the book shop > j.l < MID EDIT

twenty six

john

him and penelope lazed around on johns sofa for the rest of the day. the weather looking like it wouldn't clear up for a while still.

john still couldn't quite believe what the pair of them were doing, he'd spent only a few days with the girl but he couldn't get enough of her. he could truly feel himself falling in love with her. which at first scared him and thought it could've been a silly thing to think so soon but there was no other way to describe what he was feeling, and the fear of falling for her faded every time those eyes of hers bore into his.

he lay on the sofa, his head resting on penelopes lap and his legs taking up the rest of the room. she would trace his jawline with her finger every now and again leaving a trail of tingles on johns skin. they spoke about everything from childhood stories to their own aspirations in life. john saying he wants to be a published author or artist and penelope wanting to open up an art gallery one day or take her photography professional. john suggested she take some photos of the band for promotional flyers of their gigs, she reluctantly agreed not wanting to embarrass herself in front of him and his band.

only for a moment or two their conversation died down leaving them in a comfortable silence. penelope weaved her fingers through johns hair and examined his face, she could almost call him flawless. he stared at the ceiling above him in deep thought. the feel of her fingers in his hair soothed him and left a constant pit of butterflies in his tummy.

"it was nice earlier at the pier wasn't it?" he asked randomly.

"yeah i've had a really good day," she replied smiling lightly.

he shifted his eyes to look at her then diverted them away again, "i mean when we acted like a couple," he paused for a moment trying to figure out what to say, "don't you think it just felt.. i don't know - natural?"

penelope didn't reply for a minute which made john nervous that he'd said the wrong thing, he turned to look at her to see if he could read her facial expression. she was looking to the space in front of her with a light smile playing on her lips, when she realised she hadn't replied she looked back down onto him and replied, "yeah i suppose it did. and the way doris and clive reacted to us was something special too," she grinned at the memory.

he lifted off her lap and turned to face her, "i like you penelope."

penelope blushed but smiled through it replying, "i like you too john."

"no like i really do. there's something so special about you. you understand me like nobody else ever has, and i of course don't expect you to feel like this too considering it's only been a short while but you make me feel more alive that i've felt in a long time penny."

penelope didn't reply to this either, he put his head down to look at his hands which were fiddling with each other, "i'm sorry i didn't mean to make you feel unco-" he was interrupted by penelope saying,

"john," she moved over to be closer to him and stroked a hand down the side of his face, "look at me." he turned his head up to look at her, "i really like you too. it's so strange it's been so easy to talk to you from the get go. you could never make me feel uncomfortable," he stared at her a while longer just taking in her every detail before she whispered, "i really want to kiss you."

john wanted nothing more than to kiss her but he was adamant on waiting a while longer to do so.

"not yet," he whispered, he brushed his lips against hers and placed the kiss on the corner of her mouth instead.

he pulled back and said, "come with me tomorrow, i have band rehearsals all day, and then i'll take you out for dinner. that date if you're still up for it?"

penelope nodded unable to contain her smile, "of course," she looked out the window to see the weather was still bad but the rain wasn't as heavy as before, "i should probably get going in case it gets bad again."

john clearly disappointed internally wished that it hadn't gotten better so he could spend more time with her.

getting up she picked up her dress and told him she would just get changed in which john told her not to be stupid and to just keep his clothing on insisting she looked better in it anyway.

they both walked to the front door, penelope turning around before reaching it to say goodbye,

"bring charlotte tomorrow too, paul will be happy to see her if he hasn't invited her already oh and your camera too, we can start the photoshoots," he chuckled, "we start at twelve at the cavern so just come in anytime after then."

penelope nodded and they exchanged telephone numbers in case of emergency.

"thank you for keeping me company today pen, you've really helped me out these past few days," he smiled gratefully at her, penelope looked down at her feet and then back at john,

"don't thank me john, it's the least you deserve for making my birthday so great. just hope you're not getting tired of seeing me so much," she joked.

he smiled at her, "i could never get tired of you love." with that he put a hand on penelopes hip and pulled her into him placing a kiss on her forehead. she wrapped an arm around his waist and placed a small kiss on his neck. goosebumps arose all over john, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her right there. but he knew what he was doing was right. waiting for the perfect time.

they pulled away from the hug and she ran a hand down his face, "goodbye john."