Page 116 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
I laughed. It sounded strange in my throat. "You know what I mean. I won't be a teenager anymore. I'm an old lady."
Tyler laughed. "Coming from a 21 year old, 20 isn't so bad. And you aren't an old lady. You only have a few wrinkles."
"What?"
"I'm just kidding," Tyler laughed. "You don't have any wrinkles. You're perfect."
Perfect.I looked down at my half eaten pancakes. He still liked me.How could he still like me?I had an affair with our professor. I had lied to him. I was far from perfect. His compliment was off-putting and I could feel my face flush.
"Do you have any plans for tomorrow night?" he asked.
"Just hanging out with Melissa."
"Then we'll celebrate Friday I guess." Tyler pulled his cell phone out of his jeans and looked at the screen. "I have to get to my next class because I have a test." He put a twenty dollar bill on the table.
"I can pay this time," I said. I opened up my backpack to grab some money.
"Happy early birthday, Penny. I'll see you on Friday." He gave me one last smile and walked away.
Addiction - Chapter 2
Thursday
I had never understood what Professor Hunter saw in me. Had he fallen for me because I was so bold? If that was it, no wonder he was ignoring me now. I felt like a small fragment of the person that I was just a few weeks ago. I had to shake this feeling. My birthday was flying by in a blur. Tons of people had wished me a happy birthday, but none of them had been Professor Hunter. I needed to accept the fact that we were done. It was a tryst. It was only for a month. I had taken everything too seriously. He was my professor. He was older than me. He was married for Christ's sake. It wasn't going anywhere.
I opened up my text that I had gotten from Tyler that morning: "Penny, I hope you have a fantastic birthday. I can't wait to see you tomorrow and celebrate. Even though you're old now, to me you'll always be perfect. Wrinkles and all."
I smiled as I looked down at the words. Tyler was the sweetest guy I had ever known. But I didn't think I could date him. I couldn't take being hurt anymore. Being an old cat lady was sounding better and better every day.
Melissa came in to the room with a package in her hands. "Penny!"
"Hey," I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. I eyed the package in her hands. She had already given me a birthday gift. It was a dress that was far too short and cupcakes that I had already eaten way too many of. At least I had gotten my appetite back for birthday cupcakes.
She walked over to my bed and placed the box down on my bed. "This is for you."
"But you already got me enough."
"It's not from me."
"Who is it from?"
Melissa sat down on my bed. "It doesn't say. It's just addressed to you. Open it, Penny!"
For a moment I let myself believe it was from Professor Hunter. My heart rate accelerated.He actually remembered.I grabbed scissors off my desk, cut through the tape, and ripped open the box. I opened the card and looked down at the familiar handwriting. My mom's writing.
Enjoy your day, sweetie. I can't believe our little Penny is 20! Call us when you get a chance. We love you!
-Mom & Dad
My heart fell.What is wrong with me?"It's from my parents."
"Oh." Melissa had been hoping for the same thing as me.
I looked through the package. It was all my favorite snack foods. Cheez-Its, white cheddar popcorn, gummy bears, Starbursts, Pringles, and a bunch of other delicious cheesy or sweet treats. And there was a check with a note saying I had to spend it on myself. I had a habit of always putting any money I got in the bank. But if they specifically said I needed to spend it, it was usually enough of a guilt trip to make me. I smiled up at Melissa.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"I don't know how to accept that it's over." I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. I didn't want to think about this on my birthday.
