Innocence Lost On the Gamble of Love

Innocence Lost On the Gamble of Love: Chapter 7

"How'd it go?" Liz asked Penelope via phone call.

"He told me he likes me," Penelope announced with a frown as she flopped onto her bed.

"So what happened?" Ritchie asked Derrick when he got home.

"I told her that I like her," Derrick heaved, his voice full of regret.

"That's great! Wait, why do you sound so down about it?" Liz consoled.

"Because what if this is some ploy?" Penelope said dramatically. "How do I know that he genuinely likes me? Even you said that he had all this time beforehand to tell me."

"And what did she say?" Ritchie asked in a half-amused tone as he continued channel surfing.

"She asked if it matters if she does," Derrick replied in a monotone voice.

"Forget about what I said before," Liz retaliated. "It takes guts- or in a guy's case- balls, to admit their feelings. You should take advantage of this."

"I don't know. Maybe I'm not ready for this." 

"Dude, that's denial!" Ritchie resolved aloud. "She was trying to misguide you to avoid admitting the truth. She likes you, trust me."

"I don't know. Maybe I waited too long." Derrick confessed shamefully.

"No! What happened to all of your confidence from before? You had this in the bag!" Liz said hysterically, instantly concerned.

"It's gone. I think I need soda," Penelope moaned. She depended on caffeine the way plants needed water and sunlight to survive.

"Dude, you can't back out of the bet. You need to become unavoidable and she'll be putty in your hands," Ritchie coached eagerly.

"Ritchie, you know I'm not good at chasing after girls," Derrick deliberated with a growl. He was good at being in a relationship. He wasn't good at being single. There were too many strategies, too many rules to follow.

"Just calm down. Who knows? He's probably not even freaking out over it."

"Yeah, I guess so." Penelope agreed, mentally thanking her best friend for always being the once to knock some sense back into her. "I'll just give him some space."

"Yeah, that's probably why I chose you for this bet," Ritchie said with a teasing chuckle.

"Shut up, can't you see I'm freaking out over here?!" Derrick yelled into his phone.

"That's a good idea." Liz reciprocated. "But how are you going to do that?" she questioned rationally.

"I'll tell him that I wouldn't mind being with him, but I don't want anything too serious," Penelope said calmly, trying to reassure herself.

"Technically, we're talking on the phone so I can't actually see you," Ritchie clarified, knowing that he was about to drive his best friend's last nerve.

"I will hurt you on Monday," Derrick threatened with a dark voice. "I'm dead serious. I mean, what if she stops talking to me?"

"Yeah, that's good. It sounds fair. Let him know your expectations and stuff." Liz knew how Penelope had high standards from other people, how she wasn't one to settle easily.

"Like, how I don't expect him to be around The Rendezvous Point the entire time. He can be with his friends too." Penelope said descriptively. 

"Then you keep going after her. Show her that you're the committed type," Ritchie recommended.

"So what do I do exactly?" he asked desperately. Derrick wasn't sure how to handle the situation. Strong comeback or subtle approach? He wasn't great at either.

"Yeah, exactly."

"So what are you up to?"

"You wait at her bench and you talk to her. You say 'let's give this a shot.'"

"Just like that?" Derrick asked. He wasn't so sure if the spunky brunette would be so easily swayed.

"Watching 'The Ugly Truth.' I'm waiting for my mom to lend me her laptop."

"Ugh, why didn't I watch that movie before this stupid date?" Penelope growled. "You know, I even had the chance to eat a hot dog."

"Just like that, kiddo. Trust the master."

"Master of what?" Derrick scoffed. "I always beat you on Call of Duty."

"And why didn't you?" Liz asked with a devious grin. "You were supposed to 'slowly eat the hot dog.'"

"Yeah, I know. Because 'guys like watching penis-shaped food go into a girl's mouth.'" Penelope recited. She was one of those people who memorized lines and said them during re-plays of any movie or TV show. "Hey, I'm going to go shower and I'll go online after, okay?"

"Oh, yeah? I'll have you know that I unlocked another level this morning!"

"Dude, barely?" Derrick shook his head. "I had most of the game unlocked last month."

"Yeah, okay."

"I'll talk to you in a little bit."

"You know what? Let's go! Live, right now!" Ritchie challenged earnestly.

Derrick laughed. "Sure, give me five minutes to connect my Xbox."

"See you."

"Bye."

"Prepare to die, soldier."

"I'll make you eat those words. Talk to you in a few."

And they all pressed "end" on their cell phones.

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