Where the Sun Sets

Nine.

"Kinda soon for your moping to start?" Liam drew me out of my thoughts. Although this class is lame and I really should focus, I'm trapped in my own thoughts. "Season depression for you doesn't start till November."

"I'm sorry..." I smiled at him, "Just been busy."

"Sneaking around with Spencer Hathoway?" Shy raised her eyebrows, a small grin on her lips. She wasn't upset. Just smug. Because she clearly knew. 

My stomach dropped and there was an inexcusable blush high on my cheeks. "No- I don't even-"

"Girl." Shy put her finger to my lips, "I am gay. Have been longer than you."

Liam shrugged, "And you guys aren't that good at hiding it." He snorted, leaning on Shyloh to stop laughing so much, "Y'all are kinda stupid about it honestly."

Shy nodded, laughing just as hard as him, "Dude! You go home together every day."

"Does P know..?" I glanced at Penelope sitting in the front if the room while she worked just as loudly with Ava and of course, Kay.

Pen can't know before I tell her. And I have to tell her soon. Maybe it'll drunkenly slip out tonight.

"Nah. She's lovestruck." Shy followed my gaze, her smile widening. "Very lovestruck."

Lee laughed and fixed his uniform tie, "In deep as fuck. You're both in your own worlds."

My gaze met his and I saw the slight sadness in his eyes. I guess I have been with Spencer. A lot. Well... Every time I've had a free moment over the past few weeks, I've spent with her. "I'm sorry guys."

Shy shook her head quickly, "Nah, bro. We get it."

"I do, especially."

"Barf. But yeah he does." Shyloh nodded towards the taller boy, "Good thing we're all going over to Grady's in the same car."

"And getting ready at Nini's?" Liam's eyebrows were raised, hoping I wouldn't argue. And of course I didn't. When my lips curled into a smile, he fist bumped the air, making a show by doing a stupid dance in his seat, "Yeah. Group chat has official plans tonight."

"Is everyone coming?" I closed my folder and stacked all of my books on top of it, hoping I would be able to get to pottery on time. our schedules go by days so on Thursdays, I go straight from History to Pottery. And that's across the school. 

When the bell rang, I knew I was gonna be late so I just walked slowly with Pen. I feel so nervous around her all the time. It's guilt and I know it is. I hate myself for it to the point it makes me nausues.

She was chatting about her and Kay meeting at the party and how she's gonna get so drunk and Natalie are you listening? "Natalie." She snapped her fingers in front of my face, dragging me away from my thoughts, "Did you hear me?"

Nodding quickly, I slid my books into my locker and looped my arm through hers, "Yes. You are your lil yeah are so gonna fuck."

"Mhm." She nodded, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "I didn't say it but I'm glad you did." She cleared her throat as soon as we made it to the stairwell, "So..."

"What's up?" My gaze shot to her and I could feel how sweaty my palms were. I was a mess. 

She raised her eyebrows, "You're being weird, Nat." When we made it to the top of the stairs, she let go of me. Now standing in front of me, she blocked our only chance of making it barely on time. "Stop."

"What are you talking about, Pen?"

"What's your issue? Did I do something?" 

My heart was in my throat. I wanted to cry and tell her that I did something. I'm the issue. I'm so sorry. "Penelope-"