Forever and Always ✔️

Chapter one - Penelope.

A Year Before.    

Feeling the breeze against my skin was a way to forget life just for a little while. But, only for a little while. I didn't have a purpose in life, or at least I didn't think I did. But out here, while I was looking down at the water just feeling the cool air against my skin, I soon realised that maybe my purpose in life was yet to come.

The cool air brushed my brunette hair away from my face, making it easier for me to see the clear blue sky and the bright golden sun. I leaned against the pier that set the ocean and I apart. I didn't swim, a matter of fact, I hated swimming. Only because it was cold, I preferred to watched the waves slowly come up to shore.

Both of my arms were sitting on the wood part of the pier with my small beach bag sitting next to them. I slowly closed my eyes for a split second and only for a second when my bag decided to jump into the freezing water. Well, my arms moved and knocked it over the pier. I tried to grab it but I was too late.

It's too cold, I thought. And I didn't swim. It splashed into the water as I sighed heavily. "My whole life is in that bag." I whispered to myself for the first time that day, looking down to see it sinking into the ocean.

I didn't swim. Well, I hated swimming but the truth was, I didn't like the water. I looked over to see someone staring at me with a smirk on his face. He ran his hands through his thick, black and messy hair and took his shirt off. He had a nice looking six pack but that was not what I was concentrating on. He climbed onto the pier and dived into the water. Now, I didn't know if he jumped in the water because I lost my bag or because he felt like a swim to rub it in my face.

Because life decided to hate me today.

I thought I better go and find out if this guy went to get my bag from the freezing cold water. My feet began to move towards the end of the pier and out onto the sand where the water was. I stood by the water, but not letting it touch my feet. I folded my arms and smiled when the mysterious guy pulled his head up from the water with my pink and purple small beach bag in his hand.

He swam up to the shore as fast as he could, still holding my bag above his head. He soon ran out to meet me, still holding my bag. His smile made the sun shine brighter and his eyes made the sky turn bluer. He came closer, making me squint as the sun shone brighter in my face.

Or was that just his smile?

He didn't say anything at first, he just handed me my bag. "Thought you might need this."

I faintly smiled, taking my bag. "Thank you."

"You are welcome." He smiled at me again, looking me up and down.

"I'm Zack, by the way. In case you wanted to know that." He scratched the back of his neck.

He extended his hand for me to shake, which I happily took. "I'm, uh, Penelope. Thank you for saving my bag." I shook his firm hand, making him smile even more.

"That is a beautiful name, Penelope. Just like you." He smiled as our hands departed from each others. Was he trying to flirt with me? With that body, he could get any girl he wanted. Why me?

I fixed my fringe as the wind blew it apart. "Are you trying to flirt with me?"

I think he was taken back by my comment as he looked down and smirked. "You aren't afraid to say what you think, huh? I like that."

I still held my soaking wet bag in one hand, but my mind wasn't concentrated on that right now. But Zack noticed it. "Looks like you need a new bag," he looked up at me, "why don't we go into town and get you one?"