Chapter Text
She was walking down the aisle of her house when her heart broke for the very first time.
Penelope had just come back from high school with Eloise, chatting about nothing in particular, as they always did. After saying goodbye to her best friend, who lived just across the street, Penelope reluctantly headed toward her own home. She always dragged her feet when it came to going back. Her house, and more specifically, her family, never felt like a place she wanted to hurry back to.
She couldn’t help but envy Eloise. The Bridgertons were so warm and loving. Sure, her siblings squabbled sometimes, but it was never anything serious. They cared about each other so deeply it could make your heart ache. Penelope, on the other hand, didn’t share that kind of bond with her own family.
Her sisters were older, and they couldn’t have been more different. They’d spent years teasing her for always having her nose buried in a book or for not fitting their mold. Penelope often felt like an outsider in her own home.
The Bridgertons felt like the family she wished she had. Eloise, of course, was her best friend, but the entire family had a special place in her heart. And then there was Colin, perhaps the most special of all.
Colin was two years older than her. She’d gotten to know him after becoming friends with Eloise. Back then, she’d had a small, innocent crush on him, the classic “falling for your best friend’s brother” situation. And now, standing in front of the gate to her house, face to face with them, it hit her like a ton of bricks: that little crush hadn’t completely gone away.
And yet, here they were. Colin was kissing her cousin, Marina. Marina, who had just arrived at her house for a few weeks to visit her sisters. Marina, who Penelope didn’t even know had met Colin. It was literally Marina’s first day, and somehow, she was already kissing him.
Penelope felt her heart shatter into pieces. For a moment, it was as if her body forgot how to function. Her heartbeat seemed to vanish. The world around her blurred and faded away, leaving only them, Colin and Marina, sharply in focus through her tear-filled eyes. Her breath hitched painfully in her throat, and for a fleeting second, she felt like her entire world was collapsing.
She had to be brave; she just had to be. Penelope shook her head, trying to erase the image of them from her mind. As she walked past them, she kept her eyes nearly closed, desperate to avoid seeing them up close. But even with her eyes wide open, she was notoriously clumsy, so navigating with her vision half-obscured? Disaster was inevitable.
Sure enough, she tripped over a flowerpot, sending it crashing to the ground in a dramatic clatter as she landed flat on her face. The noise echoed like a cannon shot, and Penelope wanted nothing more than for the earth to swallow her whole. She debated whether it would be better to disappear entirely or just drop dead on the spot. Maybe, they’d be too preoccupied with their tongues practically down each other’s throats to notice her humiliating fall.
But no. The universe wasn’t about to grant her that mercy.
Still sprawled on the ground, face pressed to the floor in mortification, she heard someone burst into laughter. Then she felt strong hands lifting her to her feet.
Marina had tears streaming down her face because she was laughing so hard.
“Hey, Pen, are you okay?” Colin asked, his voice laced with genuine concern. “Does it hurt?” His thumb gently stroked her forehead, and she winced as he touched a particularly tender spot.
The commotion had drawn her mother outside. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Penelope! When will you learn to stand on your own two feet?” Portia’s exasperation was palpable. Her gaze shifted, finally noticing Colin’s presence. “You always have to embarrass us in front of the Bridgertons, don’t you, you silly girl?” she hissed, her sharp words meant only for Penelope but spoken loud enough to sting.
Shame burned through Penelope as she scrambled to her feet and rushed into the house, her mother trailing behind, leaving a bewildered Colin standing alone.
Marina’s laughter, still echoing, broke the tension. She wiped tears from her eyes, utterly unbothered by the scene. Colin turned to her, his expression hardening.
“What?” Marina asked, smirking. “Don’t tell me you didn’t find that hilarious. Poor silly thing.”
Colin took a deep breath, visibly working to keep his composure. Without a word, he began walking toward his own home.
Marina darted forward, grabbing his arm. “Where are you going?”
“Home,” he said flatly, pulling his arm free.
“You’re seriously leaving me here because of her?” she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.
“She’s my friend,” he said firmly, not breaking stride as he walked away.
That evening, Penelope cried herself to exhaustion, her heart aching from the humiliation and unspoken longing. Of course, Colin, being the kind and attentive friend he was, checked on her later to make sure she was okay.
But Penelope didn’t know it yet, these next few weeks would only test her heart even more.
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She must have been a terrible person in a past life; it was the only explanation for why she was enduring this. Hell would have been kinder.
They were everywhere. No matter where she went, they seemed to materialize. In the middle of the room, tucked into a corner, behind a wall, always there. Kissing, clinging to each other, breathing each other in. It was nauseating. She found herself seriously considering gouging her eyes out just to escape the endless torment.
It felt deliberate, like the universe was mocking her. Anytime she tried to spend time with Colin, Marina would appear, effortlessly stealing his attention. If Penelope and Colin were having lunch, Marina would plop down beside him, running her fingers through his hair as she locked eyes with Penelope and smirked whenever he forgot what he was saying. If they were studying in the library, Marina would saunter in, get bored, and start stroking his hands until he was too distracted to focus. If Penelope sat next to him, Marina would claim his lap. It was relentless.
She debated avoiding them entirely, for her mental well-being and the sake of her stomach, which seemed perpetually ready to revolt. But avoiding Colin Bridgerton wasn’t so simple. He had a way of seeking her out, always finding his way back to her. He craved her attention, her opinion, her company. He made her laugh, shared secrets and gossip, and those moments, when it was just them, just Colin, were her favorite.
On Marina’s last weekend at the Featherington house, the three of them were walking home together. Penelope and Colin were deep in conversation, animatedly discussing their latest “Polin’s Review,” as they affectionately called their brainstorming sessions. Marina, trailing behind, grew increasingly irritated as Colin’s attention remained firmly fixed on the little redhead at his side. It was like she didn’t even exist.
Marina had had enough. This was their final evening together, and she wasn’t going to spend it watching her boyfriend fawn over her silly cousin. She came to an abrupt stop, yanking Colin by the arm. He turned to her, startled, and before he could react, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him down into a kiss, right there on the street, in front of the house, and worst of all, in front of Penelope.
Penelope’s heart shattered anew. Without a word, she bolted into the house and up to her room, desperate to escape the scene unfolding before her.
When Colin finally pulled away and came to his senses, he looked around, confused. “Where’s Pen? I didn’t get to say goodbye.”
Marina tugged him closer, trying to reclaim his attention. “Don’t talk about her when I have my tongue in your mouth, please.”
He stepped back, his expression distant. “I’ll pick you up at eight,” he said curtly before turning away.
Marina sighed, watching him head into the house. She was done pretending to be nice to Penelope just to keep up appearances. That girl was becoming a thorn in her side.
Penelope didn’t cry this time. She fled to her room, repeating to herself that this was the last time she’d have to endure this. Marina was leaving tomorrow, and her torment would finally end. To avoid witnessing Colin pick up and drop off Marina for their romantic getaway, she planned to spend the night at Eloise’s.
She was about to head downstairs to make her way to the Bridgerton house when she overheard Marina speaking to someone in her room. Her voice carried through the corridor, and Penelope couldn’t help but pause.
“Yeah, I know; I miss you too,” Marina’s voice rang out. Penelope knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, it was private, but curiosity rooted her in place.
“I really can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” Marina continued. Penelope assumed she was talking to her mother or another relative. That assumption shattered with the next words.
“If you knew all the things I want to do to you… To kiss and touch every part of your hot body. I crave your cock to fill me, baby.”
Penelope’s gasp came louder than she intended as she reached out to steady a wobbling vase.
The room fell silent. Marina’s door opened abruptly, and her eyes locked on Penelope, standing frozen in the hallway.
“I’ll call you back,” Marina said, her gaze never leaving Penelope’s. “I have to go.”
She stepped into the corridor. “Penelope,” she began with a forced calmness. “What exactly did you hear?”
“N-nothing,” Penelope stammered.
“Penelope,” Marina pressed, stepping closer, her tone darkening.
“Why?” Penelope whispered, more to herself than to Marina. “Why would you do this to Colin?”
Marina let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes. “Look, I had to kill time,” she said flatly, as if her betrayal was a minor inconvenience.
“He likes you,” Penelope said, her voice barely audible. “Colin likes you. So why…?”
“He was a good distraction, a hot one, if I may say so,” Marina said with a smirk.
“It’s not fair,” Penelope managed, her voice trembling. “To him or to you—”
“Oh, and what are you going to do about it?” Marina interrupted with a sharp laugh.
“He’s kind,” Penelope said, her voice gaining strength. “The kindest, sweetest, most loyal, and funniest person I know. You don’t deserve him.” She finally met Marina’s eyes, her own blazing with determination.
Marina’s expression shifted. Then, as if struck by an idea, her face lit up with a wicked grin. “Oh, wait. I see it now,” she said, her tone dripping with mockery. “You love him.”
“What?!” Penelope’s eyes widened, panic flashing across her face.
“Yes, that’s it!” Marina declared with a triumphant laugh. “You’re in love with Colin. It makes so much sense now, the way you follow him around like a lost puppy, always vying for his attention.”
Penelope’s cheeks burned crimson. “No, I’m not,” she said, her voice small.
“Poor little Penelope,” Marina cooed with feigned sympathy. “Dreaming of her handsome neighbor, her best friend’s brother, no less.” Her laughter grew louder.
Marina took another step closer, her tone turning cutting. “What did you think, Penelope? That someone like him would ever choose you? Did you look at yourself? Did you look at me? Did you really believe he’d pick you over me?” Her words sliced through Penelope like knives.
“You’re small and big at the same time, awkward, childish, always with your nose in a book. Grow up, Penelope. Open your eyes. He’ll never love you.”
Tears welled up in Penelope’s eyes, threatening to fall.
“Pen? Marina?” Colin’s voice suddenly cut through the air as he ascended the stairs toward them.
Marina smirked. “Speak of the devil,” she said under her breath.
Penelope grabbed her bag and rushed past Colin without sparing him a glance. She needed to escape, to get away from the humiliation clawing at her.
“Pen?” Colin called after her, confused and concerned. Turning to Marina, he asked, “What happened?”
“Just a child opening her eyes to the real world,” Marina replied, her smirk still firmly in place.
Colin’s brow furrowed as he stared at her. “What did you say to her?”
“Don’t give me that look,” Marina snapped, crossing her arms.
“You know exactly what I mean, Marina,” Colin said, his voice hardening. “You’ve been awful to her.”
“Usually, you like it when I’m naughty,” Marina retorted, running her fingers down his chest.
Colin stepped back, glaring at her. “What the hell, Marina?”
“If you’d stop worrying about her, we could focus on more interesting things,” she said, her tone venomous.
“How dare you?” Colin said, his voice ice-cold. “She’s my friend.”
“Oh, sure,” Marina sneered. “Friends. Maybe you should look up the word, Colin. And while you’re at it, try treating your girlfriend better than your ‘friend.’”
Colin didn’t reply. He turned and walked down the stairs, almost running.
“Where are you going?” Marina called after him.
“To my house,” he said, not looking back. “With my friend. And we’re done, Marina.”
When Colin got home, he headed straight to the living room, where he could hear the low hum of the TV. It was their usual sleepover routine, Penelope and Eloise would spend the evening watching romantic movies and indulging in popcorn. Peeking around the doorframe, Colin saw Penelope sitting there alone. Eloise was probably in the kitchen preparing snacks.
Penelope’s eyes were red and slightly puffy, a clear sign she had been crying. The sight pierced his heart. Marina’s words had clearly hurt her, and the thought of anyone making her feel that way filled him with anger. As he stepped into the room, she looked up at him. The sadness in her gaze was almost too much to bear. He made a silent vow to himself: he’d never let anyone make her feel like that again.
“What happened to your romantic getaway?” she asked, her voice steady, though he could hear the faint cracks beneath her playful tone.
“Cancelled,” he replied with a shrug, a grin forming on his lips. “I figured you’d rather spend the evening with your favorite person.” He shot her a wink.
“I didn’t know Michael B. Jordan was joining us tonight,” she teased, glancing around the room with a wide smile.
“How dare you, Penelope Featherington?” he said, feigning offense. “Am I to understand that I, your best friend in the entire world, am not your favorite person?”
Before she could respond, he lunged at her, tickling her sides. Her laughter rang out, filling the room with warmth. Colin’s heart swelled with pride; there was nothing more precious than being the one who could make her laugh like that. His own grin stretched so wide it made his cheeks ache.
“Colin! Can you stop annoying Pen and come help me?” Eloise’s voice called from the kitchen.
“I’m coming!” he yelled back, standing up reluctantly. Turning to Penelope, he promised, “Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back.”
In the kitchen, he helped Eloise pour popcorn into a large bowl. Once the task was done, he returned to the living room. Eloise had reclaimed her spot beside Penelope, chatting animatedly.
Colin, however, had other plans. Without hesitation, he wedged himself between the two of them on the couch, earning a dramatic groan from his sister.
“Really, Colin?” Eloise protested.
“Yes, really,” he replied smugly, wrapping an arm around Penelope as he settled in.
Penelope’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she smiled faintly, trying to focus on the movie.
For Colin, there was no other place he’d rather be.
Penelope glanced up at him, her heart skipping a beat when she found him already looking at her. The intensity of his gaze made her stomach flutter, and she quickly turned back to the screen, willing herself to breathe evenly.
Her heart may have been cracked earlier, but sitting here, wrapped in the warmth of Colin’s friendship, she realized something important. As long as he was in her life, those broken pieces would always find a way to mend.