The Sun set an hour ago and Penny still hadn't messaged back. 

I know I screwed up. In the year since Penny and I started going out, we had only lied three times. All three times were when one of us was trying to surprise the other with some elaborate present. Now, Penny's rightfully hurt that I dented the trust that always came so easily to us.

Which is why I nervously stand at her door, hoping she's home and praying she'll open the door for my stupid self. It feels like several minutes before the lock twists and the door opens, revealing a stoic-looking Penny.

I try to muster a smile but, with the cold look she's shooting me, it falters.

"Can we talk?"

She steps to the side to allow me in, but she remains silent. She walks to her bedroom, and I follow. She sits on her bed, resting against the pillows. I close the door and sit at the opposite end of the mattress.

I sigh, "Penny, I know I screwed up. And I'm sorry. I don't even know why I pretended like my first interaction with Addison was in drama class."

"There has to be a reason," Penny finally responds. She opens her mouth to say something pauses, and then decides to continue, "Do you have a crush on her?"

"What? Of course not," I immediately deny. The mere thought is ludicrous. I barely even know this new Addison. "I love you and only you."

I reach towards her hand, relieved when she lets me hold it.

"Then why did you do it?"

I pause. I have to tell her why. Even if I don't entirely understand the reason myself.

I take a deep breath before continuing, "When we were in sixth grade, Addison's parents died in a car accident. Before that, I only knew her from school. She wasn't even in my class. But then she was put into the foster system, and somehow, only a few days later, was taken in by my neighbors at the time. She spent only three weeks there before her relative in another city was granted guardianship. But those three weeks," I took a shaky breath, remembering the time all too well. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the pain, "Those three weeks kept me sane."

Penny gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, "Damien, you don't have to continue if you don't want to. I understand and accept it if you can't." She warmly smiles at me, and I can't think of anything except how lucky I am to have such a considerate girlfriend. 

That thought also gives me the strength I need to continue, "How much have I told you about my brother, Alex?"

Penny is taken aback, obviously not expecting the sudden change in topics. Her eyes widen ever-so-slightly as she stammers, "Uh, you mentioned that he was your older brother and that he," She frowned, "That he took his own life when you were a kid."

I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it doesn't go down. 

Alex had been my whole world when I was growing up. My parents were usually busy with work so most days it would just be him and I watching television or running around in the backyard. Alex was the one who put food on a dinner plate for me and placed wet towels on my forehead when I'd get sick. 

"For the longest time, Alex suffered from depression. His medication had been working for a while. But then his mental state began to deteriorate when I was twelve. By the time Addison moved in next door, he wasn't doing well. My parents were constantly arguing because of it, so I was essentially spending all my time alone."

I always felt that I was one of the factors that made life hard for Alex. Even though he loved me, I'm sure having to take care of a kid couldn't have been easy on a teenager. It makes me feel guilty. Guilty that I may have been a reason. Guilty that I didn't understand what was happening at the time. Guilty that I couldn't stop him. 

But I keep that to myself.

"I was alone until Addison moved in next door. Even if it was for a few weeks. We kept our friendship a secret at school because she was already being labeled a social pariah, and my idiotic self didn't want that label. But after school, every day, we would hang out in my backyard and talk. I think both of us needed it. Even Alex seemed to be getting on better with her around. It made me feel that things would get better. But then she left." My voice sounds hoarser when I continue, "Alex took his life a few days later."

When my vision glosses over, Penny pulls me into a tight embrace from the side, "I'm so sorry, Damien."

I wrap my arms around her, grateful for her affection. I tilt my head towards her so that she can see my eyes and the honesty within them. "Penny, I don't know why I pretended that I hadn't met her on Monday. Maybe it's because Addison was a part of such a crucial part of my life that not many people know about. She reminds me of that time when it was only me and her. Maybe a part of me wanted to keep that part of my life separate from my current one, because of all the memories that come with it," I snorted, "Or maybe I'm just a stupid guy. But I know that, right now, just like I have for the last thirteen months, you are the only girl I love."

Penny smiles so wide that the corners of her eyes crinkle, threatening to push out the tears that have formed in them.

"You idiot, I love you too." 

And she closes the space between our lips.

After several minutes of making out, I finally break away, "As much as I would love to see where this goes, I have to get back home. I've got babysitting duties."

Penny pouts, "Okay."

I chuckle at her adorable expression as I stand to leave.

As I reach the door, I turn back, "One more thing, Penny, Addison doesn't seem to remember our friendship from back in the day, so can we keep that between us?"

Penny's eyebrows draw together in confusion, "Did she tell you that?"

"Yeah, why?"

She scoffs at my response, "You're smart, Damien. Use that brain of yours." She slowly shakes her head, "There's no way anyone would forget a time like that - a friend like that. She has to be lying."

I think about Penny's statement all the way home. There are times when I sense that Addison does remember me, but she keeps denying it. If she really does remember, then why does she lie about it?

By Monday, I'm sitting next to Penny at the lunch table. It feels nice that we're okay again because I honestly hate it when we fight.

Trip is across the table from us, sitting next to Mel, talking about his birthday bash animatedly, "So the plan is, we smash the Falcons on Saturday, then have the after party at my place, which coincidentally will also be my birthday bash." He smiles proudly for coming up with the 'epic plan'.

Penny laughs, "And tell me, ever-so-wise Trip, what if the Falcons win? Won't it look stupid for a player from the Gators to host the...losing party?"

Trip scoffs, "Penny, your lack of faith in your own boyfriend is shocking."

She rolls her eyes in response, "You're such an idiot."

At that point, I see Addison walking towards us. Steve walks by her side, a constant stream of words pouring from his mouth. She politely nods along.

When they get within earshot, Melanie loudly remarks, "Look who both showed up fashionably late to lunch." With a wiggle of her eyebrows, she mischievously adds, "What were you guys doing that took you so long?"

Addison's eyebrows furrow together, obviously confused by Melanie's tone. Steve, on the other hand, understands the insinuation and shoots Mel a glare.

"I was helping Addie with something."

Everyone's eyes, including mine, shift to Addison, prompting her to state, "A girl is allowed to have secrets."

Penny laughs, "You are very right."

At that, I turn to Penny, "I know everything about you."

Penny and Mel share a look, ready to burst into laughter.

I look between them, "What am I missing?"

Mel stays quiet, trying to suppress her laughter. Penny awkwardly laughs, "You know the Falcons' quarterback?"

"Ryan Welsh?" I ask, confused about where this is going.

She slowly nods, biting her lip, "Him and I went out on like two dates before I met you."

I suspiciously lift an eyebrow, "There's got to be a reason why you're bringing this up now."

Penny breaks out into a smile, "Ryan messaged me the other day, out of the blue, wondering if he would see me at the post-game party. He obviously knows we're together, so it's completely shameless of him to do that."

I clench my jaw at the guy's audacity, "Can't wait to see him eat dirt on Saturday."

Penny pinches my cheek, "I look forward to it."

Across the table, Mel fans her face with her hand, "I can't lie, though. Ryan is pure muscle and smolder."

Steve shakes his head, "Careful Mel, they're the enemy. At least until the end of the game."

"But that just makes him that much more...enticing."

At the end of the table, a new voice erupts in laughter. Addison quickly recovers, covering her mouth with her hand. I can't help the small smile that settles on my lips. 

She seems so happy. So content. So different from back then.

I was sitting on the swingset my parents had bought me for my birthday many years ago. I hadn't really used it in a while, which is why the chains creaked lightly in the breeze. I could hear my parents arguing inside the house. Alex was probably drowning the sounds out in his bedroom with music. Like always. And here I was, alone. Like always.

Then I heard the sniffling. It came from across the wooden fence that separated my backyard from Mr Rivers'. Curious, I walked towards the sound. When I peered over the fence, I saw Addison Blake. Everyone at school had been talking about her and how she became orphaned a few days ago.

Here she was crying, her short dark hair sticking to her wet face. She sat against the fence, looking so tiny as she hugged her knees, rocking back and forth.

"Mummy, come back." She kept repeating over and over. 

After a few minutes, the mantra stopped and she became silent. 

That's when I cleared my throat, "Addison?"

Her head flicked up immediately in response. Her eyes were wide at having been caught crying.

"You're from school, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'm Damien. I'm sorry about your parents."

Her eyes glistened with water at the mention of her parents. She rubbed her nose, looking down at the ground, "Thank you."

I smiled back. The sound of my parents arguing got louder, prompting Addison to ask, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course it is," I brushed off, "Want to go to the park?"

She hesitated but nodded. The park was at the end of the road, only a few houses down. We spent the rest of the day there, just sitting on the swings. Addison told me that the Rivers were her parents' friends and took her in when they heard about the accident. I asked her if she had any other family. She nodded and quietly mentioned she had an uncle who lived in a different state but she hadn't seen him in a while. She sniffled, saying some people tried to get in touch with him about being a possible carer for her, but he couldn't take her in at the time. I felt sad just hearing her story. I couldn't imagine how rejected she was feeling herself. We sat there in peaceful silence until the sun started to set. 

We walked back, but when Addison started to leave for the Rivers' front door, I quickly called out, "See you again tomorrow?"

She turned around, surprised. After a moment, she smiled and nodded her head, "See you tomorrow, Damien."

I smiled too. Then walked back to my house. My parents weren't arguing anymore. The house was quiet. And no one had even realized I had been gone for hours.

"Do you want to go to Trip's party?"

Steve's question pulled me back to the present. He directed it at Addison who looks a little nervous.

"I don't know, big parties aren't really my scene," She sends him an apologetic smile.

His shoulders sag just a little, before he perks up again with hopeful eyes, "That's okay, but come to the game at least?"

She grinned, "Of course."

When lunch ended, Steve, Addison and I all walked to chemistry together. Well, it felt more like Steve and Addison were walking together. And I was tagging along a step behind them.

I believe the word they use for this is third-wheeling. 

But from what I can see, Steve is the one talking. Addison merely listens, commenting rarely. I wonder, from this point of view, if Steve's affection is even reciprocated.

Then again, maybe I'm wrong.

***

Hey guys! 

I'm so sorry about the excessively delayed update. Please take this long chapter as somewhat of an apology. University has been super stressful, but I have officially graduated! This means I have A LOT of time to update this story now. And I am very very excited about continuing Damien and Addison's story!

So expect many more chapters very soon.

I'll update regularly!

- Jane xoxo