Sky: The Other Side (II)

VII: Words of Affection

As day slowly arrived to wake them up, Eli and Penny were calm. They had gotten the sleep they were waiting for, and they felt brand new. For the first time in a while, Penny wasn't afraid. And that was a feeling she wasn't used to yet. She soon enough forgot about it and looked at Eli, who was ready to continue this chaotic quest.

"I'm ready when you are!" He said.

"Wait, can we stay here a bit longer? I like it here... Please, just a little more!" She said in an innocent way.

"Oh, sure we can!" Eli replied with a smile.

They walked around and kept talking about Demille, who apparently was a demon that wanted to take control of this world. He was dangerous and well known by others like him in their world, but Eli and Penny had no idea about that. They ended up reaching the edge of the prairie, where they sat down and took a deep breath.

"This is a sweet little place, isn't it? Haha!" Said Eli.

"Yeah, it sure is..." Penny said back.

There was silence from that moment on. They would gaze at the sky and the clouds above them. Penny suddenly put her head on Eli's shoulder and sighed.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked. Eli was a little confused.

"You could be far away from here, in peace with Skye, which you seem to care a lot about. But instead, you are here, trying to help me..." She couldn't help blushing a little. "I think you heard what Demille said. There is no way to fix me. Then why are you trying?"

"Penny, none of that is true." He said as he grabbed her hand. "I know deep inside that there is a way to make you what you should be. And if there is one thing that will guide us, it will be our resolve. I won't give up until you are free!"

"B- But... What if we fail? What if we did all of this for nothing?"

"I would still be grateful for one thing only... For meeting you."

Penny felt a crack in her heart yet another time. Like if the evil that locked the light away was starting to break. She felt different, she felt free...
Her heart started beating faster and she really didn't know what to do about it. She thought about it in her head, when suddenly her body reacted on her own. Last thing she knew, she was smiling.

"Woah... Penny! You're smiling!" Eli jumped around in joy. Not only Penny smiling was a really good advancement, but it was also beautiful to watch. She might have been hurt, and scars might have left their marks all around her, but it was the intention that counted the most. It was a really special moment for both of them.

He rushed in to hug her as hard as he could, and she did the same. Tears full of joy were dropping to the ground, and both of them couldn't stop it. They both felt not a spark, but a full flame inside of their hearts. They were both different, but they never said a thing about it. They both knew something was about to happen. They didn't know what it was, but they just had a feeling. They both stayed quiet, when Eli decided to break the silence.

"Penny, I think I..." He stuttered.

"What is it, Eli?" She asked with the voice of an angel.

He struggled trying to say it. But if he just held it inside, it would drive him crazy. Nonetheless, he gathered enough courage to finally say it.

"I think I'm in love with you, Penny..."

Penny couldn't speak after that moment. She was speechless. Her heart was beating faster than ever, and she was blushing way more than she could have imagined. She looked at Eli in the eyes, thinking of how to say the same thing back for she felt the same way.

"I... I really don't know what to say..."

"Oh, I shouldn't have said that, shouldn't I? Oh gosh, now I feel dumb... Maybe I should leave you alone for a bit." He started walking away.

"Wait, don't!" She screamed. She rushed to hug him, but they ended up falling to the ground. The both fell staring at each other, and they did nothing but chuckle. Penny was nervous, but she let her feelings out as well.

"I love you too, Eli..." She said with the sweetest voice yet. "But... wait, no! This is not ok..."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"I don't feel ready to lend you my heart... It is weak, and I don't want anyone to hurt it. The last time I trusted somebody this much, he destroyed it and made me suffer... I really don't want that to happen again."

"Trust me when I say I'll never do that." He took her beautiful hair out of the way. "I will always take care of you, no matter what comes in my way."

He reached to hug her like he had never done before. It was sweet, it was wholesome... Penny could do nothing but smile and blush.

They had spent so much time talking and complimenting each other that night had arrived. They decided to go to sleep, but before they did, Penny did something really unexpected.

"Eli?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Close your eyes..."

He did as she requested, having no idea of what could happen. He was there for some time, and just as he tried to open them, he felt a little something in his lips. It was a kiss that Penny had given him. He blushed as he opened his eyes and looked at her. He quickly returned the kiss and ran away. They were both smitten with each other, and they could not be happier. Penny ended up following him and hugging him from behind as she fell asleep. He made sure she would be safe, and he went ahead and rested as well. The moon shined right above them, like if it was protecting them. Nothing could have been more perfect...