My Chemistry Tutor

CHAPTER 22

LISA'S POV

Jennie heads into her room and grabs some clothes. She hands me a set to change into before slipping out toward her bedroom to get dressed herself.

I take my time in the bathroom, pulling off my soaked clothes and slipping into the fresh ones. As I change, I replay everything that just happened only minutes ago.

My heart pounds harder the more I think about it, and I can't help but smile like an idiot when I remember Jennie saying she loves me too.

She loves me.

Fuck, I feel so happy.

When I finally finish, I step into Jennie's room and find her lying on her bed, eyes closed.

Is she asleep? Only one way to find out.

Grinning, I quietly make my way over and then flop down next to her. Jennie jumps in surprise but quickly softens when I wrap an arm around her and pull her close.

This time, she doesn't hesitate at all when I lean in to kiss her. She kisses me back with the same passion and tenderness I've been holding in for so long.

When she pulls away, she tucks her head shyly into the crook of my neck, and I hold her tighter, pulling her gently on top of me.

Jennie looks at me with the cutest little smile, then leans forward to kiss my nose before turning away in embarrassment.

"You are so cheesy, love," I tease, pressing a kiss onto the top of her head.

"Yes, yes I am, and you love it," she replies confidently.

"You're right, I do love it. I can't get enough of it," I say, my smile stretching so wide it almost hurts.

"See, there's your soft spot showing," she teases again, laying her head on my chest.

"Fine, fine, I have a soft spot," I whisper back, kissing her head once more. "But only for you. So don't go around telling people about this."

We lie there in blissful silence, soaking in the comfort of being in each other's arms, until both of our stomachs betray us with loud growls.

I laugh and ask, "What are you in the mood for?"

"PANCAKES!" she yells, sitting up so quickly she almost smacks me in the face.

"Damn, I had no idea you'd get this excited over pancakes," I giggle.

"Whatever, I'm really hungry," she says, already climbing out of bed.

"Okay then, let's go on our date," I reply, getting up too.

"Date? Don't you think we're a bit past that?" she asks, smirking at me.

"Love, I know we've already confessed our feelings to each other, but I still haven't taken you on a proper first date. Better late than never," I say, slipping behind her to hug her from the back.

"Oh god, we are such a cheesy couple," Jennie teases, turning in my arms to kiss me.

"Yes, we are. Let's just embrace it. I'm too happy to care," I whisper, cupping her jaw so I can kiss her again.

We make out for a few minutes until our stomachs growling interrupts us again, forcing us to pull apart, laughing.

Hand in hand, we head out of her house. Jennie glances around.

"Where's your car?" she asks curiously.

"It's a block away," I reply, intertwining our fingers tighter as I guide her.

"Why is it so far? You could've parked closer to my house."

"They know what my car looks like," I chuckle.

"Oh well. I'm lucky I have a smart girlfriend who thinks ahead like this," she says, squeezing my hand.

"It's more like the other way around," I reply.

Jennie suddenly stops, turning to face me. She cups my cheeks in her hands, her gaze firm and sincere.

"You're fucking smart. Stop degrading yourself," she says before kissing me softly.

When she pulls back, I can only stare at her, dazed.

"Damn, I love it when you curse and kiss me like that."

"Well then, get used to it," she smirks, walking ahead without me.

I jog to catch up, and soon we reach my car.

We head to a little café so I can make my girl happy with her beloved pancakes.

While we wait for our food, we can't stop talking. Conversation flows so easily, like it always has between us. With Jennie, everything feels natural. She's still my best friend, the only difference is now I get to kiss her, hold her, and tell her how much I love her.

It's crazy how right this feels. For once, instead of being weighed down by the pain of leaving my mom behind, I feel light. I feel... happy.

When the pancakes finally arrive, Jennie eagerly digs in, but she tries to take a huge bite and ends up with maple syrup on her nose.

I burst out laughing at how adorable she looks, then lean forward with a napkin to wipe her clean.

"Wow, who knew this is what a real, loving girlfriend is like!" she says happily before shoving another bite of pancake into her mouth.

My heart tightens a little at her words. I can't help but think back to the stories she told me about her shitty ex-girlfriend.

"Hey," I say softly, my tone shifting, "forget about that last bitch. I love you. This is what love is. And if I need to prove that to you every single day until you believe it, then I will. Because you deserve the world."

Jennie's face lights up in the brightest smile, and she replies, "I love you too, Lisayah."

Hearing that name from her lips makes my chest ache in the best way. I replay it over and over in my head, like a favorite song I never want to end.

I guess I'm learning what love is too now.