As Penny and Lucas walked out of the house, Penny couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She was going on a date with Lucas, and she couldn't wait to see what would happen.

Lucas smiled at her as they walked to his car. "I'm really glad you could make it tonight, Penny," he said.

Penny smiled back, feeling a sense of nervousness. "Thanks, Lucas. I'm having a great time already."

As they drove to the restaurant, Penny couldn't help but feel a sense of anxiety. She had never been on a date before, and she wasn't sure what to expect.

But as they sat down at their table and began to order, Penny started to feel more at ease. Lucas was being really nice to her, and she was starting to feel more comfortable around him.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Lucas turned to her with a curious expression. "So, Penny, tell me more about yourself," he said.

Penny shrugged, feeling a sense of uncertainty. "What do you want to know?" she asked.

Lucas smiled. "Everything," he said.

Penny laughed, feeling a sense of nervousness. "Okay, well, let's see," she said. "I love reading and writing, and I'm really passionate about social justice."

Lucas nodded, his eyes lighting up with interest. "That's really cool," he said. "I've always been interested in social justice too."

As they continued to talk, Penny found herself feeling more and more at ease. Lucas was really easy to talk to, and she was starting to feel a sense of connection with him.

But just as things were starting to go smoothly, Penny's phone buzzed with a text from Maya.

"Hey, girl, how's the date going?" Maya asked.

Penny smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. "It's going great, Maya. Lucas is really nice."

Maya responded with a string of excited emojis. "Yaaas, girl, I'm so happy for you!"

Penny laughed, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Maya. She was always so supportive and understanding.

As the night went on, Penny found herself feeling more and more comfortable around Lucas. They were having a great time, and she was starting to feel a sense of connection with him.

But just as things were starting to get romantic, Lucas's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.

Lucas's face fell as he read the text, and Penny couldn't help but feel a sense of concern.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

Lucas nodded, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, everything's fine," he said.

But Penny could tell that something was wrong. Lucas's demeanor had changed, and he seemed distant and preoccupied.

As they finished their meal and prepared to leave, Penny couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. The night had been going so well, but now it seemed like everything was falling apart.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Lucas turned to her with a serious expression. "Penny, can I talk to you about something?" he asked.

Penny nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. "What is it?" she asked.

Lucas took a deep breath before speaking. "I have a confession to make," he said. "I've been hiding something from you."

Penny's heart skipped a beat as she met Lucas's gaze. What could he possibly be hiding?

"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucas hesitated before speaking. "I have a girlfriend," he said.

Penny felt like she had been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe what Lucas was telling her.

"Why did you ask me out on a date?" she asked, feeling a sense of anger and betrayal.

Lucas shrugged, looking sheepish. "I don't know," he said. "I guess I just wanted to see if there was something between us."

Penny felt a surge of anger and hurt. "Well, there's not," she said, turning to walk away.

Lucas called out after her, but Penny didn't stop. She just kept walking, feeling a sense of tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

As she walked home, Penny couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment and betrayal. She had thought that Lucas was different, but now she realized that he was just like all the other guys.

When she got home, Penny ran straight to her room and locked the door behind her. She felt like she was going to cry, and she didn't want anyone to see her.

As she lay on her bed, Penny couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and regret. She had thought that she had found someone special, but now she realized that she had been wrong.

Just as she was starting to drift off to sleep,Penny's phone buzzed with a text from Maya. "Hey, girl, how was the date?" Maya asked.

Penny sighed, feeling a sense of frustration and disappointment. "It was a disaster," she said.

Maya responded with a string of concerned emojis. "What happened?" she asked.

Penny took a deep breath and told Maya everything - about Lucas's confession, about his girlfriend, and about how she felt betrayed and hurt.

Maya listened attentively, offering words of comfort and support. "I'm so sorry, Penny," she said. "You deserve so much better than that."

Penny nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Maya. "Thanks, Maya," she said. "Just talking to you makes me feel better."

Maya smiled. "Anytime, girl," she said. "Now, get some rest and forget about Lucas. You're better off without him."

Penny nodded, feeling a sense of determination. She was going to forget about Lucas and move on with her life. She deserved better, and she was going to find it.

As she drifted off to sleep, Penny felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she had Maya's support, and that she was strong enough to get through this tough time.

The next day, Penny woke up feeling refreshed and renewed. She was determined to put the past behind her and move on with her life.

As she walked to school, Penny couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness. She didn't know how Lucas would react to her, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face him.

But as she walked into her first class, Penny saw Lucas sitting in the back of the room. He looked up and caught her eye, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

Penny felt a surge of emotions - anger, hurt, and betrayal. But as she looked into Lucas's eyes, she saw something there that gave her pause.

It was regret.

Lucas looked regretful, like he knew he had made a mistake. And in that moment, Penny felt a sense of closure. She knew that she deserved better, and she was going to move on with her life.

As the day went on, Penny found herself feeling more and more confident. She was determined to put the past behind her and move on with her life.

And as she walked out of school at the end of the day, Penny felt a sense of freedom. She was finally moving on from Lucas, and she was ready to see what the future held.

"Hey, girl," Maya said, as Penny walked up to her locker. "How was your day?"

Penny smiled, feeling a sense of relief. "It was good," she said. "I'm finally moving on from Lucas."

Maya grinned, looking proud of her. "That's my girl," she said. "You deserve so much better than him."

Penny nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Maya. "Thanks, Maya," she said. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Maya smiled, looking happy. "You'll never have to find out," she said. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

As they walked out of school together, Penny felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she had Maya's support, and that she was strong enough to get through anything.

And as they walked into the bright sunlight, Penny felt a sense of hope for the future. She knew that she deserved better, and she was determined to find it.