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[indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][sub][color=#ACBCC9][i]a [@Silence Sounds], [@Ejected], & [@eclecticwitch] collaboration[/i][/color][/sub]
[sub][color=#ACBCC9][i]Featuring [color=8d74ad]Penelope Richards[/color], [color=449529]Marcus Donaldson[/color], and [color=#D2652C]Chanel Martin[/color][/i][/color][/sub][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]
[indent]Marcus had went back over towards the drink station and gotten a refill. He was standing by the pool and his eyes peered over various individuals as they were interacting with one another while others danced to the music that was roaring. Marcus could not help but bob his head just a tad bit to the music as he took another sip of his drink then continued to stare at the crowd. He still stood by himself and even eyed his friend a few times, just making sure he was okay and actually interacting with people, unlike himself. But all that changed whenever Penelope, or Penny, basically threw herself upon him, which he did not mind from her, at all.

[color=449529][b]”Hey there, Penny!”[/b][/color] He spoke while hugging her tightly but he did waste his drink - All of it. His lips turned into a slight smile, showing only a few teeth before he spoke towards her again. [color=449529][b]”Oh, yeah, it’s good to see you, too. Even if you made me waste my drink.”[/b][/color] Marcus joked towards her as his eyes widened at the kiss upon his cheek and the nuzzling of the neck. He’d never forget the friends with benefits moments with Penny because she’d make sure you never forget.

[color=8d74ad][b]“Aw, shit. I’m so sorry! I could make you another!”[/b][/color] He had released her from his grasp and she raised her hands to her lips in a shocked expression. Marcus was already making another drink though and he didn’t seem to honestly mind.

[color=449529][b]”So, are you enjoying the partying, Penny?”[/b][/color] He had asked the question towards her as he was fixing himself another drink. It was then he had heard another girly voice and it Chanel’s, which caused him to jump slightly. He turned around to face the female now with a soft smile forming. [color=449529][b]”Yeah, Santiago did his thing with this party.”[/b][/color] Marcus responded to Chanel’s question then took a sip of his new drink, which he nearly spat out at her next choice words.

Marcus slid just a few paces away from Penny while responding to Chanel again. [color=449529][b]”Me and Penny? Together? Ha. Ha.”[/b][/color] He said then continued on with speaking towards them both. [color=449529][b]”Don’t make me laugh. Even though, Penny along with yourself Chanel are nice catches and any guy would be lucky to have you both.”[/b][/color] Marcus complimented the ladies then chuckled a bit nervously afterwards. 

Penny had to put a knuckle in between her teeth to keep herself from giggling.  [color=8d74ad][b]“As he said, not a couple. Just very good friends,”[/b][/color] she said in a light and airy tone, her hands using a sweeping motion away from her mouth as if to brush away such a notion. Her charming smile returned as she looked approvingly over Chanel’s form.  [color=8d74ad][b]“And you are looking absolutely fan-fucking-tastic! You always look like a dream.”[/b][/color] She approached the table to make herself another tequila sunrise, humming happily along to the strange music.

Chanel was very much relieved to hear that Marcus and Penny were just “good friends,” but the uncomfortable twinge of jealousy she felt when she watched the two before just wouldn't subside. Nevertheless, Chanel kept her cool, and let out a small chuckle as Marcus nervously rambled on. [color=#D2652C][b]“Ah, I see. My bad,”[/b][/color] the young woman said as she placed her cup on a nearby table. Part of Chanel wanted, oh so badly, to mutter that they certainly appeared to be much more than just [i]good friends[/i], but she decided against it the moment Penny complimented her outfit. [color=#D2652C][b]“Oh, thanks girl! You look nice, too.”[/b][/color] As Chanel spoke, she began to take in the other girl’s outfit; while it wasn't something that Chanel would wear herself, she did have to admit that it looked pretty good on Penny. 

Marcus’ eyes went between Penny and Chanel for the moment as he looked away while taking a brief sip from his cup. His eyes went over toward Penny whenever she practically repeated what he had just said but with a giggle. He’d definitely have to make it up to Penny later on though. Marcus nodded his head agreedly at her words then eyed Chanel as she apologized for the assumption. [color=449529][b]”It’s cool, cutie. No sweat.”[/b][/color] Marcus said with a wink then agreed with Penny whenever she mentioned that Chanel looked fantastic [sup]__[/sup] Well, fan-fucking-tastic as she put it.

Penny was over the moon! She beamed at Chanel.  [color=8d74ad][b]“Really? Thank you! I mean, I know I look good, but coming from the fashion goddess of Kings that must really be saying something!”[/b][/color] She stepped away from the table and sipped at her strong drink before spinning in a circle to better show off. 

Chanel simply smiled and chuckled at the other girl’s response before taking a quick breath and refocusing her attention on Marcus. With Julie’s pep talk fresh in her mind, the young woman smiled warmly at the boy before saying, [color=#D2652C][b]“You know, you look pretty good too, Marcus.”[/b][/color]

Honestly, right now, Marcus was caught between a rock and a hard place then looked back over towards Chanel. He asked her the same question he had just asked Penny earlier. [color=449529][b]”So, Chanel, how are you enjoying the party? Save me a dance?”[/b][/color] Marcus asked with an ending smile. 

[color=#D2652C][b]“Oh, well I’ve actually been having a lot a fun since I got here,”[/b][/color] Chanel said, beaming with excitement, [color=#D2652C][b]“And I’ll definitely save you a dance, for sure.”[/b][/color] 

Marcus chuckled a little then held his cup up at Chanel. [color=449529][b]”Sounds good, doll face.”[/b][/color] He smiled over towards her as he walked to stand closer beside Chanel now.

Penny’s Fuck-dar was going off madly. Oooooh!  She was going to have a chance to play at a bit of match maker.  Sure she would have liked to have Marcus take her home.  But she could literally have her pick of any guy here. And Chanel seemed to have an interest if her Fuck-dar wasn’t overreacting.  A small smirk settled over her lips as she threw together another Tequila Sunrise and pushed in into Chanel’s hands.  [color=8d74ad][b]“Orange is one of your best colors, lovely.”[/b][/color]  She had an almost knowing smile on her lips as she said, [color=8d74ad][b]“How about we got sit a bit closer to the shore.  It’ll be easier to talk there.”[/b][/color]  She gestured to a picnic table near the beach but still near enough to the party. 

After taking a quick sip of the new and surprisingly delicious drink that Penny had shoved into her hands and thinking it over for a brief second, Chanel shrugged her shoulders and began walking towards the table Penny had motioned towards. [color=#D2652C][b]“Sure, why not.”[/b][/color] While she was still a bit nervous, the young woman decided that she could use this time to get to know more about the guy she’d been crushing on for so long. That, and maybe figure out what it was about Penny that he’d originally seemed to be so infatuated with.

His ears twitched whenever Penny said something about sitting closer to the shore as his eyes went to Chanel, who responded first. [color=449529][b]”I mean, I guess.”[/b][/color] Marcus would respond with the shrug of his shoulders as he waited for Chanel and Penny to walk in front of him then he’d follow suit.

Penny took this opportunity to skip up next to Chanel, ahead of Marcus. She leaned in close to the girl and whispered, [color=8d74ad][b]“Please bear with me and trust me.”[/b][/color] She gave the girl her most dazzling smile before pausing to wait for Marcus. Chanel simply flashed the girl a puzzled look before taking a seat on the wooden bench, placing her glass on the picnic table as she did so. 

Marcus raised a slight brow up at Penny as she leaned in close to Chanel and whispered. [color=449529][b]”What was that about?”[/b][/color] He asked Penny, who had taken a brief pause so that he could catch up with them but he still had a brow raised. He could not help but question it because he was slightly curious about the little gesture that Penny had just displayed. 

[color=8d74ad][b]“It’s a secret between girls,”[/b][/color] Penny said with a wink and tapped a finger against her lips. 

[color=449529][b]”Mhm. I’m sure.”[/b][/color] Marcus responded toward Penny as he sat down beside Penny, who sat in between himself and Chanel, he placed his almost empty cup on the table in the process.  

[color=8d74ad][b]“Marcus,”[/b][/color] she said with delight and put an arm through his. 

Marcus jumped slightly then looked at their intertwined arms as he looked at Penny. [color=449529][b]”What?”[/b][/color] He responded playfully.

[color=8d74ad][b]“How’s life? What’s new?”[/b][/color] She bumped him with her hip playfully and grinned. 

[color=449529][b]”Life is good, honestly. Just ready to graduate high school.”[/b][/color] He’d lean up a little and eye Chanel. [color=449529][b]”Am I right, Chanel?”[/b][/color] He’d ask as his eyes then narrowed toward Penny. He knew that she was up to something but could not put her finger on it quite yet though wondered to himself about what that was. Chanel simply nodded her head in agreement as she took another sip from her cup and eyed her two classmates. While she wanted to be invested in the conversation, part of her couldn’t help but wonder what Penny’s earlier statement was all about; what was this girl up to? Nevertheless, she decided to push her worries aside and do as Penny said.

[color=#D2652C][b]“Definitely. Let’s hope this year goes by quickly.”[/b][/color] Marcus nodded agreement to Chanel’s response as he held up his cup toward her then chugged down the rest of it.

[color=449529][b]”Indeed, Chanel.”[/b][/color] He responded after he slammed his cup down on the table.

[color=8d74ad][b]“Bah, that’s so boring.  Besides, school is fun!”[/b][/color]  She giggled quietly to herself.  [color=449529][b]”I don’t know what school you’re attending but…”[/b][/color] He took a brief pause. [color=449529][b]”School has never been fun.”[/b][/color] Marcus joked at Penny then continued to sit there with the two women he might’ve liked. [color=8d74ad][b]“Do you know what colleges you want to get into after we graduate?”[/b][/color]  She looked between the pair, a happy and expectant grin on her face.

[color=449529][b]”I want to go to Columbia in New York. Not sure what to major in yet though but Journalism is at the top of the list. I think this face would look good on camera.”[/b][/color] Marcus responded as he did a small pose then laughed as he eyed them both. [color=449529][b]”What about yourselves, ladies?”[/b][/color] He’d ask them and waited to hear their responses.

[color=#D2652C][b]“Columbia’s a great choice,”[/b][/color] Chanel said, nodding her head and laughing at the pose Marcus struck, [color=#D2652C][b]“I did think about going to school up in New York since I really miss it there, but I think I might just going to stick with Florida A&M University so that I can stay close to my family...”[/b][/color] Chanel slightly cringed as she said those last few words, an unpleasant memory resurfacing for a brief moment; the expression was gone almost as quick as it had appeared. [color=#D2652C][b]“I’ll be in the fine arts program.”[/b][/color]

[color=8d74ad][b]“Wow, you are both already so decided!  I just don’t know where I would want to go.  Maybe I’ll take a couple of years off and travel the world or some shit,[/b][/color]” she laughed but felt a pang of something she couldn’t describe.  It seemed everyone knew what they were doing after high school.  [color=8d74ad][b]“You are both from New York then? What’s it like?”[/b][/color]  She turned and looked behind her and her face lit up like a beacon.  [color=8d74ad][b]“Aaaah! I have to go say Hi to someone real quick. I’ll be back. You two shoot the shit for a bit.”[/b][/color]  She jumped out of her seat at the table and bumped Marcus with her hip again to knock him toward Chanel. [color=8d74ad][b]“See you soon!”[/b][/color] The young woman winked and walked away. She had no intention of coming back. It was in that moment that Chanel finally realized what it was that Penny was up to, and she couldn’t help but shake her head and giggle. That girl sure was full of surprises.
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