Chapter 38

Jennie's POV

It's been a week since Lisa stopped attending their practices. And I admit, I kind of miss seeing her dancing. The aura and mood at the studio is way too different when she's around. I wonder how she is doing.

I never have the guts to visit her after the accident. I always saw Rosѐ and Jisoo assisting her around the school. I can see how strong she is. Despite of what happened, Lisa always manage to keep her smile. I tried too many times to talk to her whenever I found her alone but I thought that it might be weird that the one who despise and spit those hurtful words to her suddenly wants to be close to her again.

I'm starting to regret that I pushed Lisa away. I honestly miss her being by my side whenever I needed her. I miss those silly jokes that she always threw out just to make me laugh whenever I have a bad day. I miss those times that we're hanging out. I miss Lisa. I miss my best friend. But this homophobic ass of mine sent her away.

Rosѐ was right, Lisa never do something that would hurt me. Even if she's gay, she's not entirely like my mom. They're both different persons with their own attitude. I'm just too dumb to blame everything to her.

I leaned my back towards the wall. Watching this dance practice is boring without that tall girl. I knew I went here because of Hanbin but his dancing is not as good as Lisa.

At the corner of my eye, I saw someone staring through the window. I swiftly turn my head around and felt my heart thump. There was Lisa, standing outside the studio but the thing is she's not alone, Nayeon was with her.

"What do you expect? They're dating idiot." I internally scold myself.

They're been standing there for a few minute. Both of their attention are focused on the members that are busy practicing so they didn't notice that I was staring at them. Lisa's eyes mirror sadness and disappointment. I can feel how much she wanted to participate but knowing that she have an injury, she can't do anything but to watch from afar.

The practice has ended and Hanbin approached me. I drift my eyes away from Lisa unwillingly and focused towards the guy who is smiling brightly at me. I smiled back and gave the water bottle to him.

"We might practice for a few extra hours." Hanbin said as he flopped himself beside me.

"I might not be able to walk you home." He added and pouted. My heart was supposed to race every time that I will saw him acting cutely but this time, I felt nothing. I smiled, trying to mask the wondering that I've been having right now.

"It's okay. I understand. You guys need to strive harder." I said.

"Yeah. Without Lisa, we're really on the edge." Hanbin replied and leaned his back against the wall.

"It's really hard not having your ace huh?"

"Indeed. Anyway, are you sure that you're fine going home alone?" He looked at me with worry in his eyes.

"Of course. I'm not even a child. Besides, my house is not that far."

"Okay. You can go whenever you want. Just take care okay?" Hanbin said and planted a kiss on my cheeks before going back to practice.

I watch as Hanbin goes towards the center. He faced me one more time and wave his hand, I just nod back and smile as a reply. I diverted my attention towards the window where I saw Lisa a while ago. I automatically frowned when I saw that she's no longer there.

I sit for a few minutes until I got bored. Hanbin was busy holding their practice so I decided to just left and not to bid goodbye to him. He told me that I can leave whenever I want anyway.

I don't know why but my feet drag me towards the school garden. It's been a while since I went here. I love staying at the garden whenever I need peace. The sound of the air clashing to the leaves is so relaxing for me.

I went to my usual spot which is underneath at the camphor tree. This is my favorite place here at the school garden. The shade of this tree is a perfect protection from the sun.

My eyes narrowed when I saw someone lying down at my spot. When I noticed a cast on her right ankle, my heart suddenly raced knowing that this girl was no other than, Lisa. I carefully went near her and crouched.

Lisa was peacefully sleeping, her mouth is slightly open. I softly giggle as I realized that this girl right here looks like a kid when she's sleeping. I lifted up my head and noticed that Rosѐ was about to approach us. Maybe they're supposed to go home by now.

I saw how her eyes widened when she saw me staring at this sleeping Lisa. But when I saw how a mischievous smirk appeared on her lips, it was my turn to widen my eyes knowing that this chipmunk was thinking about something that I'm pretty sure isn't good.

I stood up and was about to walk towards her and explain why I'm here but Rosѐ quickly dashed away from me. I was left there staring at her figure slowly fading away. I massage my temple for a bit and look at my watch. The last bell will rang every minute from now.

"Should I wake her up?" I said to myself as I divert my attention back to the sleeping monkey.

"Of course I should. I can't left her here." I added. Do I look dumb because I'm talking to myself?

I crouched back and wondered how I should wake her up without surprising her. My heart started to beat faster, I don't what would be her reaction if she see that I'm here. With trembling hand, I carefully poked her cheeks, but it's no use, she's still sleeping. I tried poking it more until she grabbed my hand making me the one to startle.

"I'm already awake chipmunk. Stop poking." Lisa said still having her eyes closed.

I was taken aback of her sudden touch making me to instantly froze. I felt thousands of electricity bolts run down to my whole body just by the mere touch of her hand. She mistaken me for being Rosѐ but that chipmunk already dashed away. I bet Lisa was confused because I saw how her eyebrows furrowed when she nothing.

"Fuck. What am I going to do?" I thought.

"You're R- Rosѐ right?" Lisa asked. I took a deep breath and gathered up all my courage so that I can answer her back. I keep on telling to myself to not freaking stutter because it would show how nervous I am right now.

"No." I internally congratulate myself for not being able to stutter.

Lisa's eyes shot wide opened as soon as she heard my answer. She quickly look at our hands then to my eyes. I saw that doe eyes of her shows fear which made me feel a sudden pang of pain right into my heart.

Lisa is afraid of me?

"I'm sorry. I thought you're her." She said. I feel the emptiness when Lisa let go of my hand. I stared at my hand for a few minutes until my attention was caught my Lisa's phone ringing.

"Hey. Where are you?" She said. I assume that it was Rosѐ who was calling her.

"She left already." I whispered to myself.

I heard Lisa let out a groan of annoyance before quickly taking her things. She must have been annoyed when she knew that the person she was waiting for already left her.

I saw how Lisa was having a hard time walking so I decided to silently follow her. I can't stand watching her on that state.

"Fuck you Park Chaeyoung." I heard Lisa curse. I pursed my lips together trying to suppress a giggle. I find annoyed Lisa cute.

I fasten my pace so that I can be able to catch up to her. When I finally did, I grabbed her left arm and put it around my shoulder. I can see Lisa was surprise at the corner of my eye. She insisted that she can do it on her own but when I put my hand on her waist, I felt how her body stiffened. I even heard a faint gasp from her which results me to not be able to control the smile that I was suppressing.

Cute.

"Just shut up and walk." I said trying to hide from her the giddiness that I'm feeling. And then, thousands of electricity run down once again throughout my body when Lisa held my hand that was supporting her waist.

--

Lisa's POV

The walk to my house was silent and awkward. Having Jennie with me feels somewhat between right and wrong. I know that I was supposed to be glad because I've been this close to her again. But, she hates me right? I can't even forget those words that she throw to me. Those words that kept on giving me nightmares.

"We're here." Jennie said which made me to stop my train of thoughts. We've already arrived at my house without me noticing it.

I was about to let go from Jennie but she gripped on me tightly and went towards the front door to open it. Jennie carefully put me down at the sofa and once again, awkwardness fill the atmosphere. I heard Jennie cleared her throat and looked at her watch.

"It's almost dinner time. You want something? I'll cook." Jennie said and quickly went to the kitchen before I protested. I saw she opened the refrigerator but only to be disappointed that it was empty.

"Uh, there's nothing in here." Jennie said.

"I know. I haven't been able to go to the supermarket because of this stupid injury." I quickly pressed my lips together. Is it okay to talk this casual to her? But my worriedness suddenly washed out when I heard a faint giggle came from her. I blinked my eyes, trying to figure out if what I heard was real.

"Then how are you going to eat tonight?" She asked. Is she concern? Oh God. Lalisa, stop being delusional. She's just asking!

"I'm just praying that Rosѐ do the grocery for me since that chipmunk was practically living here." I said. That chipmunk was the reason why my fridge is empty. Ever since she decided to live with me while my parents are away, she's been constantly devouring whatever food that she will saw inside the fridge.

"Rosѐ was living here? She's sleeping with you?" Jennie asked and I sense a change on her tone but I don't know what it is.

"Yeah. She don't want to go home even if her house is just only across the street. According to her, she don't want me to be alone." Wait, am I giving too much information? Damn this mouth of mine. Why the fuck I can't stop talking?

"And Nayeon was okay with that?" Jennie asked.

"What?"

"I mean, is she not jealous? You're living with a different girl. You guys are dating right?"

"Rosѐ is my friend. Why would Nayeon will be jealous when we-" I wasn't able to finish my sentence because the front door suddenly swung open revealing the chipmunk that we are talking about.

"Lisa! I miss you!" Rosѐ exclaimed. If she wasn't holding bags of food in her two hands, she'd be practically jumped towards me.

"I miss you your face. You freaking ditched me!" I said. Rosѐ put down the bags that she's holding and went towards me. She pinched my cheeks as a part of revenge since I always do that to her. You can't blame me though. Her cheeks are soft and fluffy like Jennie's.

Wait, Jennie is still here. My eyes divert towards Jennie and I saw her wearing a blank face. She then cleared her throat, must be her way of making Rosѐ aware of her presence.

"Oh, Jennie. You're still here? Thanks for taking Lisa home." Rosѐ said. Why is she smirking? I saw how Jennie rolled her eyes before leaving. She didn't even say goodbye. Rude.

"What's with that smirk, Park Chaeyoung?" I asked.

"Nothing. So tell me, did you and Jennie talk?" She asked giddily.

"Shut up. You ditched me right? So I won't tell anything."

"Come on. Don't be rude, Lisa." Rosѐ whined.

"Make me some food first. I'm hungry."

"Promise me that you'll tell me every single thing?"

"Yeah yeah. Go and make me some food. Hurry!" I said and shoo her away. This chipmunk will really do anything to get what she wants.

--

"Finally you can walk alone!" Rosѐ exclaimed. My ankle was fully healed already so I don't need anyone to accompany me every now and then.

"Finally I won't be able to get stuck on you all the time." I teased her which earned me a playful smack.

"Meanie." Rosѐ pouted. I laughed at her reaction and patted her head.

"Where's Jisoo anyway?" I asked.

"I'm here!" Jisoo jumped towards me and lock my head in her arms making me to groan in pain. I repeatedly tapped her so that she can already let me go because I was having a hard time breathing.

I heard Jisoo's loud laugh when she saw me coughing. I swear I will roast this chicken tonight.

"You knew that my ankle is fully healed right?" I said and glared at her. I saw Jisoo gulped and that made me let out a smug smirk.

"You better run or you'll be a dead chicken." I threatened. She quickly hide behind chipmunk and of course, Rosѐ stopped me from attacking the girl behind her. I rolled my eyes when I saw Jisoo sticking her tongue out.

"Childish." I muttered.

"So are you." Jisoo answered back. We we're about to bicker again when Rosѐ hit both of our heads making us quiet.

I was rubbing the part where Rosѐ hit when my eyes caught Jennie and Hanbin entering the room. According to him, we won the competition which made me very happy. I tried to meet Jennie's eyes but it seems like she's avoiding me for some reason that I don't know.

I thought we were okay that time she took me home but after that, she doesn't talked to me anymore. She can't even spare me a single glance. I guess she just only do that out of pity. A dry chuckle escape from my throat.

"She's homophobic and I'm gay. What should I expect?"

"I'm glad that you're okay now, Lisa." Nayeon said. I didn't even noticed that she's already here. Am I spacing out that much?

I was about to answer but our teacher suddenly came in announcing that we will be having a science fair and all of us needed to participate. Lots of groans and complains was heard throughout the room. Even me, I slumped my head on the table and let out a couple of sigh. Doing a research paper is fine with me but a science project? It's a big no. I'm too lazy for that.

I suddenly lift my head up when I heard that we are going to do it in pair. I gulped and internally prayed because the last time that we had this kind of scenario, I was paired with Jennie. But now, that would be the least thing that I want to happen. Being partnered with Jennie means we will be spending time together, a lot. And just by thinking of it, it's slowly suffocating me.

"The next pair will be, Jennie Kim and Lalisa Manoban."

Shit. What did I do to deserve this?