Make It With You

15

Jisoo*

It had been a week since my birthday, and things had gotten so much more complicated. The aftermath of that day, the surprises, the laughter, and even the weird drunk moment with Monique felt like a distant memory now. Everyone was occupied with back-to-back photoshoots and their busy schedules, but for me, this week had felt endless.

Monique had been avoiding me. At first, I thought maybe she just needed some space after all the excitement of the birthday surprises. But as the days passed, it became clear that something was wrong. Every time I tried to approach her, to apologize, to talk to her, she'd always come up with an excuse-meetings, work, some vague thing she had to do. I understood that everyone was busy, but this felt different. This wasn't just her being caught up in work; it felt like she was avoiding me on purpose, and it stung.

I kept seeing her glance my way sometimes, catching her staring at me for a split second when she thought I wasn't looking. But those little moments weren't enough to bridge the distance that had formed between us. They just made me miss her even more.

Jennie, Lisa, and Chaeng always seemed to be checking in on her, hanging out with her, staying at her place, and even though I wanted to be a part of that, I couldn't seem to break through. They told me she was "fine" every time I asked about her, but that was all. Nothing more. The way they acted around her, like everything was normal, made me feel like I was the only one left in the dark.

Chaeng sometimes stayed at her place, and more often than not, it was Lisa keeping her company. I tried not to feel jealous, but I couldn't help it. Why could they be with her without any issue, while I was left on the outside, trying to piece things together? It didn't make sense. If she was fine, then why was she avoiding me so much? Why did it feel like I had been shut out from her life completely?

I tried to tell myself that maybe it was just a rough patch, that I needed to be patient. But with each passing day, my heart ached more. I missed her, badly. The sound of her voice, the way she laughed, the way she was always so effortlessly herself around me. Now it felt like I was chasing after a ghost.

I sighed, staring out the window as my thoughts swirled. How could I fix this? How could I get Monique back?

--

Monique**

"Monique unnie!? Monique unnie!? Eodiya?" (Where are you?) Lisa's voice echoed, and I let out a long, dramatic sigh before responding. Seutyudio-eseo! (In the studio!) I shouted back.

"Wae yeogie.. tto?" (Why are you here again?) I asked, barely hiding my boredom.

Lisa gave me one of her mischievous grins. "Asidasipi, Monikeu eonni, beullaeg pingkeu membeodeul, teughi jeniwa hamkkehaji anhneundamyeon naega gyeot-e issgo sip-eun yuilhan salam-eun dangsinppun-ibnida." (You know, Monique unnie, if I'm not around with Blackpink members, especially Jennie, the only other person I want to be with is you.) She wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

I rolled my eyes, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Watashi Lisa ni dorehodo fukaku kandōshita ka wa iemasen." (I can't even tell you how deeply moved I am, Lisa.)

"Shinaide kudasai." (Don't do that please.) I said, shaking my head in exasperation.

"Nani?" (What?) She blinked, confused.

"Kōdo. Sono tappingu o teishi shimasu." (The cord. Stop that tapping.) I demanded, my patience running thin.

Lisa sighed dramatically. "Ame ga futte iru toki, ienomawari de suru koto wa amari arimasen. Toranpu o shitaidesu ka?" (There's not a lot to do around the house when it's raining. Want to play cards?)