Jealousy - Penelope

Penelope is well aware of her flaws. She knows she’s jealous and at times territorial, but she tries not the let it get in the way of her friendships.

Specifically, her friendship with you.

Yes, she likes you in a way that goes well beyond platonic. Is she ready to tell you that? Absolutely not.

Still, her gut twists sharply when she leaves the athletic center to find you outside with a nephilim standing far too close for her comfort. The winged girl isn’t even subtle, which almost makes it worse. She gives you a coy smile and bites her lip in a way that has surely worked on others before you, twirling her hair between long and nimble fingers.

Penny takes a deep breath before letting the door swing shut behind her. The noise catches your attention immediately, and your eyes find the siren’s at once.

“There you are,” Your smile is soft, “Forget a towel again?”

Her hair is still hanging damp around her shoulders, looking a bit frizzy as it air dries. Penny frowns at it momentarily; she’s not used to chlorine and the havoc it wreaks on her curls. So much in the mainland is so complicated, including hair care.

“I was in a rush,” She says, not admitting that she cut her time in the pool short so she could see you sooner.

“That hungry, huh?” You take her bag from her, ever polite, “Wanna hit the mess hall instead of going into the city, then?”

“No,” She says immediately, “I think I can withstand the twenty minute drive.”

Penny loves the city; she’d never pass up getting the chance to go, especially with you. You had shown her Central Park for the first time, and Broadway. They were memories she’d always cherish, and she fully intended to create more with you at her side.

Then the nephilim girl clears her throat, ruining the moment as she looks at Penny with a small frown, “You kind of interrupted something just now.”

Penelope laughs slightly, partly at the audacity she has, pinning her with a cold look over your shoulder.

The winged girl turns to you once more, her smile curving back into place, “So, like I was saying, what about lunch one day?”

You always insist you’re an outcast, a social parish, and Penny wants to scoff at the thought. Despite all you claim, these vultures circle waiting for their chance to snap you away from her. Unchosen One or not, you’re attractive; she supposes that’s something no one can deny, including those who would shun you for every other reason.

“Okay, first, she wasn’t interrupting, so watch the tone with her.” You raise an eyebrow, unimpressed, “I was literally waiting for her.”

The girl’s eyes dart toward Penny as you begin speaking, her jaw tight with humiliation as she realizes her mistake.

“Besides, I’m pretty busy most days,” You say, glancing away as you fish for excuses, “I, uh, appreciate the offer, though.”

Just like that, the girl’s hopes are dashed. Penny can’t help a victorious smile and the girl pales when she catches sight of it. Two rows of razor sharp teeth stare the nephilim in the face and Penelope can pinpoint exactly when the girl loses her courage.

“Whatever.” She waves away your excuses with narrowed eyes, “Didn’t even want to hang out that bad, anyway. Especially not with you.”

“Aw,” Penny gives her a mocking pout as you gape in confusion at the sudden turn of conversation, “Didn’t go the way you thought it would? Nothing better than someone who turns to insults the second things go awry. What a way to show you’re just a bullet to be dodged.”

The girl clenches her jaw before realizing this is a fight she doesn’t want. She turns sharply and speed walks away, her wings fluttering nervously. You watch her go, confused, before turning to Penny.

“What just happened?” You ask, brows furrowed, “I feel like I just missed most of the context in that conversation.”

“You did.” The siren informs you breezily, “No need to worry, just the usual idiots. Now, lunch?”

“Yeah, sure.” You blink at the space the nephilim occupied before she left in a huff, “It’s just, she was so nice at first, though.”

“People usually are until they don’t get what they want.” Penny shrugs as you begin to lead her to your car, “Come on, I shouldn’t have to be giving you mainland lessons.”

You chuckle, “To be fair, my social experience isn’t the typical one.”

“Yes, well.” Her mouth twists slightly, not voicing her theory about how pretty your face is, “As I said, idiots.”

The drive does end up being worth it. On the way there, you play your music with the windows down and the cool fall air catches your mutual laughter on the breeze. Your sun catcher dangles from your mirror, and the afternoon light hits it just right. She admires the way the rainbows curve across your cheekbones and lips.

Once you reach the city, you both eat on the patio of a nice Thai place before you begin your ill-advised schemes again. The scheme being your attempts at teaching Penny to drive, of course. She doesn’t hit any stop signs this time, which is a marked improvement.

On the ride home, she shares the music she’s found she enjoys since her time on land. Your smile as you watch her sing along make her heart do little flips in her chest.

Yeah…what she feels definitely isn’t platonic.