The next morning, I hear a knock on my bedroom door.
Maggie
Penny, get out of bed.
I’m not exactly mad at her…
It’s not her fault I’m a complete screw-up.
But I can’t help but hold a little resentment toward her…
That milkshake dare is what got me into this mess in the first place.
Unfortunately, Maggie doesn’t stand-down that easily.
Maggie
Penny Parker, you get out of that bed right now!
I hear her sigh from the other side of the door.
Maggie
I didn’t want to have to do this…
Maggie
But I need to tell you your last dare.
I leap out of bed and head to my door, yanking it open.
Penny
You want to talk to me about dares right now?!
My voice is thick with hurt and anger, so I’m surprised when…
Her lips curve up into a smile.
Maggie
I dare you to look outside.
Not quite clear on where this is going.
She folds her arms across her chest.
Maggie
Rules! We’re not allowed to question dares. Ever.
Maggie
You just have to do it.
I sigh loudly, then after a few seconds…
Kicking random debris out of my path as I go.
I really do need to clean my room.
A little afraid, I push aside the curtain and peek outside.
My mouth immediately drops open.
Ethan is standing on my front lawn…
Smiling toward my window, two milkshakes in hand.
I jerk back from the window…
Penny
What is he doing here?
Penny
Is he here to yell at me some more?
Maggie comes up behind me…
And puts a hand on my shoulder.
Maggie
I don’t think so, Penny.
Maggie
And a little advice?
Maggie
Let him do the talking for once.
I should talk to Ethan after everything that happened.
I make my way to the bedroom door…
Trying to smooth down my hair as I go.
And it seems like it takes forever…
I’m standing in front of Ethan.
Nothing like the guy writhing on the floor the night before.
Waiting for him to speak.
His cheeks are pink again, and…
He looks incredibly nervous.
His hands are shaking a bit as he holds a milkshake out to me.
Slowly, I reach out and take it.
And runs his hands through his hair.
Ethan
Penny, when I said “you’re an idiot” last night…
Ethan
I was talking about myself.
My face scrunches with surprise.
Penny
Why? What did you do?
Ethan
I finally had you alone…
Ethan
And I still wasn’t able to say what I wanted to say.
Penny
Word vomit and all. And…
I gesture down toward his crotch.
He laughs, then shakes his head.
Ethan
Maybe a little, but I was also really nervous.
Ethan
If you haven’t noticed…I’m kind of shy.
Ethan
Especially around girls I like.
His words take a second to sink in.
At first, I feel elation…
But it’s quickly overrun by disbelief.
Ethan looks totally flushed now.
Ethan
I have for a while.
Ethan
But I didn’t have the nerve to tell you.
Ethan
And I’m pretty sure he and Maggie have been trying to set us up this whole time.
Shocked, I turn back to our house.
I catch a glimpse of Maggie spying on me and Ethan through my bedroom window–
She quickly ducks down, but I can see her grinning…
And, I can’t help but grin a little, too – that little matchmaking, meddling minx!
She and I are definitely going to have a talk later.
Penny
Why do you like me?
Dangerous! At least I am.
He lets out a soft laugh.
Ethan shoves his hands in his pockets.
Ethan
The first time I saw you…
Ethan
You were mooning the janitor.
I throw my head back and groan.
Ethan
No-no…it was funny!
Ethan
I thought you were brave…and hot.
Ethan
I mean, I could never do something like that.
As if it’s taking all his courage to say them.
The look on his face makes my heart beat faster than it already is.
Ethan
Yeah. So after that…I looked for you around campus.
Ethan
Whenever I saw you…
Ethan
You were bright and happy.
Ethan
Outgoing and lively.
Ethan
I don’t know…just everything I’m not.
His words are bringing me back to life.
I take a sip of the milkshake to hide my growing grin.
Ethan
And…after the milkshake thing…
Ethan
I kind of got the vibe that maybe…
He squeaks the question out.
Ugh he’s so freakin’ cute!
For the first time in a long time…
I take a deep breath and relax into myself.
Penny
I’ve had a crush on you forever!
Penny
And I finally get all these chances to spend time with you…
Penny
But I keep ruining them!
Ethan’s shoulders droop with relief.
Then he reaches out and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear.
Ethan
Well, maybe now our luck is changing.
We smile at each other, and a warm feeling settles in my chest.
Penny
Ethan Frost, I’d love to get to know you better.
Penny
But before all that, there’s something I need you to do.
I gesture to his milkshake.
Penny
I want you to dump that over my head.
Penny
I need to feel like we’re on equal footing.
Ethan looks scandalized at the suggestion.
Ethan
I’m not doing that.
Ethan
If that’s what you want.
Ready for the onslaught of cold, thick cream…
But instead, I hear him put the milkshake on the ground…
Then feel him take mine out of my hand.
And the next thing I know…
His arms are wrapping around me.
Then his lips are on mine.
And he tastes like milkshake and everything else I imagined he would.
Reveling in one of my biggest dreams coming true.
I don’t know how long we kiss for…
But we’re eventually interrupted by the sound of clapping.
We break apart and look toward the front porch.
Steve and Maggie are standing there…
I stare at them in disbelief.
Then down at the milkshakes.
Penny
You thinking what I’m thinking?
His sparkling blue eyes alight with mischief.
Without breaking his stare…
Penny
I bet you it takes an hour to get all this milkshake out of your hair.
Ethan and I bend down, grab the milkshakes…
And go running for the porch.
