[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

13: People Pleaser

PENELOPE

"Thank God, I survived the exams!" says Trixie while retouching her make up.

Its dismissal and we're in the school garden right now. There are only few people here so it's quite relaxing. Fresh air is what I really need right now after hell week.

Hopefully my exams turned out well. I really studied hard for that. Fingers crossed.

I'm also working with my campaign by asking some people to post posters of me around the campus. I can't just sit and wait for that article to be published. I need a backup plan in case that fails.

"I agree. I almost died earlier." Vanessa added and I rolled my eyes at her. 

"Exaggeration at its finest." I commented while scrolling on my phone, waiting for Jared's reply.

I can't believe he is ditching me again today! These past few weeks, he's acting really weird.

"Shut up." Vanessa crossed her arms. "I'm sorry I'm not as smart as you, but at least I'm not close to being a nerd." 

Then she turned her back at me, took out her phone and as usual, made faces infront of her iPhone.

"Whatever." That was all I can say. I was pissed but I chose not to mind what she said. I'm tired.

Did I mention that I am a consistent top 1 student? If not yet, then there you go. I've said it.

I don't want to be known as "just a pretty face with no brain and skills".

I want people to know that I am NOT JUST PENELOPE.

"Can't we  hang out later and go shopping?" Trixie suggested.

"I'm in." Vanessa said without even thinking, and still taking selfies. I swear to God that later tonight my Instagram newsfeed will be flooded by her pics and nothing else.

"Earth to Penelope!" I came back to my senses and said yes to Trixie. 

Suddenly, an idea came to my mind.

"Would you mind if I tag someone along?" They both looked at me drastically. 

Well, I already expected that because everytime we shop, we have this "just the three of us" rule.

"You know the rules, Penelope." says Trixie. See? I know they will bring that up.

"Who is it, Penelope?" Vanessa asked, her full attention is one me right now and not on her phone. "Is it Jared?"

"NO." I immediately said. "You both know how Jared hates going shopping with me, right?"

There was this one time that I brought Jared with me for shopping. We entered my favorite boutique and in less than five minutes, he complained that he's bored so I told him that we'll just go somewhere else.

I really hate it when we fight so I always let Jared do the things he prefers. 

I mean, I just love him so much that I'll do anything for him. After all, he's the only one who really appreciates me.

"So who?" Asked the impatient Trixie.

"Well its someone who-" I wasn't able to finish what I was suppose to say because suddenly a boy who looks like Harry Potter (because of his thick round glasses) ran towards us and then came kneeling in front of me.

"PENELOPE!" he yelled even though he's just right in front of me. 

He sounded like a cast from an Opera. I can't help but step back. 

Is he okay? 

"PENELOPE!" He called out again. 

Seriously? I know my name okay? 

I want to tell him that but I felt like I can't speak. I'm here frozen, still processing what should I do. So, what am I supposed to do? This is like so weird.

"I know that you do not know me. But I am here to present my love for you." Then he handed me a transparent box which was full of chocolates and all of a sudden, tears fell from his eyes.

Uhm..okay?

He's crying so hard right know and is even using my skirt to wipe his tears.

WHAT THE HELL?!

I looked around and everyone seemed like they were trying so hard not to laugh at me at my humiliating situation.

And guess what? Vanessa and Trixie, who should supposedly be helping me, are on their phones right now and taking what seems like a picture or a video of me.

I mouthed them with a "Cut that crap" and thank God, they stopped.

I faced Mr. Harry Potter and slowly removed his hand off my skirt while trying so hard not to look like I'm about to puke because I already feel like I am about to. 

But I shouldn't. A lot of people are looking in our direction and I just can't risk my reputation over this stupid thing.

As much as I want to yell at him and tell him to pay for my Dior skirt, I patted him on his back and gave him a small hug.

Before I pulled away, I whispered to him, in the calmest way possible, "Sorry I don't feel the same way."

He started crying again so I added, "But, do you know that I love brave guys?"

"Really?" he asked, still hugging me. Thank God, he stopped crying now.

"Yes, and you know what? I think It would really be brave of you if you'll leave this garden now without crying." I said and pulled away. 

I gave him a fake smile. I'm so good at this, no one would even notice its fake.

"I'd do anything for you, Penelope. Bye Penelope." Mr. Harry Potter said and ran away. 

THANK GOD! THAT WAS CLOSE! 

I looked around and people seem pleased. 

Success! Positive feedbacks means higher possibility of people voting for me.

"That was impressive!" Trixie commented while clapping her hands. "I didn't expect that you'll be able to pull that off."

"There's nothing I can't do." I rolled my eyes at them. "See you girls at 6pm. Same place. For now, I have to go home and clean this shit." I said while checking my skirt.

My poor Dior skirt had to sacrifice to save myself today! Ugh!