My Chemistry Tutor

CHAPTER 30

LISA'S POV

We pull into the parking lot and drive around in circles, searching for a free spot. After what feels like forever, probably about ten minutes, I finally find one and smoothly park my car.

Jennie and I get out together and walk toward the mall's entrance, hand in hand.

"What shall we do first?" I ask, glancing at her with a smile as I gently squeeze her hand.

"I want frozen yogurt," she pleads, giving me the most devastating puppy dog eyes.

I can't help but laugh. I can never say no when she looks at me with those adorable cat-like eyes.

"Okay, let's go," I agree, chuckling when she lets out a small squeal of joy.

At the frozen yogurt place, I keep it simple, I get a plain cup of vanilla yogurt topped with chocolate chips and nuts. But when I glance over at Jennie, I nearly drop my spoon.

Her cup is filled to the brim with multiple flavors, swirled together in a chaotic rainbow. Then she moves to the toppings bar and starts piling on chocolate chips, marshmallows, gummy bears, sour gummy worms, sour patches, and even nuts.

I stare at her in amusement, torn between being impressed and completely disgusted. Her yogurt looks like a five-year-old's sugar dream.

She skips toward me at the cashier with the biggest smile on her face, looking so proud of her bizarre creation.

Fuck, she's too cute for this world.

Before she can even reach for her credit card, I quickly pay for both of us. She scolds me at first, pouting, but I flash her my most dazzling smile and she sighs, defeated.

"You can't stay mad at this face," I tease, leaning closer to emphasize the point.

"Whatever," she replies, playfully pushing me away.

We sit down at an empty table nearby and begin enjoying our yogurt. Jennie insists I try bites of all the different flavors she picked, and to my surprise, I actually like most of them.

But when she offers me a spoonful that mixes gummy bears and chocolate chips, I recoil immediately.

"Absolutely not. That's where I draw the line," I laugh, shaking my head.

"You're so weird," I joke as she happily scoops another spoonful of her bizarre toppings into her mouth.

"Aren't you weirder? You're the one who chose to date me," she fires back, smirking.

"No, I see it as a good deed," I reply with a grin.

"Jerk," she mutters, laughing despite herself.

We finish our frozen yogurt and wander off to the bookstore. Honestly, it wouldn't have been my first choice, but Jennie loves reading, and as long as she's happy, then so am I.

I love watching her face light up as she takes in the endless aisles of books. She practically glows as she walks between the shelves, her fingers brushing over the spines.

Jennie wanders deeper into the store to hunt for her next read while I lean casually against a tall bookshelf, pulling out my phone to scroll through Instagram.

I'm in the middle of liking a post when I feel a light tap on my shoulder. Assuming it's Jennie, I spin around with a smile but my expression drops instantly.

My blood runs cold.

"What are you doing here?" I say sharply.

JENNIE'S POV

I happily wander through the long aisles of books, taking in the warm scent of paper and ink. I don't even know where to start there are so many stories waiting for me.

Finally, I pick an aisle and begin browsing the shelves when a voice I know all too well cuts through the silence.

"Of course, you would come here," the familiar voice says, instantly souring my mood.

I turn and meet the eyes of my ex-girlfriend, Irene. I sigh, already annoyed. "Well, no shit. I love books."

Irene blinks in surprise. "You just cursed."

"Yeah, so?" I reply flatly. I guess spending so much time with Lisa has rubbed off on me, I'm bolder now, less afraid.

"Woah, what happened to the shy girl who couldn't even hurt a fly?" she asks, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.

"Is there a reason you wanted to talk?" I snap, my tone colder than ice.

Irene chuckles lowly. "I like this new snarky attitude of yours. It's such a huge turn-on."

My stomach churns.

"How about we go grab some coffee... and then maybe have some fun afterward?" she purrs, stepping closer.

I nearly gag. "No thanks, Irene. I have a girlfriend. And even if I didn't, I still wouldn't want to hang out with you."

"Aww, come on. She doesn't have to know," she presses, her hand reaching out to twirl the string of my hoodie between her fingers.

I smack her hand away, glaring. "No. I'm not a shitty girlfriend like you. I love her!"

Her expression darkens at my words, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Maybe you love her, but does she really love you back? Why waste your time when you're just going to get hurt in the end? No strings attached is much better, we could have a shit ton of fun together," she whispers, her voice dripping with venom.

"Fuck you, Irene. I wasted enough time with you before. I'm not wasting another second talking to you now." I try to walk away, but she grabs my hand tightly, her nails digging into my skin.

"Let go, Irene! That hurts!" I shout, trying to pull back.

"Not so fast, Jennie." Her voice drops into a growl. "Let's get one thing clear, I am not a waste of time. You're nothing without me, got that?"

"Stop being such a bitch!" I retort, my anger boiling over.

Her grip tightens painfully. "No one gives a shit about you, Jennie. I was the only one who ever cared. Don't fool yourself into thinking your little girlfriend gives a damn because I'm sure she doesn't."

"That's not true!" I yell back, my voice trembling. "You're the one who never cared about me. I'm surrounded by people who love me now, and you, you always tried to make me feel so small and alone."

"I never did anything but tell you the truth," she hisses. "Don't you see? I was trying to help you. You were always so pathetic and shy, it was honestly sad."

I push against her with all my strength, but she's taller and stronger. She overpowers me easily and shoves me back against the bookshelf.

My back slams into the wood, the books rattling loudly from the impact.

"Help! Lisaa! Someone help!" I scream, my voice breaking as pain shoots up my arm where she's gripping me.