Penny's P.O.V

Seriously? I mean really? What had I done in another life to deserve this? I knew Si didn't often use his common sense, if at all, but this really took the biscuit. He knew how much I disliked Agatha, how much time Baz and I used to spend moaning about her - Jesus, it was the glue that held our friendship together. And yet who do I open the door to during one of my few moments of relaxation? The princess herself, looking as picture perfect as ever. We all sat awkwardly at the breakfast bar, tension filling the air, growing thicker by the second. My hands wrapped around my mug, hoping the scent of my favourite herbal tea would calm me down. No such luck. So much for Penny Time. All I had wanted to do was finish my coursework and video chat with Micah, was that really too much to ask for? Of course it was, when it came to Simon, peace was hard to come across.

Agatha glanced nervously between Simon and I, her slim fingers running through her long locks repeatedly. She really hadn't changed at all, aside from perhaps slightly more tanned skin and the complexion of somebody who had been living in a sun soaked country for years, an unachievable feat when you lived in rainy London. My eyes dropped to my own hands, pale and cold, and I sighed gently. It had been so long, so so long, and yet five minutes with this girl and I was back to feeling insecure and ugly. And Simon wondered why I had such a problem with her. I spent eight years being compared to the Golden Girl, having to stand next to her in every school photo, having to go dress shopping with her for every formal, having to eat every meal with her. And yet never, ever, feeling anywhere near good enough. I could hardly look at her, all the feelings of inadequacy threatening to come back to the surface. That is why I hated her. Well, I mean that and the fact that she basically left Simon for dead, but you know.

I studied Simon's face carefully, not failing to pick up on the anxious flittering of his eyes, the constant licking of his lips, his fingers trembling slightly as he drummed on the counter top. No wonder he was nervous, the anger I felt towards Agatha in that moment was enough to make even the toughest recoil.

'I love the flat Pen,' Agatha stammered out, clearly tiring of the extensive silence. 'Did you decorate it yourself?' I slowly lowered my mug, my eyebrows raising in amusement. So this was how she was going to play it? As if nothing had ever happened? Okay, I could work with this.

I glowered at her, nodding curtly in response, wisps of hair falling into my eyes, while hers framed her face perfectly, just like it always had.

'Are you enjoying Uni?' She questioned, unfortunately failing to notice my coldness.

'Yup,' I spat, keeping my eyes on my tea. watching little ripples form as I dragged the mug across the counter top.

'How's Micah?' She tried again, her eyes never leaving my face. She smiled, but I could hear the underlying anger in her tone. Good.

'Fine.' I whispered, really struggling not to get up and walk out right then, but holding my ground all the same.

And that's all it took. Agatha;s eyes narrowed and she tossed her hair over her shoulder, her shoulders squaring defensively. 'Crowley Penny, is that really all I get? We haven't seen each other in years and you can't give me any more than one word answers? I'm glad to see you've really matured. So much for friendship.'

I laughed at this, a short, cold laugh. I noticed Simon's cringe immediately - he knew. It was my 'I'm about to lose my shit' laugh, one he was on the receiving end of many times. When he brought home a stray puppy that ended up having rabies, when he tried to bake cookies and instead caused a fire in the kitchen, when he spilled boiling coffee over my English Lit paper. And that's just to name a few.

'I'm sorry?' I snapped, allowing my anger to build. 'You wouldn't mind repeating yourself would you? For a second there I thought you were trying to blame me for being distant? You? But I must have heard you wrong, because that just wouldn't make any logical sense.

She rolled her eyes at this, all her patience slipping through her perfectly manicured hands. 'Don't worry Pen, you heard exactly what you think you heard.

'I appreciate that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and you know what? Considering you are the almighty Agatha Wellbelove, yours must be right. Of course you must think I'm in the wrong here, god forbid any burden fall on your shoulders. I mean sure, I'm the one who stayed and fought when Simon needed help the most. The one who physically and mentally could not move from their bed for months, let alone move to another fucking country. The one who still to this day has nightmares which perfectly recreate the two deaths I witnessed at the age of eighteen. The one who struggles to look anyone in the eye, who can barely hold a conversation without breaking down, the one who went from being top of her class to barely scarping through her exams. But no, of course, it's all my fault, I should be welcoming you into our home with open arms. Where are my manners, Crowley.' I didn't even realise I had stood, my chest heaving and my hands in fists by the end of my speech, my breath ragged. The pair in front of me stared like I was crazy, and truthfully, in that moment, I felt like I was.

Agatha's P.O.V

What the actual fuck?

Simon's P.O.V.

Well this is awkward...

The anger on Pen's face was indescribable, I had never seen her like that before, not even when I knocked the Christmas tree over with my tail and smashed her set of vintage baubles all over the floor. I cleared my throat gently, standing up beside her and wrapping my arm around her waist gently. I could see tears pooling in her eyes when I looked down, and I knew that the hurt and betrayal she was feeling far outweighed the anger, she was just good at hiding it.

She sniffled and grabbed the front of my tshirt, burying her face in my neck. I may not have always been good at comforting people, but when it came to Penny, I would have done anything to make her happy. Anything. She'd been the only constant thing in my life since I was eleven years old, the closest thing to family I'd ever had.

I reciprocated the hug, wrapping my arms around her waist tightly, one hand going to her hair immediately. I said nothing, just buried my face into the top of her head and let her be, let her cry, let every last sob leave her body. It took Crowley knows how long, but eventually her retching cries subsided to small hiccups and the occasional sniffle. I ran my hand up and down her back, my eyes glancing quickly to a very uncomfortable looking Agatha, her gaze focusing on just about everything but us.

Agatha's P.O.V

My anger dissolved as I watched Penny break down before my eyes, all of her usual fierceness and attitude crumbling and leaving behind a barely recognisable girl, a weeping mess. A mess I caused. Or at least contributed to. 'Penny please.' I whispered, 'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I came to meet Simon today to apologise to him, because I knew he deserved it, and that it was long overdue. And nowhere in my selfish, self-obsessed mind did it come to me that you might be owed one to. And you are, of course you are. How could you not be? You are the smartest, strongest person I have ever, ever had the pleasure of knowing. And I tried to walk all over you. What the fuck is wrong with me? I'm sorry, please believe me. For everything. For ever being rude to you back in Watford, for being jealous of you and Simon's friendship, for running away that night you all needed me. I'm sorry. Jesus, I am sorry.'

I breathed out at this, only just noticing the tears on my cheeks.

Simon's P.O.V

Why is everyone crying today? Isn't that usually my job?

Penny's P.O.V

I stared at Agatha in shock, not quite able to process the words that spewed from her mouth, flowing from her like something she had been holding onto for far, far too long. And then I nodded. I nodded, and I accepted, and I forgave, and I flung my arms around her in an embrace more meaningful than any we ever shared during our years at Watford.

Simon's P.O.V

Agatha ended up staying for dinner, and long after that. She smiled politely when I served my speciality; boiled eggs on cheese on toast. A mouthful, I know. But a delicious fucking one at that. She laughed at all my jokes, nodded along to all of Penny's stories, and promised to meet us for dinner the evening before she would be returning. When she left I lay on the coach and pulled Penny in for a cuddle, sighing happily as she nuzzled into me.

'Thank you for today. Thank you for forgiving her, You have no idea how much that means to me.'

'Of course I do,' she whispered back, 'that's exactly why I did it Si.' And with that she was out for the count, her head lolling back against my chest and her forehead clear from the worry lines that usually adorn her face. I carried her to bed, my clumsiness not making the job any easier, considering I stubbed my toe on the door and knocked over her lamp all in the process.

I went to my own room, pulling my phone from my back pocket for the first time in hours and wincing when George's name popped up on the screen. Seven missed calls. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Fuck. I dialled his number frantically and held the phone to my ear, crying out when it went to voicemail. I flung my phone onto the bed and sat on the edge myself, my head in my hands. I rolled up my sleeve gently and stared down at the once perfect skin, the only blemishes being my moles. I ran my fingers over the small bruises and burn marks, wincing at the pain of the scars and of the memories of how I obtained them. That night was horrific, and yet I was stupid enough not to answer my phone again? Perfect. George was going to kill me.., probably worse than before as well, last time I had only missed one call.

I willed myself not to cry as I climbed into bed fully clothed, all of earlier's joy being drained from me. My forearm still tingling from the sensation of my fingers from minutes before. I mean George was right, I always deserved it, I was a complete idiot. That still didn't make the pain any better though. I pulled the duvet up over my head, burying myself deep in the duvet and closing my eyes tightly, wrapping my arms tightly around my knees. It was nights like this that I really craved the touch of a certain vampire's hands, wrapped tentatively yet protectively around my waste, his warm breathe on my neck as he lulled me to sleep with I love yous and sweet nothings. I sighed and prayed, not for the first time, that morning simply wouldn't come, and I could stay in my dream world forever.