Sitting in my bedroom the next day, my thoughts are still revolving around Penelope and that kiss. My thoughts haven't changed at all since that happened. I've spent all day wallowing and thinking about her. And regretting going to the game at all. I had already thought it was a bad idea, but after everything that happened, I can't believe I went. I can't believe that I would have ever thought putting myself through that torture would help anything.
Before this ordeal, I could think about other things, but now, I can't focus on anything but her. Seeing how happy she was and knowing that that happiness was because of Derek Morgan. And no longer being with me. Sitting here, I half expect her to turn up and try to talk to me, but the rational part of my brain knows that she's not coming. She doesn't owe me any sort of explanation anyway. She's perfectly welcome to date whomever she'd like, even if it seems like she moved on quickly. And it's making me wonder if she truly was faithful when we were together. She wouldn't have cheated on me. It's not fair to think that way. Not fair to her, and not helping me move on.
I hear the knock at my apartment door, but don't respond, hoping that whoever is there, probably Dave, will just go away. The knocking continues, and I remain quiet, but then I hear the key in the lock. The door opens and I look down at my hands, realizing now how this scene must look to an outsider. Sitting on my bed in the dark, just staring into space, I even feel as pathetic as I must look.
"Aaron, can we talk?" I hear Penelope ask, realizing that I need to change where I put my spare key. I groan out loud, hoping that she'll take that as a sign that she should just leave, but I'm not that lucky. "Aaron, please."
"Go away, Penelope," I mutter.
"Aaron, I need to tell you-"
"No, you don't. We're not together anymore because you didn't want to be and now you're with someone new. You owe me nothing. Now, I have a lot to do today, so please, just leave."
"Oh yeah, I can tell how much you need to get done. Sitting here in the dark. Aaron, have you been sitting in bed all day? Don't give me any bullshit about being too busy. You're a terrible liar."
"I'm so glad we could have this time together. We weren't together long enough for you to start telling me everything that I'm bad at."
"You know what? I was going to come in here to apologize. To tell you how sorry I am that you had to see me kissing Derek before the game, but I don't know why I bothered. Why did I care?"
"I have no idea. We're not together, so unless you cheated on me with Derek, you owe me nothing."
"Is that your subtle way of asking if I was sleeping with Derek while we were together?"
"Well, you did sleep in his bed."
"No, I didn't! I explained this to you."
"Fine, then exactly how long did it take you to move on? A month? A day? Because I'm still not over you and here you are publicly making out with someone new." At this point, I feel myself getting worked up, and I fight everything in me that wants to start shouting at her. I stand up and start pacing as I see her move to the bed and take up the spot I had just left.
"Derek and I did get together fast. A few weeks after we ended things." I groan again, but she continues. "After you left that day, he stayed with me and a few days later he told me that he wanted us to be together, but he was going to wait until I had gotten over you. He didn't want us to be a once and done couple, a way for me to get over you."
"I don't know what twisted part of your brain thinks that this is helping, but this is the worst you could have done to me. Not only are you over me, but it also took you a few weeks to feel like you were over me enough to start another relationship. And if that wasn't enough, you seem like you're perfectly fine with the way things are progressing with Derek. Like you don't have any commitment issues when it comes to anyone but me."
"Aaron, that's not fair. Derek and I have known each other for a much longer time than you and I have. We already have that friendship and trust that you and I didn't have. I know that this is upsetting, but I need you to know that none of this diminishes what we had. I did love you and I don't want you to think that that would just go away because I'm seeing someone else."
"As far as I can tell, it does completely diminish what we had, but thank you for coming here and telling me this. I definitely wanted to know all of this."
"Please stop being a jackass for a minute."
Before I can answer, my phone starts ringing and I look at it before responding, "I need to answer this, thanks for stopping by." I turn away from Penelope and walk into my living room to answer the call.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mr. Hotchner?"
"Yes."
"Hi, I'm Dr. Tolbert from Maple Park University's English Department. We received your application for transfer, and I'm happy to tell you that we would be honored if you would finished your doctorate here. All of your coursework would transfer over and we'd be able to offer you a great financial deal as well as monetary assistance to help with the cost of moving."
"Oh, that's wonderful news, thank you so much!"
"Of course, your academic record is outstanding and everyone we talked to about you had only wonderful things to say. But, I've been wondering why you're transferring?"
"Ah, well, the answer to that is a bit complicated, but I find myself needing a change of location due to personal reasons, so I'm very grateful for the offer, and I will be happy to accept it."
"Excellent. I'll be in further contact during the course of the week to let you know more details. Welcome to Maple Park!"
I hang up the phone, smiling for the first time in a while when I hear throat clearing. I look up and see Penelope still in my apartment, now standing behind me, looking pale and like she's on the verge of tears. "You're leaving?"