Ms. Kim wants me!

CHAPTER 20

LISA'S POV

It's been a couple of days, and I've been trying, really trying, to ignore Jennie.

Why? Because every time I see her, my stupid heart starts fluttering like crazy, and my cheeks heat up until I'm blushing like a kid. It's embarrassing, and I know she notices.

Worst of all, she knows exactly what she's doing to me. She's not oblivious, she's teasing me at this point, and enjoying every second of it.

Right now, Jennie and I are having lunch together in the lobby. She sat across from me, eating her salad so elegantly, while I was munching on a plain sandwich. The contrast between us made me laugh a little.

"Where did you come from? Like... your accent is really cute," I asked between bites.

She looked up at me, smiling with that effortless charm. "New Zealand."

I nodded, intrigued, and she continued, "But when I was in college, I studied everywhere around the world."

I tilted my head and gave her a playful look.

"You should've seen me while I was around the world."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why?" I asked, chuckling.

She leaned back in her chair, a smirk tugging at her lips. "All the men and women wanted me! Everywhere I went, people chased me around the world, globally!" She made a dramatic gesture with her hands.

"But you, Lili... you should consider yourself lucky."

"And why exactly am I lucky?" I asked, still laughing.

She leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. "Because I like you! Everyone wants me, but you... you're different. You don't like me." Her smirk softened into something more genuine.

"And that's why I like you even more. But that's okay... I'll wait for you."

Her voice dropped a little as she added, "When you truly like someone, you have to learn to wait for them, so they can have you in their heart fully." Her eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, I felt frozen under her gaze.

Trying to hide how much her words affected me, I laughed and shook my head.

"Since when did you become so romantic, huh?"

"Only for you, Lili," she said with a wink.

Flustered, I stood up quickly. "I'm going to the library," I mumbled, trying to escape.

Of course, Jennie followed me like a shadow. We climbed up to the second floor, and she leaned in close, whispering, "Why are we in the library? I don't like it here. We've got to whisper, and whispering is boring."

I couldn't help but smile at her childish complaint.

I grabbed a thick book for school and settled at a table. Jennie, on the other hand, just grabbed a random book without even looking at the title and sat right in front of me.

I tried to focus, flipping through the pages, but I could feel her eyes on me. Every few seconds, she turned the page of her book without even glancing at it.

After a while, she sighed dramatically, closed it, and stood up.

Before I could ask, she slid into the seat beside me, reopening the book just to keep up appearances but her gaze never left me.

Then suddenly, I felt it. Her hand slid gently into mine under the table. My eyes widened, and I immediately looked at her. She just smiled innocently and gave a little shrug as if it were nothing.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly hid my face behind my book, pretending to read, though my mind was a complete mess.

When I finally finished my schoolwork, I packed up my things. Jennie let go of my hand, but she walked with me all the way back to her office, trailing behind me like she had nowhere else to be.

All day, I couldn't focus on anything. Every thought I had circled back to Jennie.

I like her.

I LIKE HER!!

Since when? How?!

By the time work was over, it was already dark and cold outside. Jennie insisted on driving me home, and despite my protests, I couldn't say no.

When we reached my house, we both walked up to the front door. I leaned casually against it while Jennie stood directly in front of me, her smile shining even under the dim porch light.

"You're very smiley today," I teased with a chuckle.

"That's because we spent the whole day together!" she admitted without hesitation, her grin growing wider.

Her words made my heart pound. I took a deep breath and decided it was now or never.

"You know... how you said you'll wait for me at lunch?" I began slowly.

She nodded, eyes curious.

"I... I think I like you too." My voice was steady, my expression serious.

Her eyes widened, and I continued, "Actually... I like you."

Her lips stretched into that famous gummy smile, and my heart nearly stopped.

"Wow..." she whispered, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"I don't know when, but it just happened," I explained, my words tumbling out in a rush.

"I'm surprised at myself too. I thought you were this cold-hearted girl at first... but then I saw your real side. And I guess... I started to like you."

Before I could finish, Jennie reached out, her hand sliding behind my neck as she pulled me closer.

"Be my girlfriend... please, Lili," she said, her eyes wide and pleading.

My breath caught. For a moment, I hesitated. But then I sighed, feeling the warmth of her hand.

"B-But... I... Yes." She didn't waste another second. Our lips connected, and the world seemed to melt away.

The kiss was soft but deep, filled with all the emotions we had been holding back. We kissed for almost a full minute before I gently pulled away, resting my forehead against hers.

"Go inside, it's getting late," she murmured softly.

I nodded, turning around to unlock my door. But before going inside, I looked back at her one more time. She stood there, smiling so softly, her eyes filled with something that made my chest ache.

"Bye!" she yelled happily, waving like an excited kid.

I closed the door, but curiosity got the better of me. Peeking through the window, I nearly burst out laughing.

Jennie was dancing and jumping around in front of my house, twirling like a child who had just gotten candy.

Then she stopped, took a deep breath to calm herself, and walked back to her car with the biggest grin on her face.

I giggled and finally headed to bed, my mind completely consumed by her.

JENNIE'S POV

I arrived home and immediately crashed onto my bed, hugging my pillow as the biggest smile spread across my face.

For the first time in such a long time... I was happy. Truly happy.

I was in love.

I couldn't stop smiling, even as I buried my face in the sheets. Every detail of Lisa's confession replayed in my head, the way she admitted she liked me, the surprise in her eyes, the way her lips felt against mine.

I was so in love, to the point where I couldn't even fall asleep, because reality with her was finally better than any dream I could ever have.

And I never wanted this feeling to end.