Jennie
After months of discussion, Lisa eventually gave up her home in Busan in lieu of a larger house in Seoul. And though it terrified me to do so, I gave up my apartment and moved in with her. Things made more sense this way. Always eager to spend our nights together, we found ourselves doing a lot of traveling in order to stay with each other at night and still make it to work in the morning.
I've currently been seeking for new jobs in Seoul while Lisa is extending her company and for it to be based in Seoul. It's a bit of shuffling around, while we're trying to find our bearings, but the process has been a happy and worthwhile experience. I've never been happier than now, living together with Lisa.
"Oh, yeah. Nearly everything is unpacked," I confirm with a nod, and Rosé smiles happily. When the pictures are finished, we pile into our cars and drive to Jisoo's parents' house for the reception. It's all kind of surreal, seeing Jisoo get married. It's not something we ever really talked about; I never imagined her in a shiny dress with flawless makeup, her hair blowing in the breeze as the sun sets on the coast. I never contemplated the feel of crushed seashells and sand beneath my bare feet as I stand beside her, the taste of salt in the air as my dress bunches and blows around my knees. And yet it's perfect, and everything I would have hoped for my best friend and more. And she's so happy it makes my heart ache.
We park on the street outside Jisoo's house, and it's just Lisa and me inside her car as she leans over to kiss my neck. Goosebumps erupt on my flesh before I slip away and let myself out of the car, a smile permanently plastered on my face.
Lisa joins me, stepping onto the cool pavement. We've both put on the shoes we brought and the bottom of her pants are slightly damp from the wet sand, even though they were rolled up for the majority of the wedding. They must have dragged against the ground at some point.
"What, I don't get anything?" she pouts at me. I roll my eyes and take her hand before leading her down the paved driveway.
"You're a very greedy person," I say. "It's not like you won't have me to yourself tonight."
She releases my hand and pulls at a strand of hair that's fallen from my twist. "I guess I can be good," she says, and the words are low and hot in my ear. I shudder just as the wooden gate is wrenched open and I'm ushered into the backyard, her hand on my back guiding the way.
Jisoo's parents have outdone themselves. The entire backyard is decorated with paper lanterns and matching red and beige silk ribbons; a live band is set up by the pool, a mellow Reggae pouring from their instruments. There are small tables with two chairs each, a skinny vase with a white lily set in the centre, and an elegant table covered in hors d'oeuvres and a chocolate fountain. Jisoo's father is currently grilling steaks and shrimp over his massive gas grill, the smell wafting through the yard and even discernible near Lisa's car.
We mingle and dance, and Lisa gives a toast to the couple about good times past and good years to come-about the joys of finding someone to trust, someone to love, and her eyes meet mine with nearly every heartfelt word.
When it's late, and Jisoo and Hae-in are saying their goodbyes, I excuse myself to the bathroom and disappear inside the massive three-story house. Their home is quiet and empty and pristinely clean, and I easily find the bathroom in the long hallway, my memory serving as my guide. It's locked, so I patiently wait on the other side of the door.
