My Chemistry Tutor

CHAPTER 4

LISA'S POV

Unfortunately, I don't have a day off today. Nope, today I'm stuck working the entire horrible day.

I had to wake up at 7 a.m. just to get ready so I could clock in at 8.

I work at a coffee shop in the mall. It has its perks: I get a discount on everything, and anything left over at the end of the day, I get to take home if I want. Honestly, today I'm going to take everything, because if they're going to make me work all day, I deserve it.

Around ten, I switch from cashier duty to cleaning around the shop. That's when I notice something out of the corner of my eye.

Why is Jisoo dragging Jennie toward the shop? Does Jisoo want bad coffee or something?

I squint. They seem to be arguing about something and keep glancing toward one of my coworkers, who's sitting at a table on break.

Then, out of nowhere, Jisoo pushes Jennie toward that direction and walks off. Jennie stands there hesitantly, like a deer caught in headlights, and starts backing away slowly, only for Jisoo to come back and shove her again.

Wait a second... Is Jennie going to try talking to my coworker, Seulgi?

Don't get me wrong. Seulgi is hot. But she's also... well, kind of a bitch.

It looks like Jennie's working up the nerve to approach her.

Is she... going to try and flirt with Seulgi? I mean, I've always gotten gay vibes from Jennie, so maybe she's trying to ask Seulgi out?

Oh, hell no. Seulgi would eat her alive. She'd make fun of Jennie, and Jennie doesn't deserve that. Jennie's too precious to be hurt by someone like her.

Before Jennie can get too close, I slowly walk over to Seulgi and casually tell her the manager wants to see her. She rolls her eyes but heads into the back, leaving her seat empty.

At that exact moment, Jennie finally gathers enough courage to walk forward, her eyes glued to the floor. I can't help but smile. At least she tried.

But the second she looks up and realizes it's me at the table instead of Seulgi, her whole face goes red.

"Hey there, love," I say with a smirk.

"Lisa? What are you doing here?" she asks, flustered and blinking rapidly.

I gesture at my uniform, and she lets out a little, "Ohhh."

"What are you doing here? You want a coffee?" I tease.

"Umm, yeah. That's exactly why I came over here," she stammers, stumbling over her words.

God, she's adorable. She always finds a way to amuse me without even trying.

"Okay, come over to the cash register. I'll get you a coffee," I say, reaching out to grab her hand. Without really thinking, I intertwine my fingers with hers.

It feels... right. So natural, like this is how it's supposed to be.

When I glance back at her, her face is lit up in a deep blush. Damn. Can this girl not get any cuter?

"What kind of coffee do you want?" I ask, smirking at her pink cheeks.

"Umm... surprise me?" she says softly, and I wink at her.

I make her my favorite blend, carefully preparing it just the way I like. Before handing it over, I grab a sharpie and scribble something on the cup. When I look up, Jennie's staring curiously, trying to figure out what I wrote.

"I wrote my number. I forgot to give it to you in the classroom, for tutoring," I explain.

"Oh right, thanks," she says, though I can hear the tiniest hint of disappointment in her voice.

Was she... expecting me to write something else?

She reaches into her pocket and pulls out some money, but I gently push her hand away.

"It's on me, love. Call it even for you tutoring me," I say with a grin.

She mumbles a small "thanks" and starts to walk away.

Something in me refuses to let her leave just yet.

Before I even realize what I'm doing, I follow her out of the shop, grab her arm, and make her face me. Leaning close, I whisper against her ear, "I can't wait until Wednesday. See you then, love."

I pull back just enough to flash her a smile. She looks flustered but smiles back, and my heart skips like crazy.

We say goodbye, and I head back inside. But the whole time, all I can think about is her smile.

God, she has such a beautiful smile. There's so much light and joy in it, it's the kind of smile that makes you want to keep looking at her forever.

"I'm surprised you're going for that girl. She's not your typical," my coworker Jackson comments as I walk past.

"I'm not trying anything with her. And I don't have a type," I retort quickly.

"Come on, of course you're trying. Everyone noticed how much you were smiling when she walked into the shop."

"She deserves more than that, okay?" I snap, turning to him. "She doesn't deserve to be played with. She's a good person, she's kind, smart, awkward, and yeah... kind of dorky."

"Sounds nothing like your type. But you like her," Jackson says with a playful smirk.

"I don't have a type, and I don't like her in that way," I reply firmly.

"Go ahead, keep lying to yourself," Jackson chuckles, walking off.

I let out a heavy sigh.

There's no way I can actually like this girl, right?

I mean... Jackson might be a little right.

Normally, I go for bad girls. The ones with sharp edges, the ones who play the game. Not the sweet ones.

But there's something about Jennie, something I can't let go of.

There's more to her than just being the innocent sweet girl everyone sees.

And I'm starting to realize... I want to find out exactly what that is.