Chapter 30

Lisa's POV

"It's really different being alone." I mumbled to myself as I went downstairs.

Usually, I would hear Mom making something at the kitchen or Dad watching his favorite sports show. I let out a deep sigh as I stare at the sofa where Dad usually sits. It's been days since I started living by myself. Well, the reason is, something happened at some of our branches back in Thailand and my grandfather need my parents help.

"Hey, ready for school?" Rosѐ approached me when she saw that I already went out of the front door.

I just nodded in agreement and this chipmunk started to cling her hands into my arms as we walk our way towards the school.

"So, how is it living by yourself?" She asked.

"I'm starting to love it. I haven't experienced this kind of peace for a while." I joked which made her giggle.

"Don't you miss them?"

"Of course I do. But practicing on being independent is also a good thing."

"How are you eating anyway? Can you cook?"

"I'm learning."

Rosѐ stopped in her tracks and burst out in laughter which made me look at her, full of confusion.

"Yah! You don't believe me don't you?" I said and stomped my feet due to irritation.

"I haven't seen you held a knife even for once, so how do you expect me to believe you?" She replied as she wiped a tear that was caused by her so much laughter.

"Then come over later, I'll gave you a taste of my cooking." I dare her but she swayed her hands, sign that she's not interested.

"I love food, but there's no way I'm going to eat whatever you'll cook." She said and stick out her tongue before sprinting towards the campus.

"Yah! Park Chaeyoung! You're dead when I caught you!" I shouted before following her. Rosѐ was still not giving up on teasing me, which annoys me more. When I noticed that Rosѐ was slowing down, a smirk went out from my lips. I fasten my pace until I caught her, I locked my arms on her neck which startled her.

"Let go of me!" She yelled as she's trying to escape from my grip.

"Not until you promise that you will come over and taste my cooking."

"No! You wouldn't force me you swindler monkey!"

I was about to answer when I heard giggles coming from behind us. I looked back and I saw Jennie and Jisoo, watching the both of us bicker with each other. Rosѐ took this chance to escape. She bite my arm as hard as she can which left me no choice but to let go of her. I fell down on my knees as I screamed in pain. I narrowed my eyes at the chipmunk who is hiding right behind Jisoo but she just gave me a peace sign while she's grinning widely.

"You're already seniors but the both of you still act like kids." Jisoo said.

"As if you're not acting like one the most." I mumbled as I stand up and fix my clothes.

"What did you say?" Jisoo said.

I was surprised when she suddenly speak. I slowly turn looked at her and saw how she's glaring at me which made me gulped. She was about to attack me when a voice of a man, yelling excitedly took all of our attention.

"Jennie!"

It was Hanbin, rushing his way towards us. His wearing this excited smile of him that made me squinted my eyes. I felt a hand touches mine and when I glanced beside me, I saw Rosѐ wearing that worried look on her face. I forced a smile out, hoping that it would ease her mind a bit.

"Hey, what's with the rush?" Jennie said.

"I just excited to tell you that, your soon to be boyfriend, is now the new captain of the dance crew!" Hanbin said proudly.

Jennie jumped in joy and threw herself towards the guy for a hug. That sight reminds me about the day when I auditioned. This was scene was the same as that, the only difference is she's hugging Hanbin, not me. I diverted my attention away from them.

We quickly went towards our room when we heard the bell rang. The four of us have the same schedule which gave us to spend more time even though we will be living in a same house next year.

"You have the same schedule as me?"

I heard Jennie spoke and my eyes were instantly filled with horror when I saw who she is talking to.

"Yeah. More time with you, I guess?" Hanbin replied and pinched her cheeks.

My mind was in daze, I never thought that this year would be so cruel to me. Well, it already started in a bad way, what should I expect? More time with him? Then, more heartache for me. I chuckle dryly and roam my eyes, searching for an available seat.

I saw Rosѐ and Jisoo looking at me with pity. They're were already sitting next to each other. I was supposed to sit with Jennie but I saw Hanbin already occupied the seat beside her. I saw Jennie looked at me for a bit, she seemed to not know what she's going to do. Her mind seems to be battling whether she would shoo Hanbin away or let him take my spot. I felt someone held the hem of my shirt that made me look away from Jennie.

"You can sit with me." Nayeon said and offered the seat beside her which was right beside Jennie and Hanbin. I look at Jennie for a moment and I saw that she's already occupied by the guy beside him. I went back to Nayeon and smile before taking the seat beside her.

"Are you okay?" Rosѐ whispered to me. They were seating right behind us. I just nodded and divert my attention towards the girl beside me who keeps on telling me stories.

Listening to some of Nayeon's stories made me relaxed. She's really fun to be with. I also didn't noticed that I was laughing out loud just by talking to her. I accidentally look towards Jennie and there, I saw her looking at us with an unreadable expression written in her eyes.

--

I stretched out my arms when I finally heard the bell rang, sign that it's finally lunch time. Nayeon invited me to eat with her but I already promise Jisoo to treat her a chicken as a compensation for what happened earlier.

"Let's have lunch next time, okay?" I said before leaving the room. Jennie was not yet done fixing her things, and asked us to go to the cafeteria first and save some seat.

"How are you and Jennie?" Jisoo suddenly asked.

"W-what do you m-mean by that?"

"Nothing. I just noticed that you seems to be not in good terms again. You didn't even went to school with her which is what you two always do."

Ever since that kiss happened, Jennie distanced herself from me. She still talks to me, but judging by her actions, you can tell that she already built a wall that is only exclusive for me. Our friendship were not the same anymore and I know I can't complain because it was all my fault in the first place. If I just had more self-control that night, this wouldn't happened.

I first noticed that Jennie was slowly slipping away from me is when we are on the plane going back in Korea. We are about to take off and I asked Jennie to hold my hand because I knew that she's afraid but she declined and pretend that she's okay. I was about to insist but when I saw that blank look on her face, the fact that we can't go back to what we're used to hit me. I saw how Jennie trembled but I stopped myself for taking a move, not wanting to make thing more complicated. Jennie didn't talk to me again when we landed back here in Korea, until now.

"What happened in Thailand, Lisa?" Rosѐ asked which made those flashbacks stopped. I smiled at them, masking out all of the pain.

"Stop being ridiculous. Nothing happened. Me and Jennie are okay. Now, can we order some food? I'm hungry." I said and walk towards the counter.

"Don't forget my chicken!" Jisoo said and went after me. I saw Rosѐ looking at me seriously, I knew that this chipmunk didn't believe what I said.

"Aren't you hungry chipmunk?" I asked.

"Tell me the truth, Manoban." She said lowly. I glanced first at Jisoo and saw that she's busy picking what flavor of chicken she will eat.

"Then come over later." I said.

--

"What took you so long?" Jisoo asked Jennie when she finally arrived.

"Well, I ran to Mr. Ji-yong and he asked me about some academic stuffs. Ugh, I'm hungry, I'll just buy some food first."

Jennie was about to stand up when I suddenly passed the tray of food beside me to her. I already bought her some since I treated these two eating machines with us. Jennie sent me a small smile which aches my heart. She used to smile to me bigger than that, but it's better than getting nothing, I guess?

The ache in my heart suddenly disappeared when I saw Jennie wearing the necklace that I gave her. I internally smile knowing that she haven't forgot about me. I wondered if she's always wearing that.

"Oh, I have something to tell to you." Jennie announced.

"What? Make sure that it's important, I'm still having a good time with this chicken." Jisoo said which made Jennie rolled her eyes.

"Well, there will be an upcoming tour for seniors' right?" Jennie said. I heard Rosѐ and Jisoo both hummed for an answer.

"And I'm planning to make Hanbin and me official during that tour."

My eyes went wide and I feel that my strength is slowly draining. My hands trembled, making me to let go of the fork that I am holding that made a clanking sound which is enough to get their attention.

"Are you okay, Lili?" I heard Jennie asked. If this was a normal situation, I would be jumping in joy because finally, Jennie has already talked to me. I quickly hide my trembling hands under the table and forced out a smile.

"Y-yeah. I-I'm happy for you, Nini." I lied. Jennie smiled back at me and started talking to Jisoo who succeeded in diverting her attention from me. I internally thank her for helping me masking what I truly feel right now. My hands are starting to get cold, my eyes are starting to get blurry. Rosѐ suddenly held my hand and caressed the top of it with her thumb.

"Your birthday is coming right Jennie?" Rosѐ asked. Jennie just nodded.

"Do you have plans already?" Jisoo said.

"Actually, no. I haven't thought about it. Oh, why don't we hang out later and you guys help me on planning?" Jennie suggested. Rosѐ looked at me first, waiting for my approval.

"Y-yeah. We can do it at my place." I said.

"I'll be late. My mom wants me to run some errands." Jisoo said.

"So, see you guys later!" Jennie said excitedly.

--

"So, spill it already." Rosѐ said and leaned on the kitchen counter.

I ignored her and focused my whole attention on what I am doing. I am preparing some pasta, since I know that this is one of Rosѐ's favorite. I'll prove to this chipmunk that I'm really learning how to cook.

"Come on, tell me already Lisa before they came." Rosѐ pleaded. Jennie was coming late also, she had some stuffs to do at home. Well, that what she says.

"Taste this first." I said and put a plate of pasta right in front of her. Rosѐ took a mouthful and her eyes widened.

"Damn! You really are learning!" She said and took another bite.

"I told you." I said proudly. I heard Rosѐ put down the fork and stare at me. She haven't finish her food yet which is unusual for her unless if she's really being serious this time.

"Are you going to tell me or not?" Rosѐ said seriously. I let out a deep sigh and went beside her. I leaned against the kitchen counter and put my hands inside my pocket.

"What happened in Thailand, Lalisa?" She asked again. Her voice is sterner now.

"Me and Jennie, kissed."

"Ah, I see. She regretted it right?"

"Yeah, she said that best friends don't kiss that way."

"Best friend really don't eat each other's lips."

"But I can't explain why she responded to my kiss instead of pushing me away quickly."

"Then maybe she enjoyed it too? Maybe she's feeling the same way as what you feel for her."

"Then why is she planning on making her and Hanbin official?"

"Maybe she doesn't even know yet what she truly feels."

"Is that even possible?"

"For Jennie's case, yes. That kitten is so fucking dense. But don't think that I'm getting your hopes up high here."

"I know."

Silence between us occur for minutes.

"What are you going to do now?" She asked.

"I don't know, is there anything that I can do?"

"Well, you still have two months before the tour. I think that would be enough for you to think."

"I really don't know what to do. How am I going to tell Jennie that I love her without losing her?"

"You what?"

By then, a cold voice send shivers down to my spine. My whole system was engulfed with horror. I slowly turned my head towards the direction of that voice. Hoping that it wouldn't be the person that I was afraid to face right now.

When I finally met those raging eyes of the owners voice, the fear that grew right inside me started to get stronger. My breathing become heavier, my palms became sweaty, and my knees seems to lose all of its strength.

"J-Jennie?"