"What's wrong with you lately?" Corny asked Penny at breakfast a few days after her fight with Seaweed.
"I don't know what you mean." She said innocently
"You've been very depressed lately. Are you okay?" He was right she was very depressed. The whole fight with Seaweed had made her upset. She had started going back to the studio with him so he wouldn't be suspicious and to prove to Seaweed she was over him but it was clear she wasn't. Seaweed was always there with Amber and they were always making out. It was so disgusting! What the hell did he see in that girl? She wasn't that pretty and she had bubbles for brains. She tried to tell herself that she didn't care and she wasn't jealous of that bimbo all over Seaweed but deep inside she knew it wasn't true.
"I'm just fine, Corny." She lied and then stabbed her fork into her pancake, secretly wishing it was Amber Von Tussle.
"Are you coming to studio later to watch the show?" he asked her. She wanted to say yes but the thought of watching Seaweed and Amber was making her sick. "No, I thought I'll try to find a job today." She said which was a half truth. She needed a job so she can save up for her tuition but she was sure she would be done in time.
"Okay then I'll just see you later." He said getting up to leave. She could tell he was disappointed but for now she was going to have to stay far away from Seaweed Stubbs and she couldn't tell him that. She just hoped she would get over Seaweed really soon because this was just killing her.
"So when can you start?" the manager at the boutique downtown asked her. She had filled out her application and had gotten the job right on the spot since the manager said he needed someone right away. It wasn't the type of place she wanted to work or even shop at, but the boutique was right by the bus stop she got off of and they had a now hiring sign in the window. It was one of those stores that sold expensive clothes and handbags, and places that airheads like Amber shopped at. She told the manager she could start tomorrow morning. Her hours were going to be from nine to five so she wouldn't have to worry about disappointing Corny by telling him she wasn't going to watch the show again, since now she had a good excuse.
The next day she went to work she immediately realized that working there was harder then it looked. Besides making sure the customers were well taken care of, she also had to make sure the displays stayed neat, keep the store windows clean, answer the phone, and keep inventory. The manager had told her to make sure she greeted every customer and keep an eye on certain kinds of customers. She knew what he meant but she wasn't about to do that. She had been ignoring her mom's ignorance her whole life, so she was sure she could ignore his. She was busy setting up a display of handbags in the front of the store when the door buzzer went off.
"Hello welcome to Regalia's! Can I help you find something?" She said brightly and turned around and saw Amber standing right in front of her.
"Oh Hi Amber," she said dryly. Amber smiled and said "Well, I was just walking by and then I looked in the window and I thought I saw you but I had to come in to make sure. Looks like they'll hire anyone now."
Dating Seaweed certainly hasn't changed her snobby attitude. "Did you want to buy something Amber? Or did you just come here to insult me?"
"Neither. I just came to warn you." Amber said setting her cold blue eyes on Penny.
"About what?" Penny said but she knew exactly what Amber was about to say.
"I see the way you look at Seaweed. You better stay away from him!" She said and pointed her finger right in Penny's face. Penny wanted to slap it away but she knew she would risk getting fired if she did.
"I hardly even talk to him now. I don't want your boyfriend I have my own, remember?"
"At least that's what you keep telling yourself but I'll bet if Corny knew you still carried a torch for Seaweed he'll kick you out!"
"I don't love Seaweed. I'm in love with Corny."
"You want them both don't you? You little whore!" Amber said putting her hands on her hips. Before Penny could protest Amber went on. "I knew that innocent act you and Tracy used to walk around school with was just an act! First she steals Link and now you are after Seaweed because he's with me. I'm not letting it happen this time! Just stay away from Seaweed or I'll tell Corny that you are sleeping with him behind his back!"
"That's not true!" She protested
"No, but the way you are avoiding him and the way you've been acting since we came back here will give him reason to believe it so when push comes to shove Corny will believe what I tell him. Just remember that!" Penny didn't know what to say because she knew Amber was right. If Amber told him that, he wouldn't believe it at first and then he would think about how she was suddenly staying away from the studio and he would take her depressed state as guilt and draw the conclusion that Amber was right. Amber smiled suddenly and said "I'll see you around Penny" She walked out the store and Penny wanted to throw something after her. She wondered for the millionth time what the hell did Seaweed see in that girl.