"Hey; I didn't know you were back already. How was Europe?"
Josie glanced up from the suitcase she had begun unpacking, smiling shyly at the girl standing in her doorway. The first thing Josie noticed about Penelope is that she had cut her hair about two inches shorter over the break, the new length falling just above her shoulders. The second was the awkward stance she had taken- Her arms hanging rigidly at her sides, the soft blush covering her cheeks creeping its way to the tips of her ears. It was most definitely a far cry from the normally confident aura that Penelope. Josie couldn't remember the last time she had seen Penelope so tense. "Europe was fun.", Josie stated, folding one of her sleep shirts and tucking it away into the dresser. "It was nice seeing my mom and my stepdad, but I'm happy to be back." "I'm happy you're back, too.", Penelope admitted, hesitantly shuffling over to the bed, resting on the edge opposite of Josie. "There's something I need to say." "So do I", Josie added, noticing the way Penelope's jaw clenched when she spoke. "You said it first though, so go ahead." Penelope nodded, clearing her throat nervously before speaking.
"I've been trying to practice this moment for two weeks now, you know that?", Penelope declared, not pausing to wait for Josie's answer. "I wrote long, cheesy speeches and acted out the whole thing, and yet now that you're here I don't remember any of it. Which isn't surprising, because everything about you leaves me speechless." Penelope chuckled lowly under her breath, unable to suppress her amusement at the ridiculousness of her words. "That night after I left your room I couldn't stop thinking about what almost happened- how electrifying it felt. How, if your sister hadn't interrupted us, I wouldn't have to wonder what it would feel like to kiss you anymore because I would know from experience." Josie bit her lip nervously between her teeth, feeling her own face radiate with heat at Penelope's statement. "What I couldn't understand- what I still don't understand- is that you didn't stop me; You fucking encouraged me. And I'm so terrified to ask this- because I like what we have, and if you only wanted to be friends I would completely understand, but- why the hell didn't you stop me? Because if it was just an in the moment reflex-"
Penelope never got the chance to finish her sentence, cut off by the force of Josie's body crashing into hers. Josie reached up to cup Penelope's face in her hands, melting into Penelope's hands and they came up to rest around her neck. After the initial shock had worn off, Josie could feel Penelope reciprocate the kiss, her movements eager and skilled. Penelope tasted like cherries and peppermint gum, and Josie had never realized before how addicting those two things could be. Josie kissed Penelope until the air in her lungs ran out, making every strained breath burn most satisfyingly. Josie pulled away, breathless, leaning her forehead against Penelope's. "Does that answer you're question?", she asked between breaths, her chest fluttering pleasantly when Penelope let out a sprightly laugh. The worry previously occupying Penelope's features had disappeared, replaced instead by a beaming, content smile. "You don't know how long I've been dreaming of doing that.", Penelope admitted with a grin. "Oh, really?", Josie challenged, tilting her head curiously. "How long?" "Way too long", Penelope chuckled, tucking a piece of Josie's hair behind her ear. "Still, it was well worth the wait."
Josie blushed, brushing her fingertips against Penelope's arm. "So, what does this mean?", Josie asked nervously, tracing patterns into Penelope's skin. "Does this change things? Are we, what, together now?" "I don't know.", Penelope admitted with a half-hearted shrug. "It can mean anything we want it to mean. Nothing has to change, or everything can change. I like you, Josie, but I've never done the whole relationship thing. I don't want to fuck whatever this is up." "Neither do I.", Josie agreed with a disheartened sigh. "What if we, I don't know, took things slow? Keep it between us, and just see where we end up? Because I'm not ready for Lizzie to know, or my dad." "I think that's a great idea.", Penelope replied, interlacing her fingers with Josie's. "Whatever you want, Josie, I'm willing to try. I waited nearly six months just to hold your hand like this- when it comes to you, I can be a pretty patient person."
Josie scooted closer to Penelope, who enveloped Josie into her arms intuitively. They sat, intertwined, for a time, both not willing to break the small, peaceful bubble they had created for themselves. Outside closed doors, they were still Josie and Penelope. To everyone else's knowledge, they despised each other; Enemies in the purest sense of the word. To them, however, the exact opposite was true. Lying in Penelope's arms, Josie couldn't recall the last time she felt such tranquility. Still, Josie wasn't naive- Being with Penelope wouldn't be as simple as it seemed. At their core, Penelope and Josie were still very complex people; There were still obstacles and hindrances that they would have to face eventually. Nevertheless, they were willing to try. They were prepared to take a risk.
And maybe, Josie thought to herself, that could be enough- at least for the immediate future.
YOU ARE READING
This Love (Calling My Name)
Fanfic"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...
