“the most impressive? penny… don’t you know. that can’t be described with words… has to be viewed with the eyes. the senses…” he held his hands out, painting a picture for her, laughing at the load of utter crap he was spilling. she knew it, too. “f i n e. i haven’t been anywhere cool in a while, i’m stuck in this place.” but as he looked at who he was stuck with, maybe it wasn’t so bad to be stuck. maybe not stuck at all. “never admitting i’m cheesy. not going to spread a lie like that! let it get around, people might start to believe it.” he leaned in, “only you can think so. it’s our secret.” he couldn’t let people know he was soft, weak! cheesy, even! and he would stand on that hill. at the offer to come to her parents house, he smiled, eyes looking off. he’d heard about her family before, and an offer like that seemed casual, but he knew to her, it was important, because her family was important to her. “anytime,” he said, focusing his gaze back to her. “i’ll be there. need to meet this grandma of yours i’ve heard so much about. she sounds like the person i’d get along with the most.”
he couldn’t help but laugh slightly at her jumpy reaction, leaning closer to her out of instinct, watching as the city seemed to light up like daylight for a few seconds. it was beautiful, but it was not what had his full attention, his gaze not staying there for very long, finding her much more interesting. unlike the christmas party a few weeks back, which now seemed like a lifetime ago, nick was ready this time. he’d been thinking about it all night, and lucky for him she had wanted to ring in the new year with him, too. nick had been thinking about this particular tradition, the kiss at midnight, for quite a while. he knew if he got another chance, he’d take it. he met her lips eagerly, trying to pour everything he felt and couldn’t say out loud into the kiss, hand cupping her face, happy for the chance to prove himself. it wasn’t shy like the first one they had shared, which could’ve had a little to do with the alcohol, but mostly came from a place of wanting to redeem himself. show her. he leaned in closer when he felt her hand fist his shirt, kissing her deeper, his hand that wasn’t on her face sitting at her hip, holding her like she was going to somehow disappear, or he was going to wake up. but it felt too good to be a dream.
HIS REPLY MIGHT have been a bit dramatic, but it actually made sense -- true impressive things were hard to put into words. especially views, and especially if they induced a certain feeling... just like, sometimes, when penny looked out of her window at dawn and the sky had a certain shade of pink indicating that a beautiful day was coming to an end, the girl couldn’t help but feel a bit... nostalgic ? she wasn’t sure why, nor could she explain the feeling... but it were certain sights that left an impression. so she understood -- even if he wasn’t being entirely serious. “ good thing there are still many, many years to go wherever you heart desires. “, the girl reminded him, offering him a genuine and hopeful smile. they were young, they both still had their lives in front of them. when he leaned in, saying it was their secret that he was a bit cheesy deep down, penny laughed and nodded slowly. “ fine -- my lips are sealed. it’s our secret. “, she reassured him, her eyes finding his as she smiled. resting back against his shoulder, penny looked out over the view only to giggle as nick brought up her grandmother. “ you want to meet my suga mama ? oh, you will love her. and she will eat you up. “, penny agreed, nodding fiercely as she laughed. it would be nice to have nick over... and she was convinced her family would love him. “ they all will, i’m sure. “, she added, sincerely, smiling up at him.
midnight had come very quickly -- especially since she had found nick, time had started to go by so fast. but then again, it usually did whenever the guy was around. and that was a good thing -- she didn’t stop to think about time, not a second to spare for trivial things or worries. and now that she was sitting with nick on the rooftop, looking at the fireworks, penny realised there wasn’t anyone else she wanted to be there with... it wasn’t the first time she had kissed him -- though during the christmas party ( only a couple weeks ago, but it felt like months ) it had been an innocent peck. now, it was different. it was real. as his hand came up to cup her cheek, she leaned into his touch a little, enjoying the softness of his lips against hers... no urgency behind them. it was reassuring and sweet -- and she wasn’t sure how long they had been kissing when she pulled back the smallest bit, her nose still touching his as she caught her breath. “ i think... that might’ve been the best new year’s kiss i’ve ever had. “, penny whispered against his lips, a soft smile on her features as her hand moved up to push his locks behind his ear, only to have her eyes find his.