I'll Do Just Fine

03 - Suprise!

" . . . And you missed the street" I say as we pass the turn Luke was supposed to make. It's fine, we can just drive around for a little bit.

"It's not my fault that you're a horrible navigation" He laughs a little and quickly glances at me.
"Penelope, I never really asked you but, did you ever go out with Aaron ?"

Aaron, he was the It-guy in Riverton High School. He was friends with Luke but, not good friends. They only talked in class."Take a left turn and circle around and no, you should know me. I'm horrible at starting conversations towards the guys I like. No confidence, remember?"

"Right, yeah. But, he told me during my grad party he'd ask you on a date".

"Woe... what? The Aaron Parker wanted to go out with brace-face Penelope?" I'm shocked. No guy, and I mean...NO GUY ever liked me in high school. Unless, Luke is teasing me right now.

"Yeah, he started asking about you the last couple weeks before school ended for the seniors"

I guess he wasn't. "OH MY GOSH! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?! HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL! I, BRACE FACE PENELOPE, could've actually had my first boyfriend, Luke! Oh, and my first date, my first kiss...my-"

"You didn't have your first kiss in high school?"

Crap. "No, well...um...you know, did you hear that it was going to heavy rain tomorrow?", Hopefully Luke catches on and changes the subject.

"No no no, you have to explain. So, when did you have your first kiss?", Luke asking curiously...might I say...obnoxious.

"Oh, you know... some guy at a party-", I say as I take of the lid of my drink and take a huge gulp of tea.

"Penelope, we both know that's not true. That doesn't sound like you at all. Don't tell me it was a jerk that stole your first kiss", Luke said. Well, I mean Luke's not entirely correct...more of a back-stabbing-troll-that-needs-to-be-thrown-off-the-face-of-the-earth kind of jerk.

"My first kiss was my first real boyfriend. No, the one guy i went out with in high school did not count. Anyway, we then started dating the year after. Sweet right? I guess, but after two years...I found out he was cheating on me. I mean, worse things could happen. I feel more sorry for the girl he cheated on me with. She was the freshman that was shy and didn't have any friends. Much like how I was back in high school", That's me trying to make this sound less dramatic and depressing. I genuinely did feel bad for her. I never got the chance to tell her what was going on. After Darcy sent me pictures, I immediately called it off with Jared. I hope she's doing alright.

"Wow. Penelope, I...you didn't deserve that. I wish I could've been there for you"

"No, it's fine. You didn't know I went to school near you and you were probably busy".

"If we're being honest here, you weren't a brace face the month before I graduated. Maybe that's how Aaron's tiny eyes opened up and saw the beautiful you" Luke smiled.

I chuckle at the Aaron comment. "So, enough about me. How's your mom? I know your mom and mine are close friends but, Is she doing well?", Luke's mother has been dealing with stress ever since Luke's grandparents passed away and the divorce that was going to happen a few years back.

"Great! I call her everyday. Actually, my sister moved back in with my mom, along with her fiance"

"That's good to hear. I should drive down to visit her and your sister sometime. When is your sister getting married?"

"In early October, they haven't decided the date yet"

"Hm, cool weather, pretty leaves ... I think it's a good choice. I definitely need to talk to your sister soon", I say and we both laugh.
"Oh! It's the fifth building on the right", I say.

We pull to the side of the road in front of the row house building. "Well, this is it. If you want to come in... maybe help me with boxing up my stuff?", What can I say...I'll get the job done quicker.

"Yeah, why not?", Luke said with a big smile.

We got our drinks and get out of the car. We got inside and walked up the stairs to the top floor, only to be greeted with visitors in our space. Great, it's Darcy's brother and sister-in-law. Yay, they're early...how fun. Time to put on my fake attitude.

"Hey Derek!" ,I say with a true smile. "And Mackenzie..." ,I say with a half smile. "Great to see you both!". Was that too fake? No, let me smile wider.

"Likewise" Mackenzie bitterly responds. She's a keeper, am I right?

"Great to see you, Penelope!" ,Derek comes in with a hug. "I've never met you before, who might you be?" Derek questions Luke.

"Nice to meet you, Sir. My name is Luke, Penelope's friend", Luke responds as he shakes Derek's hand.

As I was about to head to my room, Darcy came walking out carrying two large boxes. She sets them down near the front door with my other boxes.

"Penelope, I had no clue they were coming in today. I also didn't know that Mackenzie also brought her younger brother", Darcy started rambling.

Did she say a younger brother? Great, there's going to be two bitter people in this house and I'm going to go insane. I look up and see a tall brown haired guy carrying out some boxes. OH MY GOSH , HIS MUSCLES. He sets them down next to Luke and I then, faces me. Realization just hit me like a truck, that's Mackenzie's brother?! He's...young, my age kind of young. I was expecting an old perverted middle-aged looking guy. Someone that looks like Mr. Bean. I guess I was wrong, but thank gosh I was wrong.

He smiles and says, "Nice to meet you, I'm Keith".