[JENLISA] Age of Death

Chapter 6

"So what you're saying is that I'm basically going to be forced to sit through the awkwardness along with you, then."

"Basically," I agreed, nodding over at Jennie. She smirked at me from the passenger's seat.

"Okay. But I'm staying over afterward." She let out a squeal as Kuma surprised her from the back seat, jumping into her lap and licking at her face. "Careful, I'm driving," I reminded her.

"Slowly. Where are we even going? You should just tell me."

"To one of my favorite places in Seoul," was all I said. "Is it a gay bar? I hope it's not. I don't want to meet other girls."

"I'm flattered," I joked and ignored the way my stomach flopped. "I have this theory," Jennie began. "You have a lot of theories." She ignored me and continued, "-that if I hit on you relentlessly enough, you'll crack eventually. See, when guys do it, it's creepy and gross, but I'm female and pretty and you actually like hanging out with me, so it's okay."

"Is it?"

She nodded simply and proceeded to kiss Kuma over and over on his head. He licked at her mouth and she saw me pull a face. "You're just jealous he gets to kiss me and you don't."

"Uh huh." I pulled into a parking lot and Jennie tugged at Kuma's leash until he was under control. Then we got out of the car together. "Okay." I pointed to the woods nearby. "We're following that trail there for only about half a mile or so. My dad told me about this place a few years back. He and mom went here in high school on their first date."

"Are you serious? And you try to act like you don't like me," Jennie marveled, her mouth wide open.

"You wanted to see where I go for fun and which places I like around here," I insisted. "This is it."

"And it's a romantic dating spot your parents used to use. How convenient," she drawled, sauntering past me. Or... attempting to. Kuma pulling at his leash ruined it a little.

We wound our way down the trail for ten minutes or so before we came to my parents' hidden gem of a spot. Buried in the woods was a drop-off that led to a small body of water, distantly connected to the ocean. Up at the top of the cliff above the water's edge was where I liked best, but nearby, the land sloped down to the water's level, complete with a small beach, and it was easy to wade into the water from there.

"Whoa. Does anyone else know about this place?" Jennie asked me, already leading Kuma down the slope. "This is awesome! We have to bring swimwear next time; I wanna try jumping off of that cliff."

"Hoony knows I like it here. And you can't jump from there," I warned her. "There are rocks below; it's really dangerous. You have to just get in from where you are now."

I followed her down the slope, pointing out the rocks in question. A few jutted out just visibly from beneath the water, but there were more underneath. "You'd have to be pretty lucky to miss them all. The drop itself isn't too bad; it's the landing that's the problem."

She frowned. "Gotta get your thrills somewhere else," I lamented, patting her on the shoulder. She unleashed Kuma and he leapt into the water, splashing the both of us. I sat down on the sand as we watched him swim, and after a moment, Jennie joined me, admiring our surroundings.

"This is really beautiful, Lisa."

"Thanks." I didn't know what else to say, and we both fell silent. As Kuma paddled back and forth, I felt Jennie shift closer to me. She leaned over and surprised me by kissing me gently on the cheek, and then rested her head on my shoulder. It felt natural, and I didn't stop her. I didn't want to.