the book shop > j.l < MID EDIT

twenty

john

he didn't know why he'd pulled away so suddenly after kissing her forehead.

well he did.

he was truly terrified of the feelings that he'd developed in such a tiny amount of time. but the way she'd told him she wouldn't hurt him was as if she'd read his mind. but deep down he knew she wouldn't. but he was scared he would hurt her.

but it was a risk he was willing to take if she was too.

the rest of the night rolled by slowly. the four friends sitting in a circle on the floor playing cards and drinking alcohol. smoking packets of cigarettes between them. he'd never felt so content with his life. as if all he needed was right in the room.

penelope suggested both paul and john stay the night as it was nearing early hours of the next morning.

"i have a spare room and obviously the sofa, so whatever you guys wanna do," she said.

paul teased charlotte asking her to stay with him in the spare room but charlotte only replied with, "bad luck today paulie the only person i'll be sharing a bed with today is my girlfriend penny-elope," he pretended to be hurt but soon recovered when charlotte kissed him lightly on the lips for the first time.

"i can drive you guys home tomorrow whenever if you'd like?" penelope questioned,

"i have work tomorrow would you be able to take me home before twelve?" paul asked politely. penelope responding with "of course." charlotte adding that she'd have to go back home then too, followed by john saying he may as well go home to shorten the car journeys.

after all was arranged everyone parted ways to put on pyjamas. charlotte wearing a floaty top with matching shorts, whilst penelope wore a floral nightgown.

paul and john both not having nightwear were given a shirt each of penelopes father who's shirts she stored in her own wardrobe to wear.

charlotte showed paul to his room, kissing him properly in the doorway.

john had noticed just how different the two friends were. charlotte being completely outgoing and shooting all her shots, her and paul wasting no time to show their interest in each other, and penelope being shyer, more reserved but willing to try with john. his feelings felt like they were moving at lightning speed for her but he didn't care.

penelope left john on his own for a few minutes to get him some thin blankets to cover up with on the sofa, in which he took the time to take off his shoes and tight black jeans leaving him in some long boxer shorts and his thin sweatshirt. pulling the sweatshirt over his head he heard the living room door creak open as penelope stumbled in with blankets and pillows for him.

she looked up at him her eyes widening and the bare chested boy in front of her, her face reddening she quickly looked away, "oh i'm so sorry i should've knocked," she dropped the blankets onto the sofa and quickly turned on her heel to leave.

"it's fine don't worry, you can look now i'm dressed," she turned to find him standing in her fathers shirt, he smirked down at her and the way she reacted.

"well - uhm-" she stuttered still embarassed, "goodnight, i'll see you tomorrow."

"goodnight penelope," he paused for a moment but as she turned to walk away he decided to speak again, "i'm not scared you're going to hurt me penny," she looked up at him curiously "i'm not scared at all actually," he looked at his feet, "you make me feel like i don't have to be scared," he whispered so it was almost inaudible.

"good, i don't want you to be scared," she whispered back, "all in good time john." she repeated the words john had told penelope of paul saying to him.

she walked towards john and tiptoed to kiss his cheek, this time putting her hand on his other cheek. she pulled away and said, "goodnight."

with that she turned a left the room shutting the door behind her. leaving john completely and utterly overwhelmed with emotions he hadn't ever experienced before.