hiiiii :))
song for this chapter: Naked by James Arthur
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TAEGAN

"Anddd that's how you do college algebra."

"That's it."

"Simple as that."

I scoffed, "I could have taught this better than Professor Wang." In all honesty, I could have. His handsome face doesn't really suit his tiny brain. Guess they hire anyone here.

Before I could babble on anymore about the poor staffing at the academy,  Penelope's finger brushed underneath my chin, turning my face toward her.

"My student has better skills in other places too." Our lips connected, her fairly large hand running through my hair while I throw the book to the floor once more. She rolled on top of me, deepening the kiss while our bodies stayed connected.

I never intended on contacting her again, outside the library at that, yet she was in my dorm room hours before dawn, trying to help me study. It was more than studying at that point, but to answer the blaring question that was bugging the shit outta me: yes, she did remember me. What I didn't expect was to remember all of me.

To remember how 'ticklish' my neck and thighs were. I didn't even expect her to remember my name much less yet she had me moaning under her again for a second...and third—maybe a fourth time.

Penelope suddenly smiled as both her hands crawled up to my sides and I giggled as she kissed me. My giggles turned into laughs when she tickled my armpits and sides. She's laughing while I'm full blown wheezing for air, trying not to piss myself.

"Get," wheeze "the...fuck—" another wheeze, "OFF ME!"

"Alright, alright." Penelope stopped and gave me a kiss on the cheek while I held my stomach and playfully pushed her off me.

"You deserve the death toll for that one. Nearly pissed myself 'cause of you." I wiped the tears under my eyes and fixed my bra so I wouldn't flash her. Like she hasn't seen all of me already.

"Your roommate must be generous enough for you to be this loud."

"She's not here right now and she doesn't mind—oh fuck you." I smacked her with the pillow hard, just catching on to the sexual innuendo as if it was just a normal thing today out loud.

"I already have and might I say—"

"LALALA NOT LISTENING!" This girl was getting on my last happy nerve, my cheeks and stomach hurting from laughing so much while she hopped over the bed and onto my lap, straddling me with her arms wrapped around my neck.

"You're just as sweet. Inside and out." We stayed there for a moment, staring into each other's eyes not even realizing the sunrise coming up behind us. Through my curtains peaked the pastel, almost white, hues that faded into the yellow flames of the sun.

Her eyes had drawn me in at this point, my hands wrapped around her waist as we stayed pressed against each other like this. Neither of us saying a word.

"I think I might kiss you again."—"I think it's time for you to head out." We said in unison. The only difference is that our responses were the opposite of what we wanted. But I wanted to kiss her more than anything.

I couldn't read Penelope's expression, whether she was happy or sad about what I said. Either way I wanted to take it back, maybe even kiss her myself and ask her to stay but I couldn't. I can't.

"I guess my student needs more time studying then." The moment she left my lap I felt a chill I didn't like. Her amber eyes didn't meet mine but searched for her clothes instead. Everything in me was screaming to ask her to stay, I just couldn't find the words. Don't leave.

"Don't look so down, gorgeous," Penelope said as she walked over to me, her jeans on and hair tied into a messy bun. "You know you can always text me if you need help." She smiled and scrunched up her nose, in an attempt to stop the pout from forming on my face. The faster she got dressed the more I panicked.

"I-I—" The words couldn't leave my mouth and were just jumbled equations in my brain. I stood up and we were now face to face. Her height overpowering mine and for the first time in my life I felt small.

"Hey now," She spoke in a reassuring tone and reached out to hold my hand. I flinched and pulled away, my reflexes telling me to back away. Pull back or you'll get hurt.

Instead she was the one hurt, covering it up by scratching the back of her neck. This was probably the most awkward goodbye I've ever had with any flings. "Fling? She seemed like more than a fling to me" is something Joy would say.

"Smile, it looks good on you." Were her last words before she got her jacket on and left. I stood their half naked and cold. Just so cold.

Good job Taegan.

***

"Penelope?"

Ezra walked out into the living room wrapped up in sheets and her bed head covering her face. There she saw her roommate hunched over the kitchen counter with a glass of water in front of her.

"Penny, what are you doing up so early? Are you just getting back in?" Ezra yawned and shuffled her way into the kitchen.

Penelope nodded, still looking down at the glass with her arms stretched out in front of her. This strange feeling in her throat wouldn't go away. She thought drinking it off would help but water only seemed to make her suffocate in it.

What the hell is going on with me?

In her past, all her hookups were so hard to leave in the end. She would smile, wave, and leave. Just like she reminded herself. Now it was just smile, and...wait.

"Penny, you're staring at a glass of water and it's concerning me."

"I think something is wrong with me."

"I do too but for a different reason." Ezra leaned back, her back against the counter while Penelope ran her hand through her and gently pulling the knots out.

"I've been rejected twice by the same person yet I keep chasing after them. Sure, we bumped into each other by accident but," She chuckled.

"She's stuck in my head."

Ezra sighed and walked over to the fridge, "I'm glad to see that you've found something to keep your mind busy but please don't let it go too far. Some people just want space."

Penelope knew Ezra knew more than that. After all, she was her best friend and the only person she confided into. She knew Ezra had been waiting for Jungkook to say anything besides excuses.

"That carrot boy is wack if he doesn't like you back." The golden blonde puffed and draped her arm over her best friend, who was still half asleep.

"Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I'm just too late." Ezra's bottom lip stuck out, a small noticeable pout as she reached for the left overs from yesterday.

"Don't think so negatively. Relationships are complex but it's what you gain in the end you're excited for." Penelope poked her cheek while she turned around and got two plates from the shelves.

"I can't predict the future but one thing is for sure," She placed the plates down and gave her one of her charming smiles, the type of smile she gave anyone who needed it if they were down.

"We'll win their hearts."

"Well I'm not having any luck on my side, so you're taking one for the team." Ezra gave a sad smile and grabbed the sheets before throwing them over her head. Penelope reached over, chuckling and patted her head.

"Don't worry. I don't think I want this one to slip away so easily."

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exams wednesday and i'm sorta freaking out