It was a weekday—Friday morning—when I woke up to the buzzing of my phone. I checked it and saw 12 missed calls.
'Oh my gosh, 12 missed calls? How did I sleep so much? Hey, I'm talking to myself,' I muttered.
There were also 8 unread messages. Two were from Mom, and one read:
> Hello Ninu, I called twice but you didn't pick up, so I presumed you'd fallen asleep. I won't disturb you much—just wanted to say hi and that I'll see you tomorrow.
Love you, Mom.
'Oh shoot, I forgot Mom was coming today. I need to clean up my room. Oh my goodness, please help me!'
I checked my call logs again: 2 missed calls and 2 messages from Penelope, 2 missed calls from an unknown number, and 6 missed calls with 5 messages from Christopher.
> "Why is Chris still calling me? I don't want to talk to him," I thought.
Penelope's message read:
> Hey girl, sorry you didn't see me after all that, but I figured you needed space after what Alex did. Sorry I couldn't be there for you—I had to go home.
Love you.
Then the next:
> Oh, before I forget, I'll see you on Friday, right? You didn't come on Tuesday, why? Message or call me when you see this. We need to talk to my parents before continuing our project.
Kisses, Penelope.
'Oh great, I also forgot about the project. How am I going to juggle all this in one day?' I sighed.
I turned to Chris's messages:
> Hey honey, forgive me please. I can't do anything without you.
I rolled my eyes.
> Hey sweetheart, I'm really, really sorry.
'I haven't spoken to Chris for days. Can he just stop with the 'honey' and 'sweetheart? Seriously,' I thought.
> I know you might be annoyed by all this, but I really need your forgiveness. You're the handkerchief to my tears.
I smiled slightly at that one and rolled my eyes again.
'Is this guy serious?'
> I know you just smiled. See, we complete each other. Why are we fighting? Please forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you—I was just joking. You know how stupid I can be. A good-for-nothing fool. Please, my Fel...
'Are you for real? Don't insult yourself,' I muttered.
> As I said before, I don't want to cause another chaos in the city, if not...
Love you, Chris.
I smiled again. Chris could be so annoying, yet so sweet. I had already forgiven him, but sometimes it's fun to play hard to get.
I decided to call the unknown number back, but my Wi-Fi isn't working. So, I went out in my pajamas and ducky slippers to buy data.
On my way home, I ran into the one person I didn't want to see—Chris.
"Hey Fel, how are you? How was your night? And what are you wearing—pajamas and ducky slippers?" he laughed.
I stayed silent and walked past him.
"Oh, come on, Fel. Please don't give me the silent treatment. Okay, I'm sorry," he said.
"Just leave me alone, okay? I have a lot to do. You should go back to work," I said and kept walking. I looked back and saw him still standing there, looking sad, but I went home.
I replied to Mom:
> Sorry about last night, I was exhausted. I'll see you this afternoon. Have a safe journey. I'll leave the key under the mat since I'll be out. Love you, Mom.
Then I messaged Penelope:
> Hey girl, sorry I missed your calls—I was stressed and fell asleep. I'll see you this evening because I'll be busy all day. Love you, bestie.
I then called the unknown number—it was Alex.
"Hey, princess. I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to make you angry. I just like you so much. I want to sincerely apologize. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm willing to wait for you," he said.
'Who the hell gave him my number?' I wondered.
"It's alright, Alex. I shouldn't have reacted that way. I was just surprised. Thank you for your respect and for giving me time to think," I said.
"Alright, bye angel. I love you," he said.
"Yeah... bye," I replied and hung up. So awkward.
I played some Taylor Swift—"22" was on—as I got to work. I did the laundry, washed dishes, swept, and mopped my room.
'What's going on? Alex is in love with me, Chris is crazy about me... oh goodness they are sick in the head'.
By noon, I was still overwhelmed. I cleaned the bathroom and took a shower. Just as I was about to leave to meet Penelope's parents, the doorbell rang.
'Who uses the doorbell instead of knocking?' I grumbled as I opened the door—Chris.
"What are you doing here? And why the doorbell?" I asked.
"Well, I guess some things change... just like something has changed in me," he replied.
"What? What do you mean? Please enlighten me"
"Felicity, please forgive me. I'm tired of being alone. I've gotten used to you. Free me from this prison of loneliness," he said dramatically.
"Haha! Drama king. You should've seen your face—epic! I should sign you up for Broadway. I've already forgiven you. Now get your sorry ass off my chair and back to work," I said, smiling.
He didn't move.
"Something else?" I asked.
"Have you thought about Alex's proposal?"
"Um, no. I barely know him. Why are you asking?"
"No reason," he said nervously.
I wasn't convinced.
"I have something to say. You might be mad but it's true. I mean every word. Felicity Paddington, I've fallen in love with you—since the first day I saw you. I just didn't realize it until now," he said.
"You? Are you joking? Not you, Chris," I replied.
"I mean it. I'm head over heels for you. Give me a chance."
"Chris, I don't even know basic things about you. Like your favorite food?"
"Pancakes," he said.
"That's my favorite too... but focus! Your favorite color?"
"Green."
"What about your family?"
He went silent.
"No, Chris. This isn't right. Maybe it's just infatuation. Please let these feelings go. I have too much on my mind."
"I don't mean to hurt you. But the feelings won't go away. I don't want to lose you, and I won't let anyone hurt you before I have the chance to make you mine," he said.
"What do you mean by 'before I have….'—" But he kissed me. Without consent.
His fiery lips sparked something in me, but I quickly came to my senses. I pushed him away and slapped him.
"What the hell was that, Chris? Enough! Get out," I snapped.
He walked to the door, paused, and said:
"I'm sorry I kissed you. I don't know what came over me. But I love you Fel. And I won't give up."
He left. I was too stunned to think.
Then a message from Penelope popped up:
> Hey girl, where are you? Don't chicken out!
'Oh crap, Penelope's parents!' I grabbed my jacket, left the house, locked the door, and put the key under the mat. I texted Mom again to let her know.
In the taxi, I popped in my earpods. When I arrived at the address Penelope gave me, I was stunned. The house was painted brown with cream. It looked like a palace—15 rooms, if I had to guess.
I approached the gate where two guards in red and black uniforms with tall hats stood. I told them I was here to see Penelope. They let me in and asked me to wait.
'This place is enormous. They must be royalty. Penelope owes me an explanation—I've never even been near a place like this," I thought.
**********
PENELOPE'S P.O.V.
My family means everything to me. Then I met Felicity, who became my sister more than a friend. But my parents don't like her—they think she's a bad influence and that I'm changing too much.
I told them if they didn't talk to her, I'd move out and live with her.
"How dare you say that about that scoundrel?" my father shouted.
"She's not a scoundrel! She's sweet, funny, smart. You never let me do anything—not even school projects or parties. That changes today. Felicity is here, and you're going to meet her."
"Absolutely not!" my father said.
"Oh, darling, just let her in. Let's hear what she has to say," my mother intervened.
"Alright, but I make no promises," he grumbled.
"Thank you, Mother!" I said and ran to meet Felicity.
She was admiring the estate when I waved in front of her face.
"Penelope! You have a LOT of explaining to do. This house? You must be royalty!" she gasped.
"Calm down. Let's go inside," I said.
She looked at me like she was going to scold me later. As we walked the long path, she admired the maze, the fountain, the stables, the flower garden. She broke the silence.
"Wait... are we still walking? It's been like 10 minutes!"
"You're exaggerating, it's only three minutes," I laughed.
"Three?! Just to get to the house? Oh my gosh." no
We laughed.
"What are you going to say to my parents?" I asked.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. But afterward, you owe me the whole story."
"Well… my parents are king and queen. This is our palace. I have three siblings. I didn't tell anyone at school. I cover with piano lessons. My mom makes us take horseback riding lessons. My dad doesn't let us go out. That's why I've never come to your house or school events. You're here to help change their minds."
"You're serious? Wow. No wonder you're so pretty—princesses are supposed to be."
She bowed and laughed.
"Stop that! Just call me Penelope. I don't want anything royal. I just want to be normal."
"Still, this is your life. You should love it, not reject it."
"You're kind of right. But that's a topic for another day. Let's go inside," I said as we finally reached the door.