Chapter Text
When Josette Forbes-Laughlin woke up on the first day of school, her first though was ‘holy shit, it’s finally time’.
Such a change from the last time that she’d had a first day of school. The last time, she’d been dreading going to school, and having to face the ex that she was still in love with.
She hadn’t known anything about the musical, Hope and Lizzie were still not talking to each other, Jade was her girlfriend, and if you asked her what she thought about Penelope Park, Josie would have told you that she hated her.
She’d be lying, of course, but she still would’ve said it, in an effort to convince herself.
Josie reached for the phone on her bedside table. Surprisingly, Penelope had already texted her. That girl had slept in every single day for the past twelve years, and today she was awake before Josie.
She must really be excited about this. And who could blame her? Josie was excited too.
Pen <3 😊: Hey gorgeous, you ready for this?
Josie: Ready as i’ll ever be
Pen<3😊: that’s my girl
Josie blushed. Even after so much time, thinking of herself as Penelope’s brought a smile to her face. Because she knew that Penelope thought of herself the same way.
Penelope was Josie’s, Josie was Penelope’s, and it had been that way for as long as they’d known each other.
A knock sounded at her door and Josie looked up. Caroline poked her head through the door.
“Hey sweetie, you ready for your first day at the Salvatore School?”
Josie shrugged, already feeling the nerves tingling through her bones.
“I’m ready. I’m really freaking nervous, but I’m ready.”
Caroline beamed. “That’s my daughter. Come on down, Jo’s made breakfast. I’ll try and get Lizzie up so she can say goodbye before we head off.”
It was strange to be thinking that she’d be saying goodbye to Lizzie for a whole school day. Strange, but she knew that it wouldn’t be goodbye for long. Her sister would be texting her, hungry for details, the whole day. And then she’d get home, and it’d be interrogation city.
She headed downstairs and smiled at Jo, before piling pancakes onto her plate.
“Thank you for the pancakes mum,” Josie said.
“No worry darling, it’s your first day, and I just want to make sure it starts off as good as possible.”
Josie nodded, and then checked her phone from any new messages from Penelope. There were already two more. Her girlfriend was not exactly one to be ashamed about double texting.
Pen<3😊: do you want to meet out front?
Pen<3😊: because i kind of think it’d be nice to have you by my side as we face this new challenge
Josie smiled and texted back.
Josie: yeah that actually sounds great
Josie: and that way i can make sure that no cute theatre kids start getting ideas
Pen<3😊: is someone feeling a little possessive miss forbes-laughlin
Josie: would that be a problem miss park
Pen<3😊: as long as you don’t start stabbing people, i think it’d be kinda hot tbh
Josie: you’re such a dork
Pen<3😊: what can i say, i’m in love
“Josie, get off the phone with your girlfriend, you’ll have plenty of time with her later. It is time for you to talk to me for the last time before you are forever changed by your experiences at this new school.”
Josie rolled her eyes and looked up at Lizzie.
“Good morning to you too.”
“Whatever, now tell Penelope that you need to talk to me.”
Josie: lizzie is calling sister chat time. talk later?
Pen<3😊: yeah text me when you leave
Pen<3😊: and tell lizzie that she is not horrible
Josie; sure thing
“Penelope says that you aren’t horrible.”
“Ew, tell your girlfriend to stop hitting on me. I’m taken, and she is so not my type.”
Josie decided that she didn’t need to tell Penelope that.
“So, any last words before I leave you forever?”
Lizzie immediately launched into a rant about sisterhood, and abandonment, and possibly also feminism, but Josie sort of tuned it out. She knew her sister just needed to get words out, and it really didn’t matter if she listened.
Josie was too busy thinking about how everything was about to change.
+++
Lizzie, to her credit, didn’t try to hide her tears when she hugged Josie goodbye. Josie knew her sister was just being dramatic, but she also felt an ache at the thought of being separate, so she didn’t mention it.
Sometimes, change was hard.
But sometimes change was really fucking exciting.
Josie could barely sit still in the car ride over to the school. At least she knew the campus, and she’d met her teachers, and she had a map just in case she forgot where things were.
And she had Penelope.
Penelope who she texted nearly the whole car ride, except for when her mum wanted to talk to her about how she was feeling.
Josie told her about how she felt so excited that she might throw up, and her mother laughed.
When her mother drove off, Josie had a moment where she felt like she wanted to melt into the earth. There were so many people there, people who were probably talented as shit, and maybe Josie didn’t belong here.
Maybe she just got lucky on this one performance, and maybe she didn’t deserve this and maybe—
But she didn’t get much time to think about maybes.
Because Penelope Park walked into her field of vision, and everything snapped back into colour, back out of that frozen moment where her stomach had dropped to the floor.
She saw Penelope and she remembered every single time that she’d doubted herself, and how at every single one, Penelope had been there to tell her that she didn’t need to doubt herself, because she was amazing.
And she was amazing. She was Josie Forbes-Laughlin, and she was so freaking amazing.
This school wasn’t going to know what hit them.
Penelope walked over and smiled at Josie.
“So, scale of one to ten, how freaked are you?”
“Actually, it’s about a three. I deserve to be here, and so do you. If there are people who don’t like us, we’ll prove them wrong.”
Penelope grinned and put an arm around Josie’s shoulder.
“That’s my girl. I love the confidence, it’s a great look on you.”
“Stop flirting.”
“You would have more luck asking the sun not to shine.”
+++
Lessons were fairly similar to how they had been. She still had to go to Maths and English, but the rest of it was arts focused. They learnt about lighting techniques, and makeup and costuming.
Josie was mostly excited for the Music class, where she’d get to study music theatre, and she’d get to do weekly performances to improve presentation skills.
And of course, the drama class, where they’d be working towards putting on a play. While her last school had been good, the play had been sort of low budget, and they’d only had after school rehearsals for it. Here, she’d get to spend lesson time focused on refining her performance and getting better.
Sure, maybe she wouldn’t get the leading lady first try, but Josie found that she wasn’t too discouraged by that possibility. There was time to improve, and no matter what she’d be doing, she’d be on the stage.
While she didn’t have all her classes with Penelope, she found that she actually made friends. She’d met a very nice girl named Nini, who had been in a similar position to Josie last year.
The two were actually very similar, and Josie was mostly just glad that not everyone at this school was a diva.
She introduced Nini to Penelope are recess, and Nini introduced the two of them to some of her other friends, such as Julie and Flynn. They were all lovely people, and they were all very interested in performing and theatre.
Of course, the topic of dating came up, and the three girls thought it was adorable that Penelope and Josie had come to this school together. They all hoped to see the two of them in action on stage, as the chemistry would be ‘something to die for’.
Josie found out that Nini had a boyfriend, Ricky, who she’d left behind at her old school, but they’d managed to make it work. He apparently wasn’t too bad at theatre himself, and he was also apparently an idiot who had made a fair few mistakes when it came to relationships.
Something told Josie that Penelope and Ricky would get along.
The whole day actually went really well. Josie wasn’t surprised though. She’d had faith that it would work out.
The best part was that she finally felt like she’d found a place where she could flourish. It felt like she’d finally found the rest of the puzzle to put her piece in.
It was the first time in a long time that she’d come away from a day of school not feeling drained because of how bad or boring the day had been. It had been a good day, and she was just tired because of how much had happened.
When she walked out of the gates, Josie could smile, and mean it 100%.
“So, would I be right in saying that you enjoyed that as much as I did?” Penelope walked up next to Josie, and looked over at her with a smile.
Josie nodded. “It was perfect.”
“We’re in the light Jojo.”
“We are.”
They stood there, waiting for Josie mum and Penelope’s dad. There was silence, but it was not uncomfortable. It never was between them.
Then Penelope started grinning and bouncing on her toes, and Josie got the distinct impression that she was up to something.
“What?”
“Hmm?”
“You have that look on your face that you get when you’re planning something.”
“Maybe I’m just smiling.”
“Penelope, I know you too well to fall for that.”
Penelope laughed. “That’s very true.”
Josie nudged her. “So, what is it?”
“Are you free tonight?”
“Uh, yeah, but it’s a school night.”
“Relax Jojo, I’ll have you home by nine, if that’s something you’re worried about.”
Josie was definitely interested now.
“You’re taking me out?”
Penelope finally turned to face Josie fully.
“If that’s something you’d be down for.”
“Are you kidding? If it’s with you, I’m down for anything.”
Penelope beamed. “Great, then I’ll pick you up at six? Get you home at nine?”
“Do I get to know what’s happening?”
Penelope laughed, and gave Josie a sly grin.
“But Jojo, that would be spoiling things. Just wear something cute, and prepare to be romanced.”
+++
When Josie got home, Lizzie was waiting for her. Josie wasn’t surprised, she knew Lizzie too well to think that she would just calmly wait in her bedroom.
No. Lizzie was one for dramatics, and she generally didn’t do well with patience, so it made sense that she was literally waiting by the door as Josie entered.
The moment she was in the house, Lizzie swept her into a tight hug.
“Oh my god Josie, it’s been too long.”
“It’s been barely eight hours,” Josie choked out, the air left inside of her getting squeezed out of her like toothpaste out of the tube.
Some things never changed. Like how strong Lizzie’s hugs were.
“Liz darling, you’re going to suffocate Josie. Which would mean that you wouldn’t get to hear about her day,” Caroline reminded her, smiling at the two of them fondly.
Lizzie immediately let go.
“Jo, tell me everything.”
Josie took a deep breath, and then let herself be led to the couch.
“So, what happened?”
Josie turned to her mothers.
“Before I start telling you guys about my day, can I go out with Penelope tonight? She promised that she’d have me back at nine?”
Caroline chuckled. “Romance doesn’t even stop for school, I guess. You can go out, but definitely stick to that nine o’clock curfew. I don’t want you tired for tomorrow.”
“Where’s Penelope taking you?” Lizzie, surprisingly, was actually very interested in Josie’s love life with Penelope. She said it was that she was becoming more of a supportive sister. Josie honestly didn’t care; it was just nice to be able to gush to her sister about everything.
“It’s a surprise.”
“A surprise? I wonder what it could be.” Lizzie’s eyes sparkled, and her grin plainly told Josie that she knew something that Josie didn’t.
“What do you know?”
Lizzie tried to school her features into a picture of innocence.
“Me? Why would I know anything, it’s your date?”
“Hope told you something didn’t she?”
Lizzie blushed at the mention of Hope.
“Maybe, but I can’t tell you. When you get back though, just know that I will be very ready for your ranting.”
Josie smiled. “Thanks Liz.”
“You’re welcome. Now, hurry up and tell me everything so we can go and pick your outfit. If Park is surprising you with a date, we’ll surprise her with a killer outfit.”
+++
Josie sat on the couch, opening up her phone every five seconds, waiting to see if Penelope had texted anything. Logically, she knew that Penelope was driving over, because she’d texted Josie that, about five minutes ago, but Josie still checked.
She just missed Penelope. Which was dumb, because they’d just spent almost the entire day together, but she guessed that was just what love did to you.
Lizzie was waiting with her, and by the look on her face, was also texting Hope. Josie hadn’t got Lizzie to part with any information about the surprise date, not that she’d really wanted any. She liked a little bit of surprise in her life.
The only hint she’d gotten was from Lizzie, who had picked up a jacket and handed it to Josie, telling her that she’d need it, but it wasn’t a very helpful hint, because it was literally February, of course she’d need a jacket.
The doorbell rang, and Josie was on her feet at once. One, two, three, four steps and then she was at the door, fiddling with her lock.
The door opened, and there was Penelope. She looked gorgeous, as always, in black jeans, and jacket. Josie could smell her perfume, and she sighed instinctually, her body falling into the relaxed state that it always did around Penelope.
Penelope was safe. She knew that well now.
“Hey Jojo,” Penelope greeted, her voice soft, like if she spoke any louder, Josie would disintegrate in front of her.
“Hey Pen,” Josie said back, almost as soft, still trying to comprehend how she was allowed to love this beautiful woman in front of her.
“Hi Lizzie,” Lizzie added from behind Josie’s shoulder. The two of them were pulled out of their bubble. Penelope grinned at Lizzie.
“Hey Elizabeth, please tell me that you kept your mouth shut about the surprise.”
Lizzie waved her hand absentmindedly. “Don’t worry Park, your secret was kept, she knows nothing.”
Penelope nodded. “Good.” She held out her hand and Josie took it, smiling and lacing their hands like she had done almost a million times by now.
“Bye Lizzie.”
“Goodbye Josette. Park, you’d better have her home by curfew, or I’ll shred you myself.”
“Love you too Lizzie,” Penelope called back, turning to Josie to roll her eyes playfully.
Josie was just glad that now Lizzie’s words didn’t hold any animosity in them.
She climbed into the passenger seat and let Penelope re-join their hands over the console.
“So, do I get to know yet?”
Penelope chuckled. “Nope, sorry Jojo, gotta keep the secret.”
“Penelope, it’s your secret.”
“Yeah, and I pride myself on keeping secrets. You’re just gonna have to figure this one out by yourself Jojo.”
Josie sighed overdramatically. “Oh no, whatever shall I do?”
“You know, you’re such a dork.”
“What gave it away?”
Penelope shook her head, smiling as she pulled out of the driveway.
“Don’t worry, I love it.” Her eyes flicked from the road just for a second, so she could look at Josie.
“I love you.”
It seemed like ever since she’d confessed, Penelope couldn’t get enough of those words. She’d say it whenever she could. It would be whispered during the night, when it felt like they couldn’t get closer. It would be shouted across the park, with the sun beaming down on them. It would be mumbled into Josie’s shoulder. when they were both half asleep, some movie they’d both forgotten running on the TV.
Penelope would say it in the most silent moments, and she’d say it in the loudest.
Josie would never forget it now, and her heart definitely wouldn’t. There was a certain euphoria in hearing those words from the one you cherished so dearly, and her heart had done it’s best to memorise that feeling.
They spent most of the drive silent, just letting the crackle of the radio fill the car. Sometimes a song that they knew would come on, and they’d sing along, neither really trying to sound good, but there was still beauty in their careless singing.
Their hands never left each other.
Then Josie looked out the window and saw the bright lights and colour in the distance. Her heart leapt as her mind put the pieces together.
Penelope smiled, like she could read Josie’s mind, and knew that the secret was finally revealed.
“The fair?”
“I saw that it was going to be in town and I knew that I couldn’t miss the opportunity. We’re both suckers for symbolism. And fairy floss.”
Josie’s eyes fell to Penelope’s jacket and then to her own and she smiled.
“I knew Lizzie made me wear this jacket for a reason.” The jacket she’d worn on her first date with Penelope, to the very fair that they were driving up to now.
Well, it hadn’t technically been a date, because they hadn’t realised that the other had liked them. Even now she could still remember the way her heart had been racing as Penelope had driven them in.
Penelope nodded. “Lizzie actually did that out of the kindness of her heart.”
“My sister is a romantic at heart.”
“Under all the annoyingness.”
Josie rolled her eyes.
“So, what’s the plan for tonight?”
“Well, we’re going on one of the spinny rides first, don’t worry Jojo, I’ll hold your hand—”
“Please, you’re such a scaredy cat on spinny rides.”
“—and then once we’ve emptied the contents of our stomachs, we’ll get some unhealthy food, go play those rigged games, so I can try and win you a stuffed toy to be romantic. And then, we’ll end it off on the Ferris Wheel.” Penelope grinned over at Josie.
“Does that sound like a plan?”
Josie had to resist the urge to kiss Penelope while she was driving.
“That sounds wonderful.”
+++
Josie wasn’t usually one for fast rides, or ones that made her feel like her intestines were being turned inside out. Lizzie, once she had gotten over her fear of heights, loved that type of thing. She loved the adrenaline and the adventure.
What Josie liked about those rides, was Penelope. Because ever since the first time they’d gone to an amusement park on holiday, Penelope had been there to hold hands with her so she wasn’t scared.
Penelope had held back Josie’s hair when Josie had gotten sick after drinking a milkshake and then going on a ride. Honestly, not Josie’s brightest move.
And of course, Penelope had been the one to convince her to go on a roller-coaster at Six Flags, and then Penelope had thrown up on her shoes. Josie was pretty sure that Penelope had consumed like a million fries beforehand, so really, that was 100% Penelope’s fault.
She didn’t mind though. Because Penelope had bought her new shoes, ones with little yellow flowers on them, and she’d smiled so brightly when Josie had told her jokes to make her feel better after getting sick.
On that first-not-date, they’d decided to pick a ride to go on, to push themselves out of their comfort zones, and to have a bit of excitement. Neither of them had thrown up, but they’d both been buzzing and filled with adrenaline for the next hour or so.
They were going on that exact same ride this time, and Josie was a little bit less nervous now that she knew it wouldn’t dislodge her organs. Penelope squeezed her hand as they sat down in their seats, and Josie squeezed back.
The next few minutes were filled with screaming and Josie not being completely sure if she was upside down or not. She could distinctly hear Penelope laughing and then yelling something every now and then, but the meaning of the words got lost in the wind.
When the spinning through the air finally ceased and they stumbled off, they made eye contact for about three seconds before they burst into laughter. There was just something about the jumble of adrenaline and euphoria that seemed so hilarious.
After a moment, they caught their breath, and Penelope pulled Josie in for a kiss. The two of them were still shaking, but neither cared.
They pulled apart and Penelope grinned.
“Perhaps we should wait a little bit for dinner?”
Josie giggled. “Yeah, definitely.”
The next twenty minutes was spent with them wasting money at every attraction that offered a prize that looked cute enough for Penelope to want to try and get it.
Penelope sucked at darts, but was surprisingly good at the clowns, and she ended up with a small fluffy white teddy bear. She dropped to one knee, and held it up to Josie.
“My dearest Josie, will you accept this simple offering?”
Josie laughed. “You’re so dramatic.”
“It’s called romance Josie, and I am a true romantic. Plus, you deserve all of it.”
Josie took the teddy bear.
“What should I call them?”
Penelope stood. “What did you name the pink llama I got you last time?”
Josie laughed as she remembered the toy that was probably lying under her bed where she’d thrown it when Penelope had broken up with her.
“I think I called him Jeff. Just because I thought it sounded funny.”
Penelope looked at the teddy bear.
“I think this one is a she.”
Josie grinned. “I have an idea.”
“Is it incredibly dorky?”
“Incredibly.”
“Tell me.”
Josie held up the bear. “Introducing…Gabriella. But we can call her Gabi for short.”
Penelope snorted. “Dork.”
“You love it.”
“I do. Now, come on, I think there is some overpriced pizza and fairy floss with our name on it.”
“I like your thinking Miss Park.”
Penelope linked their arms at the elbows, and gave Josie her best charming smile.
“That’s because I have wonderful thoughts.”
+++
The pizza was horribly overpriced, and it definitely was not good enough to be as expensive as it was. Still, it sated her hunger enough for her to consider it not to be a complete waste of money.
The fairy floss, on the other hand, was amazing. Pure sugar, sculpted into a bright pink cloud? Literally a dream food. Josie was a sucker for it.
Penelope laughed at her as she took massive bites out of it, and then she kissed away the bits of fluff that ended up on the tip of her nose.
When they were finished with their food, they started their walk to the Ferris Wheel.
“You know Josie, I think you might be the most beautiful person to exist.”
Josie looked over at her, letting her love pour out of her eyes, clear for Penelope to see. There was no need to hide it now.
“And how would you know that? You haven’t met everyone.”
“I don’t need to. My heart and head are in agreement, and that’s all the evidence I need.”
“You can be such a smooth talker when you want to be.”
Penelope chuckled. “Of course I am, how do you think i got you to fall in love with me?”
“Right, because it wasn’t how caring, and kind, and strong, and loving you are.”
Penelope was silent for a moment, as she often was when Josie complimented her like that. She watched Josie with wonder, like she was the first star to break through the night.
“Did I leave you speechless,” Josie teased.
Penelope laughed, still that gentle loving laugh mixed with awe.
“You did. It’s just amazing that you love me. I worked so hard to be good enough, and honestly, there were so many times that I thought I’d lost you.” She joined their hands. “But you’re here, standing with me, looking at me with love, and I realise that I’m worth it.”
“You’ve always been worth it.”
Penelope nodded. “I know that now. Thank you for helping me realise that.”
Josie smiled. “It was my pleasure. You helped me do the same. Without you, and the way you’ve always believed in me, I don’t think I’d be half as confident and comfortable as I am now.”
“Well then, we complete each other rather nicely.” Penelope turned to look at the Ferris Wheel, only a little way away from them.
“Come on, this is my favourite part.”
“What a coincidence,” Josie said, skipping forwards, “it’s mine too.”
+++
They had a carriage all to themselves, which meant that Josie got to cuddle right up to Penelope, and lean her head on her shoulder.
On their first-not- date, Josie had been so nervous. That whole date she’d been nervous, terrified that she was going to do something dumb and she’d ruin any chance of Penelope liking her back.
Tonight, there were none of those nerves. There was just soft calm, settled deep through her body.
“You know, that first date, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you.”
Josie looked up at Penelope, who grinned.
“You were so nervous, I remember that, and I remember being so confused as to why. I was just trying to build up the courage to tell you that I liked you, but you were just too pretty, and I kept losing my nerve.”
“I can’t imagine that I was as beautiful as you think.”
“You were so beautiful. I just kept looking at you because I’d been pining over you for so long, and that night was going to be the night I was going to tell you the truth, and I was so scared, but it was you. It had always been you, and so, out of fear that you’d hate me for forever, I kept looking at you, trying to memorise what you looked like when you were smiling.”
Josie didn’t know what to say that.
“I didn’t realise you were so scared.”
“I was fucking terrified.” Penelope turned to look outside of the Ferris Wheel.
“Look out there Jojo.”
Josie looked.
“What do you see?”
Her eyes scanned the fair. There were multi coloured lights, and tiny faded blobs that would form people, if she was a little closer. There was a cloudless sky, littered with stars, and a moon that wasn’t quite full, but still shone brilliantly.
She told all of this to Penelope, who smiled.
“Why do you ask?”
Penelope sat up and Josie lifted her head off of her shoulder to look at her. At those brilliant green eyes, and that charming smile.
“I remember looking out at the fair, and I remember that on that night, you told me you were scared of heights. So, I told you that I’d describe the sights to you so you didn’t have to look and get scared.” Penelope looked over at her. “Do you remember this story?”
Josie smiled. “Of course, I remember it. It was pretty memorable.”
Penelope lifted Josie’s hands to her lips and kissed it softly.
“Well my love, if you remember it so well, do you want to finish the story?”
Josie chuckled. “You were telling me about how pretty it all looked out there, and I decided to take a peek. Then I remembered how scared I was of heights, and I freaked out. I told you to distract me, and you kissed me.” Josie laughed. “You apologised so many times, and I didn’t know how to tell you that it was okay, because you wouldn’t listen, so I kissed you back.”
“I honestly panicked. I had been trying to figure out how to confess to you all night, and suddenly you were freaking out, and all I could think of was kissing you. I should have had some amazing romantic speech, but instead I just rushed in and kissed you.”
Josie shrugged. “For what it’s worth, you made up for the lack of a romantic speech this time.”
“I was very proud of that one.”
“Oh, I know.”
Penelope giggled, entwining her fingers with Josie’s.
“So, do you think this is better than the last time we were here?”
“Considering that this one is actually a date, and I can kiss you whenever I want, yeah, it’s better.”
Penelope grinned. “If you can kiss me whenever you want, do you want to kiss me now?”
Josie rolled her eyes. “You’re so needy.”
“Of course, I am, my girlfriend is an amazing kisser, why wouldn’t I want to kiss her?”
Josie decided that that particular bit of flattery deserved a kiss, and she leant in. Penelope smiled against her lips, and they both kept laughing, but it was still perfect.
When Penelope pulled back, Josie rested their foreheads together, and laid her hand over Penelope’s heart. Penelope’s hand joined her there.
“This is all I’ve ever wanted. Me and you, here, happy, with chances to shine. And maybe it won’t be forever, but right now, I’d be very happy if it was,” Josie whispered, as if her words were too powerful to be spoken at a normal level.
“I feel the same. I love you with all of my heart Josie. Every selfish part, every obnoxious part, every downright evil part of my heart is yours. For as long as you want it.”
“All I want is your love, as long as it lasts.”
Penelope smiled and kissed her again.
Josie didn’t know if this was a happy ending, and truly, she didn’t want it to be. For it to be a happy ending, it had to end, and she wanted this story to continue.
And it would.
Even if no one was there to read it, even if no one was there to see, Penelope and Josie would still continue.
But for now, here, under the stars, kissing each other softly, kissing away all the pain they’d been through, was enough.
It was all she wanted.