My Chemistry Tutor

CHAPTER 23

LISA'S POV

When we finish eating breakfast, Jennie and I walk back to my car together.

"Now what do we do?" she asks, buckling her seatbelt.

"I have a place I want to take you," I reply, starting the engine.

"Where?" she presses curiously.

"It's a surprise, love," I respond with a grin, leaning over to give her a quick peck before pulling onto the road.

The drive takes about thirty minutes, and during the entire ride Jennie keeps poking, teasing, and begging me to tell her where we're going. I just laugh and refuse to spill, enjoying how impatient she gets.

Finally, I pull up to the top of a long hill, parking near where the trails begin.

Jennie gives me a look of disbelief. "Are you going to make me exercise? Like, I know you're fit and all, but I'm weak as hell."

Her exaggerated complaint makes me laugh.

"We're not doing any hiking today. Just follow me to the edge of the parking lot. There's a cliff where you can see the whole city," I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.

"Woww!" That's all Jennie manages to say when we reach the overlook. The view really is incredible, the city stretched out beneath us, glowing even in daylight, like a painting come alive.

"How did you find this place?" Jennie asks, her fingers gripping the railing as she takes it all in.

"My dad found it. He used to hike here all the time when he was younger. He brought me along a lot before he left," I explain, my voice catching at the end.

Jennie immediately turns and wraps me in a tight hug.

"I don't understand why he left me," I whisper into her shoulder. "Or why he never talked to me after."

Jennie pulls back just enough to see my face. Gently, she tucks strands of hair behind my ears, her eyes soft with concern. I clench my jaw and look away, trying to hold myself together, but Jennie cups my chin, forcing me to look at her.

"Don't do that," she says firmly, though her tone is tender. "Don't try to hold it in. I know you're hurting, so please don't shut it down. You can't keep internalizing this pain. It's not good for you."

"I can't," I admit, my voice breaking. "I don't want to feel all of it. I wouldn't know how to handle these emotions."

Jennie shakes her head gently, pulling me back into her embrace. "That's why you have me. As your girlfriend, I'll help you figure things out. We'll go through it together, day by day. You don't have to do it alone anymore."

"Okay," I whisper shakily, sinking deeper into her arms. There's no place in the world I'd rather be than right here with her.

But then her words sink in.

Girlfriend?

Did she just say girlfriend?!

I pull back from our hug with a smirk, and Jennie looks at me questioningly.

"So... we're girlfriends now?" I tease, wiggling my eyebrows to make her blush.

Her eyes widen. "Oh my god, I said that. I didn't mean to, it just came out. I'm sorry for assuming—"

"Hey, calm down," I interrupt, holding her arms to steady her. "It's okay."

I take a breath, smiling softly. "We're two people who deeply love each other. And I know for a fact that I want to be with you. So even though you already claimed me as your girlfriend earlier..." I pause dramatically, making her giggle, "do you want to be my girlfriend?"

"Of course!" she beams, and I can't resist pulling her close for a kiss.

"You know," Jennie says between kisses, "we keep—" another kiss, "doing things—" another kiss, "—out of order."

"I've noticed," I tease, pressing my lips to hers again. "But honestly? I think it'll make an amazing story to tell people one day."

We walk over to the railing, gazing out at the city together. Jennie stands in front of me, and I slide my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder.

She makes me feel safe in a way I never thought possible.

I love her. I love her so much. I didn't know you could love someone like this.

DING!

Jennie pulls out her phone, and her expression instantly changes to horror.

"What's wrong?" I ask quickly.

"My mom said she's coming home to check on me during her lunch break. That's in less than an hour. We need to get back home now!" she panics.

"Okay, let's run to the car," I say, grabbing her hand as we rush back.

We jump into the car, and I start the engine, flooring it down the hill.

"Oh my god, I'm going to be in so much trouble," Jennie mutters, bouncing her leg nervously.

"No, you won't. We'll make it back in time, okay?" I reassure her, pressing down on the gas a little more.

By some miracle, we make it to her house in forty-five minutes. I park a few houses away to avoid suspicion, and Jennie bolts out of the car, sprinting to her door. I lock up and chase after her.

We rush inside and jog upstairs just as Jennie's phone buzzes again.

DING!

She checks it and her eyes go wide. "My mom just parked in the driveway. She's coming in now."

"Hide!" she yells, panicked.

"Right," I reply, looking around frantically for somewhere to go.

"For fuck's sake, the closet!" Jennie hisses when she sees me hesitating.

"Not again. That'll be my third time in there," I tease, but one look at her stressed-out face is enough to shut me up. I rush into the closet without another word.

I hear Jennie throw herself onto her bed, and moments later, her mom's footsteps echo up the stairs.

My heart races as the doorknob rattles.