Chapter Text
“What the hell did you do?!” Eloise stormed into the dining room.
The whole Bridgerton family looked up from their breakfast. She was directing the question at Colin.
“What’s your problem?” He asked, swallowing a bite of eggs annoyed. How could his sister already be accusing him of something when it was only 10am?
“My Problem?! My PROBLEM is that YOU did something to my best friend and now she’s GONE. That's my problem!”
“Penelope?“ asked Benedict.
“What do you mean GONE?” Colin’s annoyance quickly changed to concern. Eloise was known to get upset easily but she fiercely protected her best friend. Hearing Pen’s name now had his full attention dropping his fork.
“No. Not until THIS ONE owns up to what happened. I know she went to find you before leaving the party Friday. She ignored me all day yesterday. Then I woke up to-” Eloise paused realizing she was about to fill them in before she got to the root of the issue. “-you did something. I asked her and she said you could fill me in. Care to?”
“El, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I didn’t do anything! I’d never hurt Pen. You know that. She got into some fight with her mom. I helped. We danced. That was it. I didn’t see her after that. I was supposed to take her home but she had left before I could. She ignored my messages yesterday too. I was just about to grab a coffee and go to her house.”
Eloise crossed her arms unconvinced. “Think harder Colin. She wouldn’t say that for no reason. You must have seen her before she left. She went to find you before heading home.”
“I’m telling you she didn’t! I was outside with the guys the rest of the night.”
Benedict then looked as if something dawned on him. His confusion was replaced with a worried look. “Colin, weren’t you and your friends…” He closed his mouth and looked around sheepishly at his family, all looking at him now. He widened his eyes at Colin as if to communicate his thoughts telepathically. Colin furrowed his brow trying to understand.
“Oh for god’s sake Ben, you know only you and I can read each other's looks like that. Colin isn’t going to get it. Speak up!” snapped Eloise.
Benedict sighed in defeat. His family is not going to like this. “Weren’t you guys… rating… the girls at the party?” He winced.
“What?!” Eloise shouted.
“Are you kidding me??” Anthony pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Oh Colin.” said a disappointed Violet.
“Seriously?” asked Gregory.
“Brother!” exclaimed Hyacinth.
The voices around the table had all reacted at once. Unfortunately Daphne and Francesca were not there to join in the chorus.
Colin shrank a little but still didn’t fully understand what it had to do with anything. It was just guy talk. “I wasn’t really an active participant. I was just there.”
“Until Penelope came up.” Benedict said softly, hoping only Colin would hear.
Eloise growled. “Colin, did you rate Penelope??”
***
He thought back to that Friday night. While he wasn’t drunk he was certainly buzzed by the time he joined his friends. In truth he was just looking for some air so he could start sobering up to drive home later. He promised Pen he’d give her a lift.
They however were just getting started. The drinks flowed and their typical immature conversation had become more obnoxious with every pour. Colin drank his water while shaking his head, laughing as the absurdity progressed into them all sharing their opinions on the women at the party. Then his entire body tensed as they discussed the next girl.
“What about Penelope Featherington?” asked Fife.
“Ohhh.” They all responded as they thought of their answers.
“I give her a 5. Only for personality.” The guys chuckled at Cho’s low rate. And Colin could feel his jaw clench.
“I don’t know, I think she deserves an 8. I don’t even know her but those curves fit an 8 I reckon.” Morrison outlined an hourglass shape in the air as the others laughed and hooted.
Colin narrowed his eyes wondering where in this garden would be best to bury a body.
“Yeah she’s got a little something. A solid 7 I’d say.” added Dorset.
“I’d give her something solid.” quipped Lumley as he waggled his eyebrows causing them all to howl.
“What do you think Col? You know her best. You’ve certainly seen more of her.” smirked Fife, directing everyone’s attention to him.
What was he insinuating? He wanted to smack that smirk off Fife’s stupid face. This entire conversation sobered him up more than the water ever could. His blood was boiling hearing all their comments about Pen. He needs to take control of this.
“Penelope Featherington? Are you insane? I would never date Penelope. Not in your wildest dreams Fife. I couldn’t rate her. Next!” He joined in everyone’s laughter.
“What about Cressida?”
***
“No. I- I didn’t rate her.” Colin finally answered, turning pale. Ben just looked at him frowning. It was the truth, but he definitely omitted the important details. Ben was a short distance away smoking at the time and had heard everything.
“Well whatever you did or didn't do I hope you’re happy. I have to find a new roommate now.” Eloise huffed as she pulled out her dining chair and sank into it.
“What are you saying dearest?” asked Violet.
“I’m saying Penelope abandoned me this summer AND fall semester.”
“Eloise, stop talking in parts and just tell us what’s happening.” insisted Anthony.
“What’s happening is Penelope is currently 35,000 ft in the air off to god knows where!”
“What?!” shouted Hyacinth.
“Where?” asked Gregory.
“Pen hates flying.” Colin softly stated.
“What about her classes?” Violet.
Eloise sighed defeated. “I don’t know where. I saw her Instagram story of a plane window and called her. She declined it, saying she’s about to take off. She’ll be traveling for a long time and all her fall classes can be done online.”
“I reminded her that she hates flying and this was absolutely mental. When I asked her what happened and she said ‘Colin can fill you in’.” She glared at him, seething.
“So how long is she gone for?” asked Benedict.
“I don’t know. I’ll know more when she arrives.. wherever the hell it is she’s going.. and finally calls me.” Eloise sat back and rubbed her forehead. “Presumably until the end of the year if she felt the need to point out all her classes are remote.”
“That’s what, 6 months?” asked Hyacinth.
They continued talking but Colin couldn’t hear anything except the ringing in his head. He was on his phone silently panicking. She must have heard him. Why else would she run away? He can’t handle 6 months without her. Hell he could barely manage a few weeks when he went to visit Francesca in Scotland last year.
He opened the message thread with Pen 💛. She hated that yellow heart emoji by her name but Colin refused to change it. Her mother always made her dress in yellow when they were younger and the color became a happy reminder of her. He scrolled through their recent messages desperate for answers. Desperate for her.