Pepper in a lunch room wearing her little bummy fit.

No.

Don't imagine that, actually.

That's horrible.

Oh, I am more embarrassed now that I overthought it.

Nelson put his hand on my back, "Don't even worry about it."

Shy wiped her eyes that were watering because of how hard she was fucking laughing at me, "Back to the plan." She cleared her throat, "Natalie needs to get close to her and find out her deepest secret."

"That's evil, Shy. I won't do that." I wiped at the table, expecting Pen to back me up. But she didn't, "Pen."

She put her hands up, "What if..." She sighed, "What if you did?"

"Penelope!"

"Just hear her out." She raised her eyebrows and took a bite of her string cheese, "I don't hate it."

I looked around the table. None of them disagreed with Shy.

All of them were for this horrible idea.

I would've been. I should be.

But I can't. Grabbing my lunch, I sighed, "You guys need to grow the fuck up."

"Where are you going, Nat?" Dani looked up at me.

I scoffed, shaking my head, "What you guys are suggesting is blatantly wrong. My conscience can't hold that."

"You're acting like we're asking you to kill her or something." LJ laughed awkwardly, "Pen is your best friend."