Mia's POV
Falling in love with my best friend's brother was something I had never imagined.
Penelope and I met in middle school. I noticed her early on because she was always alone in the corner, unnoticed. Even for group assignments, she was always by herself.
I pitied her.
My mother always told me to have a heart full of kindness and love. I mentioned Penelope to her, and she suggested that if I was willing, I could try to befriend her so she wouldn't be alone.
So, I became her friend.
Penelope was kind but also fragile. She was completely open with me, sharing that her family was a blended one—she had two step-siblings who didn't like her. Though I never understood why her family treated her so coldly, my sympathy for her made me want to protect her however I could. That was until the day I met her brother, Austin, and realized Penelope's perception might not be entirely accurate.
