Hunters And Foxes

Chapter 27: Oh Baby

"I just came for the food," I grin. Chloe's baby shower is well under way. She has opened a few gifts- receiving a few bibs, cutesy clothes and loads of bits and pieces. Right now Storm, Conroy and I are sitting on the floor in the corner of their lounge. Everyone in this room is either 16 or are adult family members. Jayda couldn't make it because Max has organised a date for the two of them. Rose doesn't know Chloe very well so it would have been weird if she came. The three of us have been staring at the food table for a while. The temptation to just smuggle it into Storm's bedroom is beginning to increase. 

"My question is, why do I have to be here? Dad got to leave after he set up the decorations," Conroy grumbles banging his head against the wall behind him. As the rest of the room let's out an 'Ooh' at the sight of a beautiful pink tutu. The baby is a girl- they found out last week. 

"Why am I the only normal child in this family? Seriously Chloe's pregnant and Conroy used to be- bad Conroy. Anyway as soon as we are allowed food we are grabbing a plate each and disappearing to my room," Storm hits our knees to show she's serious. It's not like we are trying to be rude to Chloe. It's just that the twins are going to have to go through the presents later tonight and write down who gave Chloe each gift. I feel a bit awkward because yes, I know Chloe well-ish. But I'm here because Storm begged her mum to let her have a friend. The rest of the room wouldn't care if I left or hadn't turned up in the first place. 

Storm has started Snapchatting Tommy so Conroy and I join in, looking up every now and again to see what everyone is cooing over. Tommy is all alone at his house so we end up inviting him over. He arrives just as everyone stands to make their way over to the food table. Eunice raises her eyebrows when the doorbell rings. 

"It's just Tommy,  his mum has gone out for the day with her boyfriend so we invited him to come and hang out with us," Storm kisses her cheek.

"Oh you guys don't have to stay down here if you're getting bored. Sorry it's not very exciting, after we eat we are going to play some crazy games. But you probably don't want to. I'd rather you enjoy yourselves than ruin Chloe's day with your frustration of being bored," Eunice waves us off. She has a nice way of telling her two older children off. 

Conroy and I pile four plates with doughnuts, sweets and delicious mini quiches, giving Storm and Tommy time to greet each other alone. When we get to the entry way Tommy already has a little bit of lipstick smeared on his mouth.

"Classy, Storm," Conroy teases handing his sister a plate. I wiggle my eyebrows and smirk at Tommy as I give him his plate.

"Shuuuddup," Storm groans punching Conroy's arm, "I bet Penelope does the same to Zac it's just that we don't see it."

"Oh she's way worse I've seen it," now it's Tommy's turn to smirk. I really want to tease Conroy about how he used to be with Linny, but I know that isn't a good idea right now.

"At least I own it," I laugh following Conroy up the stairs towards Storm's bedroom. Both Conroy and Tommy shake their heads as they laugh. 

"As you can see Storm has cleaned her room just for you," Conroy declares swinging the door to Storm's bedroom open.

"It's never this clean when I come... hey! You were hoping Tommy would come, weren't you? What's the point in inviting me when you were holding onto the idea of making out with your boyfriend anyway?" I tease playfully. Storm's so sneaky. Tommy is blushing profusely- oh he was part of the plan too. Those snakes!

"Okay well you enjoy your doughnuts and kissing. Conroy and I will leave you to it," I pull the thumbs up sign and turn to exit. Who knew that Storm would be that kind of girl when she got a boyfriend. I'm not angry, there's no bad vibes. I'm just surprised.  Well maybe I'm a little bit hurt, "Conroy, wanna go hang at Luke's? He has a baby sister and a pool," I sound like a child begging her parents to let her have a play date. But Conroy nods with a chuckle. 

"Penelope," Tommy goes to say something before I walk away, I shrug my shoulder's at him. I'm halfway down the hall when he grabs my shoulders. I don't want to argue with him or Storm. So leaving the two of them while I eat, was going to help me calm my frustrations. But I don't have that option, "please don't be grumpy with me Poodle. I'm sorry we keep hurting your feelings, we don't mean to."

"It's fine Tommy, I love spending time with Conroy. We became best friends after not talking for years but Tommy, one of the reasons I stopped being your friend was because you always picked girls over me. I love the both you together. You two together isn't what makes me feel hurt. It's the fact you don't even think about how I would feel. I could've spent the day with my family, which I haven't done in ages. But I came to this baby shower to support Storm. Even though you two had organised to hang out anyway. Why am I here?" I don't raise my voice once, I say what I want to say as calmly as I can. Storm is standing behind Tommy so she can hear what I am saying as well. 

"I'm sorry Penelope, I didn't think about how you would feel, I was being selfish," Storm murmurs taking a step towards me. 

"You kind of were Storm. I don't want there to be any drama. But Penelope has been struggling for weeks with so many different things, not just stuff to do with me. You've just been in your bubble of you. It's the anniversary for her dad's death this week. I can understand how she feels because my girlfriend died this Thursday last year. Do you ever ask her if she is okay anymore? You did help her through a tough time, but she still needs someone to be there for her even now. You aren't off the hook. She felt guilty for keeping information from you but you ripped into her yesterday and you didn't even tell her when you got a boyfriend. Some best friend you are. Tommy man, I know that you try to be there for Penelope as much as you can. Seeing her in the state she was after returning to the club. You have a glimpse of what is going on in her mind. Yes everything may be solved, but it's traumatizing for her. Your only stuff up really is this right now. Guys just be more aware of the world around you," Conroy holds my hand as he speaks. It's comforting to know that he is willing to stand up for me even it's his twin.

Storm's facial expression tells me that she's realised Conroy is right she hasn't really thought about whether I'm okay. I can tell she feels guilty and I don't like fighting with her. But something needed to be said otherwise I would have bottled up my hurt just like I used to do. I take a step forward and give her a big hug. 

"Storm now that you know that I was feeling hurt, there's no need for negativity. We can both work on being more open and more aware," I smile holding her at arms length. Before she can speak both Conroy's and my cellphone begin to ring. 

"Hello, Penelope Diego speaking," I forgot to check the caller ID.

"Penelope! Guess what?!" It's Jayda and I have a feeling I know exactly why she is calling and who is on the phone to Conroy.

"Uhm... let me think," I purposely speak extremely slow. I put her on speaker phone so Storm can hear too.

"Max asked me to be his girlfriend officially. Of course I said yes. Its been a long time coming hasn't it? I was beginning to think he'd never ask. He took me to the forest and we were sitting by the river talking. Then he took me to the tree houses and he asked me to help look for his lost fire engine- I didn't really think about how silly that was at the time. He said that it was probably in Shaun's tree house. So while I was looking, he lit a few candles, set up a cute little and turned on this song he always sings me. When I finally realised he was tricking me, he was at the bottom of his tree house with this big beaming smile and he told me to go up the ladder. It was so beautiful Penelope. I can't even describe how happy I am. He's so incredible, thank you for sharing your brother" oh golly my brother is such a romantic. I know I should be weirded out by how gooey she sounds but it's cute. I am very happy he finally asked her out. I decide not to ask more questions because I know I will be weirded out. She can save those kind of conversations for someone who isn't her boyfriend's sister.

"Oh Jayda that's so lovely. I'm happy for you. Does that mean I will see you at dinner?" I ask after Storm has a quick excited rant for her.

"Sure does, see you soon sister," I can hear the smirk on her lips. She won't be a bad sister-in-law.