Summary: Penny Blake is in her freshman year of college. Her best friend Carl Grimes is madly in love with her, but Penny is haunted by her past. Although she is loved by her adoptive parents, Penny wants to reach out to her father.
She feels like her father is the only one who can really understand her. But her adoptive parents want her as far away from Philip as possible.
Sequel to Counting Stars. Penny/Carl love story.
1. Not my Family
I looked at my sister and brother. Callie looked like mom. Blonde hair and blue eyes. Drew looked like dad.
I didn't look like anyone. Because I was not related to these people. I was adopted. Different, I thought.
"Hey Penny," my dad said waking me up from my thoughts.
"Daryl," I answered him.
"Hey, I know you are a college girl now, but you can still call me dad," he said sounding a little hurt.
"Okay dad," I whispered.
"So what are you doing today? Going shopping with your mom and sister?" His blue-green eyes looking into mine.
"No, Carl coming over. He is going to help me with my American Government essay."
"I am glad you two are friends. He's a nice boy," dad said as I got up from the sofa.
"He is sweet. I am going to go to my room and get started. Will you send Carl up when he gets here?"
"Yeah," he mutters .
Daryl was feeling me pushing him away, but I couldn't help feel out-of-place around him.
I knew my family loved me, but still I wanted to know who I was. I closed my bedroom door and laid down on the bed.
"Penny," Carl said when he walked into the door.
"You're early," I said getting up from the bed.
"Thought we might go eat some lunch. What you think?"
"Sure. I want to get out of this house anyways," I said pulling on my shoes. Carl says nothing, but takes my hand. I walk past my sister and mom without speaking to them. I couldn't help I felt like I didn't belong here anymore.