Leigh Daniel Avidan couldn't believe his terrible luck. When he'd come to his Chemistry teacher requesting help he'd been so relieved when she hadn't scoffed at him. He'd felt almost lucky.
He was a bad student, he knew it, everyone knew it. It wasn't that he didn't try, he did. He tried so hard.
It was just that, well, chemistry bored the ever loving crap out of him.
The Chemistry class made him feel stupid. His family was so filled with science and math people, but he hadn't been cut from the same cloth.
He was creative. He'd always been more gifted in more creative pursuits. Music was where his heart laid.
So needless to say High School Chemistry was not his forte.
Dan knew that people took his failures as a sign of not caring. He knew that his teacher sure as hell didn't think he cared.
So Dan had almost felt lucky when his teacher had taken some pity on him and suggested that another student tutor him.
That feeling of being lucky disappeared when Mrs. Williams had introduced him to the student that would be tutoring him.
Why did it have to be her?
She was...ugh, she was too perfect.
Penelope June Armstrong was the quintessential teachers pet. She was smart and younger than Dan.
Sure it was only by a year, she was sixteen and he was seventeen. They were both Juniors in high school. Everyone said that Penelope had skipped a grade. There was even a rumor that she'd been told she could skip straight to college, but her dad hadn't wanted her to miss out on high school.
Penelope was intimidating, no she wasn't scary looking or anything. In fact she was kind of the opposite.
She was about as intimidating as a bunny rabbit.
She didn't wear blue jeans and t-shirts like all the other kids. She dressed like a librarian.
Her red hair was never out of place. She wore plaid skirts and tweed skirts with sweaters and blouses and cardigans. She always wore penny loafers and ballet flats.
She wore a lot of pink. She was strange.
Like Dan said she was too perfect.
Dan and Penelope didn't exactly run in the same crowds. Dan was a bit of an oddball, he bounced back and forth between the geeks, the stoners, and the metal heads. He was like some weird ambassador between the groups.
Penelope was popular, not in the sense that she was a cheerleader or a jock. She was the school star, the smart bubbly girl who had been voted most likely to succeed since Elementary school. She was set to be Valedictorian next year. She hadn't even become a senior yet and everyone already knew she would be the Veledictorian.
She was nice...too nice. Dan could at least give her credit for that. Some of the other kids in the popular crowd were actually kind of jerks. They bullied the kids that Dan hung out with, but Penelope never did.
She talked to everyone. It was like she was forever running for office or something.
Dan didn't get her. She didn't seem to get the harsh rules of high school. You stuck to your own clique...that was unless you didn't have a clique like Dan the geek, stoner, metal head ambassador.
It wasn't until he was older though that he realized why Penelope intimidated him so much.
Her father was a doctor and a successful one at that. She was his only child. Her mother had died when she was young so it was just Penelope, her father, and her grandmother.
Everyone knew Penelope had a big legacy to follow. Her father expected her to go to medical school to be a doctor just like him. She was smart enough to do it and it was what she was supposed to do.
It wasn't just that Penelope was destined for greatness. She was pretty, sweet, smart, and so perfect.
Dan hated to admit it but he had kind of had a thing for her since the start of the school year.
He knew he wasn't the only one. Penelope was pretty and not in the stereotypical hot girl way that most teenage boys seemed to gravitate to.
Penelope was more sophisticated. She had big old blue eyes like pools of dark water. Her hair was a long deep red that she always kept tied up in a ribbon usually a pink ribbon.
She was tiny, almost delicate looking. Despite her small frame her breasts and her hips were quite noticeable, though she tried to hide it. Her hips were round and her breasts were heavy. She had a nice figure that boys drooled over. Dan had felt himself staring at her body more than once, though it made him feel like a giant pervert.
Penelope had hit puberty before all her friends. She'd been barely twelve when her breasts had begun to develop and she hated them. Her hips had been just as bad. They jutted out making her skirts ride up.
Boys and sometimes men had been staring at her like she was a piece of meat since she had hit puberty. That's why she tried so hard to dress down, to cover herself.
If she covered herself no one would stare or make gross comments. She would be apperciated for her thoughts ,not her looks.
Her skin was milky and soft making the slight hint of freckles along her cheeks pop out. She always wore cherry chapstick that made her pink lips more pink.
Dan had noticed that Penelope wore a lot of pink actually. It must be her favorite color or something. It made Dan think of that stupid movie his little sister Dana was always watching Pretty in Pink.
Penelope was very much a nineties Molly Ringwald. She was pretty in pink, a pretty teen queen.
She even had a cute accent. Her family had moved to New Jersey just the summer before. They had come from Alabama, and Penelope still had that honey sweet southern drawl that made Dan's heart race.
Dan thought she was perfect, a perfect princess who would never look twice at a guy like him.
When Dan had been shoved at Penelope as her new student she'd been secretly less than thrilled.
Everyone knew that Leigh Daniel Avidan didn't give a shit. He was...ugh he was soooo, well, he confused her. She didn't have the words to describe him.
Sure he was sort of cute in a weird way. He was tall and gangly. He was all legs. He had the cutest dark curls and nice dark eyes, like chocolate or the dark soil in her grandmother's garden.
He always smelled like pot. It had kind of made her chuckle when she had first realized this. He tried to cover it up with cologne, but the scent was still there, lingering in the background.
They had never really talked until the teacher had shoved them at one another. Penelope knew she sounded annoyed as she passed Dan a sheet of paper with her address and phone number. She had tried hard not to sound irritated as she had given him strict orders to meet her after school every other day.
Dan had been a bit annoyed himself. She had just shoved the sheet of paper at him and huffed away. If she didn't want to tutor him why didn't she just say no? She was acting like he was some sort of pest, like he was gum under her loafers.
She wasn't being the usual nice bubbly girl she was with most people and Dan could admit he was a little hurt. Was he that much of a loser?
Still though he couldn't' deny the way his heart had fluttered when he'd stared down at that sheet of paper.
Her handwriting was just as perfect as she was, neat and in perfect cursive. She dotted her I's with hearts. That fact made Dan's cheeks flush. Did she always do that?
Dan had felt his stomach drop as he pulled his shitty little car up to the address Penelope had given him.
He'd felt a sense of dread the moment it hit him that Penelope's family lived on the nicer side of town. Their neighborhood housed big McMansions and perfect lawns and perfect people.
No Dan's family wasn't poor, but they didn't flaunt their money, not like this. His family was more close to the middle class margin and Penelope's family was clearly not.
Dan had been unable to stop himself from wiping his sneakers even if they weren't muddy he couldn't help but to fear he'd track dirt into Penelope's family's palace of a home.
Dan had tried not to drop his jaw when Penelope had answered the door. Long gone was her matronly school days wear. She was wearing dark blue jeans and t shirt. He hadn't even been aware she owned normal clothing.
The t-shirt was a light shade of baby pink and Dan noticed it matched her nail polish. He could spot that she was barefoot and wore the same pink nail polish on her toes.
Penelope had tried not to scowl as she eyed Dan. He hadn't even brought his books. They'd have to share a book and she'd have to give him paper and a pencil too.
Sure it was Saturday morning but still.
She tried to smile and sound less annoyed than she felt as she moved aside and spoke. "Come in...would you like a coke?"
"Uhhh...yeah, sure a Pepsi if you have it." Dan had replied trying not gawk at the inside of the house.
It was nice...too nice. It was perfect just like Penelope, what was he expecting though?
The furniture looked old, antique. It was clearly expensive. The entryway alone was huge. Dan was sure it was bigger than his family's backyard.
Penelope's family home could probably fit several of Dan's family's modest two story house into it.
Penelope motioned for him to follow her to the kitchen. She spoke her going straight to business. "Next time bring your book...please."
Dan tried not to scowl in response. Who did she think she was? She was bossing him around like she was the older one.
Still a more mature voice in the back of Dan's head had spoken up She had a point dumbo. This was a tutoring session. You needed your Chemistry book to study.
To be honest when Dan had left the house that morning he hadn't been thinking about studying. He was more interested in being able to stop by his buddy's house so he could pick up a baggie of weed.
He tried not to sound irritated as he spoke up. "Yeah...I will sorry."
He glanced around the equally impressive kitchen his curiosity getting the better of him as Penelope fetched a can of Pepsi from the fridge. "So...it's just you and your dad in this house?"
Penelope bit the inside of her cheek the question making her anxious. What business was it of Dan's who lived here.
She swallowed the lump developing in the back of her throat as she answered him. He was just trying to make small talk. "No my grandmother lives here too...she's out of town visiting family in Mobile Alabama...My father is out of town too...he does work at the Veterans hospitals sometimes. I'm home alone most of the time."
She kicked herself for her answer. Great announce you were alone in this big old house. What if Dan spread the news and her classmates took it upon themselves to have a party here?
Her friends were always bugging her to throw parties. Her dad was rarely at home after all...and her grandmother was gone almost just as much.
Penelope was usually alone unsupervised most of the time. She lived in the perfect situation for a teen party.
She had always said no though. Her father would murder her if she threw a party.
She was relieved as Dan nodded his head no mentions of parties spilling from his lips. "My grandmother lives with my family too...My dad works a lot too."
Penelope cleared her throat once again going back to business as she handed Dan his Pepsi. "We're going to be set up in the study. Come on let's get started."
Dan let out a sigh not looking forward to this.
As expected Dan was struggling through the work even with Penelope's help.
He was trying so hard, but he still could barely get through memorizing the periodic table.
His brain kept repeatedly singing Subdivisions by Rush instead of focusing on where Iron was supposed to be located on the massive chart worksheet in front of him.
Penelope was losing her patience. He was barely listening to her.
She had tried to be sympathetic at first. He was having a hard time soaking up the information.
She could understand, she was the same why in the debate class she took as an elective.
The longer they studied though the more annoyed she found herself becoming. Did he not give a crap?
She was wasting her Saturday having to skip out on her weekend art classes at the local university just to tutor Dan.
Her father had been less than pleased that she was missing her art class even if he thought it was a waste of time.
The more electives she had the better her application to Harvard would look. He had known mentions of tutoring would look good too though. So he had allowed it.
Still though Penelope was getting pissed off. She loved art class. It was one of the few things she had passion for.
If she had her way she would only focus on art, but her father wouldn't allow her. She was supposed to be a doctor not an artist.
She sighed as she continued to speak reading from the Chemistry book sat up on the coffee table in between them. "So A Chemical Compound is described as being made up of two or more different chemical elements. It is a pure substance that can be put through various chemical reactions in order to separate it's components. They have unique chemical structures based upon their parts and their atoms are held together by..."
She stopped speaking glaring down at Dan as he began to tap his pencil to the tune of Subdivisions.
Penelope began to lose her temper at this. He was staring off into space not even listening to her at all. "Oh my God can't you focus for five freaking minutes?"
Dan snapped out of his daydream. He'd been on stage with Rush rocking out instead of here with Penelope listening to fun facts about the periodic table.
He let out a huff crossing his arms unable to stop himself from giving her sass. "Sorry...please continue your lecture."
With that the thin thread holding together Penelope Armstrong's patience snapped. "Why?! You clearly don't give a shit! I might as well be talking to a coat-rack. I'd get the same reaction from it!"
"Sorry, We can't all be perfect like you Princess!" Dan snapped back his own patience snapping.
She was treating him like he was gum on the bottom of her shoes once again. Why was she being such a snobby bitch to him? Why wasn't she being nice to him like she always was to everyone else.
He was shocked as Penelope shot him a look that would strike most dead. She stood up her pale face turning red with rage. "Oh fuck you! You don't know me! I'd rather give a shit than be some stoner loser idiot like you! I care about my future. You clearly don't!"
It was Dan's turn to turn red. "I care! At least I'm not a stuck up bitch! Maybe if you smoked a joint you'd be able to dislodge the stick shoved up your ass!"
"Then act like you care!" She snapped back crossing her arms over her chest.
After this outburst the pair sat in silence for a long while.
Dan began to feel guilty as he noticed Penelope wipe at her eyes. Was she crying?
He felt like a jerk. He had been a jerk. Then again so had she.
If she was such a jerk though then why did it bother him that she was crying?
He remembered the pot in his jacket pocket a sigh escaping his lips. He might as well give a peace offering in the only why he knew how.
"Do you smoke?" He blurted out feeling stupid for asking.
She was probably going to kick him out flat on his ass now.
Penelope widened her eyes at the question. She couldn't help but to feel lame as she answered knowing she was probably saying all the wrong things. "I sometimes sneak cigarettes when the stress gets to be too much."
"Not cigarettes...pot." Dan clarified not helping but to find her answer sort of cute.
She was so...innocent. God he could so corrupt her and have a blast doing it.
Penelope stared at him wide eyed her stomach rolling. Why did she have to be so lame? "No...I've never smoked pot...my friend offered me a pot brownie once...but I think he just wanted to get me good and stoned so he could get me to agree to letting him use my house for a party."
She kicked herself at this answer. Great insinuate that Dan was trying to pull off the same con.
Why was she even answering him? He was a giant ass.
Sure she hadn't been nice to him, but still...he'd been so mean. He didn't know the first thing about her.
He just made assumptions about her just like everyone else in her life did.
Dan chewed on his words for a moment trying to decide the best way to ask without getting himself kicked to the curb. "Would you like to try?...I mean no pressure, but ya know...think of it as a peace pipe."
Penelope frowned at his question. Did she want to try it?
She remembered his comment about how she could dislodge the stick from her ass if she smoked a joint.
It almost seemed comical now that she was thinking about it in a calmer frame of mind.
Maybe he was right? Maybe she could relax for once in her life if she smoked a joint.
"Okay...I mean...yeah I'll try it."
Dan grinned at the answer. This tutoring session was about to get interesting.
Penelope watched him roll the joint a bit impressed as he moved at an expert pace rolling it in record time.
She watched her eyes growing wide as he lit the joint taking a deep breath in exhaling a cloud of smoke. His shoulders slumped a look of bliss crossing his features.
It was almost an erotic sight...the smoke pouring from his lips...it was almost magical. She felt stupid for thinking this of course.
God she was such a dork.
He turned to her almost laughing at the look on Penelope's face. She was so innocent. Christ, she was adorable.
"You want to try the joint or let me shotgun it?"
"Shotgun?...Isn't that where you like exhale into my face and I take in the smoke?" Penelope replied causing Dan's eyebrows to shoot up in shock.
He laughed a bit impressed at her answer. "The Princess knows something about pot. I'm shocked."
He was relieved as she chuckled at this reply instead of becoming angry at the nickname he'd shouted in rage just a moment ago. "Bite me...I'm not that innocent."
He smirked at this comment. If she wasn't that innocent why where her cheeks so pink?
"So Shotgunning is your choice?" Dan replied not wanting to admit that the idea was kind of sexy.
He could get right up against her face almost to the point of kissing and exhale smoke in between those pretty plump pink lips.
Penelope chewed over her choice. Was she actually doing this? It wasn't too late to back out a voice reminded her.
The idea of backing out now was mortifying though. And she was curious. Would smoking pot shut up her brain and allow her to relax for once in her sixteen years of living?
"Yeah. That's my choice." She replied hoping that she didn't sound as nervous as she felt.
"Okay...come here." Dan replied yanking her a bit closer to him.
Penelope felt her cheeks flush as she stared up at him. He was taller than her. So much taller.
She couldn't help but to realize he was kind of handsome.
She couldn't help but to want to sketch him.
His jawline was sharp and he had this cute little dimple in his chin. His ears were a little big but it was kind of cute. His glasses had been pushed up to rest on the top of his head making his eyes so much more viable to her gaze.
His eyes were so damn pretty. She knew most people didn't think brown eyes were anything special. Everyone always commented on her blue eyes, how lucky she was to have such pretty blue eyes.
Penelope thought brown eyes were so gorgeous though. They were the color of sweet milky chocolate, crisp autumn leaves, rich thick soil, and the deep mahogany wood of the intricate bed frame in her bedroom.
Dan's eyes were no exception to all these little descriptions. They were so gorgeous.
Dan could admit that despite the slight high already setting in he was a bit entranced by Penelope's baby blues. They were like fields of cornflowers. They were like the bluest skies, perfect and cloudless.
Dan snapped out of it his voice growing a bit deeper as nerves set in. "So uhh open your mouth...I'm going to press my lips real close to yours okay...I'm going to exhale and you need to breath in...not like when you smoke a cigarette though...don't inhale that way...just hold the smoke in...let it soak in for a minute or two before exhaling...hold it in as long as possible."
Penelope widened her eyes...this was almost like kissing. Sure she'd been kissed before...once...but still.
She felt her cheeks flush almost tempted to ask if there was another way. The idea of doing what he was describing felt so exciting though, it was something so out of character for her.
She was tired of being the perfect princess. Shotgunning pot with Dan was so not perfect princess behavior.
She opened her mouth in what she hoped was wide enough to pull this off.
Dan took a deep drag holding it in.
He leaned closer to her his eyes still staring into hers. Their lips were only a few inches apart. They were so close to touching lips. Dan was almost tempted to go for it and press his lips to hers.
She'd probably slap him for the action though.
He couldn't get over how innocent she looked staring up at him her pretty lips so close to his own. He would by a liar if he tried to say that this wasn't turning him on.
He could imagine kissing her and yanking her over into his lap. She'd grind those hips against his building up a sweet friction making her moan against his lips. She would be able to feel his hard cock straining against the confines of his jeans. She would let out cute little gasps as she rocked against him. Moans would spill from her lips as she grew wetter and wetter for him. He could touch those perfect breasts of hers. They probably wouldn't fit in his hands even if his hands were big, Her breasts would be more than a handful. He'd massage her breasts getting her nipples nice and hard. Would he be able to feel those nipples through the thin material of her bra and her t shirt.
Dan did his best to pull his brain away from this fantasy but he couldn't help but to notice the slight twitch in his groin Excalibur liking this idea.
No he wasn't that experienced sexually or really realtionship wise. There had been this one girl the summer before but it hadn't been serious. She'd been a friend and they'd messed around a little. She was older than him.
Once she had gotten a boyfriend though she'd dropped him.
Dan nodded his head signaling it was time. He exhaled a thick cloud of smoke spilling in between them.
Penelope closed her eyes as the smoke flooded her senses. She did her best to follow Dan's instructions breathing in but not inhaling fully.
She closed her mouth her eyes opening the pair still not parting. She finally allowed herself to exhale the burn of the thick sweet smoke torching her throat.
She only coughed a tiny bit and Dan could admit he was proud. He'd expected her to cough immediately.
"You want to do it again?" He blurted out expecting her to say no.
He was pleased as she nodded her head a silent go ahead to do it once more.
He repeated the action a few times more and the longer they repeated the process the more slack Penelope became.
The stress melted right off her frame and she found herself sinking against the sofa.
She wasn't sure why she giggling so much as Dan spoke taking another drag not shotgunning this time. "So is that stick gone yet?"
"So gone." She giggled her head falling back.
Dan grinned at this. She looked so much different. That snobby aura that had shone off of her since she had found out she would be tutoring him was so far gone.
She spoke giggling again. "I don't think this is what Mrs. Williams meant when she said I was supposed to tutor you in chemistry...this is more biology...I mean it's a plant...Pot is a plant, not a chemical."
Dan burst out laughing at this statement. She was funny when she was stoned. He wanted to get her stoned more often if this was how she acted. "You're such a dork."
Penelope laughed shaking her head. "Nu uh...I'm a stuck up bitch Princess remember?"
Dan snorted at this shaking his head. "Sorry about that...I was an asshole."
"It's okay. I was a giant bitch...I don't mean to be ya know...I mean I don't mean to be soooooo"
She paused giggling the high making everything hilarious. Her brain didn't work right and it felt great.
She spoke again frowning trying hard to be serious. "I'm not like everyone thinks I am you know? I'm not this perfect genius. I mean...yeah I'm smart, but I don't think intelligence can be accurately measured. I mean tests are so stupid and set up in one singular way...like you can tell a monkey, a dog, and a fish to climb a tree but the monkey will be the only one to do it...and like if you expect a fish to climb at tree or ride a bike of course you're gonna think the fish is a fucking idiot."
She paused giggling as Dan laughed having to admit he was enjoying listening to her ramble on. Her lectures were way better when she was high.
"I'm sick of being a monkey...I'm like a stupid trained ape. It's like I'm in the circus. My dad is the ringleader and all the teachers are...I don't know...like clowns or lion tamers or some shit." Penelope laughed her laughter a bit sad as her giggles were replaced with a sadness that always creeped around in the back of her mind.
"I hate the fucking circus."
"You say fuck a lot for a Perfect Princess." Dan teased sensing the sadness in her voice.
She laughed nodding her head. "Fuck you."
Dan snorted the words spilling from his mouth. "If you're offering sex buy me dinner first."
Penelope didn't slap him like he'd expected instead she laughed. She laughed hard teasing him. "In your dreams Danaroo."
Dan burst out laughing at the goofy pet name.
She spoke again after Dan passed her the joint trusting her now to take a hit off it.
She inhaled making him proud as she took it like a pro.
"I'm serious though...My dad wants me to go to Harvard and be a doctor. My whole life has been scheduled and planned from the moment I was a fetus...hell he had a plan when I was still a sperm in his balls."
Dan laughed at this shaking with giggles at her comment about balls.
She continued to speak giggling as well despite that sadness in the back of her mind. "I don't want to go to Harvard. I don't want to be a doctor."
"What do you want to do?" Dan asked a little shocked by her confession.
He'd assumed she was okay with being destined for greatness, being the most likely to succeed.
"I don't know...I like art...I really like to draw...I want to draw. Or maybe sing...I can't sing but I like music...You were tapping your pencil to Subdivisions earlier...that's a great song...Rush is amazing." She admitted surprised to see the shock on Dan's face.
That shock was replaced with excitement. "I fucking love Rush. Shit they're amazing. I want to be a musician."
"You could probably do it." Penelope replied liking the spark in Dan's eyes.
Despite his high it was obvious he was clearly passionate about music.
He did care.
Dan gave her a sad smile shaking his head. "Nah...Avi isn't going to pay for me to major in music...He said I need a career with a set salary."
"Avi?" Penelope asked frowning. Who was Avi and why'd he get to decide Dan's future.
"My dad...I call my mom and dad by their first names." Dan explained chuckling at the look of total confusion on her face.
She nodded her head giggling. "My dad would murder me if I called him Bill...Yo Dr. Bill this Harvard shit is fucked. Fuck you. I'm gonna be an artist and design Dan's first album cover art."
Dan laughed at this joining her giggles. "It's a deal. You make my first album art."
They turned to face one another silence setting in. Dan wasn't sure what came over him but he took a chance his voice growing a bit higher as he prayed she wouldn't hate him.
"I want to kiss you." He stated getting lost in her eyes once again.
Penelope felt her heart begin to race staring up at him. Did she want him to kiss her?
She made her choice the words spilling from her lips all reservations leaving her. "Then kiss me Danaroo."
Dan would have laughed if his lips didn't crash against hers the spark running right through the both of them.
His arms wrapped around Penelope's waist as his tongue begged for permission to slide against hers. She opened her mouth allowing it a moan spilling from her lips as Dan pulled her close his hands roaming her body.
She felt a bit lost as what to do with her hands. He was a good kisser. Better than her. He took dominance over the kisses making her turn to putty in his hands.
She placed one hand around his waist clutching onto his jacket as the other rested against his cheek.
Dan smiled as their lips finally parted. He spoke his voice hopeful. "I don't want this to be a one time thing...Can...Can we do this more...I mean again...can we do this again?"
"Smoking pot or kissing?" Penelope blurted out hoping the answer would be both.
Dan grinned his lips sliding along hers in a much more innocent kiss as he spoke "Both Princess both."
...
Arin almost fell out of the lawn chair in his backyard laughing as Dan told him the story.
He spoke having a hard time recovering from his giggled. "Oh my god...that's how you two met...I knew you were high school sweethearts but oh my god. You turned her into a toker."
"No one says toker Arin." Dan laughed shaking his head.
He had no idea why he'd never told this story before.
Arin had mentioned that Dan's and Penelope's 17th wedding anniversary was tonight though and the story had spilled from Dan's lips.
"So she told her dad to fuck Harvard right?" Arin asked having a feeling he already knew the answer.
Penelope Avidan was a Mrs. Avidan not a Dr. Avidan.
Dan gave Arin a somewhat sad smile nodding his head. "Yeah she did...her dad kicked her out...He walked in on us making out once...he didn't know about me...We were Seniors in high school and I was barely going to graduate...He hated me. He thought I was a loser. He told her she wasn't going to get knocked up by me and waste all they'd worked hard for. She told him to go to hell."
Dan always felt a little guilty when he thought back to that night. She had snapped on her dad.
She had defended Dan. She had told her dad that she wasn't going to Harvard next fall.
She had already secretly applied to the same University as Dan.
They had both got in and they'd both been debating rather they'd live in a dorm separate from one another or see if they could swing a studio.
She had told her dad she had applied to an art program at Dan's school of choice and she'd gotten in.
She was following her own plans.
Her dad had told her if she was going to throw away what they'd worked for then she could get out of his house.
So she had done just that.
Dan had helped her pack her things and they'd shown up on his parents doorstep.
Luckily Dan's parents had adored Penelope. They thought she was a good influence on Dan.
His grades had risen high enough for him to not only graduate but to get into a university. It was thanks to Penelope that it had happened.
She had pushed Dan to work harder and to stay focused. They'd studied and by that they meant they had actually studied.
She had encouraged him when he felt like he couldn't do it. She had reassured him and kept him focused on making the grade.
So when Penelope had shown up beside Dan with tears in her eyes the Avidans had taken her in.
She had roomed with Dana of course.
They loved Penelope but they knew that they had dating teens under their roof and weren't going to let anything happen.
Dan could still remember how bright his cheeks had gotten when his mom had shoved a package of condoms at him her eyes wide I tried to get your father to give you these...but uh...he's...he's ya know...so be safe Danny...I know you're at that age and I know you love Penelope and when you love a girl you...
Dan had been mortified he'd just nodded his head and squeaked out a Debbie! Oh my God, please stop. I know about the birds and the bees...I'll use it...Oh God...
Dan sighed a smile crossing his lips. "I don't know what I did to deserve Penny...I mean jeez Arin she stuck with me through so much. She's always been there."
It was true they'd been through a lot. She'd stuck by him as he struggled rather unhappily through college.
He'd gone into advertizing because the high school guidance counselor had suggested it.
He hated it. He wanted to be a musician, but he had to stick with school. His parents were counting on him to get his degree.
"Didn't you spent a semester in France? You did that student exchange program in college...Your Junior year right? Did you guys do long distance or something?" Arin asked a frown crossing his features.
He was amazed he'd never asked. It had just never come up.
He'd just known that Dan and Penelope were long married high school sweethearts. He'd never asked for more information.
"Yeah. I traveled a lot too...Actually uh...this is kind of embarrassing and don't tell Penny I told you because she thinks It makes her sound like a spoiled brat...but her grandmother...she liked me. She thought I was sweet and she thought I made Penny happy...soo when she found out I was going to have to leave Penny and do long distance with her...she uh, she fronted Penny the money to follow me...So Penny took a semester off and followed me. She kept me sane honestly...I mean I was struggling with OCD and anxiety and my depression was there...and she never left me. She stayed by my side."
He sighed knowing that was the best way to describe their relationship. She stuck by his side.
When things in his mind grew dark she was his moon and his stars. She was like a firefly lighting his way in the darkness.
He spoke again shaking his head. "I mean shit Arin this woman stood by me when I was twenty six...You know I spent that year doing nothing but smoking pot and playing Morrowind. I was a giant loser...I felt like such a failure. She was the one who worked odd jobs and kept us a float most of the time. I told her she should dump me and she scolded me. She told me that when she married me she promised to stick by me in the sunshine and the clouds and just because it'd been cloudy for a long time didn't mean she was running away."
He could still remember the day he'd decided to get his shit together.
He'd been sitting on the couch feeling sorry for himself. He'd lost another dead end job at fucking Staples of all places. He'd failed the drug test because he was stoned. He was always stoned.
He was an idiot. He was a failure. Penelope's dad had been right. He was a loser and he was dragging her down.
She deserved more. They'd only been married for a few years and she had been the main bread winner most of the time.
She'd just landed a job working as a receptionist at a tattoo parlor. She had hopes of maybe being a tattoo artist one day.
It was funny the preppy little princess was now a punk rocker. With a couple of subtle tattoos, a ring though her right nostril, and a blunt short haircut.
Dan always joked that she was cooler than him now.
He was a stoner musician trying to make it big. He worked hard in his last band and they'd broken up.
He'd been in that band for six years and it had failed. He felt like a loser.
He'd been in bands after college even though he had his degree in advertizing. He had devoted himself to music with Penelope's support.
She always supported him. She trusted him she insisted. Life isn't a rose garden Dan. You're my rose though so I don't care, she would tell him when he apologized for not being able to give her nice things.
She deserved so much more than what he gave her.
He'd been almost in tears by the time Penelope had come home from work.
She'd held him in her arms as he told her that he'd lost his job.
He could remember the words he'd said. "You deserve more. I'm such a loser. I'm an idiot baby. All I do is smoke pot and play that stupid video game...The pot doesn't even make me feel good anymore. It used to help with my anxiety but now it's making it worse. You work so hard. It's like you're the only adult in this relationship. You said that the last time we fought...and you were right. Your friends think I'm a loser and they're right. You should leave me and save yourself before I burn us both down."
She had taken him by shock. She had placed her hands on his cheeks rather harshly as she'd forced him to look at her.
He could still remember her words full of love but so stern. "I love you Daniel. I mean sure we've fought a couple of times but I never have stopped loving you. When those assholes who called themselves my friends called you a loser what did I say?"
Dan frowned still so trapped in his own self loathing. "You told them to go fuck themselves. That I'm not a loser."
Penelope nodded her head her voice still so stern. "And you aren't. You aren't a loser. You are my husband. I know you've had a rough year baby...we both have. I'm never going to leave you though. You aren't burning us down Dan. You have a match but it's burning because you still have passion. You're going to start another band and you're going to make it. I believe in you. You just have to try to see through the clouds. I trust you Dan. I'm never going to leave you."
She'd pressed her lips to his and his doubts had faded. She'd pulled back and given him a little grin. "Now come to the bedroom and I'll show you just how much I love you."
As they'd laid in the afterglow of their lovemaking Dan had made a choice. He wasn't going to smoke pot anymore. He had told Penelope the truth. The pot wasn't fun anymore.
It didn't make him feel good anymore. It made the anxiety so much worse.
He had to get his shit together. He had to try too see through the clouds.
Things had still been tough of course. They had moved from Philly to Brooklyn and he'd started Skyhill with a friend. He'd tried to get it off the ground passing out albums to everyone he could find to give him some time.
He hung out outside of concerts and passed the album on to bands. He'd even given Sia an album during one of her concerts.
Things just hadn't taken off though. He had failed again.
When he felt like he'd failed Penelope had made him laugh. She'd tell him It's not a failure Danaroo it's just a kick in the balls. It hurts but you'll be okay.
When Skyhill had broken up he'd tried out a few other bands, not singing just playing bass.
He had needed a break from trying to make it big.
He'd taken some comedy classes, improv. He'd needed a change.
A friend had introduced him to Brian and they'd started Ninja Sex Party. Ross had shown Arin a video of the band on YouTube and the rest was history.
Dan closed his eyes the years of memories sinking from his mind as he felt a gentle push to his shoulder.
He opened his eyes to see his wife staring down at him a small grin on her face. "Hey you."
"Hey." He replied pressing a kiss to the hand that had shoved him.
Arin spoke up still laughing. "I can't believe Dan taught you to smoke pot."
Penelope's head fell back a groan leaving her lips. "Jesus, Dan. You told him that story."
Dan chuckled at this nodding his head as he pressed another kiss to her hand. "Sorry Princess. I took a trip down memory lane."
Arin laughed again shaking his head. "You cursed him out...you cursed like a sailor...and he married you. God I spent all my time wooing Suzy when I could have just asked her to curse me out."
Penelope shook her head a laugh spilling from her lips as Dan spoke. "Oh she still drops F bombs...just not in front of the kids."
He glanced up at his wife a grin on his face. "Did the kids settle in at Brian's okay?"
"Oh yeah. You know he has the fear of god put into our children." Penelope replied thinking of their family.
Three kids, two girls and a boy. They all had dark wild curls like their dad. They had his eyes too. They only got Penelope's freckles, though their eldest's hair did have a hint of red to it.
Ruth Marie Avidan or Ruthie as she liked to be called was eight. Daniel James Avidan or DJ was five. And last but not least Debbie Thea Avidan, or Dee as they called her to avoid confusion with Dan's mom , was barely a year old.
Dan laughed at her comment about Brian. He explained the cute little story to Arin though he knew the man had heard it a dozen times "Yeah he convinced our kids he's an actual ninja. He told them that they too can be ninjas if they follow the proper training under him. It's kind of adorable...it's really fucking adorable actually. He fooled them into following his orders. They're so afraid he won't let them become real ninjas that they are afraid to misbehave for him."
Arin chuckled knowing he had heard this story over a dozen times from both Brian and Dan. It was still pretty cute though.
He could remember how anxious Dan had been about coming to LA with his family in tow.
Dan had a four year old and a new baby when Arin had asked him to join Game Grumps.
He'd somehow reassured both Dan and Penelope that he would help them settle in in LA and he had.
They had moved in with Barry at first at Barry's insistence.
Barry had needed a roommate and two roommates was even better even if they had kids in tow.
Dan had been anxious that they were some sort of annoying burden mooching off his new friend's goodwill.
Barry had reassured him that he enjoyed having Dan and the family around though and it was the truth.
Little Ruthie was the one who had succeeded in helping win Barry's generosity. Ruthie had attached herself to Barry getting him wrapped around her delicate little fingers. She called him Uncle Bear.
Dan stood up still finding it funny that he had to lean down a bit to press a kiss to his wife's lips. "Are you ready for your anniversary surprise Princess?"
"Lead the way Danaroo." She replied causing Arin to burst into giggles again over the goofy petname.
...
Penelope was puzzled as Dan drove them to a park.
She spoke not helping but to joke. "If you're hoping for kinky car-sex you are going to be disappointed. It's still daylight so no backseat fun for you."
"Very funny." Dan remarked shaking his head.
They'd spent more than enough time in the backseat during their teenage years.
She said nothing as Dan spoke. "Come on we're going to take a walk before dinner."
They walked a long while her arm linked in Dan's. Dan talked about work and she told him about the art class she'd taught today.
She had gone back to school and gotten the credentials she needed to qualify to teach an art class.
She only did it part time. She taught at a group of kids at a local community center.
It was far from her plans of being a tattoo artist but she had found she loved it more than she would have ever dreamed.
She liked teaching kids to draw and Dan insisted she was meant for the job. She liked to hope she could help kids who were the way she'd once been, stuck following their parents dreams but loving art so deeply in their hearts.
Dan stopped at a bench the pair sitting. He reached into the pocket of his leather jacket his hand brushing along something. "I have a gift for you. Close your eyes out and hold out your hand"
"It better not be a joint. We quit." She joked shaking her head knowing he used to present joints like this to her back when they'd still smoked pot.
"So funny." Dan replied shaking his head as he did what he asked her eyes closing her hand reaching out.
He placed the small wooden box in the palm of her hand. "Now open it up."
She opened her eyes raising an eyebrow down at the small box. It was a jewelry box.
She opened it Dan unable to stop himself from pulling out the necklace inside it. Holly had hooked him up with it. It was homemade.
He held it up to her snapping the box shut before she had a chance to catch glimpse of the next surprise.
She looked at the necklace a small smile crossing her lips. It was a silver chain with two little silver pendants handing from it; a moon and stars.
Dan placed it around her neck as he spoke. "What do I call you when crap in my head starts to get too gloomy?"
"Your moon and stars. I light up the dark for you." She replied a small laugh spilling from her lips as he pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose.
"Smart girl"
She stared down at the necklace a smile crossing her lips. "It's beautiful thank you."
She paused a flirty smile crossing her lips. "In fact it's so beautiful that I'm going to wear it tonight with that little thing you like."
Dan couldn't ignore the stir in his the confines of his jeans knowing just what little thing she was talking about.
It was a silky retro lingerie set. It was a corset and pantie set with garters and hose. It was pink and sweet. Just like she'd been back when they'd first met.
Dan was tempted to suggest going home and getting right to wearing that little thing.
He knew he had another gift to give though. "Open the box again. There's something else there."
Penelope frowned wondering what else he had up his sleeve.
She did as he said spotting a piece of paper folded up into a neat square.
She placed the box on the bench pulling out the paper. She unfolded it studying the note.
Marry me.
She widened her eyes a little confused as she tried to make a joke. "We're already married Dan...I hope you didn't forget or I'm going to be pissed."
Dan rolled his eyes slightly as he explained. "You remember how I proposed."
Penelope giggled nodding her head. "We were stoned and naked. You'd just given me a pretty awesome orgasm and you blurted out we should get married...no really marry me."
Dan shook his head a huff escaping his lips. "I had a big plan on how to propose too but my dumbass stoned brain went nope Penny just rode you like her life depended on it propose now."
"I said yes Dan." She pointed out still giggling.
He shook his head sighing. "Yeah and we were broke. We got married in my parents backyard. Your dad didn't show up...you wore that lacy white dress you got at a thrift shop. My grandma helped you make it attractive. Our wedding lasted like ten minutes because we didn't go with a Jewish wedding that my dad was hoping on."
"I'm not Jewish and you didn't want me to convert." She pointed out causing him to laugh.
"Yeah but my parents still thought you were an angel sent to keep me in line...We wrote our own vows. We had a honeymoon at a hotel my parents paid for." He sighed remembering how he'd felt so guilty he wanted to give her more but they couldn't afford it.
"I loved our wedding. I loved our honeymoon too." She pointed out spotting the insecurity in his eyes.
She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I would have married you wearing a garbage bag standing in the middle of a dumpster Dan."
Dan snorted shaking his head. He had a feeling she wouldn't have literally done that.
He let out a small sigh saying the same thing he'd told her a million times. "I had to get your grandmother to help me buy an engagement ring and wedding bands...She was always giving us money."
"She loved you. She said you reminded her of my grandfather." Penelope pointed out chuckling.
"And I would whisper to you and make you laugh because I'd ask if your grandfather had been a Jewish stoner?" Dan replied causing her to laugh again.
He shook his head a sigh leaving his lips again. "I felt so bad...your engagement ring was so tiny...I mean it's barely a speck of a diamond. I wanted to give you the hope diamond and all I could afford was this pitiful little ring."
"I like my pitiful little ring. The Hope Diamond is cursed Danny." Penelope pointed out staring down at the ring he was still so ashamed of.
It was a pretty sad looking little thing. Her friends had laughed at it asking her if she was serious when she'd showed it off.
She had told them that yes she was deadly serious and she loved her ring.
She did. Dan had given it to her so she had loved it.
Dan spoke shaking his head his lips pressing to her forehead. "I want to give you more... I want to give you the wedding I dreamed of giving you and the ring I should have given you. I can afford it now...we could go on a new honeymoon an actual honeymoon to wherever you want to go...so I'm asking you to marry me again...or I guess that's not the way to ask...We are still married...so uhh I guess it's a vow renewal."
Penelope smiled already knowing her answer. "I'm saying yes...but only one one condition. You let me keep this engagement ring. I love it. I love it even if it is pitiful. I love you. So yes I will marry you again."
Dan pressed his lips to hers his insecurities fading.
He pulled away from the kiss holding her close to him his voice soft as he teased her. "I love you you stuck up Princess."
"I love you too you stoner idiot."