Purgatorio for Two

"Oh, hey we met again!" Trevor shyly said as he sheepishly rubbed his back of his neck and quietly sat down in front of her. They are at the library and the sound you can only heard is the clock ticking painfully and book flipping through pages. Penelope looked up at him with slight blush on her face. "Oh, hi. Trevor, right?"

"he he, yup did Dana tell my name to you?" the shy girl simply nodded and after that no one dared to speak. Penelope awkwardly gets back to what she was reading. "ah-" Trevor tried to make a conversation again but falters when he can't think any of it. Penelope cutely chuckled at his action which Trevor left in surprise. 'she is so cute; I'm glad Dana introduced me to her' and that's how their friendship started.

At first, they are just meeting at the library, telling stories that interest both of each other which is Science to frequent late-night walk out. They just enjoyed each other's company, but none of them dared to speak their true feelings at each other. They both think it is better to be in the relationship they are. But what relationship? Friends? Or a special kind of friends? Neither both of them do not know so they just shrugged it off and later talk about it. One thing they are sure of is that they wanted each other. Trevor constantly visits her at night at her house and both quietly sneaked out to date even though it's late. Sometimes, they spend their time at the library, helping Trevor through his studies as he is having a hard time dealing with his History subject, yes even though Trevor has known him as prodigy, he still has weaknesses. Or when they spent each other's time in their favorite hiding spot. The tree that is near the river. So that is why Penelope felt home whenever she was on that tree with Trevor. The brunet helped and supported her throughout that time. Penelope kissed him on the cheeks that day when she won the competition, it is just a way of expressing gratitude. Still, none of them dared to confess out of their feelings, afraid that something will change between two of them. And so, it happened that accident, the accident both mislead and completely destroyed them.

"What happened to us Trevor?" as Penelope came back to the reality. She finally regained her memories, but the memory of the accident is still blurry into her mind. "I'll tell you Loffie, come with me." Before she could make a step. A piercing shout of her name was called, and she looked behind to see her best friend Dana, holding up a knife with so much hatred into her eyes. Heavy rain is started to pour out as the three of them immediately completely soaked in wet but neither of them bothered as Dana started to launch towards to Penelope. the latter frightens as Trevor signaled her to run over the riverbank. He held her hands firmly as both sprinted deep into the woods.

"Why is Dana chasing us?" Penelope managed to ask in between her raging breathes as the storm became stronger and the thunders cried out in agony. Penelope felt like a déjà vu when a sudden surge of memory comes through her mind. It was her who is running at the same forest, but someone is chasing behind her and it was Trevor. "Loffie! You can't lose focus right now." She was pulled out into her reverie when Trevor shook her.

"Why are you running away again to me, Loffie? Why are you kept repeating what happened last time?!" Dana yelled from afar as her voice crack into pain and detest. "Why Dana?" all Penelope managed to say. They both ran until they ran into a death end. A cliff. Both held each other's hand as Dana emerges throughout the bush.

"well, well, well. Loffie it seems like you can't get away this time? Who are you holding to, Loffie?" Dana menacingly said as she slowly walked towards at the both of them. "Trevor what are we going to do?" she said fearfully. Hands shaking vehemently as she grasps Trevor. "You still think Trevor is alive? You are fucking insane. Wake up Loffie! Trevor is gone! DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!"

"HOW DO YOU KNOW?!" Penelope shouted at her; pain can be felt as those words came out to her. All of the started to cry as memories from the past surges through Penelope mind.

"Because I love him too much" Dana choked as she kneeled down the ground, crying uncontrollably. She can't forget the sin she did. It all hurts. "I just wanted him to be mine, that's all."

"But why they can't give him to me?"

"What are you talking about, Dana? I don't understand at all." Trevor suddenly cupped her hands and placed it on his cold face, silently caressing it on his hold. "Because Dana and I are childhood, best friend, Loffie."

They have known each other since they were little. Their parents are neighbors that time and Dana's parents constantly visiting them so, it is not impossible to the two of them to be friends in such a short time. They grew together as they shared memorable experience and happy moments as a child. Until both grew into their adolescent years when Dana started to grow feeling on him, from simple tickles at her tummy whenever he was close to her, or when she felt somersault over her stomach. Dana knew that day that she was hopelessly in love with his childhood best friend but her unrequited love never reciprocated when Trevor confessed to her one day that he has a crush on someone, he wants to make a move for her, but he is too coward to court. What make it hurts more is that the someone is her other than girl best friend Penelope. And that's enough to break Dana's heart into pieces. How come someone he just met, already love her rather than her who has been with him since childhood? She regretted introducing her to him. She wants to go back to that time and change everything. Even though it hurts, she still supported them. She had known Penelope for quiet time. She shared a class with her in almost of her subject and they always sat beside each other.

They became acquainted at first then later on became close friends to the point they shared their feelings at each other. Dana saw it all, from their sickly love radiating between them and their flirty skinship. She had finally reached her limits when Trevor finally told her to confess to Penelope after the party.

"Do you think Penelope will like this?" Trevor asked his friend Dana, who is sitting beside him in cafeteria lounge. Dana, partners in crime with Trevor, snorts as she looked at the guy's holding. "Do you think she would accept that cheap? No way." Trevor cutely pouted and allow his shoulder sank in defeat. Ouch, you meanie."

"Well, I gotta idea!" Dana abruptly stands up which Trevor flinched at the movement. He looked up at Dana with awe. "Really? What is it?" he excitedly exclaimed, waiting for Dana to spit out the idea already. But Dana seems beating around the bush as she gives conditions to Trevor first before she will give the idea. "You need to promise me first!"

"Okay, fine what promise?"

"That, I am still your best friend and priority!"

"of course, that never change Dana. Even if Penelope accepted me or not, still nothing will change between us two."

"Thanks Trevor, that actually makes me happy."

"Haha, come on, don't be such a drama queen. So, what do you plan?"

"Lemme see your phone." She snatched his phone in just a second, not giving Trevor to react. "Hey, wait! give that back!" the poor guy retorted as Dana turned her back to him and quickly sent a message to Penelope. She gave it back at him with a smug smirk on her face.

"Argh, what did you do this time Dana?" he hurriedly rummaged through his sent messages and read what Dana texted. 'It will be awesome to see you at the party, Loffie'

"Cool men, that's cool." He said with a devastated expression.

"Why are you sulking? Loffie will definitely reply by your oh so cool text." Then a ring was heard indicating someone sent him a message. He looked through it and saw Penelope's name flashing in the screen. He read it and a smile suddenly grows on its face. Dana already knows what this is, patted his back and silently congratulated him. "I told you, Trevor."

"Haha, you are a really a matchmaker Dana. I'm so glad you are still here, my childhood best friend!" and then he hugged Dana in whom the latter kept quiet and slowly hugged him back. 'I'm sorry Trevor, but you are mine.'

Back from the reality, none of them utter a word after Trevor tells her about everything. So, all three of them are connected in the end? But why it has to led them to this tragedy? What happened to that accident, that changes their life permanently? Penelope knows there is only a one puzzle piece left to see the whole picture and that is the accident. Dana launches herself towards the two, clutching the knife in front ready to stab Penelope.

The young lady seemed to be frozen on her spot, terrified what was happening when Trevor yanked her away, dodging Dana's attack. Dana lost her speed and fell off the cliff. Trevor and Penelope only watched in horror as Dana screamed in pain while rolling over the spiky rocks, piercing over her skin. Panicking, both tried to find ways on how to get down and they managed to find one.

Suddenly, Penelope's headache worsens as they stride their way towards Dana who they see face lying on the ground, lifelessly. This is all overly familiar. This happened in the past. Finally, Penelope remembered everything.