Penny For Your Thoughts?

Twenty-First

The time passes. Although this wasn't what I was expecting when I told myself to go to Penny's, I really didn't want it to go any other way. She's in my arms, and it just feels so right. And she's asleep finally. And she's breathing easily like I'm not even here. There is nothing more right about being with her.

"Penny, I'm so sorry I didn't come last night! I had a family emergency, but it's nothing now. I let myself in if that's alright with you-" I see the man who she was expecting last night. I see the man who tore her away from me. I see the man who I would strangle if it weren't for Penny being on top of me. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm holding the love of my life. Sorry to crash your evening, but you shouldn't have ditched such a girl," I stare daggers into Liam's eyes and he rolls his eyes.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Liam took his messenger bag off and put it on the bed we were leaning against.

"I don't know that you convinced Penny to dump me so you could just sneak her away from me? God, taking my leftovers when she was vulnerable?"

"Don't you ever talk about Penny like that. She isn't a toy even if you treated her like one," Liam's eyes grew wide with anger and I scoffed. "And she didn't dump you. You did her that favor, if you don't remember,"

"Now you're the one who doesn't know what you're talking about," I laugh, quietly.

"I don't want Penny to be my girlfriend you asshole. I want her to be protected from people like you. You fucking broke her," Liam crosses his arms over his chest and I can't help noticing his slightly larger arms than the last time I saw him.

"What are you talking about?"

"She wouldn't want me to tell you, but you deserve to know so you can finally leave her alone," Liam looks at her and I see the care in his features. "She's been seeing a psychiatrist. Her mind has been completely fixed on the idea that you were such a saint and so good for her. It was all she could think about. And I think it hurt her to think she was the villain this whole time,"

"What does that even mean?" I want more answers. I need to know.

"You're everywhere in her brain. It's like an infection. She can't hold a job anymore. I have her working at the senior center a little ways out of town. She can't drive, I also have her on the bus. I'm here all the time or on the phone with her to make sure she doesn't set the house on fire if she cooks or something. You're her ultimate distraction. And once you come to mind, it's hard to get you out,"

I didn't want to believe it, but how could you explain the attack she had the night before? She thought I was fiction, something created of her imagination.

"When I came last night, she thought she made me up. When I touched her, she was so scared," I look down at her peaceful state. I wonder if she's thinking about me now.

"It's getting better though," I could see Liam's guilt taking over. "Just last night I was coming over to take her out to dinner. She got all ready and beautified. She was so excited and I think she was too distracted to think too much about you,"

"Until I showed up," I sigh. Liam nods and he looks down at her. "I need to go, don't I?"

"I'll think of something to say," Liam agrees without saying it.

"I don't mean to cause any trouble or questions that she might have," Liam bends down to her and sits on the other side of her.

"I'll talk to her therapist, don't worry about it," I look at her one last time. It will have to take her being better before I could see her again. "Zayn, listen to me," I turn to him and he sighs. "Don't wait for her," I open my mouth, but Liam continues. "Trust me, I know it's hard. She's been dealing with this since you left, but you just have to move on. Not only will it protect your heart, but it'll hurt your loved ones if you don't. Please, I don't want your family to hurt the way I've been," Liam's eyes become glossy and I bite my lip. I nod and we quickly switch Penny's head from my shoulder to Liam's.

"You're a good man, Liam. Please watch over her,"

"It's what I've been doing, Zayn. And I'll keep doing it as long as it helps my best friend,"