Random One - Shots pt. 2

Rain

This was crazy. Absolutely insane! Gavin didn't know anything about taking care of farm animals. He was just here to work on a project with Penelope, his friend/secret long time crush. And why? Penelope refused to touch him, and lately it seemed they talked a little less. He was still in love with her, but she didn't seem to be in love with him like he had thought. So why did he agree to this? A pointless attempt to be near the girl who didn't like him longer.

Penelope skipped happily ahead, oblivious to his inner turmoil. She turned back to look at him, skipping backwards now. "Come on Gavin you slowpoke! Let's go!"

"Sorry," Gavin muttered.

"What's wrong?" Penelope asked, slowing to walk beside him, noticing she was careful not to touch his hand. His heart tightened.

"What do you mean?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"You've got your I've-screwed-up face on. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just concerned I'm going to do something wrong."

"If you follow my orders directly you won't screw up, Gavin. Quit worrying."

"Sor-"

"Stop freaking apologizing, dude! It's okay," Penelope said.

"Why don't you have a coat on?" Gavin asked, changing the subject. "Didn't you hear your mother say it was going to rain?" Just as thunder sounded in the distance.

Penelope shrugged. "I'm not scared of a little rain."

Gavin pulled his coat closer around him.

~¤~

Gavin had a new respect for Penelope after seeing her life two five- gallon buckets filled to the top with only a grunt and some arm straining. Gavin could barely lift one.

They had just finished when the rain came pouring down. Penelope ran out into it with a shout of glee, and was completely drenched in a matter of seconds.

Gavin stood inside the barn door, just shy from being touched by the rain.

Penelope laughed and turned to look at him, pushing wet hair out of her face. "Come on, this feels great!"

Gavin tried not to focus on how tight her wet shirt was on her chest and shook his head.

"At least take off your coat," Penelope reasoned.

Reluctantly, he shed his coat and put on the floor beside him.

She walked closer to take his hands. The first time she had actually had skin-on-skin contact with him in a long time, but her touch was just barely hesitant. "Come on Gavin. Have a little fun."

Gavin took a deep breath and let Penelope pull him out into the downpour.

The rain was startlingly cold. The drops, as huge was they were, didn't hurt. It felt like a shower- a fully clothed shower.

His attention snapped back to Penelope when she sighed, spread out her arms and turned her face to the sky. "I love rain."

Gavin just stared. She looked so beautiful, in her wet clothes and bright smile. It made him like her a little more, that moment.

Penelope opened one eye under his scrutiny. "Gavin?"

"Penelope," he breathed, and for no reason, started to laugh.

She joined him, and she took his hands and started to spin them around.

He threw his head back, feeling like a little kid again, careless and free, laughing... just laughing!

Gavin was jolted back to reality when he tripped on something and stumbled hard into Penelope. She helped him regain balance, but now they were standing close. Her hands were on his chest, his around her waist. Suddenly, the only noise was the sound of the rain on the tin roof of the red barn. Their faces were inches away from eachother.

Tentatively, Gavin leaned closer and touched their noses, only looking at Penelope's eyes. She looked a little bewildered, but nothing told him to stop.

He closed his eyes and kissed her.

After a moment, Penelope was kissing him back, and slid her hands, painfully slow, up his soaking shirt to link around his neck.

Gavin tightened his hands around her waist and pulled her closer, moving his left hand to touch lightly on the small of her back.

When Penelope pulled away, Gavin left his eyes closed, scared of what she was going to say.

"Gavin," she said hoarsely. "Look at me,"

He opened his eyes to see the slightly smiling Penelope. "What- what was that for?"

Gavin hesitated. "I... I love you."

Her eyes widened and the smile vanished. "Are you serious?"

He gulped, let go, and backed away. "I'm sorry. I knew it was a mistake to kiss you. I couldn't-"

"Don't apologize, you idiot!" Penelope interrupted, yelling angrily. "I've been waiting for you to do that forever!"

Gavin blinked. "Wha- huh?"

"I've had a crush on you since freshman year! When you actually decided to be friends with me, I thought I actually had a chance! But then, every time I tried to touch you, you shied away from me and I thought 'He doesn't like me! How could he? He can't even touch me!'"

The rain suddenly felt like nails and Gavin's mouth dropped open. "Me- not like you?! When you stopped trying to touch me I thought you had a crush on someone else! I shied away from you because I had to fight the urge to grab your hand and... kiss you! I was scared," his voice dropped, "Of being rejected because you could do so much better than me."

Now, Penelope looked offended. "Better than you? I can't imagine anyone I'd rather date than you! Granted, you're a bit closed off, but you're smart, chivalrous, and you know how to act like a man around a girl! I could go on and on about you!" she cried, staring to tear up. "Don't you dare tell yourself you aren't good enough for me! If anything, I'm not good enough for you!"

"Not good enough for me? You're amazing! You're beautiful, smarter than me, and... I could go on and on. I..." Gavin faltered. "I..."

Penelope ran over to him and kissed him angrily, pressing her hands on his face. Gavin was stunned, but then was kissing her back.

He pulled back first this time. "Penelope- will you be my girlfriend?"

"It's about time, Gavin," she muttered, shutting him up with another kiss.