Forever and Always ✔️

Chapter forty nine - Zack/Penelope.

Waking up next to her was what I had dreamed of for so long. I stroked her hair as she was buried in her pillow, fast asleep. I had been awake for about ten minutes just watching her breathe with the sheet wrapped around her small body.

She was the first person to ever put this much effort for me. She planned this whole night, the hotel, the money and the mind blowing sex. It was all planned and I couldn't have imagined it any better. My cell phone vibrated on the bedside table next to me, I rolled over and checked the message. It was from Flynn and I had forgiven him for sleeping with Penelope. They were both drunk, it didn't matter. "Yo, throwing a b-day bash for you tonight at my place! Be there."

I smiled at the thought but then I think of Penelope. I couldn't leave her to go to this party just after she put in so much effort in. Before I responded to Flynn, Penelope's eyes fluttered open. "What's up?" She asked in a groggy voice, rubbing her eyes to wake up.

"Oh, it's nothing." I put my phone away and snuggling into her.

"It's not nothing," she kissed my lips, "tell me."

I sighed, remembering the last time I went to a party. "Well, Flynn is throwing me a party tonight at his place but, I won't go."

She sat up straight with an annoyed look in her eyes. "You should go, Zack. It's your birthday weekend, you should be with your friends."

I sat up along side her, facing the blank TV that sat in front of us. "But I want to spend it with you."

She sighed and I could tell that she was contemplating. "Okay, what if I came along? I have learnt a lot from my last rehab clinic on ways to control myself and I'll have you to keep an eye on me."

As much as I wanted her to come, I couldn't do that. Not again. Not after everything she had worked for to get back on track. "No, I won't let you go. I don't want you ending up back in rehab again, I can't lose you; not again."

She sat in front of me, the sheet still around her and she sat crossed legged. She took my hand and looked into my eyes. "I can do this, Zack. I want to go and besides, water has become my best friend ever since that party. Trust me when I say that I don't want to puke ever again!"

I chuckled at her cute comment to convince me. "But what about your dad?"

She shrugged. "I'll take care of him."

I think about it for a good moment before nodding my head and allowing her to come. "Okay, only if you're sure about this."

She nodded. "I'm one hundred percent sure."

*

Penelope dropped me off at home and I was greeted by my mother who sat at the dining room table, reading some files. "Where's Matt?"

"At a friends house," she mumbled, "how was your night?"

"Perfect," I beamed, remembering every detail, "I'm also going to a party tonight that Flynn is throwing for me."

"Okay, well if Penelope wants to wait for you here then she is more than welcome." Mom looked up at me and smiled.

"She's actually coming with me." I said as Mom froze and looked up at me again with her concerned therapist look on her face.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Mom said while tapping her fingers on the table, "I mean, can she control herself this time?"

I nodded. "Yes, mom, she can because I'll be there."

"And what if you disappear with a group of friends? She'll be alone and craving a drink that everyone has but her." She reminded me.

"I trust her," I began, "she doesn't want to go back there."