Fine.
“Honestly, that boy is not as smart as he thinks he is,” Ellie says.
I can’t help but laugh. “He’s certainly not good at taking hints.”
“Just tell him to fuck off.”
“I’ve tried.”
“Did you specifically say, ‘fuck off, Chad’?”
“Well, no.”
“Then he isn’t taking you seriously. He thinks you’re going to give in to him like you used to. Tell him you’re seeing someone else. I mean, you kind of are, right?” She pauses the show and turns to me.
I pick at a loose thread on the throw pillow I’m holding. “No, Penn hasn’t asked me out. I think he changed his mind.”
“No way. He’s probably just busy. Have you seen their social media blowing up since New Year’s Eve? Give him some time, or if you’re tired of waiting, ask him out. Didn’t he tell you all you had to do was ask and he’d give you whatever you wanted?” She whistles. “Hot,by the way.”
Water Fire has gotten tons of exposure since the show, and it’s given the band a lot of new attention, which is amazing. They deserve it.
“I can’t ask him out!” I shriek. “What if he says no?”
She rolls her eyes. “Please, I bet he’d jump in his truck and drive right over.”
I laugh and snatch the remote, unpausing the show.
“I’m serious. That boy wants you. It’s written all over his face,” she says.
I want to believe that, but I find myself insecure. Maybe it’s because of everything that happened with Chad, or maybe because I’m not sure I’m truly Penn’s type. We come from two completely different worlds. Mine is full of boring, stuffy events. His is full of music, shows, and eager groupies lurking in bar corners, ready to fall to their knees.
And I can’t even kiss him.
He’ll be bored in no time.
I focus on the TV, fighting the urge to check my messages again. Eventually, we call it a night, and I crawl under my comforter, allowing myself one last glance at my phone.
This time, a message is waiting for me.
Penn: I’ll pick you up tomorrow night at 6.
My smile is instant.
Olivia:
What?
Penn:
Be ready. I’m taking you out.
My heart jumps. I guess this is his way of asking me out. My first instinct is to tease him because he didn’t actually ask, but I quickly throw that idea away.
Olivia:
Okay.
Penn:
