The Girl In The Red Raincoat (Pennywise x Reader)

Chapter 12: 17 Years Later part 7

I was sat at my desk answering emails and drinking a cup of tea when suddenly I felt someone's eyes on me. I looked up to find, Landon, one of my coworkers, standing in front of me.

"Hey." i said to him, leaning back in my chair.

"Hey, hard at work or hardly working?" he asked, chuckling.

"Uh i don't know" i replied, chuckling too.

"Look we're all having a little get together on Friday night and was wondering if you wanted to come with?" he asked, leaning on the desk.

"Oh, um-" i said.

"I know you don't usually come out to things but it's casual at the new restaurant in town." he smiled.

I contemplated on whether on not i should go but decided it would be fun and a good opportunity to socialize.

"Sure, why not?" i finally said.

"Great!" he smiled. "Well, it's Friday night, as i said, 7 o'clock."

I shook my head, giving him a slight smile before he walked away.

****

"Honey i'm off to dinner." I said as i walked by Robbie sitting on the couch, watching TV.

"Okay. Oh, is it alright if Hugh comes over tonight?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah that shouldn't be a problem." i nodded. "Okay, i love you, see you later." i said before walking out the door.

I was sat around the table with a few of my coworkers, we were all laughing and having a great time.

"- and i told him i couldn't do that but of course, Mr. Big Shot had to one up me." Landon said, taking another sip of his beer.

We all just shook our heads and grinned at each other.

"Well i should be heading off." Gwen, one of the receptionists, said.

"Yeah i probably should be too." i said as i looked at my watch. 10:45pm.

We got the attention of the waitress and she came over, handing us all our separate bills but before i could reach mine Landon took it. I looked at him and he grinned at me, "my treat" he said, grabbing his wallet.

All of us were saying goodbye in the parking lot and once everyone had left i noticed making his way to the payphone.

"You don't have a ride?" i asked.

"Oh no, i wanted some beers so i got a cab." he said back.

"Well here let me drive you home." i offered.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yeah it's like me paying you back for paying." i smiled.

"Okay." he said as we walked over to my car.

"It's just the building on the right." he pointed.

I stopped the car and turned my head to him, "well thanks for the invite tonight, it was fun."

"No problem." he said, not getting out of the car.

I just smiled, waiting awkwardly for him to do or say something.

"Did you want to come upstairs?" he asked me.

"Oh, um, I- I'm sorry Landon-" i said in shock. "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant"

"Look (Y/N), I like you. I always have and never said anything and it may be the liquid courage right now but now i'm telling you." he said, looking at me.

"Landon, I- I appreciate that, it's just-" i said, stuttering.

"There's someone else isn't there?" he said, looking out the window.

"Yeah" was all i said back.

"Well serves me right, waited for too long." he said, unbuttoning his seat belt.

"I'm sorry." i said back.

"Nothing to be sorry about. I just hope he knows how lucky he is." he said as he opened his door and got out. "Good night (Y/N)."

"Good night." i said before he closed the door and i drove away.

****

I arrived home to find Robbie and Hugh sitting on the couch playing video games.

"Hey Mrs. (Y/L/N)" Hugh said as i kicked off my shoes.

"Hi, Hugh" i said back.

"How was it?" Robbie asked as he stuffed his face with pizza.

"It was good." i said back, imitating his muffled voice.

He swallowed his piece before saying sorry.

"I'm going to bed, have a good night guys." I said, making my way to my bedroom.

I laid down in bed, my head hitting the pillow as i let out a soft sigh. I really did have a good time tonight, i'm not usually one for parties or group gatherings but it was nice for a change. My mind wandered back to Landon, what he had confessed to me. I was 100% blinded by it, i had no idea he had those feelings towards me, or would even think of me that way. I haven't been romantically involved with anybody since Penny, mainly because I knew no one could compare. Sure i had found other men attractive, but Penny would always be mine. I guess in that time since Penny was gone I forgot that other men would be attracted to me or be interested in me. That part of my life was completely closed off, at least for the next 27 years. I turned off my bedside lamp and turned to my side. I only slept on one of the bed, the other side being reserved for him. I know it may sound crazy, but it was somewhat comforting to me.

I slowly drifted off to sleep with the thoughts of Penny still lingering in my mind.

** I just wanted to note that this part would take place around the early 2000's. I never specified when in the 1980's the first part of the story took place but I was thinking mid-80's so now 17 years later it would be the early 2000's! **