Jennie
Jennie's whole body ached from the inside out. She felt empty and hollow, like Lisa had taken her heart and was holding it hostage, leaving her completely void of any positive emotions. She was angry, but not just at Lisa, she was angry with herself for letting her guard down and allowing herself to be used... again. Her mind was reeling and swirling with questions that she needed answers to, but she wasn't ready to face Lisa yet.
All she'll do is manipulate me and lie to me. Lisa will use that thick southern drawl and those sweet nicknames to break me down and make me forget that she lied to me... that she used me for personal gain.
The cool night air whipped across the back of her neck, causing her to wrap herself up in the blanket as she watched Jin appear in her peripheral vision and take a seat beside her with a beer in one hand and an electrolyte drink in the other. Jin sighed and took a long pull from his beer, before wiping his mouth and turning toward her on the outdoor couch. "So are you going to talk to me about this or are we just gonna sit here all night?" Jin asked. "There's nothing to talk about." she countered, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. "Okay, so that's the game you want to play?" Jin scoffed as he leaned his elbows onto his knees to force her to look at him. "Want to know what I think?"
Not really. But I know you're going to tell me anyway.
Jennie was silent, but turned her head toward him as acknowledgement. "I think you're in love with her... but I think she scared you. And now you're running." Jin's oversimplification of what had transpired that evening set Jennie on fire and she narrowed her eyes at her brother in response.
"She didn't just scare me Jin. Lisa lied to me. She pretended to have feelings for me in order to get information for... for... hell I don't know what for or why, but the point is she used her close proximity to me for personal gain. If I can't trust Lisa, then I can't be with her. End of story." Jennie snarled.
"I hear you and I know trust is something you have a difficult time with, but think about it Jennie... really think. Is there any part of you that honestly thinks Lisa was faking her feelings for you. I know you heard the words, but when you were with her... did any of it feel insincere or faked?"
None of it. Lisa is the most genuine and sincere person I've ever been around. She made me feel seen, valued and... loved, but that's exactly why this hurts so much.
Jennie pushed out a hard irritated breath, annoyed that her brother was actually making sense and rolled her head around on her tired neck before she answered him. "No. None of it felt insincere - the opposite actually. Lisa is the most sincere person I've ever met." she admitted, watching a grin spread across Jin's face. "Then talk to her Jennie. Hear her out and let her explain herself."
Jennie shook her head in protest. She needed time to process away from Lisa. If she let Lisa near her, her deep voice would send chills down her arms and her scent would overrun Jennie's ability to function. She wouldn't be able to think straight or be able to tell truth from lies if Lisa was sitting near her, looking at her with those brown eyes that melted her. No she needed time alone. "I just need some time to myself to sort through all of this." she said, hardening her expression.
"Okay Bug. But you've got to consider the fact that she lied to her boss for you so she wouldn't lose her job. It was unfortunate that you heard her tell that lie, but the fact is she lied to her boss not to you about her feelings."
It does make sense. Lisa was trying to keep her job and falling in love with a client was probably grounds for termination. But the problem is... that's not the only lie she told.
