Ms. Kim wants me!

CHAPTER 18

LISA'S POV

I immediately left school early and rushed to Jennie's office after Rosé texted me, saying Jennie was drunk in her office.

My heart was pounding in my chest the whole ride there. I didn't know what I was about to walk into, but I knew I had to be there for her.

When I arrived, I quietly opened the door and closed it behind me. The room was dim, and the first thing I saw was Jennie sitting in her chair, slouched forward with a half-empty bottle of vodka on her desk.

Papers were scattered everywhere. She looked like a mess, nothing like the powerful, confident Jennie Kim everyone else feared.

I walked up to her and squatted down so I could be at her eye level.

"Jennie," I called softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Huh? Who are you?" she laughed suddenly, her words slurred. I sighed, realizing she was completely drunk.

As I got closer, I noticed a dark stain on her shirt. I reached out instinctively to check it, but she suddenly yanked my hand away.

"Stop it! Only my Lili, Lisa, can do that!" she yelled, her voice cracking.

My eyes widened.

Lili.

I looked down and saw her hands. They were bleeding, covered with small cuts. My chest ached at the sight.

"Okay... but let me help you," I said gently. For once, she didn't fight me, she just nodded, like a child, her eyes glassy and unfocused.

"You look like someone I know," she mumbled while I carefully began cleaning her cuts with tissues and the first aid kit from her drawer.

"Really? Who?" I asked, deciding to play along with her drunken state.

"Lisa Manoban!" she yelled suddenly, throwing her arms up in the air.

I couldn't help but laugh softly. "Who is she?" I asked, smiling at her.

"Ahhh! She's amazing! Beautiful, smart, sweet, innocent, and kind. I can go on forever!" Jennie rambled, her words tumbling out in a mix of giggles and hiccups.

"You're missing out on her! You won't regret meeting her!" My smile softened. Even drunk, she only thought of me.

She leaned closer suddenly, whispering in my ear like she was sharing the world's biggest secret.

"Can I tell you a secret?" I nodded, humoring her.

"I like her. I like Lisa Manoban!" she giggled, her cheeks flushing pink. But her smile quickly faded into a pout.

"Too bad she doesn't feel the same way..." she said with a broken little frown.

My chest tightened. I swallowed hard, not knowing how to respond.

"Is Lili Lisa's nickname?" I asked gently, and she nodded again, like a kid caught with candy.

I finished cleaning her cuts and helped her up, steadying her wobbling body as we walked toward the couch. She collapsed onto it, lying down as if she hadn't slept in years.

Within seconds, she was out cold.

I didn't want to leave her like this. So instead, I sat on another couch next to hers, listening to her steady breathing until my eyes slowly drifted shut too.

The next morning, I woke up still in her office, stiff from the couch. I stretched and looked over at Jennie. She was still fast asleep, her hair messy but her face peaceful. She looked almost angelic when she wasn't carrying the weight of the world.