My Chemistry Tutor

CHAPTER 19

JENNIE'S POV

It's late at night, and I'm barely finishing my homework. This is exactly what I get for procrastinating so much.

My parents have already gone to bed, so I'm the only one still up, unfortunately.

I start stacking my notebooks and shoving everything into my backpack when I suddenly hear weird noises outside.

My eyes widen in fear, and I freeze. I slowly turn toward the window, straining to listen carefully.

The doors to the balcony are open since I wanted some fresh air to come in earlier.

But now... the sound is closer. I hear the leaves on the tree outside start to shake. My heartbeat quickens.

I immediately run over to close the balcony doors, only to see someone jump onto the railing from the tree.

My mouth opens, ready to scream, but before I can make a sound, the dark figure leaps straight at me, knocking me back onto the floor of my room.

A hand slams over my mouth, muffling my cry, as my eyes widen in sheer panic.

Then, the person pulls their hoodie back revealing herself to be Lisa.

She pulls her hand away and gives me a sheepish smile. "Umm... hi?"

"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Lisa!" I hiss in a loud whisper, still breathless.

"Hey, you cursed again," she says with a smirk, getting off me.

"No shit, Lisa! Who wouldn't curse when they get scared to death by their so-called friend breaking into their home at night!" I snap, glaring at her.

Then, narrowing my eyes, I add, "Wait. Did you just climb my tree and jump from the top onto the balcony?"

"Umm... yeah," she says softly, looking at me with that guilty, sheepish expression.

"What the fuck were you thinking?! You could have gotten hurt!" I scold her, following her as she limps over and sits on my bed.

That's when I notice the limp more clearly. My anger is instantly replaced with worry.

"Oh my god, you hurt yourself," I say, rushing to her side.

"No, I'm fine. It's just a small scratch from climbing the tree," she replies, trying to brush it off.

I sigh, crouching in front of her. "Sit down. I'm going to get the first aid kit. Stay here. And please don't make any noise." I turn toward the door but stop to glance back at her, softening my voice.

"And next time, don't sneak into my house like that. My parents are already asleep, you could've just texted me, and I would've let you in through the front door."

Lisa facepalms, chuckling nervously. "Well... that's good information for next time."

I shake my head, trying not to laugh, and quickly head to the other bathroom to grab the first aid kit. When I return, I close the door behind me and sit down beside her on the bed.

I open the kit, pulling out some alcohol and bandages. Her pants are slightly ripped from the climb, and I can see a thin line of blood seeping from a small cut.

"I need you to take your pants off," I say without thinking.

Lisa freezes, staring at me wide-eyed. "I mean... I've been wanting you to tell me that for a while, but I don't think now is the best time to have fun."

I feel my face go up in flames. "Not for sex, stupid! Take off your pants so I can bandage your leg," I blurt out, blushing furiously.

Lisa chuckles, muttering "Ohh," before nervously sliding her pants off, revealing her toned legs as she lets me tend to her wound.

I scoot closer, dip a cotton swab in the alcohol, and carefully place my hands around her leg to steady it as I dab at the cut.

Lisa clenches her jaw tightly, wincing at the sting, but she stays still.

I apply some antibacterial lotion before placing a big bandage over the scratch. Once I'm done, I pack everything away and finally look up at her. She quickly glances away, her expression unreadable.

"So... are you going to tell me why you're here?" I ask gently, my throat tightening. Then I add, "Is it about what happened earlier?"

Lisa looks back at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice cracks as she speaks. "I didn't know if you were mad at me about earlier, because you wouldn't pick up your phone. And the last thing I ever want is to bother you. But... I had to come. I have nowhere else to go, Jennie."

My heart breaks at the sound of her trembling voice. Without hesitation, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my chest as she starts shaking and sobbing in my arms.

"Hey, I'm not angry," I whisper softly, running my hand along her back to soothe her.

"I'm sorry I didn't answer. There's a reason, but it doesn't matter right now. What do you mean by 'you have nowhere else to go'?"

Her body stiffens before she chokes out, "I ran away, Jennie. I can't stay there with her anymore. I just... I can't. She won't change. She keeps drinking, she refuses to take her depression pills, she won't help pay for anything, and she just... she just says horrible things to me. My mom doesn't love me, Jennie-yah."

Her voice breaks on my name, and I feel her hold onto me even tighter, like she's terrified I'll disappear.

"Oh, Lisayah," I murmur, pulling her closer, tears stinging my own eyes. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea you were going through so much. I can't believe you've had to face all of this alone."

"I don't know what to do, Jennie," Lisa sobs, her voice so small and broken it shatters me.

"Stay with me," I say firmly.

Lisa jerks her head up, her swollen eyes wide in shock. "What? No, I can't. Your parents wouldn't allow it—"

"Lisa," I cut her off, cupping her face gently so she'll look at me. "Stay with me. I won't tell my parents right now, I'll figure something out. But please... stay here. I don't want you going back home, and I don't want you staying in some motel all alone. I can't picture you being by yourself tonight. What if something happens to you? I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Her tears spill over as she whispers, "Why would you do this for me?" She wipes at her cheeks, searching my face desperately for an answer.

"Because I... I..." I swallow hard, my chest aching. "You're just too important to me, Lisa."

More than important, actually. She's everything. I think... I think I love her.

But I can't say that. Not right now. Not when she's already drowning in so much pain. She doesn't need that added weight.

So instead, I just hold her tighter, silently promising myself I'll protect her, no matter what.