the book shop > j.l < MID EDIT

forty two

🚫lil dirt but not really x•

penelope and john spent the next hour looking through the box. there were notes that caleb would leave for sabrina, and poems that sabrina would write about how she felt for caleb. whenever they were out and saw postcards they would buy them and write each other mini letters. and many photographs of the two together, mostly taken by strangers or the odd friend that knew of their relationship, for their days out they would travel to places surrounding birmingham. it was clear how much they loved each other.

"this is the kind of love story i want, but i want the happy ending too you know?" penelope said as they packed up all of the papers and photographs and she put it back on top of the bookshelf hidden away yet again.

"i didn't even know that a love like that was even possible, it's beautiful really," john replied.

penelope nodded sadly, wondering if he'd ever feel like that about her.

of course he won't. her mind said to her.

he pulled on one of her hands making her sit next to him, "and i'd want that kind of love too. so powerful that no time or distance could ever phase it."

"i guess if we meet him we can see if that's the kind of love that they had," she kneeled next to him intertwining their fingers, "do you think you're ever going to love anyone?" she asked quietly.

john looked at her unsure of what to say, wanting to tell her he was falling madly in love with her.

she carried on quieter as he hadn't replied yet, "do you think you could ever love me?" his breath hitched at the question but still stayed silent as he hadn't spoken out loud of his feelings yet and he was afraid to say anything.

with no reply off him she untangled their hands and stood back up saddened by the lack of a reply. she turned away from him steadying her shaky breath.

"because if there isn't a chance of that, i don't think i can do this. it's silly really because i know that you don't particularly have a great view on love, and i don't want to be the girl who tries to change the boys opinion on it but i won't be the girl that lets herself fall in love with somebody who doesn't think he could do the same back."

her back was turned to him, so when she felt his hands on her arms turning her around she was taken by surprise, "it's a good thing you don't have to be that girl then isn't it?"

she furrowed her eyebrows at him,

"im falling in love with you penelope. every single day, and i didn't want to say anything in case it's too soon, but watching you stand here losing your mind over the future we might not be able to have because of stupid shit i said about love doesn't exactly sit right with me," he chuckled still holding onto her arms.

her features widened at his confession, "you mean it, you really mean it?"

"who couldn't fall in love with you penelope-anne dawson?"