After a fast paced few weeks of school, I finally got inspired! Enjoy the next chapter and review please!

Chapter 7: One Step Forward…

I broke off the kiss widening my eyes and I covered my mouth with my hands. "Sorry!" I said, blushing a little.

"No, it's all right. I didn't mind actually." Bernard smiled at me. He took my hands in his, and kissed me again. We wrapped our arms around each other as we continued to kiss.

"Hey!" A familiar voice said, breaking us apart. I gasped and lowered my gaze.

"Bernard, meet my music teacher Mr. Edwards. He doesn't approve of PDA." My heart was in my throat.

"Penelope, don't forget about that composition you were going to give me last hour." Mr. Edwards narrowed his brown eyes at me.

"Here it is." I dug it out of my backpack and gave it to him. He scanned it. I bit my lip, but was surprised to see him smile. I looked up from my scuffed brown dress shoes.

"This is very well written, Penelope. As a matter of fact, I'd like to feature this at our annual Winter Gala with your permission."

"Seriously? I'd be honored, thank you so much, Mr. Edwards!" I laughed.

"Now, get to class both of you." He left. Bernard looked at me.

"I composed the melody from the gift you gave me."

"That was ten years ago!"
"I know, but I love it so much that I want to share it with everyone. Isn't that why you gave it to me?"
"It is your song." He walked me to my last class of the day. I kissed him before I went inside. Eloise and Sarah giggled.

"Nelly's got a boyfriend!" Daphne sung under her breath.

"We're not official yet, so shut it." I snapped.

"All right class, settle down and take out your Chem books. Turn to page 269." Mrs. Kryte said. Some boys laughed.

"Will Green, time for your presentation." She cleared a spot off for him. He groaned but went up anyways. He winked his blue eye at me, ruffling his blonde hair and straightened his red flannel shirt that went well with his faded blue jeans and tan boots. I rolled my eyes as I prepared for my presentation. After class, Bernard offered to walk me home.

"Sure! See you later, guys!" I waved to Jason, Sarah, and Eloise. They returned my wave.

"I've been thinking Penny, and I was wondering if you'd go out with me? You know, to the dance that's next week." He asked.

"Hmm… I'll have to ask my dad first, but I'd like to see a movie tonight. Care to join me?"

"Which movie?"

"It's a sad romantic movie, but I love it. I guess it's because I wanted to have that kind of love with someone." I looked at him.

"You're not going to tell me the title, are you?" He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Nope!" I laughed.

"Fine, I'll be at your place around 7:30."

"Cool, see you then! Oh, and I hope you'll be hungry, my dad's cooking." I kissed him goodbye and he left for Charlie's house, which is where he's been for the past few months. It was just too weird to live with another guy for me so he willingly left.

"Daddy, I'm home!" I called out, opening the door. I heard a crash from the kitchen.

"Hi, angel!" He poked his head out. He was holding a frying pan.

"What's with the frying pan?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He looked at it and shrugged.

"I was cooking." He explained.

"Is something burning?"
"No, just the ribs cooking! That's the surprise."
"Awesome! Oh, dad, is it cool with you if Bernard comes over? We're going to watch a movie here."

"Just a few months ago, I would have said no, but all right. Has he asked you to the dance yet?"

"Yeah, but I haven't told him my answer."

"You don't have to be afraid, angel. You have my permission to go." Dad kissed my forehead before he opened the oven. A cloud of smoke filled the room. I quickly opened a window. The smoke flowed out. About an hour later, I emerged from my room wearing a knee length cotton light blue dress and my hair was in gentle curls. The doorbell rang and I answered it. Bernard stared at me as I took in his outfit. He was wearing a white dress shirt and blue jeans.

"Hey, Bernie, you look great!" I smiled, letting him in.

"I can't compare to you, Penny. You look beautiful!"

"Oh, you!" I nudged him with my shoulder. He grinned before we went to the dining room to eat. Afterwards, we made our way to the living room where the TV was mounted on the wall.

"So, what movie are we watching?" Bernard asked, sitting in the chair across from me.

"You'll see." I put the movie in the DVD player and sat on the couch. The title flashed across the screen.

"'The Notebook'?" Bernard asked, looking at me. I shrugged innocently.

Dad brought in popcorn and lemonade about half an hour into the movie. At this point, Bernard was sitting by me. I didn't say anything, but by the time the movie was halfway done, I felt his arm around me. I rested my head on his chest and felt him tense up for a minute. I heard his heartbeat rise before he took a breath to relax. His arm didn't leave my shoulders, which I liked. I sat up as the last few scenes played, looking at Bernard. He seemed fixated on the movie and his arm fell to his side. Then, he looked at me and I was so surprised that I didn't pay attention to the movie. I leaned forward as he did, meeting him halfway for our second kiss. When I pulled away, my lips tingled.

"What's wrong?" He reached out and gently brushed my hair from my face.

"Nothing, I just…" I couldn't finish my sentence. "Never mind."

"Penny, tell me what's wrong." He turned the TV off and took my hands in his. I bit my lip.

"I… really like you, Bernard, and I know you feel the same way about me. I just can't continue with this relationship unless you promise me something." I waited for him to speak.

"Anything."

"Promise you won't hurt me, intentional or not."

"I promise to do my best, Penny. Will you promise me something?"

"Of course."

"Promise me you won't change the way you are, no matter what happens."

"I promise I'll do my best."

"There's one other thing I have to say." He looked into my eyes.

"Yes?"

"I will always be here for you, Penelope, even if I'm back at the North Pole without you. I know you still have your pendant, so if you ever want to visit me, I'll be waiting for you. Always." His voice shook.

"Why me?" I breathed.

"Because… Because I love you, Penny." His words made my stomach drop and my heartbeat rise.

"I love you too!" I kissed him again.