Previously on All My Fault...
Despite not wanting to go, Penny prepares herself for school on a dreary Monday morning. Once finished, Penny is greeted by her parents who offer breakfast, which she declines. Patty starts to get worried for her daughter's recent change in behavior, but Paul just thinks it's a phase. Once Penny is dropped off at school, Sherman immediately greets her with a smile. Due to her fear of her 'mistake', and what he might think of her, she runs away from Sherman, which confuses the boy.
Chapter 3: Growing Suspicions
Sherman's POV
This was very odd of Penny to just run off when I just said hi. It wasn't like her to do that. This has been awfully strange in recent weeks. We haven't talked since the whole WABAC incident, when I forgave her for bullying me and offered my friendship. But since then in the past two months, she seemed to avoid not only me, but everyone else. She didn't show up for lunch, and when she did, she sat on the corner by herself, she didn't speak up in class, and she even avoided her own friends.
She also seemed to change in appearance too. She didn't have her makeup on like I know she wears, and her hair also looked like a mess. Penny also looks like she hasn't slept in days.
I do hope it's nothing too serious.
Penny's POV
I know, it's pathetic of me to run away from Sherman after a simple greeting. But I can't be anywhere near him. If I stay longer than a second, I just know I'll cause another problem between us. I won't let that happen again. As long as I stay away from him, Sherman will be okay.
I sigh and walk to my first class of the day, history. This brought bad memories since this is where it began. Where I answer a teacher's question, but ended up getting corrected by Sherman. Since then I grew hatred for Sherman, which has now turned into a memory I want to get rid of. But you can't run away from memories that are reminders of what a horrible person you really are.
I sit at my normally assigned seat four rows behind Sherman. He didn't show up until about two minutes later. Once he walked in, I quickly looked down and stared at my wooden desktop. The teacher sends us an assignment to do about the American Civil War. I only stared at the piece of paper, which I didn't answer a single question. That's how it has been lately. I fail every task I'm given, but I don't care anymore.
Lunchtime-Two hours later...
Sherman's POV
I sat down at an empty table in the cafeteria where I pull out my Albert Einstein lunchbox and take out a ham and cheese sandwich, a cup of strawberries, and a bottle of fresh orange juice. As I take out my lunch, I see my best friend, Hayden McClaine, walking towards me with a tray of the school's lunch and sits down across me.
Hayden: Hey Sherman.
Sherman: Oh hey Hayden.
Hayden originally didn't greet me on the first day of school. He was there but he didn't introduce himself. But since the second day, right after Penny and I resolved our differences, he came up to me, we talked, and since then, we became good friends. Of course I do have other friends like Mason and Carl, but both if them are away because Mason went on vacation for the week, while Carl got sick. Still it was nice to have Hayden as my friend.
Hayden: What's up? You look upset.
Sherman: Oh nothing. I'm just thinking about Penny...
Hayden: The girl who bullied you and insulted your father?!
Hayden obviously said it in a slightly angry tone. Even though he and I are friends, I could tell he had a sign of hatred for Penny for what she did to me. Of course, I reassured him that she's not a bother to me anymore. But even though I told him she and I aren't enemies anymore, Hayden still doesn't trust her, and seems to look like he could hit her at anytime.
Sherman: Okay look, I know you don't like Penny but we've been over this. She and I aren't fighting anymore.
Hayden: I just can't trust her. Come on! She made fun of you for having a dog for a dad for crying out loud!
Sherman: But I don't know. I have to be thinking about her. She hasn't seem to be herself lately.
Hayden: What do you mean?
Sherman: She seems to be estranged from everyone here at school, she doesn't look like the way she used to. She also especially seemed to be avoiding me in general. *sigh* I don't know what to do.
Hayden's POV
Okay, I know I don't like Penny, nor do I forgive her for what she did to Sherman, but I know Sherman is preoccupied over her. The last thing I want to do is be a jerk to her when he's wanting to figure out what's going on.
Hayden: Um, Sherman?
Sherman: Yeah?
Hayden: Listen, I know I don't like Penny or even care to do this, but if I were you, I would try to find out what's going on. Maybe something going on at home. I don't know. I'd visit her to see what's up.
Sherman: Why are you giving me advice? I thought you hate Penny.
Hayden: Well, yeah, I hate her for what she's done, but I also know it's not okay if I just tell you to let this be. And even though she and I aren't friends, I know you are a friend to her.
Sherman showed a small smile which makes me smile. He then reaches front and hugs me, in which I hug back.
Sherman: Thank you Hayden. You're a good friend.
Hayden: Don't mention it.
Sherman then eats the rest of his lunch, throws his trash away, and leaves. As he walks off, I start to wonder. I only hated Penny because of what she did to Sherman, but he says they're no longer enemies. I can't call Sherman a liar, so I believe him. I walk to my next class, but I manage to see a glimpse of a girl with ragged faded blonde hair and looks like she hasn't slept in days.
As I walk off, I quickly recognize her as Penny, and Sherman was right, she has changed dramatically. I hope it's something Sherman can rectify. After all, they are friends.
And he taught me something something today, he's let go of the past, maybe I should too...
To be Continued...
A/N: So Sherman figures out that Penny isn't herself, but has trouble finding out why. It's nice for Hayden to help him out in his time of need, despite having opinions about Penny. It's good to be a friend to have him help another.
Hayden McClaine is originally created by Shinigamilover2. All credit involved with the character belongs to him.
Check back next time to see if Penny can be cheered up.
