Chapter 24

Third Person's POV

Jisoo was the first one to arrive at the mall where their meeting place would be. She admit that she's quite excited. It' been a while since they bonded with just the four of them. She hope that everything will be fine today especially when there is a tension between Jennie and Lisa.

After a few more minutes the twins have arrived. Rosѐ was clinging onto Lisa's arm. They both waved happily and excitedly when they spotted Jisoo waiting for them.

"Where's Jennie? I thought she's with you?" Rosѐ asked when she noticed that they're not yet complete.

"She told me that she needs to do some stuff first so she asked me to go here first." Jisoo explained.

Lisa chose to be silent. She didn't tell them what happened yesterday. Lisa don't want their fight yesterday to affect their gathering today. Even she's not in good terms with Jennie, she can set that aside just for this special day.

"Oh. She texted me. She said that she's on her way." Rosѐ said.

"Great. Now we just wait." Jisoo replied.

Rosѐ shifted her gaze to Lisa when she noticed that her best buddy went silent again.

"Lis? You okay? You're spacing out again." She said and held Lisa's hand. Lisa gave her a timid smile.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"Are you sure you can do this? I mean, we can hang out next time." Jisoo suggested. She was also worried about the blonde.

"Guys. This day is very special to us. I don't want to ruin that. I'm fine okay? You don't have to be worried about me." Lisa assured.

But they all know she was lying, even Lisa. She knew to herself that she wasn't fine. Well who wouldn't be? The two admire Lisa, they admire the way how she can handle such a difficult situation. They admire her strength to keep things in normal and her strength to hide her feelings.

Thirty minutes have passed but still there is no Jennie. Lisa was getting anxious and agitated at the same time. She started to think on what happened yesterday. She's pretty sure that she made everything clear towards Jennie. That she shouldn't think about not coming today. Lisa gritted her teeth at a certain thought that crossed her mind.

"What if she chose that fucking guy again?" Lisa thought.

She can take it when it was her who has been ditched by Jennie but not these two girls beside her. Her eyebrows furrowed thinking how could Jennie did such thing. But she quickly shook her head, it's too early to assume things.

"There she is!" Rosѐ yelled.

Lisa look at where the chipmunk was pointing and her eyes suddenly burns in anger.

"And with Hanbin." Jisoo said disappointedly. Rosѐ smile falters when she saw that Jennie wasn't alone.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Lisa muttered angrily. This day was exclusive only for them and Jennie knew that. There was supposed no other people involved. For Lisa, this is much worse than ditching.

"Hey guys. Sorry I'm late." Jennie said apologetically. The three girls didn't answer her, instead they we're just looking at the couple with mixed emotions.

"Hi. Hope you guys don't mind if I join." Hanbin said and scratched his nape shyly.

"Can we have a minute?" Lisa said and moving few meters away from them. Jisoo and Rosѐ followed Lisa without hesitation.

"Wait here, okay?" Jennie said to Hanbin and smile.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to be here? Seems like they're not happy."

"Of course it is. I'm sure they'll understand. Besides, I want to spend more time with you."

"You're such a sweetie. You know I can't do anything when you insist. Go, they're waiting for you." Hanbin smiled and patted Jennie's head. The latter smiled genuinely to him before going towards her friends.

"What's up?" Jennie said awkwardly. She saw how her friends stare at her and it makes her uncomfortable especially how her best friend looks at her.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Lisa started. Her eyes are burning in anger but her voice is rather cold.

"Lisa." Rosѐ held Lisa's arm, it's her way to tell Lisa that she needs to calm down. Lisa look at her and nodded. Her eyes suddenly turned soft.

"What? He's with me obviously." Jennie answered.

"You know that this was supposed to be only about us, right?" Jisoo said in a good way as possible.

"Yes. But Hanbin kept on insisting, you know I can't resist him. Please just let this one slide?" Jennie said.

"You spent you're whole fucking time with him Jennie. Isn't that enough?" Lisa said.

"You'll understand me when you fall in love, Lili."

Lisa scoffed on what she heard.

"Then I should have just bring Nayeon with me too. That bunny keeps on insisting."

"Why would you bring her? She's not belong."

"And so as Hanbin."

"He will soon because his going to be my boyfriend."

Lisa was speechless for moment. Rosѐ and Jisoo gave the blonde a worried look. The blonde look away from her best friend and take a deep breath.

"That's enough. No fighting guys. Remember we are supposed to be happy today." Jisoo said trying to cut the tension between the two. Lisa shook her head and put her hands inside her pocket. Another scoff was heard from her.

"I don't think I should be here. I'm leaving." Lisa said and walk away.

"What's wrong with her? Why is she acting that way?" Jennie asked.

"Really Jennie?" Rosѐ rolled her eyes and followed the blonde. A gasp was heard from Jennie when she saw what the chipmunk did. She was about to talk again when she felt Jisoo's hand on her shoulder.

"You're the reason why Lisa's acting like that. Ever since you and Hanbin started dating, you haven't hang out with Lisa again. You don't even dare to approach her at school because you we're so occupied by him." Jisoo said.

Jennie lowered her head to hide her cheeks that's turning red due to embarrassment.

"You should talk to her. But not now, let her cooldown a bit." Jisoo added.

Rosѐ was thankful that she has long legs like Lisa, she didn't have a hard time catching up to her. She quickly held onto Lisa's arm which made the blonde stop.

"Where do you think you're going?" Rosѐ asked.

"Home. Obviously." Lisa said.

"Lisa please. We're looking forward to this day, don't leave me here."

"Jennie already ruined it."

"So do you have to ruin it more? Just stay, I'll swear I won't let her bother you. We can just ignore her and Hanbin. You have me and Jisoo anyways." Rosѐ pleaded which made Lisa think twice.

"Please? Stay for me." Rosѐ added. Lisa smiled. This chipmunk really do know how to comfort her and how to convince her.

"Fine. Just take care of me." Lisa agreed. Rosѐ jumped in joy and drag Lisa back towards where they came from.

--

Lisa's POV

"Fuck this day." I muttered.

I went straight to my room as soon as I got home. I quickly flopped myself to my bed. I'm tired. My heart is tired. Seeing Jennie and Hanbin sweet to each other sends thousands of needles piercing right into my heart. We we're just at the middle of our so called hang out when I ask Rosѐ again if I could leave already. That chipmunk saw how much I am hurting so she agreed even if she still want to hang out with me.

I was about to take a nap when suddenly I heard my mom shouting downstairs telling that I have a visitor. I look at the time and saw that it was almost five in the afternoon. Who might be visiting me this hour?

My eyes widened as I saw a man, sitting at the couch. His back was facing me but I'm pretty sure that I knew who he is.

"Mr. Kim?"

The man turned around and face me. I was right. He was no other than Jennie's father. His face was flushed and there are sweats dripping down coming from his forehead. It looks like he rushed his way here.

"What are you doing here, Mr. Kim?"

"I was just hoping that Jennie would be here. You're her only friend that I know."

"No. Jennie's not here."

"Oh God. Where that kid might be?" Mr. Kim groaned and brushed his hair out of frustration. I'm starting to get worried when I saw how frustrated Mr. Kim is.

"W-what d-do you mean? She's not yet home?" I said.

"She went home already but something happened that made her run away." He replied. My eyebrows furrowed and my lips are twitching.

"Her Mom visited."

Now, I'm confused. Why would Jennie run away after seeing her Mom? And for the record, when me and Jennie was still hanging out, I haven't seen her Mom yet even just for once.

"What's wrong about her Mom visiting?" I asked.

"Should I really tell you this?" Mr. Kim asked hesitantly.

"Please tell me."

Mr. Kim took a couple of deep breaths before he start talking.

"Jennie's Mom is gay. She left us when Jennie was 10 to go with some girl which apparently her best friend and her first love. But she left Jennie's Mom for some reason that I don't know. And even my wife, I mean my ex-wife don't know what the reason is. Weeks after that girl left her, that's when we met. I saw her crying at a certain bar and approach her and the rest was history. I was fully aware that she have that kind of past when we got married. But destiny don't know how to play fair. That girl and my ex-wife met again. And one day, she just told me that after all this years of us being married, her love to that girl never faded. I tried to stop her but her love for her was too strong. So, she went away." Mr. Kim said and smiled sadly. I pursed my lips together.

"So that explains why Jennie hates gays so much." I said.

"No. That's not all." Mr. Kim said which made me look at him with questioning eyes. Mr. Kim looked back at me for a while. His eyes started became teary.

"I have a son. Tae-hyung. He was nine that time. He was very close to my ex-wife, a mama's boy indeed." He continued. I was surprised by the things that I'm hearing right now. I didn't even know that she has a brother. But how come that I also haven't seen him?

"Where is he? Is he with his mom?" I asked curiously. He shook his head and smiled again sadly.

"That time when they learned that their mom was leaving them, they can't stop crying. Tae-hyung has a louder cry than Jennie. They saw how their mom took all of her things and went away. I can't do anything but to stop my kids from running to their Mom. But Tae-hyung was just too strong, or I was just too weak by that time because my ex-wife took all my strength away with her. Tae-hyung push my arms away and run towards the cab where her mom is. He followed the cab. He run as fast as he could. But his mom didn't even spare a single glance to him." He paused for a while and took a deep breath. I was just silently listening to him, waiting for his next words. His voice suddenly became shaky.

"H-he run a-as fast as he could. Not minding how far he might go. How tired he might be. What's important to him is to reach her mom. Until a car coming f-from t-the other side of the road hit him." He suddenly burst out in tears. I went closer towards him and caressed his back for comfort. When he's calmer, he wiped his tears away and continued talking.

"We tried taking him to the hospital. But it was no use. The damage at his brain was too severe. When Jennie heard that his brother was gone, her world broke down into pieces. Jennie loves her brother so much. She can't even sleep without Tae-hyung lying next to him. On the day of his funeral, their Mom showed up. Jennie saw her and her eyes was suddenly filled with rage. She stop her mother from getting near to her brother. She swears and tells every painful things that leaves her mother without any choice but to leave. Since that day, Jennie's vision to the world change. She became homophobic. She swears to herself that she wouldn't let anyone like her mom go near her."

I was dumbfounded by Mr. Kim's story. So this was the very reason why Jennie is like that. And in that case, I'm in trouble. I really can't let Jennie know what really I am. But that's not what important right now. What's important is Jennie, it's getting late. I need to find her.

I tell Mr. Kim that he should go home and get some rest. I quickly stood up and went towards Rosѐ who is just living across the street. I pressed the doorbell repeatedly until the chipmunk came out.

"Hey-"

"Is Jennie there?"

"No. Why?"

I didn't answer Rosѐ's question and quickly run away. I heard her calling my name but I didn't bother to look. I need to hurry and find Jennie. I took my phone out and dialed Jisoo's number.

"Hey Jisoo! Is Je- fuck!"

My phone died. Damn. Why did I forgot to charge this fucking thing? Then it leaves me no choice but to sprint towards Jisoo.

I reached Jisoo's house almost out of breath. Whoo. I haven't run like that for a while. I pressed the doorbell while I'm trying to catch my breath.

"Hey Lisa. What brings you here?" Jisoo asked.

"Is... Jennie..." I said panting.

"Why don't you come for a second and drink some water? You seems like you just joined a marathon." She offered. I agreed and went inside. A glass of water really could help me right now.

"Is Jennie here?" I asked when I finally recovered.

"No she's not here. Thought Hanbin took her home already."

"Do you have Hanbin's number? My phone is dead. Can you please call him and ask if Jennie is with him?"

"Okay. Wait here."

Damn. Jennie Kim. Where are you? I heard some drips of water coming from the window. Wow. Really? Why does it need to rain tonight? I hope Jennie is with him. The weather is not so great. It's not safe if Jennie just kept wondering at the streets.

"Lisa. Jennie's not with Hanbin either."

"Fuck."

"Why? Is there something wrong?"

"I'll tell you next time."

I buried my face in my palms. The rain is getting stronger and I haven't got a single clue where that kitten might be.

"This is indeed my favorite place or more likely my safe place."

That's it! I remember! Jennie must be on that place. I quickly leave Jisoo's house, not minding if I will get soaked in the rain.

"Lisa! At least bring an umbrella!" I heard Jisoo shouted.

"I usually go here whenever I'm feeling down, lonely, or whenever I needed to breathe."

Jennie's voice keep on repeating inside my mind. I run faster, she must be really there.

When I reached the park, I went straightly to the swing were we seated and bingo! Jennie was there. She's hanging her head low and was already soaked in rain, so am I. I hurriedly went towards her.

"Nini?" I called.

She looked at me and her eyes were red from crying. Seeing Jennie in this state made my heart broken into pieces. Jennie stood up and walk towards me.

"Lili..." Jennie said and she fell to the ground.

I run towards her and tap her cheek. She's unconscious. I held her forehead, Jennie's burning in fever. I quickly carried her on my back and took her home as fast as I could.

--

"Lisa? Oh my God. Jennie? What happened to her? Come inside quickly." Mr. Kim said and led us towards Jennie's bedroom. I lay Jennie down to the bed carefully.

"I found her at the park. She's burning in fever." I said.

"Thank you so much Lisa for looking for my daughter." He said while caressing her daughter's cheeks.

"Mr. Kim, do you mind if I spend the night here? I want to take care of her."

"Sure. No problem. It would be a great help too since I'm going to leave for work early in the morning." Mr. Kim said and left Jennie's room. But he quickly came back to say something.

"Oh, one more thing, don't forget to changer her clothes okay?"

"W-what? M-me?"

"Yes. What's wrong with that? You're both girls. Unless you want her sleeping with those wet clothes on." Mr. Kim said and closed the door.

I looked back at Jennie. How am I going to change her clothes?

--

After I change Jennie's clothes, I quickly went to have some shower. I borrowed some of her clothes, I hope Jennie wouldn't mind. Changing her gave me a very hard time. I still can't believe that I really changed her with my eyes closed. I really do have some hidden talent.

I was busy drying my hair when I saw a portrait at Jennie's side table. It was her when she was a little girl. Those chubby cheeks of hers never faded. This boy beside her must be Taehyung. They really looks like they're close to each other. They even look like twins.

I put back the portrait where I found it and took a chair and sat beside Jennie's bed. I held her forehead, her fever slightly went down. I rested my chin to my arms and watch her soundly asleep. I can't count how many times I watched her sleeping.

My mind keeps on remembering what Mr. Kim has said earlier. I still can't believe that Jennie experienced that tragedy. Now I understand why she's so irritated with gays. And at the same time, I felt afraid for myself and for what's going to happen.

"Now, how am I supposed to tell you that I'm in love with you, Jennie?"