Patrick stood with his arms still open, too dazed to understand his surroundings, he heard voices and sounds as if he was underwater. While Penny was talking to her aunty, telling her how glad she was to be back and how much she missed her, she couldn't help but keep glancing at her son, she knew how hard he would take this. Jackson and Riele stared at him, as he was clearly out of it.
Patrick slowly put his hands down, turned lifelessly, and began making his way to the exit, when all of a sudden a loud sound broke through his underwater solace, it sounded like shoes tapping on the floor, the footsteps getting faster and closer.
He felt a sudden weight on his back, and that familiar lavender scent embracing him. Patty, did you think I forgot you, she giggled hugging his neck tightly, don't you remember you were the one who taught me to save best for last, so that's what I did, she pecked his cheek and hugged him again. As Penny went on ranting about how funny his reaction was while still on his back, Patrick couldn't contain his joy.
His heart hurt unexplainably when he thought she didn't care about him anymore, his heart was beating inexplicably fast, his face was as hot as an oven. It had been long since he saw her so he knew his heart would race, but this feeling was just to good, it was as if he was above cloud nine, on a bed of roses, taking a dip in a lake during spring, the mixed feelings of joy were off the charts.
Patty are you listening, I want to go home I'm tired, Penny groaned, snapping him out of dreamland. Home?, his eyes widened, why don't we go to my mom's place first, it's really cute you have to see it, he suggested awkwardly. Later, please, I just want to rest, she yawned and stretched her arms.
"We'll go too. I and Riele we'll just hang out a bit before heading home", Jackson insisted, resulting in a "seriously" look from his sister. Okay then, we'll all go, let me just use the bathroom first, Patrick excused himself.
"Surprise", Penelope flinched, clutching her chest in relief, a smile playing on her face when she realized it was a welcome party for her. Is this why you went to the restroom, she smiled cheekily at him, I already had her house decorated because I didn't know you were coming here, so I had to call them and request to get the house ready, he gestured towards his two friends that popped the confetti.
Patrick had finished cleaning his mom's old room, by that time everyone had left apart from Jackson and Riele. As he skipped towards the kitchen happily he stopped in his tracks upon hearing them.
Jackson carried Penny putting her on the kitchen island, standing between her legs, putting her hands over his shoulders and his hands on her waist. What are you doing, she giggled, Patty and you're sister are here, what if they see, she giggled. So what if they see, I'm romancing my girlfriend, nothing wrong in that, he leaned forward and pecked her on the lips, stop it, she hit him playfully, romance me some other time.
Do you have to stay here, he suddenly asked, leaving Penelope a bit confused, yes. I already told you, my parents won't let me live with you yet, Mr impatient, she booped his nose, by the way, why would I inconvenience your family when I can stay with aunty for the time being or Patty. Jackson let go and looked away, Penny well aware of what he was about to say. I get that you've known him your whole life and all, but do you know how uneasy I get when I see you with him, you look so genuinely happy and you're not afraid to be yourself with him. Although we've been dating for four years, I can tell that you haven't opened up to me completely yet, do you even know how I felt when I saw you jump on him like that earlier today, and even kiss him.
The look on your face was priceless, you've never been that happy with me before, Penny arched her brow in confusion, she'd never seen him so stressed before, so she wasn't sure what to do.
Patty is my best friend, my ex babysitter, my brother, and much more, but he can never be my boyfriend, that'd be too weird, she finally let out, Patty would never, trust me. Who says it's weird, he pouted, do you know how many childhood friends end up together, whatever, just beware of him okay, I'm scared he'll take you away from me. Awwn is my baby boy scared, you're so cute when you're scared, she hopped down from the kitchen island and pinched his cheeks.
After hearing everything that reality dawned on him, he rested his back against the wall and stared into space. He and Penny were seven years apart, he watched her grow up while taking care of her, he was literally her elder brother, untop of that he fell in love with her while she was still a minor. Anyway he wanted to look at it, his one sides love story was wrong from the beginning. Typical, he heard someone whisper, turning to see Riele, this type of behavior is typical from my brother, if he could, he'd lock her in a room with him so she won't see other guys, I'll get him out of your hair, she smiled. That's enough cuddling, let's get going, Riele clapped her hands and dragged her brother along with her, bye guys, she waved, bye Penny, her hopeless boyfriend smiled back at her reaching out with a slight pout, as if he didn't want to leave, earning a wide smile and a blow kiss from Penny, which he caught dramatically, causing Patty to role his eyes.
Thank you Patty, I had a great time today because of you, she hopped back on the kitchen island swinging her legs back and forth, with a wide smile on her face. Patrick looked and felt utterly defeated, was that overprotective sneaky petty little boyfriend of hers going to take the one he loved. Penny moved back a little as he came up close , she flinched as he stroked her hair. You had some confetti in your hair, he pulled it out and showed her, thank you, she smiled.
Thank you for not forgetting me, and for always being there for me, she hugged him tightly by the waist and said, before hopping down and running into her room, good night Patty, she called out and got a reply before shutting the door.
.... ...…. ....
(When Penny was seven)
Why do you keep eating all the carrots, Patrick asked upon noticing her picking out the carrots from her meal. Oh Patty, she sighed in exaggerated dismay, because the only vegetables I like are carrots, so I can't eat the broccoli and cauliflower. Oh, okay, do you wanna know the trick I use to eat vegetables, yes, she squealed. Okay, so I usually start with the disgusting vegetables that I just can't stand, so I when I'm done eating all that, the best and my favorite will still be waiting for me, in other words I save my favorite dishes for last, wow Patty, she smiled. That's a great idea, does that also go for people?, she beamed when he answered yes. Then I'll always save you for last, because you're my favorite, she jumped on him.