Chapter 43

Jennie's POV

This past few days, I always caught myself staring at Lisa whenever I have the chance. I always watch her in her sleep which is the reason why I slowly getting myself freaked out. Still, I was in luck because Lisa never caught me staring at her. I don't know why but seeing Lisa at the most of the time makes me feel at ease.

It was our third day today and we're on our way towards the famous maze park. I am looking forward to hang out more with Lisa because I can feel that our friendship was slowly getting fixed. I can feel that soon, our friendship will be given a second chance.

But there's one thing that has been bothering me.

My heart kept on giving me signs that friendship wasn't all I want from her but I don't want to make decisions without confirming what I really feels towards my used to be best friend. I don't want to hurt her for the second time. Who knows that this might be just a mere crush?

Or not?

I quickly cling to Lisa when we finally got off the bus. Both of us are getting used to being such this close. I even not heard her complain about my clinginess since that they that she held my hand for the first time after that huge fight of us.

We were smiling to each other as we walk towards the entrance of the park. I can feel my heart beats loudly due to the excitement.

"Hey Jennie!"

I swiftly turned around when I heard that my name was called by someone. And my smile quickly faltered when I saw that it was Hanbin. I took a quick worried glance at the girl beside me and I saw how her smile turned into a frown.

My breath hitched as I slowly removed my hand from Lisa's arm. I nearly forgot that I still haven't fixed the things between me and Hanbin.

"It's been three days since we last talked." Hanbin pouted which made me cringe internally. I let out a fake smile to hide my annoyance.

"Can I borrow her for today?" Hanbin asked Lisa.

I quickly look at her and internally prayed that she will say no. Lisa looked down at me and I saw how she tried to read my mind.

Please say no.

Please...

But Lisa nodded which made me automatically groaned in disappointment. She took a step back and Hanbin reached out his hand, waiting for me to get it. I took a one last glance at Lisa before accepting his hand.

Well, this might be also a good chance for me to confirm everything. I looked behind, hoping that I met Lisa's eyes again but my heart ache when I saw that Nayeon was already with her and dragging her.

"Hey." Hanbin said to earn my attention.

"Hmm?"

"Why does it looks like you don't want to hang out with me?" He said sadly.

"Sorry. I'm just worried at Lisa. Rosé and Jisoo are nowhere to be found. I'm afraid that she would might explore alone. But it looks like she already found herself a company."

"Oh. I'm sorry for taking you from her. I just really miss you that much. Three days is long enough for me. So, shall we?"

I nodded and Hanbin held my hand and we started to roam around the place. We went to explore the mazes and I admit, I have fun. But it would be a lot more if Lisa is with me.

We're currently at the center of the last maze when I felt my knees weaken. We've been walking in hours and my feet needs some rest. I took a sit at the first bench that I saw and massage my legs.

"Here. Drink this." Hanbin gave me a water bottle. I didn't think twice to grab it.

"You must be pretty thirsty." He said when he saw that I emptied the bottle in one go.

"Who wouldn't? We've been walking for I don't know how long and we haven't get out yet from this stupid maze. Why this thing ever existed at the first place?" I said.

"Jennie." Hanbin called my name which made me faced him. I gasped in surprised his face was so close from mine. I saw how he look at me with full of sincerity. He held both of my hands and rub his thumb at the back of it. I heard him take a couple of deep breaths before opening his mouth.

"It's been a year since we started dating and the feelings that I felt for you is slowly getting deeper. And I don't want to take this long but if you're not yet ready, I don't mind waiting at all. But still, I'm asking you this question. Will you be my girlfriend Jennie? Can we make this official?" He said with full of sincerity.

My eyes we're glued at him and I think I lost my voice. I tried opening my mouth but there wasn't any single word that came out. His face is getting closer and I can't move a muscle. His lips is just few inches away from mine and I can feel his warmth breath. My heart was racing, but the reason why I'm feeling this was is not yet clear to me. And the next thing I knew,

Hanbin was kissing me.

I tried to kiss him back but as soon as I move my lips, Lisa's image appeared right into my mind. I went back to the time when I felt Lisa's lips for the first time. And that made everything clear. The questions that has been constantly running throughout my mind had been answered.

I quickly pushed Hanbin away and I saw how surprised he is. I stare blankly at the ground, panting.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I can't d-do this." I whispered but loud enough for him to hear.

There was a few minutes of silence before I heard a dry chuckle coming from him. I slowly faced his direction and saw how Hanbin smiled at me genuinely but his eyes mirrored pain.

"It's Lisa right?" He said which made my eyes widened.

"I-I-"

"It's okay Jen. I already knew. I was such a fool to think that your feelings would be actually as same as mine. Well, I'm stupid enough to think that your feelings for me wouldn't change." He said.

"I'm sorry." I replied. There's nothing that I can do to express how sorry I am.

"I told you its okay Jen. There's nothing to worry about."

"But, how did you know?"

"The way you look at her is way much different than how you look at me. And I can always feel how your hands adjusted every time I'm holding it. Actually, I confirmed it when Lisa got into an accident. I saw how worried are you and the way you yell at me explains everything. From that day, I already knew that I lost you without a fight. But still, I chose not to let you go. Hoping that you'll still choose me by the end of the day."

I fell in silence when I heard his explanation. It wasn't my intention to hurt him.

"You should go and get your girl." Hanbin said which made me quickly stand up.

"Thank you." I said before running away.

I dash towards the spot where the four of us agreed to meet when we're still on the bus. I can't wipe off the smile on my face. All this time. All this time I thought it was Hanbin. I was too dumb to ignore the signs. I was a fool to keep on convincing myself that I was head over heels with some other guy when the fact is, I am in love with Lisa.

"Whoa. What's with the rush, Jendeukie?" Jisoo asked.

"Where's Lisa? I thought you guys we're together?" Rosé asked.

"Well, things happened. But, there's something that I need to tell you." I said in an excited manner.

"Is this about you and Hanbin getting official? If is, then, I'm not interested." Rosé said and crossed her arms while raising on of her eyebrows.

"No it isn't!" I said.

"Oh. There's Lisa!" Jisoo said and happily waved her hand.

My heart started to race when I heard the name of the person that I'm in love with. With a wide smile on my face, I slowly turned around. But my smile slowly disappeared when I saw Lisa walking towards our direction with her head hung low.

When she heard Jisoo was calling her name, she slowly lifted her head up and fixed her gaze upon me. With no words needed, she walk closely to me. I gasped when she suddenly pulled me for a hug. Her hug was tight.

"What's wrong?" I said and rub her back.

"Nothing. I'm just not feeling well." She said and let go of me.

I was about to ask her the reason but Ms. Moonbyul suddenly calls us since it was already time to come back to the hotel where we are staying.

Lisa was sleeping for the whole ride. And I'm disappointed since I haven't told them what I really want to say. Well, maybe I can say it after dinner.

"Hey. There's a nice restaurant not far away from here. Come on, let's have some dinner." Rosé said when we finally get off the bus.

"Sure! I was hungry anyway." Jisoo said.

"Yeah. I bet the food there was nice since Rosé suggested it." I said and they both giggle. I noticed that Lisa was still silent. She was looking blankly somewhere.

"What about you Lisa? Are you coming?" I asked.

"No. I think I should get some rest." Lisa said with a smile before walking away from us.

She's not yet that far when she paused and turned her head slightly, showing the half of her face.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Congratulations Jen." She lastly said and disappeared from our sight.

The three of us there were left dumbfounded. We're all been wondering why Lisa's acting weird.

"What's with that monkey?" Jisoo asked. We're already on our way towards the restaurant that Rosé was talking about.

"Maybe she's not really that feeling too well. But, why did she congratulate you?" Rosé asked.

"I don't know. That's weird."

"Yeah. Really weird." Jisoo said.

"Wait. What's that thing that you've been wanting to tell us earlier?" Rosé asked.

"Well, me and Hanbin kis-"

"Okay. That's cringey, no need to talk about that." Rosé interrupted.

"No. Let me finish okay."

"Fine."

"So as I was saying. Me and Hanbin kissed right after he asked me to be his girlfriend but Lisa's face suddenly appeared into my mind which answers the weird feelings that I've been experiencing lately whenever she's around."

"Wait. So you mean..." Jisoo said.

"Yes Chu. I'm in love with Lisa too." I said with a sweet smile.

"Oh damn! Finally! What took you so long?" Jisoo cheered.

"Maybe I was too blinded by my hatred." I said which make her laugh. My eyes darted towards the red-haired girl which fell in complete silence after my confession.

"Is there something wrong Rosé?" I asked.

"Lisa's in a foul mood and she even congratulates you. Do you think that she saw the two of you?" She said.

Those words strike straight into my mind. Her hug earlier seems like a goodbye hug and I even noticed that her eyes where puffy. Did she really saw us?

"Shit. I need to go back." I said before running back towards the hotel.

I heard the two keep on calling my name but they also follow me afterwards. I need to explain everything to her. I need to tell her what I really feel. I fasten my pace, and run with all my strength.

I opened the door of our room quickly which made a loud banging noise. By then, I started to get nervous when there's no Lisa lying on the bed. I went to the balcony, to the bathroom and I even searched the whole hotel but still, Lisa was nowhere to be found.

I went back to our room and took my phone to dial her number but there's no response. Her phone must be off. I massaged my temple, trying to think where Lisa might be but when my eyes darted to the bed where Lisa was using, I noticed that her things wasn't also there.

And that makes me tremble in fear.

Lisa was gone. She left. She left without hearing my explanation and giving me no chance to tell her that I love her.

I fell down into my knees and the last thing I knew, tears were streaming down my face. My heart tightened knowing that I also lost the girl that I love without a fight. I felt Rosé and Jisoo wrapped me into their arms when they witnessed my pitiful state.

Am I really too late?

--

Omo! 111K reads? 😳 Thank you so much for reading! 😭❤️❤️