Summer of 76

Chapter 6

It had been a few weeks since Penelope decided to actually trust someone with her friendship and so far all was pretty good. Jack and Penelope had spent most of their mornings in Mr. Rick's as Jack worked his shift. Then, they'd either ride around in Jack's truck or take their bicycles and ride around town.

Slowly Jack and Penny had learned each other's habits and quirks. Such as, how Jack eats his pizza and pepperoni separately or how Penelope can't say thesaurus without roaring like a dinosaur. Things most people wouldn't care to know.

However, the two were not always together. Sometimes Jack would go out with his friends. Sure, he'd invite Penelope, but she'd always make up an excuse not to go because she knew she'd stick out like a sore thumb.

Today, however, Jack had convinced Penelope to come with him and his friends to the park.

Needless to say Penelope was not in a peaceful state. She had clothes thrown everywhere in her room and not one of them she deemed good enough. She stood there in a messy mound of clothes scattered everywhere. She huffed, putting her hands on her hips, and looked at Jack who was seated on her bed giving her the weirdest look.

"What?!" She asked throwing her arms in the air. Jack shook his head as he smirked to himself.

"Well! You try and pick an outfit then!" Penelope said flopping onto her bed and groaning into the comforter.  

She felt Jack get up and heard some shuffling of clothes and feet.

"Here!" Jack said throwing clothes at her.

Penelope rolled over and looked at the outfit. It actually wasn't bad. It was casual but not frumpy. And cool but not too revealing. She shrugged and gave him a thumbs up making Jack grin.

"Now go wait in the living room while I change," Penelope said pushing him toward the door.

"Or I could help," Jack shot back turning around and winking at her.

"No! You perv!! Now get out!" She said pushing him out the door as he laughed.

"It was a joke Penny! Lighten up!" He shouted back through the closed door that muffled his voice and laughing.

Penelope slipped on the high waisted, light wash shorts that Jack had chosen and then the crop shirt. It was red with blue trim and stopped just below her boobs. It tied tightly around her neck and had no back except the tight strip at the bottom. (See pic on side).

She slipped on some sandals and pulled her hair up into a half up half down style. And placed a flower clip in the back where the two pieces of hair met. Sighing at her reflection in the mirror, Penelope picked up her bag and headed into the living room. 

"Ok. Let's go," she said walking over to the door as Jack got up from his seat on the couch, "Headed to the park, Mom. Be back later."

Jack had come in his truck so they decided on just driving there. Penelope got in the truck and once it started turned the radio up. She liked her music loud and Jack had gotten used to it, so he didn't mind the volume anymore.They cruised along the road with the windows down in a comfortable silence. However, Penelope felt as if she was going to vomit out the window.

"Are there gonna be other girls there?" she asked trying to sound nonchalant while she had a panic attack on the inside. She honestly had never really had friends or people to just hang out with, so this was all very nerve racking to her. She didn't want to act weird or stand out or do anything embarrassing.

"Of course! I wouldn't let you hang out with just the guys. Especially not in that," Jack replied motioning with his head at her outfit.

"I thought you liked this outfit. I mean you picked it out. Are you trying to embarrass me?" Penelope asked starting to get queasy.

"NO! I love it. It's just a bit...revealing for my friends. I mean they'd pull a move on anything with a pulse, but with you in that..." he trailed off not wanting to keep making a fool of himself or offend her. Jack really did love the outfit. It was quite flattering on her, making her hips look curvier and her legs extremely long. Now that he thought about it he was nervous for Penny to meet his friends. He loved his friends, but they could be very flirty. What if they tried to steal her away? She'd been sort of his little secret. Jack knew she was amazing and loved that she trusted him enough to actually show that side of her, but once they saw that side of her what would they do? Would they want her all to themselves? Or would they think they were both completely weird? He didn't know if he could handle crushing Penelope like that.

Penelope watched Jack as his brow furrowed and his hands gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. He also had a little tip of his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth. Penelope knew that as his thinking face. Not wanting to interrupt his thoughts, but still worried about what he was thinking, she started singing along to the song on the radio. She saw his brow relax and he pulled one hand off the steering wheel as he looked over at her. She smiled at him swaying a bit to the song and he immediately grinned back, his eyes sparkling as they always seemed to do.

The two arrived at the park early. It was late afternoon and the sticky, Louisiana summer air was hot and humid as it always was. The park wasn't much. A couple acres of hilly land with large oak trees that had Spanish moss draped across it's long dipping branches dotted about. There was also a small lake that was used to fish and swim in.

Jack walked up next to Penelope and gave her a thumbs up. She gave him a worried smile which only made him laugh. He hugged her for support and squeezed her tight before letting go. She seemed to be a little more relaxed. Then there was the sound of loud music and engines. They both turned around to face two cars. A yellow Chevy Nova with two black stripes along the hood and rear of the car and a dark green and white Ford Bronco. Out came 8 people, 3 girls and 5 guys. The engines were cut as they started walking toward Jack and Penelope. 2 girls were in Penelope's class and she even had Biology with one of them. The other one was a year older, Jack's age. All the guys were Jack's age expect one who Penelope remembered from her Algebra class. 

Their faces all seemed confused, but still trying to look politely happy to see her. Jack took a deep breath and said, "So. Guys this is Penelope Hawkins. We've been hanging out for the past couple weeks and I thought yall might like her."

Penelope gave a small wave and suppressed the vomit she felt like she was going to throw up. What the hell did she agree to?

Well there's your chapter six people! Not very interesting, but chapter seven is going to be GREAT! Can't wait! Also Penny's outfit is the one on the left. ok guys just remember to vote and comment and all that good stuff. Love you all!

-Lindsey