Note From the Writer: So some of you pointed out Griffin was a bit out of character, and I looked back and realized he was! [Thanks to those who pointed it out!] Don't worry. He'll be more Griffin-esque from near teh end of this chapter to the end!

Chapter 9: Drive [P]

The shower was nice, but weird, Penny thought. Griffin had jumped them to Japan to go to a hot spring to bathe. It was one of those baths where only the steam would separate the genders. Thanfully, it was late in the evening there and they were the only patrons.

Penny was re-dressing when her mind went back to the bath area. She remembered when Griffin snuck up on her. She was so embarressed! She had never been in that situation before. Hell, she onnly ever had two boyfriends. One back in the summer of 5th grade although they were just friends. And then there was James. He was special to her. James was her boyfriend in 9th and 10th grade. Her first true boyfriend. He was also her first kiss, first date, first time, and last memory she ever had of high school. The thoughts made Penny homesick, leading her to think about her brother. Maybe I'll call Zack soon to check in... she thought to herself.

She finished changing into the grey jeans, long dark blue sweater, and black boots Griffin had left for her. Jumped to the Nagasaki house and picked out something. Something he liked? Penny smirked at this and guessed she was sarting to get hungry by the sound of her stomach grumbling. She walked out to the small sitting area. Griffin was there, waiting for her. "Breakfast now?" she asked walking up to him.

"Yeah." He got up. Penny was standing next to him when he stood up. She grabbed his hand and smiled. The owners didn't notice when she jumped.

She had teleported herself and Griffin to a quiet alley behind some houses in Chambersberg. Penny walked ot a parked car, puling Griffin close behind. She let go of his hand.

"I'll drive," Griffin told her. Peny didn't mind. She wasn't the biggest fan of driving since she pretty much had to teach herself. She sort of skipped to the right passenger side of the car. Griffin was already in the drivers seat. He leaned over and opened the door for her. When she sat, she gave him the keys from her pocket. He remembered the keys. She smoothed the hem of the sweater. And the color. The thought made her smile and she looked over at Griffin. He was putting the keys in the ignition, but still managed to look at her and smile gentley while starting the car.

The car was a small and could only hold four people total. It was a cheap buy at a used lot somewhere in Essex. The car as a shiny, silver volkswagen. She remembered the lovely country view during the ride to this spot. She sometimes stayed at the hotel near where he kept the car parked.. She only used the car when she was in the area.

As the car pulled out onto the road, Penny asked, "Where are we going to eat?"

"A little place in London. Gunna be a drive though." He quickly glanced at her, his face with a look she had seen before. It was the same look she had seen before when he heard the car pull up to her house in Nagasaki.

Was it distress? Penny had to think about what to say. "...Is something wrong?..." She looked over at him. Griffin was staring straight ahead at the road. A look of pain on his face was what Penny saw from the side of his face. As her eyes moved fron again, she noticed he had a tight grip on the steering wheel. "Griff-"

He cut her off. With anger in his voice he said sternly, "I don't want to talk about it right now." He was still focused on the road.

Penny slunk down into the seat of the car. She could feel the tension. It's gunna be a long drive, she thought to herself as she leaned her head on the car door and shut her eyes. Before she knew it, she was asleep.