Taste of Lies • Jensoo / Chaennie

Nine

"But why would she keep if from Jennie?" Rosie wondered, sipping on her iced latte. It was 3 in the afternoon, the time when she agreed to meet with a friend on a new nearby cafe. Maybe it was the same cafe that Jennie have told her about.

The girl with short black hair shrugged "Dunno," sipping on her own beverage as well "Maybe Jennie doesn't want it?"

"Probably" she nodded "Anyway, you've been so busy. I haven't seen you in a while, Lis" the girl took a quick glance at her before averting her eyes meanly. Rosie faked coughed at the gesture "Excuse me? Did you just-?"

"What?" the girl raised an eyebrow "You can't expect me to be always around like before, Rosie. You've rejected me, remember?"

Rosie stopped, looking guilty, she cleared her throat and tried letting her feelings reach the other girl, hoping she'll finally get her point "Hey I didn't reject you, I just told you that I'm not ready yet"

"But you're totally ready for that Jennie" Lisa whispered infuriating, and still audible enough to be heard by the other girl.

Rosé heaved a sign, she reached for Lisa's arm across the small table and caressed it carefully with her fingers "Lis, come on, you know that it's not an easy decision" her eyebrows started frowning, but she kept her soft voice "you know how of a dear friend you are to me, right? I can't even imagine my life without you, what will happen if things get shitty?"

And just when Rosé thought she was being extra gentle, Lisa started pulling her sling pouch above the table "I already heard that," she stood up tensely, her voice higher and becoming more hostile "and guess what? Either way, you'll lose me. So make up your mind. If you can't trust us then that's it."

She walked out of the cafe leaving a stunned Rosé on the table. "Fuck" the abandoned girl mumbled, burying her face hard on her palms.

Maybe that's the problem with labels.

• • •

Jennie gasped a little when she heard the door banging. She knew she was right this time, for the doorbell didn't rang anymore. "Hey" her voice was monotonous and her face looks exhausted. Maybe she is, she was entertaining another person earlier so her energy was a little bit drained. Most especially if the person in front of her was the same person who was making her worn out mentally.

"You look..." Jisoo paused as she observed Jennie's boring expression. The girl turned around and went directly back to the bed, leaving Jisoo confused at the door.

Maybe I look tired.

Too weary of hiding how tired I am with our situation.

Maybe I'm tired of being left alone every time I thought things could still change between us.

But maybe, just maybe, things could change in a different way now.

Jennie signed loudly, dropping her front on the thick mattress. Jisoo took off her own coat, following Jennie's direction "Tired from last night?" Jisoo chuckled, hanging her coat on one of the high stools.

I really wish that was the only reason.
But it was more on emotional
than it did physical.

Jisoo drew a wide grin and playfully dropped her own body above the younger girl, wrapping her arms on the waist of the resting girl beneath her. She buried her face on Jennie's nape, not minding the smooth hair that was blocking it.

"Where have you been?"

That was Jennie's line ever since forever. But to her surprise, the bitter words didn't came out of her mouth this time.

Instead, she inhaled deeply, kept her ego, erasing the thought that Jisoo was hers.

And yet another maybe, she's done.
Finally done of fooling herself.

If someone could slap her anytime she thought that the girl would look at her the same way, it would be her greatest pleasure. Because even if the torture that she has been bearing her whole life was a heaven in hell, it has no direction at all. She was stuck.

Jennie moved to her side so she could face her friend who immediately obliged to her movements. Both their elbows supporting their heads as they stare onto each other's eyes. Jisoo still has that smile on her angelic face, and to Jennie's surprise, she wasn't falling for it at this moment. She took this opportunity to be the upper hand, slowly pulling a strand of hair and playing it with her finger, giving Jisoo a sly smile.

What if I reciprocate?
To the way you felt towards me?

Right. Because if Jisoo could do it, why couldn't she? She leaned forward and gave Jisoo a quick peck on the lips "Jisoo," the older girl raised her eyebrows before blinking "I need to tell you something"

Jisoo gulped and released a tensed chuckle "What is it Jendeuk?" she pinched Jennie's cheek but still gave off a warm smile.

I will miss this.

"You see..." her gaze averted from the other girl "me and Rosie, we're kind of..."

"A thing. Yeah?" She met Jisoo's eyes again, trying to see what she was thinking, and to her dismay, Jisoo's eyes were rather accepting, and still as warm as before.

Of course, it hurt.
It was hard for Jennie to let go of things.
But Jisoo was looking like she could just throw anything. Everything, that has been so meaningful for Jennie.

Jennie laughed nervously and nodded "Mmh, I guess you figured" she was a good actress for years, and maybe it's time she retire from it. Her hand traveled to Jisoo's cheek as her gaze softened "Are you... gonna be okay on your own here?"

Or with that guy?

Jisoo held the hand that was cupping her cheek, she closed her eyes feeling her best friend's touch before nodding with a smile "Of course," opening her eyes to look at Jennie softly "we're growing Jen. I think it's already time we separate and explore the world, right?" she chuckled sadly.

You were my world.

The pinch on Jennie's chest betrayed her. She should be winning this conversation, but it seemed like her opponent has already dropped the sword down. And it's making her frustrated and in despair.

When she felt tears building up, she quickly wrapped her arms around Jisoo's neck and pulled her tightly into a hug. She can also feel the girl's chest heaving, and it's breaking her heart. It felt like a breakup for her, but everyone knew it wasn't. She doesn't know what hurts even more.

"Jen," Jisoo hiccuped through Jennie's messy hair "promise me one thing"

Jennie pulled away and looked at her with furrowed her eyebrows, they were both a mess now, but no one took notice of that "Mmh?"

"Be happy"

A drop of tear rolled down from Jisoo's eye, making Jennie's heart ache worst than before.

-

a/n. I just did minor edits, nothing important. Also, I'll try updating tonight for the next chapter :))