216 |𝐛.𝐚| (hiatus)

𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 »

❝♛❞

LUCY RATHAWAY pointed at the textbook in front of her, "And in this picture, it displays what? What do the depictions mean? What do you see and what do you infer? That's what question eleven is asking."

Penny nodded with furrowed brows, she was confused. Out of all, her (Junior year classes) History was the hardest. Math was too easy, Science was always good (she always consulted her Uncle for help when she needed it), and English was just reading and Penny had a lot of time to do that.

But, what she didn't like was reading about the Cold War and the Dark Ages. What happened to the past is in the past? Huh?

Penny grabbed at her red hair, "This is boring." Lucy chuckled at the kid's frustration, she was always proud of Penny and her intelligence.

"Why don't you move onto Science? Don't you have a paper due soon?" Lucy asked.

Penny sighed, "I would, but Uncle Hartley usually helps me and I do not understand the science behind Genetics, DNA, and cell parts differentiations. And no matter how many videos and scholarly articles I read and watch, I still don't understand it. I was kinda hoping he would turn up again soon so I could ask him." Penny admitted. After the detective came to the house, Hartley was nowhere to be seen. And thus, she did not have her paper done.

Lucy shuffled the top of Penny's hair, "Well, come up to the front and I'll try to help you." Penny nodded and grabbed her computer and textbook, balancing the two things in her arms. Lucy and Penny walked up to the front of the store and Lucy grabbed another chair, pulling it up to the countertop. Lucy's regular customers were never surprised to see Penny, they loved her really.

Penny plopped down in the rolly chair and twirled round in it, "I'm never going to get it done in time."

"C'mon, I'm not that bad with Science," Lucy replied while lightly pushing at Penny's shoulders. Penny sighed again and perched herself on her hand, staring (or glaring) at her opened Google Doc of nothingness. Just blank. Completely empty. Nothi-

"Hi, welcome to Shoe Central! How may I help you?" Lucy piped up, now staring at the person who had just entered the shop, sounding off the bell at the door.

Lucy's eyes widened, "Barry! What are you doing back?" Penny stared, alternating between the brown-haired man and Lucy.

Barry rubbed the back of his neck, "Uh, I've kinda been wearing the same shoes for days now and I wanted to be able to switch them out. I threw away the others since they didn't really feel comfortable anymore."

Lucy nodded, "Okay, so what can I get you?" Penny analyzed the man. Afterall she was taking a psychology class.

The man was probably around Lucy's age. Maybe a bit older. Obviously, has some social problems, so probably has a job where he doesn't talk to a lot of people. Most likely not married or even dating. Penny also watched as he wiped his hands on the side of his pants, so he was nervous and sweating from his palms. The nervousness also explained the slight stuttering at the beginning of his sentence.

Barry walked up to the counter, watching this red-headed girl stare at him closely next to Lucy, "Just some more sneakers. Maybe, uh, some dress shoes. And uh-"

Barry gestured to Penny, "Sorry, is this your daughter?" He glanced between the two red-heads.

Penny giggled as Lucy smiled at Barry, "Not exactly. I adopted her, so legally yes. I like to think of all my kids, well, my kids, but they do have their own biological parents. Not the best of people, but yes. They do exist. This is Penny."