I Think I Love You •Chaennie•

Chapter 11

Jennie's POV

I groan as we trudge away from the Flatiron, the weight of the camera settling into my already sore muscles. After we'd left the house this morning and I'd carried Uncle Eduardo's camera for a block, I almost regretted asking if we could borrow some of his equipment, but after seeing the look on Chaeyoung's face, I'm glad I did. It's worth the burn searing my incredibly non-muscular arms right now.

"Let's head to the public library," I say. It's not too much of a walk from where we are, and we can get some footage of the city on the way. Plus, those lion statues in the front are iconic.

We cut through the park, which is bustling with activity from picnickers and dog walkers. I shift the weight of the camera bag on my shoulder, grinning as I remember Chaeyoung's tiny equipment. With my free hand, I pull out my phone.

JENNIE: So sorry about your camera...

As soon as the text is sent, my stomach twists into itself. Is that too friendly? Too flirty?

Lisa bounces ahead, practically skipping even though she's weighed down with the audio equipment. She skids to a stop at the crosswalk in time to avoid an untimely run-in with a bus.

"Someone's happy," Jisoo says with a sly grin, her dimples creasing her cheeks.

Lisa's face lights up with a smile that warms the whole street. "I can't stop thinking about Bambam. He took me to see this super-cheesy movie, and I completely missed the whole second half because he was holding my hand, and then afterward he kissed me."

I screech and grab her hands as she launches into a detailed description of how soft his lips are, but the back of my neck grows hot, and I'm painfully aware, as I always am in moments like these, that I'm the only one of the three of us who's never been kissed.

"I think this might finally be it," Lisa says, her eyes shining as she speaks. "I'm trying to play it cool, but I'm hopeful. He could be my first real boyfriend."

I sigh wistfully right along with her.

"When do we get to meet him officially?" Jisoo asks.

The last of the cars pass through the intersection, and we charge across the crosswalk before the light changes. The sunlight has drawn everyone outdoors, so we have to maneuver through the crowds on our way up to Thirty-Ninth Street.

Lisa looks down at her pink-polished nails. "When things are serious. I don't want to get my hopes up too high. It's never worked out before."

My phone buzzes, and I snatch it out of my pocket.

CHAEYOUNG: Size doesn't matter, Jennie. It's how you use it that counts.

I chuckle at the memory of her tiny video camera, then bite down hard on my lip. I can't tell if we're fighting or flirting anymore.

I shouldn't be doing either. I should be focusing on the movie. I should put my phone in my tote bag and get to the camera.

My fingers fly across my phone screen instead.

JENNIE: Maybe so. But using nicer toys never hurt anybody.

A dark blush creeps down my neck when I hit send, and I chuckle.

Because that counts as flirting, right? I can't help but smile at the thought. What does that mean? I'm not actually into Chaeyoung.

Am I?

"What's so funny?" Lisa asks.

Before I can answer, she lunges forward, reaching for my phone. I fling my hand out of the way so fast, the phone slips out of my fingers and clatters against the sidewalk. I bolt for it, but Lisa beats me to it. She snatches it, and I can see that the screen is lit up with another text from Chaeyoung.

"Jesus, do you and Chaeng ever give it a rest?" she says, tossing the phone to me.

I look down at the mercifully uncracked screen, my heart clawing its way up my throat.

CHAEYOUNG: You're ridiculous.

I clench my jaw as I read the same two words over and over again. Did I take it too far? Did I misread her text?

Why do I even care?

I scroll up through our texts. There aren't many. I force myself to close the screen and put the phone into my pocket.

A second later, I take the phone out again.

JENNIE: So are you.

We reach the library, and I lay the tripod down below the white lion statue standing guard on the side of the staircase. This is the perfect setting for Lisa and Jisoo's first date, I decide as I frame the shot. Every great love story in the world is housed beyond the building's doors.

The whole time, I keep an eye on my phone, just in case, but Chaeyoung doesn't text back.

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When I get to my apartment, Dad's messing around in the kitchen. The tangy smell of mangoes fills the room.

"I thought you were going out tonight," he says.

"I am in a bit," I say as I kick off my shoes to join him in the kitchen. My socks slip against the newly Swiffered tile floor. I hop up to sit on the countertop, and lean over to stay out of the way of Dad's chopping. I sigh. I've been dying to confide in my parents about everything that's going on, but I have no idea how to do so when a pretty big part of the issue is the potential for romance between me and another girl.

They won't get it if I can't admit there's a possibility that I like her back.

Not that I do. But I could, and they don't know that, and I can't tell them yet. So.

I clear my throat. "Have you ever found out a friend has a crush on you?"

I try to sound casual, and even though Dad's eyebrows shoot up to his hairline despite how much it's receding, he doesn't tease.

"Last time that happened, I ended up marrying the friend," he says.

I sigh. Mom and Dad's love story has been etched into the lines of my heart for years. They became friends after they found out that the other was leading the rival faction in the prank war they'd started in their freshman dorm. And then they fell in love. It was everything I've ever wanted for myself.

But I'm not about to marry Roseanne.

Obviously.

"So is one of your friends in love with you, or are you in love with one of your friends?" Dad asks, taking in my expression.

"It's not that."

"What is it, then?" he asks, shifting his gaze to the stew.

"I guess it kind of is like that," I mutter.

Dad chuckles as he scrapes the sliced fruit into a salad bowl. "Do you like him back?"

I swallow. I know I've given him no reason to believe that I'd be into anyone but a him, but the choice of pronoun still stings a little.

As does the question. Because, if I'm being honest, I have no idea how to answer it.