Chapter 19.

The list of things to do to help Jennie was almost ready in Lisa's mind.

Be her friend. Talk to her as much as possible. Learn what she likes and help her do it. Appreciate and compliment her every effort. Show others how good she is. Never do anything to make her lose her temper. Protect her from any source of unhappiness and stress. Talk to her about her troubled past. Show compassion and understanding. Always be patient, forgiving and sensitive. Try to encourage her to talk about what hurt her and caused her pain.

Anxiously twirling her hair around her fingers, Lisa wasn't sure about the last item on her list. Would she really be able to do it? She didn't have the skills of a qualified therapist after all... But she cared about Jennie's happiness and that was the most important aspect when dealing with people who needed help. So after a brief moment of hesitation she decided to leave it on the list, but only try it when she really feels ready.

She entered the school wondering if Jennie will be mad at her after what happened the day before, when her phone buzzed. A quick smile appeared on her mouth, it was a message from Jennie. Wait. No, there was no message, she was just a sharing a file. Damn, not even a simple "hi", could it be that she was still angry? Her smile vanished. She anxiously opened the file, it was her studying schedule for the week, carefully prepared by Jennie. "Whoa, that's a lot of studying. She even planned five hours of work on a Saturday. Only Sunday is free. Wow, she really takes it seriously." Lisa thought. A week ago she wouldn't have even considered it, but now she was determined to do it. "I guess I can say goodbye to my easy and fun life." This realization made her feel bad, but just for a short moment because she quickly brushed it off. No, she didn't regret her decision, having goals made her life more meaningful than any fun stuff she had ever done.

She caught a glimpse of familiar dark hair at a distance and quickened her pace. Once she caught up to Jennie, she simply began walking next to her. Jennie didn't even seem surprised.

"How are you feeling after yesterday?" Lisa asked, concerned.

"It scared me. It was a second blackout in a short time. But I'm fine I guess." The reply was pretty vague. "Lisa, I want you to know that I'm not mad about what you said yesterday. I know you meant well." The Thai tried to conceal how relieved she felt, but Jennie probably noticed it, like she always did.

"And what about your rise in popularity?" Lisa asked almost cheerfully. "My letter made you quite popular, I even heard you made friends."

"Uhm... not exactly friends, but yeah, people try talk to me all the time-"

"That's great!"

"No, it's not great. Actually, it's the exact opposite of great because I can't... I don't know how to talk to people."

"We're talking now and you're doing just fine." Lisa joked with a smug look on her face.

"You know what I mean... they approach me hoping that I'd be friendly to them... and I just don't know how." Jennie seemed truly sad confessing it.

"I'm sure you do better than you think you do."

The brunette stared pensively at Lisa for a moment and then changed the topic.

"Did you see the schedule I made for you?" she asked.

"Yeah, thanks. It will be really helpful."

"That's it? You're not protesting? I kind of expected you to flip out and refuse." Jennie raised her brow, surprised.

"Why would I flip out? I'm serious about this college thing Jennie, I thought you knew that."

"And you're going to stick to the schedule?"

"Of course I am." Lisa confirmed. "But not on Wednesday." she added, sending Jennie an apologetic glance. "It's my birthday and I'm throwing a party-"

"Really?" there was a hidden disapproval in Jennie's question and Lisa sensed it.

"Trust me, one small party isn't going to ruin my schedule. I can work on a Sunday anyway, so I won't lose any time-"

"That's not what I was concerned about." Jennie interrupted.

"No alcohol except beer. And I won't drink, I promise. Come on, it will be just a small get-together for my closest friends. You're invited by the way." Lisa got so brave that she even let herself wink at Jennie, who suddenly got so flustered that she almost tripped while walking. With an embarrassed look on her face, she said: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't even make a fuss because you want to have a party on your birthday, sometimes I'm like that, I'm sorry."

"Instead of saying that you're sorry you can just tell me that you're going to come to the party."

"Lisa, I really don't think it's the best idea, parties aren't my thing-"

"So Wednesday 6 pm. at my place." Lisa said pretending not to hear Jennie's last words.

"Damn it Lisa, listen to me-"

"It's my birthday Jen, are you really not going to come?" Lisa's expression suddenly turned serious.

"No." Jennie replied only to see how disappointed Lisa's eyes looked. "Okay fine, I'll drop by just to give you the present and then I'll leave right away-"

"You will get me a present?" Lisa's looked genuinely excited, she seemed like a small kid who was just told that Santa was coming.

"Let me explain how birthdays work Liz. People come to the party and they are supposed to bring presents, okay?" There was a bit of mischief in Jennie's usual serious tone and Lisa chuckled happily.

"Oh my god, I can't believe that you just made a joke. It turns out you're not always so serious! I bet there's a funny girl hidden inside that poised exterior, waiting to be freed."

"I'm afraid there isn't." Jennie's retorted sharply. She didn't want to let Lisa know that the compliment made her feel really good inside.