7even

Lisa POV

As soon as we stepped out of Jennie's penthouse and into the elevator, I could feel Jisoo's eyes on me. She was quiet at first, but I knew it wouldn't last. Jisoo wasn't the type to let things go, especially when she was this confused. The elevator doors closed, and sure enough, she turned to me, her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised.

"Okay, Lisa," she started, her tone equal parts curious and suspicious. "What's going on? Why were you in Jennie's penthouse? She doesn't just invite people over, especially not strangers. And don't tell me it's nothing because I know that look on her face. Something happened."

I kept my gaze fixed on the elevator doors, avoiding her eyes. My mind was still spinning from everything that had just gone down with Jennie—the way she'd kissed me back, the way her body had pressed against mine, the way she'd looked at me with that mix of anger and something else I couldn't quite place. But I wasn't about to spill any of that to Jisoo. Not now. Maybe not ever.

"It's nothing," I said, my voice casual, like I hadn't just been in the middle of the most intense moment of my life. "Jennie just needed something, and I happened to be around. That's all."

Jisoo snorted, clearly not buying it. "Yeah, right. Jennie Kim doesn't just 'happen to need something' from you. You two don't even talk. And don't think I didn't notice how tense it was in there. What aren't you telling me?"

I shrugged, shoving my hands into my pockets and leaning against the elevator wall. "There's nothing to tell, Jisoo. Seriously. Jennie's your boss, not mine. I don't owe her anything, and I don't owe you an explanation."

Jisoo narrowed her eyes at me, clearly frustrated but also a little amused. "You're impossible, you know that? Fine, don't tell me. But I'm not stupid, Lisa. Something happened between you two, and I'm going to figure it out."

I smirked, trying to play it cool even though my heart was still racing. "Good luck with that."

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Jisoo stepped out, but she wasn't done. She turned to face me as we walked through the lobby, her expression softening a little. "Look, I'm not trying to pry—okay, maybe I am a little—but Jennie's... complicated. She's not the kind of person who lets people get close to her. If something's going on between you two, just... be careful, okay?"

I stopped walking, turning to face her. For a moment, I considered telling her the truth—or at least part of it. But then I thought better of it. Whatever was happening between Jennie and me was too messy, too raw, to put into words. And besides, it wasn't Jisoo's business. Not yet, anyway.

"Don't worry about me, Jisoo," I said, my tone lighter now. "I can handle myself. Jennie's not the only complicated one around here."

Jisoo studied me for a moment, like she was trying to figure out if I was being serious or just deflecting. Finally, she sighed and shook her head. "Fine. But if you two end up blowing up and taking me down with you, I'm holding you responsible."

I laughed, the tension easing a little. "Deal."

We walked out of the building and into the cool night air, Jisoo still shooting me sideways glances like she was trying to piece together a puzzle. But I kept my mouth shut, my thoughts drifting back to Jennie. I couldn't stop thinking about the way she'd looked at me, the way she'd kissed me back like she couldn't help herself. It didn't make sense—none of it did. Jennie Kim wasn't supposed to be someone I cared about, someone I couldn't get out of my head. But here I was, replaying every second of what had happened, wondering what it all meant.

And as much as I tried to act like it was no big deal, I knew one thing for sure: this wasn't over. Not even close.

--

As soon as Jisoo dropped me off at my tiny apartment, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, letting out a long, shaky breath. The silence of the room felt heavy, almost suffocating, and my mind was racing, replaying everything that had happened with Jennie over and over again like a broken record.

I walked over to the small couch and collapsed onto it, staring up at the ceiling. My thoughts were a mess, a tangled web of confusion, frustration, and something else I couldn't quite name. Jennie Kim. Just the thought of her name made my chest tighten. How had things gotten so complicated?

It all started with her showing up at my apartment unannounced. Jennie Kim, the IT girl of Korea, standing in my dingy hallway, looking completely out of place. She'd been rude, demanding, and completely insufferable—just like I expected her to be. But then I asked her to drive her home, and for some reason, She said yes. Why had I offer? I could've told her to call a cab, to leave me alone, but I didn't.

And then there was the kiss. That damn kiss... I hadn't planned it—it had just happened. One minute we were arguing, and the next, I was kissing her, and she was kissing me back. I'd told myself it didn't mean anything, that it was just a moment of weakness, but deep down, I knew that wasn't true. It had meant something. It had meant everything.

And now, after what had just happened in her penthouse, I couldn't stop thinking about her. The way she'd looked at me, the way she'd kissed me back like she couldn't help herself. The way she'd let me touch her, the way she'd responded to me like no one else ever had. It didn't make sense. Jennie Kim wasn't supposed to be someone I cared about, someone I couldn't get out of my head. But here I was, lying on my couch, staring at the ceiling, and all I could think about was her.

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "What the hell is wrong with me?" I muttered to myself.

I'd told Jennie I didn't like her, and at the time, I'd meant it. Or at least, I thought I'd meant it. But now, I wasn't so sure. If I didn't like her, why couldn't I stop thinking about her? Why did the memory of her touch, her lips, her voice, keep playing on a loop in my mind? Why did the thought of her make my chest ache in a way I couldn't explain?

I sat up, running a hand through my hair as I tried to make sense of everything. Jennie was everything I shouldn't want. She was rich, famous, and completely out of my league. She was rude, stubborn, and infuriating. But she was also beautiful, smart, and so much more complicated than she let on. And for some reason, that drew me to her in a way I couldn't ignore.

"You don't like her," I said out loud, as if saying it would make it true. But even as the words left my mouth, they felt hollow. If I didn't like her, why did the thought of her being with someone else make my stomach twist? If I didn't like her, why did I care so much about what she thought of me?

I stood up, pacing the small room as my thoughts spiraled. Maybe I did like her. Maybe I'd been lying to myself this whole time, trying to convince myself that she was just another person, just another complication in my life. But she wasn't. She was Jennie Kim, and whether I wanted to admit it or not, she was different.

I stopped pacing, leaning against the wall as I let out a frustrated sigh. This was a mess. A complete and utter mess. Jennie and I were from different worlds, and there was no way this could end well. But even as I told myself that, I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't care. That maybe, just maybe, she was worth the risk.

"Damn it," I muttered, pushing off the wall and heading to the kitchen. I needed a drink. Or five. Anything to quiet the storm in my head.

I was halfway through pouring myself a second drink when it hit me like a punch to the gut. My part-time job. At 1 p.m. I froze, the bottle hovering in midair as I glanced at the clock on the wall. 12:07 p.m. My stomach dropped.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath, setting the bottle down with a loud clink. I'd completely lost track of time, too caught up in my own head to remember I had responsibilities. Responsibilities that didn't care about my existential crisis over Jennie Kim.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a frustrated groan. I couldn't afford to lose this job. It wasn't glamorous—just stocking shelves at a local convenience store—but it paid the bills, and right now, that was all that mattered. I didn't have the luxury of skipping work to wallow in my feelings, no matter how tangled they were.

I downed the rest of my drink in one gulp, wincing as the cheap liquor burned its way down my throat. Then I grabbed my jacket and keys, shoving my feet into the nearest pair of shoes I could find. I didn't have time to shower or change, so I'd just have to hope I didn't look as much of a mess as I felt.

As I rushed out the door, my mind was still racing, but now it was split between two things: Jennie and the fact that I was going to be late if I didn't hurry. I jogged down the stairs, taking them two at a time, and burst out onto the street, heading for the bus stop. My phone was still shattered from earlier, so I couldn't check the time, but I knew I was cutting it close.

The bus ride felt like an eternity, every stop agonizingly slow as I tapped my foot impatiently and stared out the window. My thoughts kept drifting back to Jennie, no matter how hard I tried to push her out of my mind. The way she'd looked at me, the way she'd kissed me back, the way she'd let me touch her—it was all there, playing on a loop in my head. And then there was what she'd said, about how our lives were too different, about how she could never be with someone like me.

I clenched my fists, trying to shake off the frustration that bubbled up inside me. She was right, wasn't she? Jennie Kim was in a completely different world, and I was just... me. A broke, part-time worker with a tiny apartment and a lot of debt. What could I possibly offer someone like her?

But then I remembered the way she'd kissed me, the way she'd responded to me like no one else ever had. There had been something real in that moment, something raw and undeniable. And no matter how much I tried to convince myself it didn't mean anything, I couldn't shake the feeling that it did.

The bus finally pulled up to my stop, and I jumped off, breaking into a run as soon as my feet hit the pavement. The convenience store was only a few blocks away, but every second counted. I skidded to a stop outside the door, panting as I checked the time on the store's clock. 12:52 p.m. I'd made it—barely.

I pushed open the door, the bell jingling overhead, and hurried to the back to clock in. My manager, Mr. Park, gave me a disapproving look as I rushed past him, but he didn't say anything. He never did. As long as I showed up and did my job, he didn't care about much else.

I grabbed my apron and tied it around my waist, trying to steady my breathing as I got to work. The store was quiet, just a few customers browsing the aisles, and the monotony of stacking shelves helped calm my racing thoughts. But even as I worked, my mind kept drifting back to Jennie.

Did she feel the same way I did? Or was I just another complication in her perfectly curated life? I didn't know, and that uncertainty was driving me crazy. But one thing was clear: whatever this was between us, it wasn't over. Not even close.

And as much as I tried to focus on my job, on the here and now, I couldn't shake the feeling that Jennie Kim was going to be in my head—and maybe in my life—for a long, long time.

--

Jennie POV

I stood in the middle of my penthouse, the silence pressing down on me like a weight. The door had closed behind Jisoo and Lisa minutes ago, but the air still felt charged, like the aftermath of a storm. My heart was racing, my mind spinning, and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. What had just happened? What had I just done?

All I could see was Lisa—her face, her eyes, the way she'd looked at me like she could see straight through me. The way she'd kissed me, touched me, made me feel things I hadn't felt in... well, ever.

I brought a hand to my lips, my fingers trembling as I traced the spot where her mouth had been on mine. It had been months since that kiss in Japan, but it had felt just as electric, just as consuming. And this time, I hadn't pulled away. This time, I'd kissed her back. I'd let her touch me. I'd let her get under my skin in a way no one else ever had.

"What is wrong with me?" I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible.

I didn't like Lisa. I couldn't. She was rude, stubborn, and completely infuriating. She was everything I shouldn't want, everything that didn't fit into my carefully curated life. And yet, I couldn't stop thinking about her. The way she'd looked at me, the way she'd kissed me, the way she'd made me feel—it was like nothing I'd ever experienced before.

I turned away from the window, pacing the room as my thoughts spiraled. This wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to feel this way. I was Jennie Kim, for God's sake. I had everything—fame, money, success. I didn't need someone like Lisa complicating my life. And yet, here I was, unable to get her out of my head.

I stopped pacing, sinking onto the edge of the couch as I buried my face in my hands. My mind kept replaying everything that had happened, every touch, every word, every look. The way she'd pinned me against the couch, the way she'd kissed me like she couldn't help herself. The way she'd told me she was intersex, like it was the most natural thing in the world. And the way I'd responded—not with disgust or judgment, but with curiosity, with something that felt dangerously close to desire.

I groaned, leaning back against the cushions as I stared up at the ceiling. This was a mess. A complete and utter mess. Lisa was everything I shouldn't want, and yet, I couldn't deny the pull I felt toward her. It was like she had some kind of hold on me, some kind of power I couldn't resist.

But what did that mean? Did I like her? Was that even possible? I'd spent so long telling myself I couldn't stand her, that she was nothing but a nuisance. But now, after everything that had happened, I wasn't so sure. Maybe I didn't hate her. Maybe I never had.

I stood up, pacing again as my thoughts raced. I needed to clear my head, to figure out what I was feeling. But how could I do that when Lisa was all I could think about? When every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face, felt her touch, heard her voice?

I walked over to the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water with shaking hands. I needed to calm down, to focus. But it was impossible. Lisa had gotten under my skin, and I didn't know how to get her out.

As I sipped the water, my phone buzzed on the counter. I glanced at it, seeing a notification from Jisoo. My stomach twisted. Had she figured something out? Had Lisa said something to her? I unlocked my phone, my heart pounding as I read the message.

Jisoo: Got Lisa home safe. No questions asked, like you said. But, boss... you okay? You seemed off earlier.

I stared at the message, my fingers hovering over the screen. How could I even begin to explain what was going on? How could I tell Jisoo that I'd let Lisa—rude, infuriating, impossible Lisa—kiss me, touch me, make me feel things I didn't even understand?

I typed out a quick reply, my hands still trembling.

Jennie: I'm fine. Just tired. Thanks for taking her home.

I hit send and set my phone down, letting out a long, shaky breath. I wasn't fine. Not even close. But I couldn't tell Jisoo the truth. I couldn't tell anyone the truth. Not when I didn't even understand it myself.

I walked back to the window, staring out at the city again. The lights were still twinkling, the world still moving, but I felt frozen, stuck in this moment, in this mess I'd created. Lisa had left, but her presence lingered, like a shadow I couldn't shake.

And as much as I tried to convince myself that this was nothing, that it didn't mean anything, I knew deep down that it did. Whatever this was between us, it wasn't over. Not even close.

But for now, all I could do was try to push it out of my mind, to focus on the present and pretend like everything was normal. Even if, inside, I felt anything but.

--

The next morning, I woke up with Lisa still on my mind. It was ridiculous, really. I had a million things to do—meetings, rehearsals, interviews—but all I could think about was her. The way she'd kissed me, the way she'd touched me, the way she'd looked at me like she could see straight through my carefully constructed walls. It was maddening, and yet, I couldn't stop thinking about her.

I sat up in bed, running a hand through my tangled hair as I tried to shake off the lingering thoughts. But it was no use. Lisa was in my head, and she wasn't going anywhere. I needed to see her. I needed to talk to her. But how?

Then it hit me. Jisoo. She had Lisa's number. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try. I grabbed my phone and quickly typed out a message to Jisoo.

Jennie: Can I have Lisa's number. I need to talk to her.

I hit send and waited, my heart pounding as I stared at the screen. A few minutes later, Jisoo replied.

Jisoo: Yeah, I tried calling her this morning and couldn't get through. Do you want me to give you her number anyway?

I hesitated for a moment, then typed back.

Jennie: Yes.

A few seconds later, Jisoo sent me Lisa's number. I stared at it for a moment, my thumb hovering over the call button. But then I remembered—Lisa's phone was shattered. She wouldn't be able to answer even if I called. I groaned, setting my phone down on the bed as I ran a hand over my face.

What was I supposed to do now? I needed to see her, to talk to her, but I had no way of reaching her. Unless...

An idea popped into my head, and I sat up straighter, my heart racing. Lisa's phone was broken. What if I bought her a new one? It was the perfect excuse to see her again, to talk to her, to... well, to figure out whatever this was between us.

I quickly got out of bed, my mind racing as I started to plan. I'd go to the store, buy a new phone, and then head to Lisa's apartment. It was a little forward, maybe even a little desperate, but I didn't care. I needed to see her. I needed to know if what had happened between us was real or just a moment of madness.

I got dressed quickly, throwing on a simple outfit—jeans, a sweater, and a baseball cap to hide my face—before grabbing my purse and heading out the door. The store wasn't far, and within an hour, I had a brand-new phone in hand, ready to go.

As I drove to Lisa's apartment, my heart was pounding, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. What was I even going to say to her? "Hey, I bought you a new phone because I can't stop thinking about you"? It sounded ridiculous, even to me. But I didn't care. I needed to see her, to talk to her, to figure out what was going on between us.

I pulled up to her building, my stomach twisting with nerves as I parked the car. I grabbed the phone and got out, taking a deep breath as I walked up to the door. The building was old and run-down, a stark contrast to the sleek, modern penthouse I lived in. But I didn't care. All I cared about was seeing Lisa.

I knocked on the door, my heart racing as I waited. A few seconds later, the door opened, and there she was. Lisa. She looked surprised to see me, her eyes widening as she took in my appearance.

"Jennie?" she said, her voice tinged with confusion. "What are you doing here? Again..."

I held up the phone, trying to act casual even though my heart was pounding. "I, uh, got you a new phone. Since yours is broken. I thought you might need it."

Lisa stared at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she stepped aside, gesturing for me to come in. "You didn't have to do that," she said, her tone softer now.

"I know," I said, stepping inside. "But I wanted to."

The door closed behind me, and suddenly, we were alone again. The air between us was thick with tension, and I could feel my heart racing as I looked at her. She was so close, so real, and all I could think about was the way she'd kissed me, the way she'd touched me.

"Jennie," she said softly, her eyes searching mine. "Why are you really here?"

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I tried to find the words. "I... I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I needed to see you."

Lisa's expression softened, and she took a step closer to me. "Jennie," she said again, her voice low and husky. "You're driving me crazy."

And then, before I could respond, she kissed me. It was soft at first, tentative, but it didn't take long for the intensity to build. Her hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer, and I responded instinctively, my fingers tangling in her hair.

The world around us faded away, and all I could think about was her. The way she felt, the way she tasted, the way she made me feel like I was the only person in the world. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, and I never wanted it to end.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathless, our foreheads resting together as we tried to steady ourselves.

"Jennie," Lisa whispered, her voice trembling. "What are we doing?"

I didn't have an answer. All I knew was that I didn't want to stop. Not now, not ever.

--

Next chapter is change of pace... Cause Why not...