Archive of Our Own

A cool Autumn breeze swept through the room and Penelope was thankful. It had been unusually warm for October and her head was sweating from the layers of curls piled on top of her head. She had been curling for over an hour and still had one last layer to do. She knew other girls would kill for her hair but at the moment she was dreaming of cutting it all off… if only she wouldn’t be left looking like an orange cotton ball. There weren’t many things Penelope was confident about but her long curls were one of them even if they were suffocating her today.

“I’m worried my hair will be frizzy by the time he gets here.” Pen said growing more anxious by the minute. Why had she said yes to this?

“That’s what hairspray is for,” her best friend Eloise replied, barely looking up from the mirror as she attempted to bobby pin her hair into an updo she saw in Seventeen magazine. “I got these especially for tonight.” she said tossing Pen a plastic bag with three cans in it.

“Woohoo!” Penelope cheered looking at the name brand hairsprays in the bag. “Extra hold, flexible, and glitter spray!” she read off the labels finally feeling more excited than nervous.

“The magazine said it was the best.” Eloise explained.

Ever since she had gotten back from theater camp with a boyfriend from another school El had considered teen magazines her go to guide for fashion. Penelope would have been worried had her friend changed drastically overnight but after three months of reading and quoting Seventeen, Cosmopolitan and Vogue Eloise still considered the height of fashion to be a bit of mascara, cherry smelling lip gloss and flip flops from Old Navy. The glitter hairspray was practically wild as far as Eloise and fashion went. But it was a special night. And Pen had to admit she was excited to dress up too.

Penelope was dying to ask Eloise a question but wanted it to come off as naturally as possible. As she continued to curl her hair she casually asked, “Who is Colin taking to Homecoming?” Knowing any answer would kill her but she might as well start getting used to the idea before the limo showed up.

Eloise snorted. “Pfft. No one.”

Penelope couldn’t believe it.

“Colin doesn’t have a date?” she asked to confirm what she was hearing. “Why?”

“Ask Colin.” Eloise said, shrugging her shoulders and Pen knew she wouldn’t get much more information from El. Eloise had been making it a priority to stay out of her brothers’ business in hopes they would leave Phillip alone in return.

“Aren’t you the one who is usually up to date about these things?” Eloise asked, finally getting her pearl covered hair clip into place. All of her dark hair was swept back into an elegant French twist. You could hardly tell she used half a box of bobby pins. Instead it looked like a delicate pearl clip was all that held up her chocolate waves.

“Up to date with homecoming dates?” Penelope laughed.

“High school gossip in general.” El said with a wink making Pen laugh harder.

“Only when I’m imitating your favorite magazines.” Penelope said picking up the magazine Eloise had been referencing for her hair.

Only Eloise knew that for the last two years Penelope had been writing their school newspaper’s “Dear Abby” esque column, cluing her in to drama others knew nothing about through questions on relationships, homework and everything else. The girls had spent too many nights reading through submissions, trying not to judge, failing miserably but then talking it through and coming up with sound advice in the end.

Penelope had gotten a ton of questions about Homecoming. Who was going with who. Who would be King and Queen? How to ask out your crush.

She never imagined Colin needing that kind of advice. Or any advice from her. She was an anonymous writer. A wall flower. Comic relief.

He was a Bridgerton. Handsome, wealthy, well known. Helped the school win the big Homecoming football game last night. He could have asked anyone to this dance and they would have happily said yes. But he was going alone?

Suddenly it was all she could think about. She was lost in her own thoughts until she heard Eloise shout at her.

“Watch out for the dresses!” El said right as Pen had almost sat down on top of them.

The girls had steamed the dresses earlier that morning and they were draped across Eloise’s bed. El hurried up and grabbed them both so Pen could sit freely.

“Sorry,” Pen apologized with a small smile.

“What are you thinking about?” Eloise asked, cocking her head to the side. Penelope wished she could sense when she was obsessing over something. At least this time she could be somewhat honest without revealing her feelings about Colin.

“Alfred.” Pen said leaving Eloise looking more confused.

“What about him?”

“I don’t know if I like him or not. I'm not even sure why I said yes to being his Homecoming date but I didn’t want to be the only one alone.” Pen tried to explain but as the words came out of her mouth she felt a little silly and little like she was using Alfred.

“So now that you know you wouldn’t have been the only one alone you’re second guessing it? Do you think you’d have more fun alone?” Eloise asked and Pen hoped she wouldn’t take it a step further and put it all together.

If she didn’t have a date tonight, and Colin didn’t have a date tonight they would have naturally been seated together at dinner, in the limo… it would have felt like he was her date and just pretending with Colin was better than awkward conversations with Alfie. He was a nice enough guy but other than reading some of the same books they had nothing in common and his conversations could be a bit dry. When he had asked her to the dance she said yes partly so she wouldn’t be alone but also because she felt it was time to try and date someone who actually likes her rather than fantasize about her best friend’s brother.

“I’m taking your silence as a yes?” Eloise said, putting her hands on Pen’s shoulders and looking into her eyes. “Do you want me to send him away when he gets here?”

For one insane moment Penelope almost said yes.

“No, no, he’s a perfectly nice guy and we will have fun. I'm just nervous.” She didn’t want to be rude to someone who had done nothing to deserve it. She also didn’t want to chase away someone who did like her just because she happened to be madly in love with someone else in the same limo.

“Well if you change your mind at any time just say “Flamingo” and I will kick him out of the limo.” El said, trying not to laugh. “I’m joking but… I’m also serious.”

“Flamingo. Got it.” Pen said, smiling at her friend. “We haven’t had to use that since the seventh grade field trip to the zoo.”

Eloise's face immediately tightened. “I thought we agreed to never discuss the zoo.”

“You agreed to never talk about the zoo.” Penelope tried not to laugh.

“And as my best friend I believe that is legally binding for the both of us.” El said with a smile.

Pen laughed. The nerves in her chest finally loosening. “Fine. No zoo. No flamingos… unless absolutely necessary.”

“Exactly. Unless absolutely necessary.” Eloise said and then looked over at the clock on her desk. “We better get dressed. If we are not downstairs on time my mother will turn the photos into more of a hostage situation than it already will be.”

“Well it’s Colin’s last Homecoming.” Pen said sympathetically as she felt a pang of sadness saying that out loud.

“And last year it was Ben’s last Homecoming. Next year will be Daphne’s last, then mine. You’d think the woman would get sick of lasts.” Eloise went on one of her infamous sibling rants. There was nothing she loved more than being one of eight. It might sound as if she hated it but Pen had been around them long enough to know that yelling was part of the fun.

The girls put on their dresses and though neither could be accused of being “ugly ducklings” before, Penelope couldn’t believe how grown up they both looked standing in the floor length mirror they had looked in a thousand times over the years.

Maybe it was that both had opted for slimmer silhouettes than their Freshman year. Eloise’s dress was midnight blue with shimmering sequins scattered about and Penelope’s was a light green color with taupe flowers embroidered up and down like vines. They both looked ethereal.

With one last glance in the mirror the girls closed El’s bedroom door and headed downstairs to what sounded like chaos.

 

—

 

Colin heard his mother fawning over Eloise and her date in the stairwell. He wanted to head in there immediately, knowing Penelope was sure to be by her side, but he also wanted to give his mother and sister their private moment.
If there were two things the Bridgerton’s lacked it was time and privacy. Having eight siblings taught you not to interrupt the precious moments they each had alone with their mother. Especially since she was all they had left after their grandparents passed one by one over time and then, all of a sudden, their father.

If there was one thing it had left with Colin it was that time was precious, especially with a parent. Besides, he had already had his moment with Mom. Her taking photos of him in his black suit and dark green tie. Making sure he was okay going alone for the hundredth time that week. He loved his mother dearly but she was always worried about her children being lonely. Perhaps that is what she was left with after they all lost Dad.

Colin tried his best not to think of such things on special occasions, preferring to try and enjoy the moment. His mother would say he was a sentimental child and it was true to this day so he had to shove that all down and try to enjoy the present lest he miss out on everything.

That was part of the reason he chose not to have a date. Or at least he thought he had chosen.

When his sisters Daphne and Eloise began planning this group limo he was under the impression Penelope was going alone. Which meant he would be going alone so he could keep her company through dinner. It would be so much more relaxing to enjoy her company than fuss over a date. Not that he found the girls at school particularly fussy, aside from Eloise that is… it was more that conversations with Pen flowed naturally. He didn’t have to worry if he was eating too much or talking too loud or going on about a movie he and Pen had watched last weekend after Eloise fell asleep on the couch between them.

It was much simpler just to continue talking about the movie with Pen herself.

Which is why he was confused when Eloise had come home one day and announced that Alfred Debling would be joining them for Homecoming as Penelope’s date.

He knew that Pen had AP English with Alfred but couldn't see what else they had in common. The guy went on and on in biology almost over talking to the teacher. What would Pen see in a pompous guy like that? Maybe she liked the intelligent, albeit pompous type. The more he thought about it over that week his confusion grew into panic.

Colin always thought that he and Penelope had a kind of quiet understanding. Eloise, Penelope and himself had always been a kind of trio but when they went out for pizza he sat in the booth on the same side as Pen. When they would pick out a movie, Eloise would fall asleep early and he and Pen would stay up talking until 2am. At dances they would spend all night talking to each other until he finally worked up the courage to dance at the last minute and they shared the finale slow dance. It was tradition.

He assumed that tradition would continue until he graduated and… and that’s when it hit him.

He was lying in bed last night after the football game and he realized… he thought it would just continue on until she admitted she was madly in love with him and they slow danced at their wedding.

It was pathetic really.

Ever since he was a little boy he had placed Penelope into this little box.

First the box was of a childhood sweetheart. The other boys at school would tease him about not having a crush on anyone yet and he would blush and say he only had eyes for Penelope Featherington knowing he could secretly tell her it was all a joke later and he would avoid being teased.

Then as those childhood crushes paired off into teenage couples he had just kind of paired off with Penelope in his mind. He never said it outloud. Hell he hadn’t even realized it until another guy asked her out.

And he deserved to go out with her. Colin Bridgerton was an idiot and Alfred Alfie had the forethought to actually ask the girl to the dance.

So now here he was in his own living room waiting to see the girl in the dress… and hand her off to some random. He had to keep talking himself out of sabotaging the whole thing. Penelope didn’t deserve that and for all he knew she liked Alfred not Colin. He had to respect her wishes even if it meant breaking his own heart.

Just then the doorbell rang and his heart sank even lower.

Daphne’s date was an old friend of the family named Simon. They had been dating for over a year and there was no way he would ring the doorbell. Phillip, Eloise’s date was already here meeting their mother which meant… Alfred Debling was at the door.

“Can you answer that?” he heard Eloise shout from the hallway.

“I am not your butler.” he replied in a flat tone. He didn’t mean to come off so grumpy but the very last thing he wanted to do was greet Penelope’s date. He didn’t know if he was even capable of doing so, preferring to leave him on the lawn and sweep her off her feet at the last moment.

The doorbell rang again.

“Please Colin,” he heard Eloise say and knew his mother was right there listening.

Colin rolled his eyes and crossed the foyer.

“Impatient bastard,” he muttered beneath his breath before pulling open the door.

Alfred Debling stood on the other side in a dark maroon suit and matching tie, his blond hair combed neatly into place. He was holding a clear plastic box containing a white corsage.

Of course he brought a corsage. It was just basic white though. That must mean he didn’t know Penelope’s favorite color or flower, which was both rose.

Colin hadn’t even thought about corsages. What did it mean to know her favorite flower if he never actually bought them for her? Dammit how could he be so stupid.

“Bridgerton,” Alfred greeted him pleasantly enough.

“Debling.” Colin tried to match his polite tone.

The two stared at each other for a moment and Colin realized he didn’t sound… or look… pleasant or polite at all. Which made sense since he felt downright competitive.

Colin knew Alfred from biology. Everyone knew Alfred from biology. That was the sort of thing that happened to the person who raised his hand before the teacher finished asking the question and occasionally corrected information in the textbook.

He was also the sort of person who once reminded their teacher there had been homework when she had clearly forgotten about it.
Colin had never forgiven him.

Alfred glanced past him into the house.

“Is Penelope ready?”

Colin resisted the urge to say no and close the door.

“I assume so.”

He still didn’t move.

“Colin.”

His mother’s voice came from behind him.

Right.

Apparently society required him to actually let Penelope’s date inside. “Come in.”

“Thank you.” Alfred walked into the foyer and Colin immediately noticed the corsage again.

White flowers. Safe choice. Boring choice.

Penelope deserved something colorful. Something that matched her. Something…

Colin looked across the room as Penelope glided into it… and every thought disappeared.

Her hair had been curled and pinned partly away from her face, leaving long red curls spilling over her shoulders. Her dress fit her in a way Colin had never seen before… not inappropriate, not even particularly revealing, just enough to make him suddenly and painfully aware that Penelope Featherington was not merely his little sister’s best friend.

Not merely the girl who stole fries from his plate. Or just the person who sat beside him during terrible movies and laughed harder at his jokes than anyone else.
She was beautiful. He had always known she was beautiful. He simply hadn’t known it could make breathing difficult… or make him want to punch the blonde dude staring at her.

What was worse is she smiled back at him and for one ridiculous moment Colin thought the smile was for him.
Then Alfred stepped forward.

“You look lovely.”

Penelope’s cheeks turned pink. “Thank you.”

Colin’s stomach twisted as Alfred held up the corsage.

“I wasn’t certain what color your dress would be, so I thought white was safest.” Colin almost laughed. He knew Alfred was the type to play it safe. Choose something bland instead of appreciating something specific.

“That was thoughtful.” Penelope said as she held out her wrist and Alfred carefully slipped the corsage over her hand.

Colin watched the entire exchange with growing irritation. It shouldn’t have bothered him. It was only a corsage. A few flowers attached to elastic. Yet somehow it felt like Alfred was collecting moments Colin had assumed would belong to him someday.

Moments that had always belonged to him before.

Just as Colin was unsure how he would handle his jealousy, he had to hold in laughter as the corsage seemed to fall apart.

“Oh no, I’m sorry Alfred.” Penelope said not looking particularly sorry Colin thought to himself. Was it just wishful thinking?

“It’s me that should be sorry Pen” Alfred said with a kind smile and it made Colin fume at him using her nickname.

“Neither of you should be sorry, it will make excellent potpourri.” Colin said, shooting his best smile at Pen then Alfred.

Penelope laughed.

Colin looked back at her automatically.

There it was. That laugh. The one that always made him feel as though he had accomplished something. For a second, everything felt normal again.
Then Alfred placed a hand lightly against Penelope’s back. “Ready?”

Pen looked at Colin once more before nodding. “Ready.”

Colin decided immediately that this was going to be the longest Homecoming of his life.

 

—--

 

The limousine was amazing. Penelope had never been inside one before and it really was something of a bucket list item to stick her head out the rooftop… something she and Eloise did immediately since they knew it would be idiotic to actually do it while driving. When she pulled her head back in and plopped down beside El giggling she couldn’t help but compare Colin and Alfie’s reactions.

Colin was smiling at the girls, completely used to their silly antics. Alfred was looking embarrassed as though the limo was mundane and silliness the last thing on his mind. Penelope didn’t know how she would get through the night with someone who didn’t like something so ingrained in her character. Something she had in common with her best friends.

She noticed that Colin and Phillip seemed to be engaged in natural conversation whereas Alfie sat there silently.
This was going to be a long night.

“Do you like Italian food? It’s Eloise’s favorite.” Penelope asked Alfred, hoping to strike up a conversation.

“Not particularly but I heard the restaurant we are going to has gotten rave reviews so I’m excited to see if it lives up to the expectation.” he responded politely. She didn’t know what to say so just smiled back at him.

Penelope was just excited to go somewhere that required a reservation. Her family didn’t go out to those types of restaurants and she was getting the feeling Alfred was used to it. She always thought she would like the kind of guy that knows what to order at restaurants but now it just seemed intimidating. Unfamiliar.

“I love Italian food.” Colin said loudly from across the limo. Pen was shocked he had been listening to her. He leaned back casually in his seat.

“You love all food.” Daphne joked and everyone except Alfred laughed. The rest of them all knew of Colin’s infamous appetite.

“But especially good Italian food.” Colin clarified. “This place is the best.”

“What dish do you recommend?” Alfie said and Pen internally applauded him for trying to converse with her friends. She knew they could be somewhat loud and outsiders found it hard to jump in. Daphne’s date, Simon, had the upper edge by already being best friends with her older brother Anthony. Now it seemed Phillip was fitting in but she didn’t know about Alfred just yet.

“Well in my heart I would say anything, everything but choosing one dish I would say the Chicken Marsala. It’s a classic.” Colin replied and Penelope thought the tone of his voice sounded overly sweet. He was putting on airs and at first she didn’t know why but then she saw how captivated Phillip and Alfred was and she understood. Colin loved to make a good first impression. He was a bit of a bard that way. And she liked to think that she was one of the only ones who could tell when he was being genuine or just performing.

Tonight felt like a performance.

Maybe there was some devastatingly attractive girl waiting for him at the dance. Maybe he chose to go stag so he could be the center of attention and lure her in. Did he even know the kind of power he had over people when he turned on his charm or was it just dumb luck? That she didn’t know.

What she did know is that be it dumb luck or purposeful charm, Colin Bridgerton was a master at making people like him.

By the time they pulled up to the restaurant Phillip and Simon were cheering along to Colin recalling his touchdown from last night’s football game.

Alfred remained silent, seemingly unimpressed.

The limousine pulled beneath the awning of the restaurant a few moments later and Penelope forgot all about Colin Bridgerton’s performance when she saw the valet waiting outside.

They had a valet. She had never been anywhere with a valet before.

“This is fancy,” she whispered to Eloise as they climbed out.

“I know,” Eloise whispered back. “Act natural.”

“I don't know how,” Penelope said, holding back a laugh.

“Neither do I.” El admitted. Penelope laughed and immediately felt better. Behind her, she heard Colin laughing too. He still had Phillip, Simon and Daphne captivated with some bit reenacting the football coach’s pep talk. Daphne was chiming in with cheers to give the pep rally bit full effect.

Alfred didn't seem to understand what was funny. Penelope doubted he ever attended the pep rallies at school.

Inside, the restaurant was dimly lit and crowded, every table covered in crisp white linen with candles flickering between wine glasses. The entire place smelled like garlic, butter and freshly baked bread.

It felt grown-up.

That was what Penelope had wanted, wasn't it?

A real date. At a real restaurant. A handsome boy pulling out her chair before she sat down.
For a few minutes, she allowed herself to enjoy it.

“So,” Alfred said once everyone had ordered their drinks, “have you decided where you want to go to college?”
Penelope blinked.

She was only a sophomore.

“Not really.” she said timidly.

“You should start thinking about it early.” he replied, buttering a roll. Penelope didn’t know why but for some reason his demeanor made her feel as though it was a job interview rather than a date. She hadn’t expected to talk about their future college plans on her first date in high school.
“Oh. I suppose.” she replied politely not wanting to be disagreeable.

“I've already narrowed mine down to six.” he stated proudly and she wasn’t surprised.

Of course he had. Alfred was known to be something of “the brain” around school.

“What do you want to study?” Pen asked… and that was all it took. The flood gates were open.

By the time the bread arrived she knew Alfred's preferred universities, intended major, backup major, thoughts on graduate school and the exact reason one particular university had fallen from third to fifth place on his list.

Penelope buttered another piece of bread. Perhaps she shouldn't have asked.

Across the table, Colin caught her eye.

He glanced toward Alfred, then back at her.

Penelope raised her eyebrows slightly.

Colin's mouth twitched into a devious smile.

She immediately looked down at her plate before she laughed.

Alfred was still talking about rising on campus housing costs… Something about undergraduate research opportunities now…
She tried to listen. She really did.

But when she looked up again Colin was staring at her, then Alfred, then dramatically rolled his eyes and Alfred rambled on about all things college.
Penelope snorted.

Everyone turned toward her and she quickly covered her mouth.

“Sorry.” she said knowing her face was turning red.

Alfred just looked confused.

Across the table, Colin calmly took a bite of a roll as though he had no idea what was going on.

Penelope narrowed her eyes at him.

“I just choked on my Diet Coke.” She lied. Colin smiled.

This was going to be a very long night.

She was beginning to suspect that might not be entirely a bad thing.

 

—--

 

Colin knew he was playing with fire. He knew that it was wrong to flirt with another man’s date, especially with the intent to steal her by the time the night was over but he was drawn to Penelope like a moth to a flame.

Charming people always came easy to him but with Penelope it was something else. As though they communicated on a secret wave length others didn’t always pick up on.

“Penelope, surely you will be going to Briarcrest.” Colin chimed in on Alfred’s college discussion. “It’s where all the Bridgertons have gone and they have an excellent English Lit program.”

The table had mostly gone silent since they received their entrees so everyone was now looking at Pen waiting for her to answer. As usual his sister answered for her.

“Of course Pen and I are going to college together!” El said, elbowing Pen and smiling.

He was thankful he wasn’t the only Bridgerton that was trying to pull Penelope into their family. He felt emboldened.

“Besides, someone has to be there to watch over her.” Colin said purposely making eye contact with Pen while continuing to casually eat his steak. He felt a rush when the blush on her face spread down her neck.

Maybe he should press further?

Under the table he reached out his long leg until he felt her ball gown. Then he rubbed his calf against hers. She didn’t move her leg. Just narrowed her eyes.

He smiled. There it was. That little conversation nobody else at the table could hear.

“So you’ve already decided Penelope is going to Briarcrest?” Alfred asked.

Colin looked toward him leaning back in his chair.

“I just know she’d love it.” he responded causally.

“And how do you know that?” Alfred asked.

It wasn't particularly confrontational, but Colin heard it as a challenge anyway.

He glanced at Penelope.

“Because I've known her forever,” he said simply.

Something changed in her expression.

Only slightly.

But Colin caught it.

Alfred looked between them before returning to his dinner.

Penelope reached for her water.

“You haven't known me forever.” she half whispered.

“Kindergarten.” he said defensively even though he knew she was teasing him. He could tell by her coy smile. How she looked at him through her long eye lashes.

“That isn't forever.” she said, still smiling.

“It certainly feels like it.” he said, his eyes not leaving hers.

She kicked him lightly beneath the table.

Colin laughed letting their legs fall back against each other.

His sisters were staring at him from across the table. Daphne had a knowing look and Eloise had one eyebrow raised.

Colin ignored them both.

“So,” Alfred said to Penelope, “what would you want to study?”

“English, probably.”

“Probably?” Colin repeated.

Penelope turned toward him. “Yes, probably.”

“You've wanted to be a writer since you were nine.” He said. Now he was just showing off how well he knew her. How much they had in common. Both of them had realized they wanted to be writers at a young age.

Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth as though she had been caught in a secret. Colin thought it was adorable.

Alfred looked interested. “You write?”

Penelope immediately seemed uncomfortable. Colin hated that an outsider was sitting next to her. Making her feel uncomfortable about something she should take more pride in. He had always loved Pen’s fanfictions and stories she would write and he would read on their long bus rides to school.

“A little.” She lied.

Colin frowned. A little? Penelope filled notebooks. She wrote stories, essays, ridiculous fake obituaries for people who irritated her like Cressida Cowper the mean girl in her PE class.

Not that Colin was supposed to know about all of those. Sometimes he would get done reading a fanfic and flip to the next page just to see what else she was working on. That’s how he came to realize she had written a fanfiction about them. It was the biggest clue he had that she may be aware of and even return his affections.

“You write more than a little,” he said not wanting to give her away but needing to know why she was lying to her date.

Her eyes met his.

For once, there was no teasing between them. Just surprise.

Colin suddenly wondered if perhaps Penelope didn't realize how closely he paid attention.

He liked that thought far more than he should have. It made him wonder how many stories she’s written about him that he hasn’t gotten to read.

“Well,” Alfred said, “Briarcrest does have a respectable literature department.”

Respectable. Colin nearly rolled his eyes.

Penelope smiled politely.

Then Colin caught her gaze again.

He mouthed silently: “Respectable.”

Her lips twitched.

She looked down at her plate before she started laughing.

Alfred glanced between them.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Penelope said quickly. Colin took another bite of his steak.

Definitely playing with fire.

And having absolutely no intention of stopping.

 

—-

 

As the group was loading up in the limo Penelope could feel what small flame she had with Alfie dying.

She had barely spoken to him for the last part of dinner and here she was accepting Colin’s hand to help her into the limo. Alfred was standing back awkwardly as though he didn’t even know if he should go to the dance.

It made Penelope feel awful.

She had done her best to try and include him but it didn’t come naturally and everything about him seemed to draw Colin closer to her. She had never seen him lay such blatant claim over their long time friendship.

That’s all it was. Friendship and the thought Alfie may drag her away to another university and… and that didn’t explain why Colin spent all of dinner playing footsie with her. There was nothing friendly about that. Or the way he didn’t take his eyes off him. Now he was holding out his hand to help her into the car and then moving his hand to her waist as he followed her inside.

He sat down quickly and for half a moment she wanted to sit on his lap the way Daphne sat on Simon’s. Instead she sat down next to Eloise leaving room for Alfred to sit beside her.

Colin looked like he wanted to pout.

It couldn’t be her imagination. Colin’s eyes traced up and down her body appreciating the shapely silhouette of her dress, the lower cut top than she was used to exposing what little cleavage her mother had allowed.

He looked like he was waiting for any excuse to pull her closer whereas Alfred looked like he was on the way to a funeral. Something told her he wasn’t fond of dances and it had nothing to do with the awkward love triangle forming over dinner.

“Do you like dancing?” she asked looking over at Alfie to try and salvage this date. She may not want to date him long term but she owed it to him to have a nice time since she accepted.

“No. I’m afraid not.” he said flatly.

“Even slow dancing?” she asked, feeling deflated.

“I mean I’ll do it if I have to…” he said and she had to respect him answering honestly. But she also didn’t want to force him to do something he didn’t want to do.

She couldn’t help but look over at Colin remembering their tradition of sharing the last slow dance. When she looked back up at Alfred she could see him looking between her and Colin.

“Alfred…” she began slowly but he shook his head.

“Hey don’t worry. Some people like to dance, others don’t.” he said with a small smile. “I want you to be with someone that likes to dance.”

He may not be the right guy for her but she had to concede that he was truly a wonderful date. “Are you sure you don’t want a dance?” she asked.

“No. In fact if it's alright with you I am going to bow out as early as I can without making my mother angry.” he laughed.

“Your mother?” she asked with a confused laugh.

“Yes she… she told me I needed to socialize more. That’s kind of why I asked you tonight. Well that and you’re very kind and smart in English. And… beautiful.” he explained and the tops of his ears turned red.

Pen was sure her face was red as well. “Thank you.” was all she could say and they remained silent until the limo pulled up to the school gymnasium and they parted ways after a friendly hug.

“What was that?” Eloise asked, watching as Alfred walked into the dance alone.

“He didn’t like to dance.” Pen said, shaking her head. Then turned back to El and said “I guess that was his Flamingo.” Phillip looked at the girls with a bewildered smile as they both laughed their heads off in the parking lot.

“Are you going to be okay?” Eloise finally asked after they calmed down and caught their breath. She was looking at Pen with sad eyes like she wanted to abandon Phillip to stay by Pen’s side but Penelope knew what or who she needed now.

“No, I’ll be okay.” she said and then leaned in and whispered, “I think I have a knight in shining armor to tend to.” and motioning her eyes to Colin standing behind her, making Eloise roll her eyes and mouth “FINALLY!”

“Come and find us if you need to.” Eloise said with a final hug before grabbing Phillip’s hand and heading inside the dance with Simon and Daphne.

 

—--

 

Colin waited until Eloise and Phillip disappeared through the gym doors before walking toward Penelope.

He had caught maybe half of what happened between her and Debling. Enough to see the hug and watch Debling walk away alone.

More importantly, enough to hear Penelope tell Eloise she had a knight in shining armor to tend to.

He was trying very hard not to look too pleased with himself.

He was failing.

“So,” he said casually, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Did Debling do something wrong?”

“No!” Penelope insisted.

“Because if he did, I need to know before he gets too far.” he said, still moving closer to her.

“And what are you going to do? What is it you said, ‘to watch over me’.”

Colin considered it. “I haven't decided yet.”

She laughed. God, he loved making her laugh.

“It was mutual,” she explained. “He doesn't like dancing.”

Colin stared at her. “He brought a girl to Homecoming and doesn't like dancing?”

“That was more or less my reaction.” she said moving in closer to him. He couldn’t help but notice she was almost close enough for his suit jacket to bump into the full sparkly skirt of her dress.

“Pen, that's like taking someone swimming when you hate water.” He shouldn't laugh or rub it in but he couldn’t help it. He may have been too dumb to ask her out or buy flowers… but he was more than willing to dance with her.

“He was trying.” she reasoned.

“I suppose.” Colin said.

“And he was very nice about it.” she went on and he didn’t care to hear her compliment blondie.

Of course he was nice. Even in defeat Alfred Debling had to remain annoyingly respectable.

Penelope studied Colin for a moment. “You don't look very heartbroken for him.”

“I barely know him.” he shrugged.

“You've spent the entire night glaring at him.” she said bumping into his arm on purpose.

“I have not.” he said, bumping her back so their arms were touching.

“You glared at him through his Chicken Marsala. That you suggested” she said tilting her head and reaching out to fix his tie.

“That was indigestion.” he coughed, not ready to give away how jealous he was of Debling.

Penelope folded her arms and leaned back to look up at his face.

Colin didn’t like the feeling of her leaning away. He lasted approximately two seconds.

“Fine. I don't like him.” he confessed, with a shrug.

“I noticed.” she smiled and moved back in close to him.

“You know he reminded Mrs. Varley about a biology assignment once.”

Pen stared at him. “That is why you don't like Alfred?”

“It was a Monday.”

They both burst out laughing.

Then the laughter faded and they were simply standing there together beneath the glow of the gymnasium entrance. Through the doors he could hear the bass from the music inside, along with hundreds of voices and the occasional shriek whenever the DJ played something everyone apparently loved.

Penelope went to tuck a curl behind her ear.

“So.” she said.

“So.” he said, reaching out and tucking her curl back for her.

She looked toward the doors.

“I suppose we should go to Homecoming.”

Colin's heart beat a little faster as she walked towards the door.

She looked back at him.

“Aren’t you coming?”

There were a thousand answers he could have given.

Instead Colin held out his hand. “I thought you'd never ask me.”

Penelope looked down at his hand.

Then back at him.

Slowly, she placed hers inside it.

He had held Penelope's hand before. Crossing streets as children. Pulling her onto ice-skating rinks. Dragging her through crowded fairs when Eloise had disappeared ahead of them.

This felt nothing like those times.

Her fingers curled around his.

Colin closed his hand around hers.

Neither of them mentioned it. They simply walked inside together.

The gym looked ridiculous… and perfect.

Blue and silver streamers hung from the basketball hoops, metallic stars dangled from the ceiling and someone on the student council had constructed an enormous balloon arch around a banner reading HOMECOMING in glittering letters. There was a folding table covered in plastic cups of punch and trays of cookies in the corner and the photographer had set up beneath a fake city skyline in one corner.

Penelope squeezed his hand. “This is so cheesy.”

“I love it.” he replied with a smile.

“I know.” She said turning towards him.

There it was again.

That look she sometimes gave him as though he had said something important when he hadn't meant to.

“What?” he asked dying to know what she was thinking about.

“Nothing.” she said suddenly looking embarrassed.

“Pen…” he said but she shook her head and cut him off.

“Come on.” she said and started pulling him toward the dance floor.

And Colin Bridgerton went willingly.

 

—-

 

Penelope couldn’t believe that she was being twirled by Colin Bridgerton. Not politely swaying with him. Not standing beside him while they both half-heartedly moved to whatever song happened to be playing.

Actually twirled.

He caught her hand and sent her spinning beneath his arm before pulling her back toward him, laughing when she nearly stumbled into his chest.
“You are trying to kill me,” she shouted over the music.

“You said you wanted to dance!” he said, shaking his head at her and grinning.

“I didn’t say I wanted to be launched!” she laughed.

His grin widened.

Penelope had spent years thinking Colin Bridgerton had the most unfair smile of any person alive, but tonight it seemed especially dangerous.
Maybe because it was directed entirely at her.

For the next hour, Colin never left her side.

That was the strangest part.

Penelope kept waiting for him to wander away.

Surely he would see someone across the gym he wanted to talk to. Some pretty girl he had secretly hoped would be here. Someone who would make sense of the fact that Colin Bridgerton had willingly come to Homecoming without a date.

But every time Penelope looked over, he was still there.

When Eloise dragged them into a ridiculous group dance, Colin joined without hesitation.

When the student council announced Homecoming Court, he leaned close and whispered increasingly absurd commentary into her ear until she had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing during the announcement of the queen.

“Of course she’s the Queen. Isn’t this whole damn thing her life’s ambition?” Colin whispered to Eloise and Pen as Cressida was crowned on the pop up stage the school put in the gymnasium for special events.

“It’s her school and we're just the NPCs” Eloise agreed, shaking her head. “It’s a shame Daphne had to turn over her crown to her.”
Penelope laughed. She should feel bad but considering Cressida had spent their entire school career bullying Pen and El they just couldn’t find it in them to be happy for her.

She was happy that was something Colin understood because he had been there to see it over time. There was something so comforting about knowing he had always been there. Watching. Maybe closer than she ever realized.

When Penelope thought they might have a moment of down time, Colin grabbed her hand again.

“Come on.” he said, practically dragging her across the room like an excited little boy.

“What now?” she asked breathlessly trying to keep up.

“Pictures.” he said as though it was obvious.

She dug her bare feet into the gym floor. “No.” she said. “Colin, seriously, those photo booths are horrible.”

“Isn’t that the point?”

Before she could object further, he pulled her toward the corner of the gym where someone had set up a tiny enclosed photo booth beside the more respectable Homecoming backdrop.

They took a few photos first together, then with the whole Bridgerton crew. After the first few shots Penelope grew more relaxed grabbing silly props and acting out various scenes with her friends.

Then Colin took her hand and headed to the line for the formal picture booth.

Penelope stopped making Colin stop too.

There was something almost challenging in the way he looked at her. “Come on.” he coaxed. “We need one formal one!”

She couldn’t believe Colin Bridgerton was going to be in her Homecoming photos. The photos she brought home to her mother. The one that went in the yearbook!
Penelope smoothed her hair and faced the camera. She felt Colin straighten up beside her.

Then at the last second, he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

She turned toward him in surprise.

Flash.

The picture showed up on a preview screen moments later. Penelope stared at it.

In the final photograph, she wasn't looking at the camera. She was looking at Colin and Colin was looking at her.

“Oh,” she said softly.

Colin glanced down.

For once, he had nothing clever to say.

Penelope carefully folded the preview print and tucked it into her purse.

“I'm keeping that.” she said, smiling at him.

“I would hope so… until we get more copies.”

He took her hand again.

And somehow, somewhere between the photo booth and the punch table, Penelope stopped questioning why.

They stood together near the refreshment table sometime later, sharing a piece of sheet cake because Colin had already eaten his own.

Penelope held the plate while Colin stole another bite.

“You are unbelievable.” she said, shaking her head.

“You weren't eating it.” he insisted despite a fork still being in her hand.

“I was talking.” she laughed and couldn’t believe how natural it felt to be by his side.

“Exactly. The cake was vulnerable.” he said, making her pull the plate away from him.

Colin laughed and leaned back against the wall. She leaned against the wall beside him.

Most of the crowd had returned to the dance floor. A slower song had begun, leaving the refreshment area strangely quiet.

Penelope glanced toward the dancers.

“I suppose Alfie really was the wrong person to bring to a dance.”

Colin made a noise somewhere between agreement and a laugh.

“Oh, don't start.”

“I didn't say anything.”

“You didn't have to.”

“He was never going to give you a good date.” Colin said, turning to look her in the eyes.

Penelope kept eating her cake, not ready to return his gaze.

“That’s a little harsh. Like I shouldn’t have even given him a shot.” she said using her fork to move around some icing.

“I didn't say he couldn't give someone a good date.” Colin explained further.

“Just me?”

“Especially you.” he said, reaching out and putting some of her icing onto his finger.

She gave him a faux stern look as he licked the icing off his finger tip.

“All right, then. Since you apparently know everything—what would my perfect date be?” she asked and Colin didn't even hesitate.

“A bookstore.” he said as though it was obvious and she worried it was.

Penelope blinked.

“What?”

“Not one of those giant chain stores either. Somewhere old. Used books. The kind where everything is stacked badly and you have to actually look for what you want. Fancy first editions that cost more than we can afford but are fun to look at.”

Her smile slowly faded.

Not because he was wrong.

Because he wasn't. He was too accurate.

Colin continued.

“You'd want at least an hour where nobody rushed you. Then dinner somewhere small. Nothing too fancy because you'd spend the entire meal worrying about which fork you're supposed to use or if you’d like the food.”

Penelope stared at him.

“You hate restaurants where the menu doesn't have prices because you think it's suspicious. And forget about it if they have Pepsi instead of Coke.”

“How do you—”

“And after dinner you'd want coffee.”

“I don't drink much coffee.” she interrupted but it didn’t stop his train of thought.

“You would on a date.” he said with a coy smile.

“Why?” she asked not wanting him to stop talking.

“Because you'd want an excuse to stay longer.”

Her heart gave an uncomfortable little thump. It’s like he was reading her mind.

Colin's smile softened.

“And somewhere to walk afterward. Somewhere quiet. You'd want to talk until it got ridiculously late and neither person could remember what they were originally talking about.”

Penelope could barely breathe. She was lost in his voice and his eyes. The way he had slowly been leaning in closer to her as he spoke.

“That is…” She stopped not sure how to admit how right he was without admitting her true feelings about him.

Colin waited.

“That is exactly what I would want.” she finished simply hoping she didn’t give herself away.

“I know.” he said with his face inches away from hers.

There was something about the way he said it.

Not smugly. Not teasing. Just certain.

Penelope narrowed her eyes.

“How did you know all that?”

Colin looked entirely too pleased with himself. “Dear Annie.”

Every muscle in Penelope's body went rigid.

“What?” she asked, not able to believe Colin of all people would have figured it out.

“The school paper.” he went on as though she didn’t know what he was talking about.

“I know what Dear Annie is.” she said then shoved a big bite of cake in her mouth to give her time to think.

“I should hope so.” he said smiling and reaching over to get another finger full of icing.

Penelope stared at him.

Colin looked back and then licked the icing off his finger like a cat who ate the canary.

“How do you know?”

He swallowed. Then smiled. “Pen.” he said slowly. “Do you really think I can’t recognize your writing after all these years?”

She was flabbergasted. He knew this whole time. Of course he did. Who else had read as much of her fanfiction as Eloise and Colin?

“How long?” she asked, wondering if he had known since day one.

“A while,” he said sheepishly. She hated how much he looked like the little boy she had always known and loved.

“How long is a while?”

“Since last year. Maybe three articles in?”

Penelope nearly dropped her now empty plate.

“LAST YEAR?” she said louder than she intended to.

A couple standing nearby looked over. She lowered her voice. “Last year?”

Colin was trying not to laugh.

“This isn't funny!” she spat.

“It’s a little funny,” he countered.

“I write anonymously for a reason!” she said trying and failing not to sound angry.

“I never told anyone.” he said his tone turning serious.

That stopped her.

His expression had changed.

The teasing was gone.

“I wouldn't.” he said and she believed him.

Penelope looked at him. “How did you really figure it out?”

Colin shrugged. “You write like you talk.”

“I absolutely do not.” she said knowing it was a lie.

“You absolutely do.” he said mimicking her voice.

“It could be anybody. I write like everybody around here.”

“No you don’t.” he said smiling but his tone remained serious.

His answer came so quickly that she stopped.

“I'd know your writing anywhere.” he said and something warm spread through her chest.

He continued as though he hadn't just said the sweetest thing she’d heard a boy say.

“You have certain phrases you use when you're annoyed. And you make really long comparisons when you're trying to explain something emotional. And you use semicolons constantly.”

Penelope stared.

“You noticed my semicolons?” she said in a small voice.

“You use a lot of semicolons.” he said, lowering his voice to match hers.
Then Penelope remembered something.

Her eyes widened. “Wait.” She suddenly looked suspicious. “That question.”
“What question?” he asked.

“The one asking what the columnist's perfect date would be.”

Colin looked away.

Penelope gasped.
“No.”

“Pen… I…”

“That was you?” she asked, not able to contain her surprise.

His ears turned pink. It was possibly the most satisfying thing Penelope had ever seen.

“That was you!”

“I was curious,” he said. Colin Bridgerton was acting shy. She had seen him tired, grumpy, happy, angry but never shy!

“You anonymously wrote to the school advice column to ask what I thought the perfect date was?”

“When you say it like that…” he said looking down at his feet and blushing.

“How else am I supposed to say it?” she asked, wanting to reach out and turn his chin so he was looking in her eyes again.

Colin shoved his hands into his pockets.

“I just wanted to know,” he said quietly.

“Why?” she whispered.

That silenced him.

Penelope's heart began beating harder.

“Colin… why?” she asked, reaching out and lightly grabbing his suit jacket.

He looked at her, their faces inching closer together so no one could hear their words.

“Why did you want to know?”

For the first time all evening, Colin Bridgerton looked nervous.

Not charming.
Not playful.
Not performing.
Just Colin.

“Because I thought I'd need it someday.”

Penelope forgot about the music.

The dance.
The people around them.
Everything.

“What?” she asked, not believing what she heard.

He gave a tiny shrug. “I figured eventually I'd ask you.”

“Ask me what?”

“Out.” he said and his face turned partially maroon.

She stared at him.

“You were planning to ask me out?”

“Eventually.”

“How eventually?”

Colin laughed nervously.

“I don't know. We were thirteen.”

Penelope's mouth fell open.

“You knew you wanted to ask me out when we were thirteen?”

“I just knew.” he shrugged and she felt like she was talking to a riddler.

“Knew what?”

“That I was…” he began and stopped.

 

—--

 

He couldn't finish his sentence. Here he was having a private conversation with her after an evening full of practically being her date and he couldn’t tell her that she was…

His girl.

His future date.

Whatever this strange thing had always been between them.

“I knew I liked being with you more than anyone else.” He got the words out before his throat tightened. Somehow the look on her face gave him the courage to go on:
“I knew when something happened, you were the person I wanted to tell. I knew every dance was better when you were there. I knew I hated the idea of you going away somewhere without me.”

He smiled slightly. “And apparently I knew enough to start researching dates years in advance.”

Penelope laughed, though her eyes suddenly looked suspiciously teary.

“You're an idiot.” she finally said.

“I've been told.” he said with a small laugh. “Then tonight I realized it for myself when I was answering the door for Alfred Debling.” he said scrunching his nose up at the name.

“You could have just asked me.” she said, still holding his suit jacket and now tugging at it to pull him forward.

“Well I know that now,” he said.

“And instead you wrote to me anonymously.”

“At least you answered.” he laughed.

“I thought I was helping some poor boy impress a girl!”

“You were.” he said resting his forehead on hers.

Penelope stopped laughing.

Colin looked in her eyes.

The gym lights seemed softer somehow.

The music quieter.

“So all night…” she began.

“Yeah.”

“You weren't trying to impress some girl at the dance?” she asked so quietly he was barely able to hear.

His brow furrowed. “What girl?”

Penelope blushed. “The hypothetical devastatingly beautiful girl you came here hoping to meet.”

Colin stared at her for several seconds. Then realization slowly crossed his face.

“Penelope,” he whispered. “It’s only ever been you.”

“Oh.” she said in almost a squeak.

That was all she had. Oh.

It all made sense. Every joke. Every touch. Every time they caught the other watching.

Neither had decided tonight that they would reveal the truth. They had simply finally stopped hiding it.

A new song began. Another slow one and likely the last of the night.

Colin looked toward the dance floor and then back at her. “Our song,” he said.

Penelope smiled. “It is tradition.”

He held out his hand.

She looked at it.

Then instead of taking it and following him onto the dance floor, Penelope slipped her fingers between his.

Colin looked down at their joined hands.

His thumb slowly brushed across the back of hers as they made their way to the dance floor.

---

 

Twenty years later, Colin Bridgerton would still pull out that yearbook every autumn and point proudly to the Homecoming photograph where Penelope had turned toward him instead of the camera. Their children knew the story by heart: how their mother had arrived with Alfred Debling and somehow gone home holding their father’s hand. Colin always insisted that was the night he became Penelope Featherington’s Homecoming date. Penelope always corrected him. It was simply the night they finally realized he had been all along.