"Okay, class.", Mr. Wilson shouted, cracking his knuckles in a way that made Josie flinch. "Now that Mr. Saltzman has added defensive magic to the curriculum, I am required to teach you how to defend yourselves. Which means, from now on, every Tuesday and Thursday, we will be paring up to practice your hand to hand combat skills." The rest of the class groaned and mumbled objections, except for Josie, who was sweating with anxiety where she stood, and Penelope, who looked like she couldn't be bothered to care. Mr. Wilson ignored his grumbling students, instead picking up his clipboard and reading off the names of the students that were paired together as sparring partners. Josie watched as each pair was announced, waiting anxiously for her name- or, more importantly, her partner's name- to be called. As the list of students got smaller, and the sound of grunts and groans filled the gym, there were only two students left standing- Josie and Penelope. The two girls looked over at each other, both equally unsatisfied with the partner they had been given. "You expect me to spar with the weakest witch in the entire school?", Penelope argued, crossing her arms across her chest and tapping her foot in annoyance. "How am I even supposed to learn something if I'm wasting my time with someone...less superior to my skills?" Josie opened her mouth to object, to throw back a quip of her own, but Mr. Wilson stopped the girls from bickering any further. "If you are so confident in your skills, Miss Park, then maybe you can use this period to learn the value of helping your classmate improve her skills." Penelope scowled but knew better than to talk back to her teacher a second time. The second that their teacher was out of earshot, Penelope looked over at Josie in disdain. She rolled her eyes, turning around and walking toward the back of the gym. Josie thought that Penelope was simply refusing to spar with her until the girl looked back at her with annoyance. "Are you coming or not?" she growled, causing Josie to pick up her pace and follow Penelope's lead.
Once they were quite a distance away from the other students, Penelope put down her things, unzipping her jacket and shrugging out of it, leaving herself in a purple sports bra and matching leggings. Josie didn't realize she had been leering at Penelope until the girl snapped her fingers together to grab Josie's attention, smirking. "My eyes are up here, Saltzman.", she teased, causing Josie to flush pink with embarrassment. Penelope laughed, shaking her head at the girl's awkwardness. "I'll let it slide this time- mostly because I'm about to kick your ass anyway." Penelope finished strapping the gloves around her wrist, turning back to her opponent. "That is if you even put up much of a fi-" Penelope's comment was cut off abruptly as she was thrown to the ground, her back hitting the mat as Josie pinned her to the ground. Josie smiled down at her with confidence, and Penelope's surprised expression turned to one of esteem. "Element of surprise- I'm impressed, Saltzman." Josie let her go, standing on her own feet before offering a hand to help Penelope up. Penelope took the offered hand, but instead of using it to stand up, she pulled Josie down to the ground beside her, rolling over to put herself in the position Josie had just held over her a moment earlier. Penelope grinned, proud of herself for regaining control. "Try to keep up, Saltzman.", she remarked, standing quickly to her feet and holding a defensive position. "Maybe there are some things you could learn from me, after all."
Josie realized quickly that Penelope's confidence in her ability was not in vain- she was very skilled in her combat skills, and it took all of Josie's energy just to keep up with her. When Josie jabbed left, Penelope ducked right. When Josie threw a punch with her right fist, Penelope was ready to grab it with her left hand. Even when Josie used her power to knock Penelope back and give herself a second to plan her next move, Penelope caught herself quickly, rebounding back to take another swing at Josie. They kept at it- fighting for dominance over the other person- until Mr. Wilson blew his whistle, signaling the end of class. Josie bent down, hands on her knees as she worked to even out her breathing; Beside her Penelope did the same, holding her perspiring water bottle against her forehead. "I might have misjudged you, Saltzman.", she stated between breaths. "I don't think anyone has ever lasted that long against me." "What, no comment about how you were going easy on me? No critiquing my ability?" Josie asked, causing Penelope to chuckle at her annoyance. "Just take the compliment, Josie.", Penelope warned her, picking up her stuff from the ground. Josie would have mentioned Penelope's slip of calling her by her first name, but she was still trying to catch her breath. Penelope shrugged on her jacket, smirking at Josie with what the panting girl could only describe as pride in her eyes. "See you Thursday, Saltzman.", she exclaimed, waltzing out of the gym doors before Josie could say goodbye. Josie rolled her eyes.
Even in such a casual conversation, Penelope always had to make sure she had the last word.
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This Love (Calling My Name)
Fanfiction"My, my, my Josie; Don't you know that it is rude not to acknowledge someone when they are talking to you?", Penelope scolded in a brash tone that succeeded in capturing Josie's full attention. "There- that's much better. Wouldn't want anyone thinki...
