Chapter Twelve ★ Ditch

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

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I pushed myself away from the wall and ran to get in front of her with my hands spread out to the side then said, “Hold up. We’re still going.”

She scrunched her nose and leaned forward, “No, dork. We’re not. The gig is up.”

“I’m not going to miss out on my one chance.” I pointed back at her. “Jacob and I will go and you can stay here if you’re that much of a chicken.”

Penny reached out to grab me but I ducked and moved out of the way. She stumbled and fell to the ground. I turned to Jacob, “Come on Jake. Let’s go. We can handle the get away from here on out.”

He signed, “No, we’ll get caught.”

I huffed and crossed my arms then titled my head, “Seriously? You think we’ll get caught?”

Jacob pointed down at Penny then signed, “She knows when and where the teachers are because she’s a hall monitor. Without her we’ll be caught for sure.”

Penny watched his hands run through the signs in a rapid motion. She glanced my way to get a reading on the situation. I didn’t want her to know what we were saying so I replied back in sign language, “She won’t do it. She’s done.”

“Yes, she will.” He huffed and reached down with his hand to help her up.

“Come on Jacob. Just leave her.” I pleaded in sign language. He replied back, “She’ll go with us… just hang on a second.”

Penny looked confused and finally asked, “What the heck are you both signing about? I can’t understand what you’re saying.”

Jacob nodded his head at me. I sighed and said, “Jacob won’t go unless you do. We need you Penny. We’ll get caught if you don’t help us.”

She flipped her hair behind her back and rested her other hand on her hip. The final bell had rung for class ten minutes ago. Classes were already in session now. Penny let out a small laugh and said, “Fine. I’ll help you geeks out. But you’ll owe me big.”

“Augh,” I threw my arms in the air and replied, “I thought you going with us was the favor?”

Penny wagged her finger in front and said, “Tsk. Tsk. I’m taking on a bigger risk with Mrs. Gloria being suspicious of me. You’ll owe me another favor after this is done.”

“Fine.” I grumbled and crossed my arms. Jacob smiled as I frowned in return. 

Penny hitched both of our arms to hers and said, “Well boys. Let’s not hang out here waiting to be caught. We got a park to visit.”

She half dragged and led us to a hidden dirt pathway. The tree branches hung low as the surrounding overgrown bushes hid the passage way. We stopped just before it as Penny looked around before she said, “In ya go!”

With a shove Jacob and I crashed through the branches gaining a few nicks and scratches along the way. We landed face first in the dirt as Penny carefully navigated the reaching branches of the bushes and trees and came out on our side unscathed.

Jacob sat up rubbing his head and threw Penny a dirty look. I did the same but said, “You could have warned us.”

She held a finger on her bottom lip and said, “I thought I did?”

“Bull.” I spat. “You did that on purpose. You’re just like your brother.”

Her hands tightened into fists and she growled, “Don’t say that… I’m nothing like my brother.”

Oops. The tension in the air was getting tight as she got closer so I held up my hands and apologized, “Sorry.” 

Penny stopped and released her fists. She stared down at us then replied, “I’m nothing like Aaron. He’s a jerk. I just wish people would stop lumping us together. Even though we’re twins…”

She squeezed her eyes shut and a lone tear trickled down her cheek when she said, “I’m different.”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙