Emergence

August 3rd, the third day school has been in session since it started this year.

Thinking back on it, I never realized how insanely eventful the past three days had been. I went from stuttering like a social reject around Penny to almost kissing her in barely a day. The amount of character development I was able to experience in such a short amount of time is utterly bewildering, to say the least.

How often does something like this happen, in general? I have no basis to judge from considering my position, but there's no way this is a normal occurrence, surely.

Why did everything move so fast? It's an onerously perplexing situation, precisely because of how clearly advantageous it is. Why are things going so well for me?

Perhaps its fate, bringing us together with joyous fervor, impatiently merging and intwining our  vibrantly exuberant hearts. Though it sounds  a little far fetched, it's certainly possible.

Alright, time to get back on track. I'm sure you're all very confused on what exactly the state of my affairs are currently, so let me get you up to speed.

To review, the project is due on August 9th, which is next Tuesday. My goal between the date of the projects commencement and its conclusion is to get closer to Penny Valentine Chindelin. These are the orchestrations I had been deliberating on over, and over, and over.

I've calculated this scheme of mine so much in fact, that I was even thinking about it now as I walked into the school building.

Slowly and unconsciously I moved, my vision removed from all other thoughts except for the events of last night. There's no point in considering anything else at the moment, anyway.

All that matters, is her.

The redolent scent of her skin, the arduous intensity of the atmosphere, the spectacularly fantastical setting of her royal abode..it was all perfect.

And as we leaned in, my delusional escapism finally seeping into reality with a dream-like reverie, we slowly leaned in, and-

"Sup man, how'd it go last night?!" Mark shouted abruptly, planting a firm hand on my shoulder with a large 'plap'.

I jumped back, moving away with startled shock.

"W-what the? Don't sneak up on me like that!"

Mark snorted, giving me a devilish grin as he watched me move away from him.

"Sorry-not-sorry. Anywaaaayyyy...what's the tea?" he sassed flippantly.

I shook my head, turning away from him with a face plainly full of vexation.

"Doesn't matter. I'll tell you later" I huffed, walking away as I placed my hands in my pockets, ripe with irritation.

How dare he come and get in the way of my delusional fantasies? Especially since they're directly attributed to my lord and savior Penny Chindelin, no less (okay that was definitely blasphemous-I apologize-)!

"Aw come on, don't be like that. I get in the way of your daydreaming? That's probably it huh?" He added cheekily, moving to walk at my side.

"Yeah yeah whatever" I sighed.

"Bro, stop being so pouty. It ain't that serious. Now come on, gimme the details, I been waitin' here!"

I closed my eyes for a moment, before opening them with (what I imagine at least) a dreamy expression (probably with a stupid grin on my face to boot).

"It was amazing. Absolutely incredible"

I could feel his eyes judging me with noticeable bemusement, before shifting into a bit of a weird contortion. What, did I say something odd? Wipe that look of disgust off your face, it's making me feel pathetic!

"Just what the hell happened between you two?" he inquired with a peculiar tone.

"I know for a fact that you didn't hit, so it couldn't have been that crazy" He continued, concluding rather confidently...smug bastard..

I huffed once more (a bit more audibly as well), before I spoke again.

"No, we didn't do..uh..that. Jerk.." I replied irascibly (slightly muttering the last part, just enough for him to hear me).

Ignoring my moody temperament as though he was oblivious to it (which he wasn't, by the way. He's just like that whenever he really wants to get his way. It's very annoying), he continued.

"So what happened?"

"...We..just held hands..for a little bit, leaned in closer, and..."

"And? And what?"

"Nothing"

"Nothing? What the hell do you mean nothing?!"

I scratched the back of my neck. 

"Well...she pulled away because her mom knocked on the door right as we were about to seal the deal, basically. No, that's actually exactly how it went. Apparently, she wanted to tell us that the food was ready, and then Penny offered me to stay for dinner"

"Did you stay, or what..?"

"No. I said 'nah, I'm okay, I need to get home. My sisters are probably waiting on me' and headed out from there" I replied bluntly.

Mark sighed, crossing his arms and shaking his head as he closed his eyes disappointingly.

"Dang...damn. That's kinda..like, yikes. You pretty much just got cock-blocked. Sorry bro" he pitied, looking over at me with grim solace.

I don't blame him for his disappointment, honestly. I was feeling a bit despondent too at the outcome, but there's only so much I could've done about the situation. Besides, I'm sure I'll get plenty of other chances to kiss her.

Maybe even sooner than I might expect, actually.

I exhaled a long, drawn out breath in response to his solicitude, before making my reply.

"Yeah..I know. But it is what it is, I guess" I shrugged with casual indifference.

After our deflating, or I suppose more aptly described deflating and otherwise demoralizing conversation, we decided to meet up again at lunch to try and discuss strategies I could use regarding this circumstantial plight. From there the day went on, as per usual. Classes went by slowly, listlessly monotonous and abject of any real positivity (aside from the A.C. that keeps the rooms cool, cause trust me, if you knew how hot it was outside you'd be thinking that it's pretty integral to your livelihood too). By the time the bell rang for lunch, I was so out of it that I had barely registered its reverberations, not realizing the noise had come to a resounding conclusion until everyone had already left the classroom.

I felt sad. Depressed, even. The troublesome happenings of the previous night weighed more heavily on my conscience than I anticipated. Great..this is problematic.

Groaning, I slowly moved away from my seat, trudging across the room as I made my way to the hall and lifelessly plodded over towards the cafeteria.

It seemed like everyone else had already reached the lunchroom, because the entire area for as far as I could see was completely vacant, almost as if no one had been there to begin with.

It didn't matter though. It doesn't matter.

I don't care.

Pushing myself onwards, I continued to trudge at a snails pace through the decadent atrium, hoping only for the best outcome imaginable.

What outcome was I referring to, exactly? Well honestly, any that benefits my tangible predilections and unmistakable drive to take hold of my most wild dreams.

Obviously, I'm talking about making merry with Penny.

Wait, not in that way-

Whatever..I'm not in the mood right now.

On and on I moved, for what felt like minutes, hours even. Though in reality it was only a few seconds, time seemed to leer off out into the ether, displacing the very concept of space and materiality to emphasize the eternal aspect of those succinctly brief moments.

What broke me out of my ethereal haze, to the surprise of no one, was the light of my deathless liberator, Penny Chindelin.

Once again, she shined bright like a star, illuminating my mood with diaphanous mysticism, smiling radiantly from the side door near the lunch rooms entrance.

I smiled back, straightening my posture a bit as I stopped a short distance from her.

Strangely, she was wearing her hair in a snug ponytail, her high shorts covering only up to right above her knees as her tight spandex jersey fit perfectly upon her torso with the number '4' on display.

"Hey Greg...I..I wanted to talk to you about something" she said meekly, holding her hands behind her back as she swayed demurely.

I tried to look her in the eye, but I couldn't meet her gaze. Not due to any diffidence on my part (for once I wasn't actually shy), but because she wouldn't look at me.

She was looking down at my feet, timidly.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

She shook her head.

"No..well, nothing bad"

Huh...so, what is it?

"You can tell me, you know. I won't judge you or anything, if that's what you're afraid of" I soothed, aiming to fill her with comforting solace.

"I wanted to apologize. I..we won't be able to do the project together until the weekend" she hesitated, struggling to keep her voice from trembling.

That..was all? She's that concerned for my well being?

Why..why would she be? I'm not worth the trouble. I can't be, I believe. Well, I would like to think that, at least in her case.

Someone like me wasn't fit for the perturbation of a deity.

"You don't need to worry about that, really" I smiled lightly.

"But if you don't mind, what kinda reason is it for?"

She hesitated once more, fidgeting her hands behind her back and legs below her stomach.

"Volleyball season just started, and we have a practice meet today in 30 minutes. We'll also be busy for the rest of the week, so.."

"I understand. I didn't know the season started, though. Thanks for telling me, I appreciate it" I smiled, yet again.

I wish she told me about this sooner in all honesty, but ultimately it's inconsequential. Her being here alone and admitting her nebulously tenebrous  schedule was more than enough for me to be satisfied with.

Still, hearing her mention it, I realized that I'd never even heard of Penny ever being apart of the team in previous years. I always knew that she somewhat had a thing for sports, but this one in particular was especially new. It had to be.

Which means, this is her first year of tryouts. Covina doesn't really hold practice games for any of their sports teams outside of that context, so that has to be the only thing that makes sense.

But again, I have to stop myself from going on a tangent..I have a bad habit of that. This isn't about anything else right now except her own internal conflict, and I can't just leave her like this. I need to give her more than just simple reassurance..somehow.

What can I do though?

"Don't worry about me. If you send me the notes, I can take care of most parts of the project. It'll be fine"

Her eyes widened, as she finally met my gaze for the first time since the conversation had begun.

"R..really? You'd..you would do that? For me?"

I nodded.

"Of course"

This was the natural conclusion. If she was already burdened with her physical activities as well as with (more than likely) a plethora of other various forms of paperwork provided by this dilapidated hellscape of a penitentiary, then of course it'd be best if I try and take at least some of the load from her shoulders. It's how things should be, from my view.

No, that makes it sound as if I'm doing it out of pure obligation, when it's really a bit different than that.

I've always been this sort of person, from the very beginning. If there's anything I can do for the sake of others, or my own ambitions, I'll always do what I believe needs to be done.

Because it's the right thing to do.

Penny smiled warmly, slowly relaxing her shoulders and ceasing her writhing.

"Thank you, Greg. Hey..let's meet up at my place over the weekend, okay? I can make it up to you"

Surprisingly, I had no internally salacious quips or frightening gravitas at this reply. Maybe..maybe it means I really have grown, if just a little.

I gave her a wide smirk, before responding. 

"Sure, that sounds like a plan"