Big Reputation - Chaennie ( Rose x Jennie )

7 - Love Me Like I Don't

        Rose bit her lip, tilting her head, and spoke just loudly enough for whoever to hear.

        "Hey... Are you okay?"

        More sniffles. Rose shook her head, and was about to step closer, when she saw a face she did not expect to see at all. Okay, maybe not the most unexpected, but close.

        Covering her mouth in shock, Rose rushed forward and embraced the girl without another word. Lisa gripped on to her Australian friend like if she let go, she would leave.

         They stayed like that for another few minutes before the crying stopped. Rose spared a look at the tear-stained face of her best friend, and in a much softer tone, asked,

        "Lis...what's wrong?"

        The Thai stared back into Rose's eyes, a pout evident on her face.

        "I-it's, its n-nothing..."

        Rose rolled her eyes, not believing a single word. Her usually bubbly and optimistic friend was sitting in a corner of the office past midnight, crying. Yes, very normal.

        "Its obviously not nothing, Lisa. If you don't tell me, I can't help you. But if you're uncomfortable, I'll leave you alone-"

        "N-no! Please...please don't l-leave me alone...I'll tell you..."

        Sighing heavily, Lisa leaned back into Rose's arms and began her story.

Flashback

        Lisa sipped at her double shot expresso coffee she had grabbed early in the morning, narrowing her eyes as she analyzed the dance moves she was performing. It was her habit now, to take a video of herself  when practicing like it was the real thing. It helped her focus and see her the mistakes she was making.

        Just then, her coffee was snatched out of her hand without warning. The Thai was about to look up and reprimand Rose, since her Australian friend had a nasty habit of stealing her food, but she stopped abruptly upon registering the face of the female looking down at her.

        "Oh... Um, hello, Miss Kim! Uh, why did you take my coffee?" Lisa scratched the back of her neck, embarrassed at the thought of accidentally snapping at her not-so-subtle 'crush'.

        Jisoo sniffed daintily at the cup of coffee, then wrinkled her nose. "This is too much caffeine to be healthy."

        Lisa shook her head. "No one can live without it! Coffee is the blood that flows in our veins, don't tell me you don't drink it!"  The young dancer's eyes widened even more when the older girl disagreed.

        Jisoo lifted the cup of tea in the hand that wasn't holding on to the coffee. "Tea is perfectly fine, and contains caffeine too. Its much healthier."

        Lisa unintentionally groaned at Jisoo, which Jisoo just so happened to hear. "Hmm, what was that?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Kim, I didn't mean to disrespect you!"

Jisoo waved it away. "Don't worry, it's fine. Also, you can drop the honorifics. Just call me Jisoo."

And so, their 'friendship' began. Lisa always smiled whenever she saw the older girl pass by, looking up to her like she was an idol. Jisoo returned the affection by bringing Lisa out for meals behind the other's backs, where they got to have long, private chats. Some containing laughter, others full of useful advice. Before long, Lisa found herself getting...attached.