I thought this meet and greet was going to be a world of pain. Mikayla, Brad AND Suzie meeting everyone else? It's not that I don't trust and love my friends...it's just.....I really don't want them to embarrass me in anyway. Selfish right? Earl kept hinting to me that Suzie was going to do something horrible. I glanced over to the group and what do you know? My redheaded volley ball captain is engaging Prosper in a conversation.
"I bet she's gonna bring up the time you tripped in the cafeteria and got pie ALL over our math teacher."
I glared at him, "Oh shut up."
"Fine, fine. We all know how you just want to look COOL in front of SCIPIO." Earl made sure he said it loud enough that it turned a few heads. My cheeks burned red but played along,
"Oh yeah, Earl. You know me." That's right Penelope, stay calm, cool and collected. No one will notice a thing. Scipio didn't even react when he heard his name being yelled. I can imagine he was too busy talking business with Victor.
Suddenly, Hornet appeared at my side, "What is with your friend Suzie?"
Oh crap. What did she do?
As I was in a state of panic, Hornet started to explain, "She keeps talking to Prosper." Oh, the jealous bug I see. Though, Suzie is doing it on purpose. Looks like I'll have to sort it out.
I sighed before smiling slightly, "Sorry about that. Suzie is a...handfill. She doesn't know you and Prosper are going out."
"Well you better go tell her!" Hornet folded her arms in a frustrated manner, the book she was holding completely forgotten.
Earl slung his arm over her tense shoulder, "REEEELAX Hor. Penelope fixes ALL problems but her own!"
She simply rolled her eyes and shrugged Earl's unwanted arm off her, "Don't call me Hor."
I agreed, "Yes, EAR. It sounds like you are calling her a whore."
Hornet giggled, making me sigh in relief that she wasn't pissed off at Suzie's antics anymore. Earl frowned disapprovingly.
"Did you just call me EAR?"
I nodded, "Yes. Since you shortened Hornet's name to Hor, I shortened your name to Ear."
Earl does not like to be made fun of, as you would already know, "You just took off the L! Big difference!"
I waved him off and excused myself from the conversation. My mission, shut Suzie the hell up. I quietly walked over and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Oh hey bud!"
I gave her a look before bringing my attention to Prosper, "Say, Prosper, how's your relationship with Hornet going?"
His faint reply was, "Quite well, thank you."
I almost laughed at the expression on Suzie's face. She immediately backed off and silently slumped away. I'm sure I heard her grumble, "The cute guys are ALWAYS taken!"
Don't worry...Suzie will get a guy one way or another. I mean, who can resist that redheaded charm? Alright. Bad example.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ida had the wonderful idea to retreat to her house for a big welcome back feast. I politely accepted as Earl pumped his fists in the air. He'll just never change. Instead of taking a boat, we decided to walk there. This will be the most exercise I'll have all summer.
The gang was ahead of me, chatting happily. I always seem to be the person who drags behind in huge groups. Mikayla turned her gaze towards me. She motioned me to walk faster but I shook my head, I'm just too lazy. My legs are still tired from running after Scipio, who I thought was a bag thief.
After shaking my head 'no' the fifth time, Mikayla huffed stubbornly and whispered something in Earl's ear. I guess she told him she's going to walk with me for, Earl turned around and waved stupidly. I swear, out of high school and we're still a bunch of freshmen.
Mikayla asked me once close enough, "Why aren't you in front of the group talking to Scipio?"
"Maybe because I don't want to." We know that's a lie.
Mikayla just flipped her dyed black hair and rolled her eyes, "Oh! I believe you. It's just, he seems mighty lonely up there without you."
If that isn't an 'awwww' moment, I don't know what is. Mighty lonely? I think Mikayla has been reading too much of To Kill A MockingBird.
"What makes you say that?"
Mikayla rolled her eyes AGAIN, as if it was most obvious thing in the world, "BECAUSE, he keeps looking over at you every five seconds."
Okay, now I think she is just being plain out clique. Ida decided to save me from my annoyance for she called back to us, "Hey guys! Catch up! We're here!"
I could practically hear Riccio's stomach growl as he asked what's for dinner. Ida just lightly smacked him on the head before replying, "Not eggs and bacon for sure." Oh yes, I remember that ketchup accident. It was like a mountain of condiments.
Before I knew it, the smell of meatloaf and mash potatoes slowly drifted into my flaring nostrils. For the SLIGHTEST second, I thought we would be having roasted peanuts, damn airplane ride. They force me to eat the crappy airline food so much that I get USED to it.
Everyone was lounging in the living, expect Ida and Hornet of course, they were cooking the food. Apart of me feels bad that I'm not in there helping them. Yet, my body forces me to stay put and stare at Scipio. It knows what it wants. Brad plopped down next to me, who hasn't been talking very much.
"Why so quiet?"
Brad just shrugged, "I just feel...awkward I guess."
Oh, you'll get used to it." I smiled. Take it from the QUEEN of awkwardness.
Brad seemed taken back by my advice, "How can you get USED to awkwardness? Usually you just break it..."
Sometimes Brad makes me feel stupid. But seriously? Who doesn't? Well....Earl is an acception. Basically around him, everyone feels good about themselves.
Suzie must have been bored, for she looked directly at Scipio and asked, "Hey, skippy boy, how EXACTLY do you know Penelope and Earl again?"
Mikayla piped up, "Yes! Penelope never told me..." Brad nodded in agreement. Dammit Brad, way to make it worse. Earl glanced over at me nervously. Do you really think they would believe that the people before them used to be thieves and then Scipio went on a magic ferris wheel, making him older?
I know what Suzie would snap after finding out this hard to read story, "This isn't bedtime! No fantasy stories! What are you really hiding?"
Thank God for Scipio, for he simply smirked before looking over at me, "I bumped into them at the coffee shop. It actually was a downright mess. Penelope spilled her drink ALL over me."
Earl snickered, pretending to remember the fake memory. It didn't even happen and I feel embarrassed. Or is it the fact that Scipio chose me to spill the coffee on him. Why not Earl?
Brad commented, "It seems something like Penelope would do." Traitor!
Suzie smirked before questioning, "So that's the story, huh?"
Scipio answered, "Yes it is. Frankly, I'm glad it happened. I would have never met the beautiful woman and witty fellow."
Okay, he's pushing it with calling Earl a 'witty fellow'. Suzie still didn't seem happy with his answer, however let it pass by.
Mikayla smiled, "I think it's a cute story."
"I think how we met was even cuter." Earl cut in. Oh yes, I remember that day. It was in sixth grade. Apparently, Earl was still into the cootie phase, as little Mikayla walked by, he sprayed her with what he called 'Cootie Spray'. Mikayla flipped out and before we knew it, Earl was head first into the trash can.
"Oh yes Earl. The day I kicked your sorry ass." Mikayla stated.
Earl flushed with embarrassment, "I don't remember that happening."
I laughed, "That's because you passed out!"
Scipio chuckled along with me, making me almost stop laughing completely. Is it normal that every interaction I have with him make me breathless?
Ida's head popped in the living room doorway, "Dinner's ready!"
From the other room, I could hear Riccio and Mosca cheer with hunger. Bo bounced up and dashed into the kitchen. Prosper smiled after him and joined his baby brother in the kitchen.
Suzie pushed Brad forward, "Get a move on!"
Brad glared, "Didn't your mother teach you to keep your hands to yourself?"
"Nope. She just said if I want something, do anything I can to get it! Now I want YOU in the KITCHEN!"
"Alright...alright.." Brad winced.
Next went Earl and Mikayla who were hand in hand. And then there was two... deva ju anyone?
I turned to the kitchen door, however, his deep british voice stopped me, "Do you think it was a nice cover up story, Miss Storms?"
I replied, pushing the kitchen door lightly, "Yes very much. I just don't understand why you made me the freak."
Scipio cracked a smile and advanced over towards me, don't pass out...don't pass out.... So far so good...Scipio leaned down, his nose almost touching mine. Body...don't fail me now! It was as if he was teasing me. Scratch that. He IS teasing me.
"Well maybe I enjoy making you blush."
I opened my mouth before I thought what I was going to say, "Is that some kind of pick up line?"
Scipio straighten himself, taken back but still smirking, "That's your decision." With that, he waltzed into the kitchen. Sometimes he is such an ignorant prick. Other times, he is the sexist detective alive. Sherlock Holmes has NOTHING on him.
I shouted after him before joining the friendly party dinner, "I see that cocky side is still apart of you, Thief Lord!"
A/N: Yes? No? Maybe so?
