Chapter 17 — Movies

Macy/Alexis's POV:

I have no words for myself. Today, I felt like I was stealing someone else's man. Today, it seemed reality hit me.

He isn't yours anymore.

I know, brain! Stop reminding me.

"Ugh.." I say to myself with a sigh and run my hands through my hair.

I walk to my couch and collapse on the sofa cushion.

I should stay away.

But you've said this more than a thousa—

I paused when a loud bang came from the other side of my front door.

"Who is it!?" I scream as I walk towards the door.

"It's me, Macy. Open up!" Another voice scream as I opened the door and found Penelope standing outside with a smile.

"Where were you? I've been knocking on the door for almost six minutes!" She complained.

"I'm sorry, I was preoccupied."

"It's okay. You don't have to apologize," she said as she invited herself in. "I just came to check up on you. I'm sorry I couldn't come with you last night. I was a little out of it."

"A little?" I teased with a snort.

"Shut up!" She laughed.

"Anyways, now that you're here, how about we talk about your wedding dress?" I said, changing the subject, and her smile faded a bit.

"Oh...the dress."

"Are you okay, Penny?"

"Yeah! The dress is the most important thing for a bride."

"Great!"

"Greater!"

I got my laptop from my room and set it up on the coffee table while Penny and I sat on the couch.

I brought out a few designs from famous designers from around the world, I did feel bad that I was helping her pick a dress to walk down the aisle with Kyle, but I needed to focus exactly on that,

She's the one that is marrying him.

After showing her all my designs, she didn't like anyone, none at all. She just had a strange smile plastered on her face.

"You don't like any?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"No, they all seem plain. I want something exciting."

"But those dresses aren't plain."

"Shut up Macy, I know what I want, and this isn't it!"

"Geez...sorry, I'll look for more."

"No, I'm sorry." She sighed. "I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the wedding planning." She confessed.

This is normal.

"It's okay for you to feel overwhelmed. It's not easy," I said, trying to comfort her.

"It's fine! But I suggest.."

"Suggest what?"

"First," she paused and closed the laptop. "Let's just chill and watch a movie. Have you got wine?"

"No." I shook my head, and she sighed.

"Food?"

I shook my head again.

"Snacks?"

She must think I don't like cooking.

"I do have cereal, though," I answered in a bid to make me feel better, but she just narrowed her eyes at me.

She took out her phone and did something on it for a while before smiling and keeping it down.

After a few minutes of talking about our interests, the doorbell rang, and Penny hurried to answer it.

She came inside with a big white bag that contained many movies, a lot of snacks, and a big bowl of ice cream.

"Keep this in the fridge first," Penelope ordered, and I kept it.

"You didn't need to—"

"I needed to. We're friends, aren't we?"

Friends.

I've been scared of that word since Jasmin. I never gave anyone that title.

"Yes, we are." I forced a smile.

"So I will put this in while you go get the takeout from my secretary outside," Penny instructed.

"Okay, ma'am," I say jokingly, and she let out a scoff.

Penelope happens to be one of the nicest people I've ever met.

I got the food, locked the door, and noticed she had changed the view of my living room. It was now dark, and only the television was a source of light.

"Come and sit. It's starting." Penelope called, and my face broke into a smile. A real smile.

I haven't done movie night with any other person that is not my sister in forever.

We watched three different movies, ate Chinese food, and many snacks coupled with the large bowl, which we almost finished.

We migrated from the living room to my bedroom, where we talked about our families and got to know each other a little bit more.

Penelope is such a sweetheart.

"Alexis?! Alexis!?" I heard someone call from downstairs.

I give a nervous smile to Penelope and head downstairs. Upon reaching downstairs, I see an excited Sophie.

She pulled me a hug and squealed like a little girl that just had her first kiss. It made me happy to see her like that and joined in the happiness.

"Alexis, big news!" She exclaimed with a big smile plastered on her face.

"Tell me!" I shot back, and she held both my hands.

"He proposed!" She screamed, and I screamed and laughed.

"Congratulations," I replied with a huge smile on my face.

"Alexi—" she paused mid-sentence as her eyes focused on something.

I followed her eyes and saw Penelope standing and watching us from the staircase.

"Oh... I didn't know someone was with you." She says in a mellow tone.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you two. I just wanted to let her know that I was leaving." Penelope apologized with a shaky voice.

"No, it's fine. Alexis, I'll go to my room, spend some time with your friend." Sophie smiled and left.

"Congratulations," Penny told Sophie as she passed her on the step.

"Alexis, huh?" Penelope said, giving me a weird look.

Fuck. What do I say?!

"Um... Alexis is my middle name, no one except my sister calls me that." I answered, and she smiled.

"Oh."

She seems satisfied with my answer.

"You should go to your sister. I'll go home now," she continued.

"Text me when you get home." I smile.

"Bye!"

"Bye!"

After closing the door, I took a deep breath and shook my head.

That was a close call.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you had someone over. What if that was Kyle?" Sophie asked, and I just couldn't imagine it.

"Oh, sister, I have so much to tell you about the past few days." I sigh and grab her hand.