Aww, thanks for the sweet reviews and for coming back to read the next chapter! :) This is still the year before the movie takes place but that is coming up very soon!


Penny could only stand and stare at the retreating girls in disbelief, she was too shocked to be angry. Russell finally noticed something was wrong and turned to her, his eyes widening as he took in the ever-expanding seeping stain on her dress. He met her eyes in surprise.

"Uhhh, did you…spill your drink?" He looked confused, obviously he had missed Star's little outburst.

Penny was too embarrassed to tell him the truth so she just nodded, feeling a stinging sensation beginning behind her eyes. Oh God, she would not cry in front of all these people. She glanced up to find Russell and the rest of the men looking around uncomfortably. Swallowing hard, she pulled herself together.

"Would you mind if we went up to your room now?" Penny managed to flash her brightest smile, placing her hand on Russell's arm to make sure he got the message.

The charming side of Russell returned and he chuckled, taking Penny's hand and leading her through the crowd. As they waded through the waves of bodies Penny spotted Star and her friend lounging against the wall, watching her leave with smug satisfaction on their obnoxiously made-up little faces.


The next morning, Penny awoke to an ear-splitting clanging noise that seemed to bounce off her skull with all the intensity of an enraged drummer. Her first few seconds of consciousness were shrouded in confusion. Where was she? Why was the sunlight so bright? Who was snoring beside her? What the hell was that noise?

Finally she realized it was the phone on the night-table. Reluctant to emerge from her cozy cocoon, she slipped one hand out from under the sheets and felt around until she hit cold metal. Putting the phone to ear she muttered a groggy "hello".

"Hell-o?" A rather unpleasant, indignant, and nasally sounding female voice was on the other end.

Before Penny could answer, Russell shot straight up out of the bed and ripped the phone from Penny's hand, his expression stricken.

"Hello? Leslie, is that you? Hello?" Penny watched him press his lips tight against the phone, turning his back on her.

She frowned and ducked under the phone cord, climbing out of the bed. It no longer felt so warm and welcoming. Picking up her irreparably stained dress, she tried to catch Russell's eye, whispering his name quietly as she slipped her clothes back on.

He whirled around, phone still clutched tightly against his ear, and she could hear the girl on the other end still whining endlessly. Russell's face was a mask of irritation as he shushed her like she was an annoying child and waved her away dismissively.

Penny could feel her heart sinking like a lead balloon as Russell turned his back on her again and continued to soothe the girl on the phone. Penny swallowed hard, stuck her chin in the air with dignity, then turned on her heel and stormed out into the hallway. But not before slamming the door behind her for good measure.

Penny felt all mixed up inside, like all her emotions were jumbled into one big confusing heap. Why had she ignored her instinct? Why had she answered the phone? Why did she care so much?

"Penny! Wait!" Penny stopped in her tracks as she heard Russell's pleading voice.

Spinning around, she watched him jumping down the hallway on one foot, trying to pull his jeans up.

"Penny, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to treat you like that…it's just…she's my ex and she don't realize it's over!" Russell's voice was unsteady as he hopped along, practically shaking the wood-paneled walls.

Before he could reach her, he stumbled over his pants leg and hit the floor with a resounding crash. Without thinking, Penny hurried over, helping him sit up.

"Poor baby! Are you okay? Did you hit your head?" She knelt in front of him, pushing up his floppy hair to check for any head injuries.

Russell clutched his head, looking pathetic, "I think so…it really hurts."

"You poor thing!" Penny exclaimed, pressing a kiss on his forehead and cradling him in her arms.

Deep down she knew he wasn't really hurt. And she also knew he was probably lying about Leslie. But she was just crazy enough not to care.

Someone cleared their throat awkwardly and Penny glanced up to find Pete Townshend trying to squeeze past them in the hallway. He glanced down at Russell with his pants at his ankles and Penny with her bedraggled clothing and just shook his head as if it wasn't the strangest thing he had seen that morning. Which, considering that they were at the Riot House, it was probably a fairly tame scene.

"Penny…would…would you come on the tour with me? It's just for the rest of the summer." Russell asked suddenly, looking up at her with wide and hopeful eyes.

Penny was surprised. But one look at Russell and she knew what her answer would be. So she just smiled and helped him off the ground.