Touch (Posie)

Chapter 3

It had been almost a week since everything happened between her and Josie and if anything the two played well at avoiding each other at all cost. After their last conversation pertaining to the marks on Josie's neck Penelope had heard through school whispers that it was from some upperclassman named Gavin. It was obviously a lie that Josie had told Lizzie who told pretty much everyone who'd listen, though Gavin didn't seem to mind the white lie considering he'd been practically drooling over Josie since sophomore year.

It was one thing to hear about it through gossiping students and another when it came from your friend. Penelope had taken her usual seat in the cafeteria with one hand reaching to dip her fry into some ketchup and the other a book. When MG slid in bedside her she barley brought her eyes off the page, finger pushing her tray closer to the vamp so he could take some fries that she knew he would've taken anyway.

" Thanks Peez"
" Mhmmm"
" So Josie and Gavin huh".
Penelope stiffened though MG seemed oblivious to the motion and continued. " Jo's never given Gavin that much interest but I guess so if they hooked up and he left those marks". His eyes glanced across the caff at Josie who was still in her cheer uniform, hair pulled up into two little space buns and currently all smiles as she chatted with Gavin who had recently plopped down at her table.

" Eh I guess" Penelope all but shrugged as her eyes followed where the vamp had recently looked and MG gave a slightly apologetic look before reaching for another fry. " Sorry, look the bus still has one extra seat to head into town and it's the perfect distraction".
" Yeah but you know it's to help clean up the area right?"
MG shrugged. " True but we can get off campus and I heard there's gonna be a little gathering at the center". At that Penelope raised an eyebrow.
" Drinks?"
" Drinks" MG nodded and Penelope rolled her eyes with a faint smirk. " Guess I cant say no then".

" God please tell me this is a joke" Lizzie groaned from the middle of the bus where she was seated and Penelope shot MG a look before rolling her eyes at Lizzie. " It's not because your still here". She glared at the blonde in annoyance before MG's uncomfortable laughter filled the bus as he pulled a reluctant Penelope to the back. " Guys chill we're all friends here".
Lizzie sucked her teeth.
Penelope scoffed.

Besides Lizzie who seemed to know how to ruin Penelope's mood, she was well aware of Josie who was seated next to Gavin while he joked with some of the other wolves on the bus and it was still a mystery how out of everyone she chose him as a distraction.

Sure he has that typical jock thing going and he was good looking with the dark hair and green eyes and a nice smile but other than that he was a typical wolf. All brawn and very little brains.
" I thought you said she wasn't coming" Penelope huffed already regretting the little trip and MG shrugged. " She said she wasn't but I guess she changed her mind when Raf said he was going". It was easy to see the jealousy radiating off MG and it really baffled Penelope that he was into Lizzie at all.

Dorian stepped off the bus first and adjusted the sun visor on his head with an over enthused smile. " Okay guys one hour of clean up and an hour of down time. Me and Emma will be monitoring you guys so no funny business and especially no powers". He gave a stern gaze before  making a motion. " Everyone break away into two groups". Penelope stepped to the left beside MG and Landon followed by Hope and the right was Lizzie, Josie, Rafael, and Gavin while the rest of the students evened out between the two groups.

Penelope pretended well. She pretended to participate in the cleaning whenever Emma lifted her head up from the book she was reading on a nearby bench, she pretended to care about the conversation being had beside her, and she pretended to not see how Josie would lean into Gavin's touch and the way he'd find any reason to touch her. Just like predicted the groups were done in a little under an hour which meant down time before it was time to get back on the bus and Penelope followed MG, Landon, and Hope.

Of course the square was occupied by Mystic Fall High students but for the most part they were inviting, offering "juice" and small chatter which was certainly something Penelope wasn't going to turn down. She had been doing a pretty good job at keeping her emotions in check and not bothering to be baited into seeing Josie happy, but somehow their eyes found each other and it was like square one all over again.

There was that same irritation on those brown orbs and Penelope only smirked faintly before watching Josie roll her eyes and turn her head back to her choice of distraction. Penelope scoffed.
" Soooo what's up with you guys" Hope's voice caused Penelope to turn her head to see the Hope wearing a smug look on her face.
" Nothing"
" Doesn't seem like nothing"
" Yeah well I hate to disappoint" Penelope shrugged taking another sip of her drink in hopes that the conversation would end.
" How long are you two going to keep doing this?" Hope groaned snatching the juice out of Penelope's hand so she was forced to look at her.
" Doing What Hope?".
" Acting like you two don't want each other".
" Well if you hadn't noticed she seems to be into Gavin".
Hope scoffed and gave Penelope a ridiculous look. " You don't believe that do you?".

The thing was Penelope did. Josie could have easily said it was some random from Mystic Falls but instead chose someone from the school and someone that liked her. That had to mean something right? Either way it wasn't Penelope's business nor did she really want to know the answer to it anyway because maybe Josie was finally moving on. Hope took the silence as an answer to her question, eyes moving across the fountain where Josie was seated beside Gavin with a faint smile as they chatted to their group.

" God your stupid Penelope" Hope rolled her eyes but Penelope simply tossed her empty cup into the trash. " Whatever don't you got a boyfriend to bother?". She watched her friend glance over at Landon who was attempting to balance a cup on his head and Hope muttered something under her breath about the cup falling while walking over. Everything had been going great up until some punk decided that now was the time and place to pick a fight and Penelope watched everything unfold.

She watched as Gavin and his boys fell into the typical Mystic Falls jibes. How they were the ones to throw the first punch and everything spiraled downward as Dorian broke it up before everyone got too worked up and showed their powers while Emma lead everyone onto to the bus. So much for a good time. Penelope took her seat in the back while she watched everyone plop down in whatever seat was available and being how Gavin threw the first punch, he was seated up front with an angry Dorian spewing lectures while Josie climbed onto the bus last behind Emma.

MG had found the seating scramble the perfect opportunity to sit with Lizzie and Penelope noticed now that the only seat open was next to her. She watched as Josie chewed on her lower lip for a moment trying to equate any other seating possibilities when there were none before finally walking towards the back and plopping down with an annoyed sigh, though it could've been because her new boy toy was being chewed out for ruining everyone else's fun.

" Nice boyfriend you got there"
" Penelope don't start"
" What I'm just saying your boyfriend -"
" He's not my boyfriend" Josie bit out through clenched teeth as Penelope leaned back into her seat. " Oh"
" Why do you care anyway?"  Now Penelope knew Josie was annoyed for more reasons than one and she was looking for Penelope to give her another reason to be mad but there was also that slight waver in Josie's features that she picked up on as she leaned in closer. There was a short panic that flickered through Josie's eyes as she glanced around at the packed bus filled with students, her sister included but everyone was either sleep or chatting about the fight to be paying attention to the two in the back.

Josie had more than enough time to pull away from Penelope but she remained rooted where she was but instead of kissing Josie, Penelope leaned over and pressed a brief kiss to her cheek and then brought her lips to her ex's ear. " I don't". She could almost see the wave of relief that crossed Josie's face as she leaned back but there was a hint of disappointment as well before the brunette sucked her teeth and popped her ear buds in while Penelope smirked and looked out the window of the bus like nothing happened.