'STARS HANG FOR PENELOPE'

|Chapter 7|

"-and then she fainted! She passed out man, and I thought the wine was gonna squirt out my nose from how much I wanted to laugh! I mean, how was I suppose to know it was family kept and held sentimental value...I mean why do they let wine sit in a cellar that long anyway? It'll always just be wine...like..."

Penelope sat on dirt floor of the barn, watching her sweet friend ramble on, as she sat across from her; perched on a wooden surface. She couldn't help the smile splitting into her face as she bathed in her friend's company. Her cheeks hurt so much yet it was a pain she welcomed with open arms. Lulu June would always be worth it.

Of course, how could she not be? She was such a determined, happy vessel of unique individuality. Every time she talked, a person couldn't help but be engaged; even if it was a simplest of topics as wine. Penelope eyes lit up as they darted to follow every hand gesture that helped tell the story. Her eyes didn't move as she brought her cup up to take a sip of her beverage. She chuckled at herself.

"Speaking of liquid, looks like I'm out of mine" she held up her cup and wiggled it around.
Lulu rolled her eyes.

"I was getting started, why must thee mess up the creative flow of thoughts?" Penelope gave her a flat look as she struck a dramatic pose to go with her overdramatized words.

" Oh just come on"

Lulu hopped off her seat, wiggles her toes in the hay while Penelope struggled to get up. She already could feel her friend's eyes staring her down, probably wanting to comment on her embarrassing way of getting up. She held her hand up.

"It's kinda my day off to let loose a little, don't ruin it Lu-Ju"

Lulu held up her hands and reached for Penelope's wrist.

" Shall we drink until we get pissy drunk then?"

"....no"

Penelope walked out of the barn with Lulu in tow as they headed for the drink table, trying their best to blend in and not get called for duty. They both mumbled sweet apologies as they maneuvered through the party's big crowd. Lulu gripped her friend's waist a few times during the journey, in order to keep the lightweight steady.

The table was coming nearer, the decorative candles and lights keeping it aglow through the night. It also helped the table look alluring since the table cloth on it was yellow, the lighting reflected off of it perfectly. Although once the girls took notice of the ladies crowding their destination, their stomachs were anything but settled; maybe it wasn't so perfect as previously thought. Leann Lewis, Hilly's best friend, was the first to notice them.

Her eyes only stayed on Lulu June for a millisecond; Penelope could feel her skin starting to crawl. She didn't handle attention well, especially not coming from Judgmental stares. She didn't personally have anything wrong with miss Leann, again she also never conversed with her much. Leann always looked at her though, always observing her for whatever reason. Again this was fine with Penelope, at least it usually was, not so much at the current moment since it drew the attention of other judgmental eyeballs. Penelope had to force herself not to squirm.

Lulu slightly moved her feet forward, to put herself closer to the bougie women; she felt as though she was protecting her dear friend. She then put her hands in a praying position and bowed in a greeting to them all. Penelope wanted to laugh at her weird boldness but refrained to just try and smile instead. She was sure it looked like a grimace, who knows she was tipsy.

Lulu came back up from her bow and decided to speak her greeting also.

"Greetings to you lovely women...y'all look mighty fine this evening," her eyes shifted downward,"...with all these fancy pantyhose."

The alcohol probably played a part her deciding to speak, but she was proud anyway; *it's not like lightweight was taking handle on the situation* she mused.

Penelope, finally out of her thoughts, took the time to observe everyone's reaction to Lulu's words. Hilly, Madame Alane and Madame Lillian all had their faces twisted in frowns. The sight made Penelope's throat go dry, her eyes quickly shifting to Leann; Who was actually smiling slyly and had somewhat rosiness to her cheeks. Penelope made a mental note to ask Lulu about it later. She didn't know they were on friendly terms; if that's even the correct term to call it.

"Hmm...I see your personal servant still has a loose mouth on her..." Madame Alane said, glancing at Leann. Before Leann could utter a response of defense or anything to help her case, Madame Lillian spoke up in agreement.

"Yes indeed, she does have quite the mouth. The gal's very rebellious as well, I'll have you know she snuck into my wine cellar the other night...caught her red handed."

Penelope dropped her head and tried to focus on her feet as the women conversed about her friend as if Lulu wasn't standing in their presence.

"That's rich. Some sad excuses for women just don't know their places, right Ann?" Hilly looked to her friend who just looked at her completely lost, like she didn't know how to respond. Hilly waited on her friend for a few more seconds before rolling her eyes. Her eyes settled on Madame Alane, asking, "mother?"

Hilly looked to her mother with heavy eyes of desperation. She just wanted to be back in her mother's good grace since the incident that happened that morning, thanks to her bratty sister. She felt that adding her agreement to their discussion would do so. Apparently she was wrong. Her mother ignored her attempt of redemption and focused her attention back on Madame Lilian; they continued to share a few more words of casual talk between themselves before being called over by a few more women.

Once they were gone, the two servant girls continued to stand there awkwardly with the two remaining. Hilly quickly cursed at Leann, blaming her for her mother's coldness, before pulling her along in the same direction their mothers went.