The Modern Four

Chapter 27

The next day, after they all woke up, Hiro and Penny started to get dressed for their date that they wouldn't admit was a date. Penny, who was still with Violet, had most of her closet strewn about the room. "What do you even wear for something like this? I want to look casual, but not too casual. I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard. And I don't want to.." Penny kept talking, but Violet stopped listening, instead pulling out her phone and texting back Wilbur, who was having the same problem with Hiro.

"Dude, what the heck do you even wear on a date? Can I even call this a date?" Hiro said, laying back on the bed. "I'm just gonna wear jeans and a tshirt."

"That's probably your best bet. And yes, it's a date. Probably. What are you guys doing?" Wilbur asked, raising an eyebrow and glancing up from his phone.

"I dunno, we haven't decided."

"Well, just keep with the jeans and a tshirt" Wilbur shrugged.

"Yeah, okay..."

"How about jeans and a tshirt?" Penny questioned, looking through her closet.

"That could work." Violet said, raising an eyebrow. "But you might want to wear something a little nicer. How about like...a sweater? I mean, it is winter..."

Penny sighed. "Gosh, you're right! It's too cold to wear a tshirt, and plus, a tshirt is way too casual." She said, pulling a bright pink sweater out of her closet. "Is this one good?" She asked, tilting her head.

"It's very...pink." Violet responded, biting her lip.

Penny groaned, sitting down amongst the piles of clothes. "I give up. Just tell Hiro I'm no longer coming. This is too much work."

Violet blinked, sighing, and stood up, walking to the closet. While walking over, she pulled a pair of jeans off of the floor, that Penny had earlier discarded. She looked in the closet, pulling out a white sweater and a patterned scarf. "Try this." She said, tossing the clothes over to Penny, who caught them and peered down at the outfit.

"I forgot about this sweater." She muttered, slipping into the outfit. After she was down, Violet looked back over.

"It's cute." She said, smiling a little.

"Really? I don't look like I'm trying too hard?" Penny said, examining herself in the mirror.

"No. I think it looks good. Trust me." She said. Penny nodded, and smiled.

About an hour later, Hiro came to Penny's house, looking nervous. He rung the doorbell to the house, and fidgeted with his shirt rim, looking down. "Coming!" A voice from inside said- a voice that wasn't Penny's. "You must be Hiro." A woman said, opening the door. "I'm Penny's mom, just call me Mrs. Forrester. Penny's upstairs, do you wanna wait in the kitchen?" She asked, grabbing something out of the oven.

"I, uh...yeah, sure...I'm wait.." He said, walking inside, and sitting down.

"Do you want a cookie? I just made some." She said, offering fresh cookies off a plate.

"Sure." Hiro said, taking a cookie and taking a bite.

"Penny should be down soon, I think she was just looking for her purse." She said. "So, Penny tells me you're quite smart." Mrs. Forrester smiled.

Hirp swallowed, grinning. "Straight A student. Could've skipped over high school, but was forced to stay by my aunt. She thought it would be best to leave me to socialize with my 'fellow teenagers'." He said, rolling his eyes.

Penny, who just came downstairs, crossed her arms. "Did I mention he's full of himself." She laughed, and Hiro blushed.

"There she is!" Mrs. Forrester smiled. Penny waved and gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek. "So where are you two heading?" She asked.

"I think were gonna go to the ice cream shop in the city. Can you drive us?" She asked.

Mrs. Forrester nodded, grabbing her keys. "Of course! I need to do a little shopping in the town anyway." She said, The three went into the car and after a slightly awkward, five minute drive, Hiro and Penny were dropped off at the ice cream shop.

"So..." Hiro muttered, tugging at his ear.

"So.. What are you gonna get?" Penny asked, looking at the menu.

"Uh.. Maybe the mint ice cream cone." He smiled, ruffling his hair.

Penny smiled. "Yeah, I can see you being a mint guy. I'm gonna get the strawberry sundae."

"I can see you being a strawberry girl." Hiro replied, mimicking Penny's inflection. She blushed, and they ordered, taking a seat.

"So, have you started studying for our science final?" She asked, eating a spoonful of ice cream.

"Ha, no. I forgot about that. I probably won't, I already know the material, so I'm not too worried." He said, his cockiness shining through. Penny laughed a little, rolling her eyes.

"Alright, mr. know it all, maybe you could help me study, because I'm lost at the last chapter." She said. Hiro grinned, licking his ice cream cone. They chatted for a while longer, about school, and Violet and Wilbur, and about Penny and Violet's recent choir concert, which Wilbur and Hiro attended together. After a while, they shared an awkward silence.

"So, uh, have you heard about that dance, the one after break?" Hiro asked, running a hand through his hair.

"Yeah! It's the midwinter formal." Penny said, taking another bite of ice cream.

"Well, I...was wondering if maybe you...wanted to go together? I-if you don't want to, that's cool, I mean, no biggie.." He said, trying to remain cool.

Penny's eyes widened. "Yes! I'd love to!" She exclaimed, smiling widely.

"Really?" Hiro asked, his eyes brightening.

"Yes!" AShe stood up, and gave the boy a quick hug, causing him to blush.

"Oh, good, I was worried you'd say no and-" He was interrupted by a kiss on the cheek from Penny.

"I'd never say no." She smiled.