13 Reasons Why

Off tape 01

JISOO

'Hi, Jisoo. Before you listen to this tape I want you to go outside in the garden. Listen to it without earbuds.'

After reading the message I pulled out the tape.

"Guess I'm going outside then, "I breathed out in anticipation. Mrs. Kim smiled warmly at me before she led me to a back door.

I opened the door revealing a large backyard filled with flowers, trees, and toys. The rain had died down quickly and it was now just peaceful drips of water gliding down the blades of grass. I stepped out in the wind, looking at my surroundings for a couple of seconds before I got impatient and started the tape. The last and final tape.

"Hi. You're probably very confused right now. I asked you to come to my house and stand outside to listen to this, but I'm gonna explain it all now. There's one simple reason for all of this.

"I'm in love with you Jisoo."

My heart skipped and beat and I gasped. Did I just hear what I think I heard? Did Kim Jennie just confess her love for me? After years and years of pining after her, thinking of her as someone I could never stand a chance with, she told me she felt the same.

"I've been in love with you for a long time. I remember seeing you on the first day of high school. You were this skittish, shy, straight-haired nerd, but I found you so cute and sweet, and I watched you grow into the amazing person you are today.

"I always had a crush on you, but since no one knew I was gay, and I knew what it would do to my reputation, I didn't have the guts to do anything about it. And as If God was on my side, one day I found out you were gay. I remember being so happy about it, and I planned on asking you out.

"But then Jongin and everything that followed him happened and I became afraid. I couldn't bear the thought of you hurting me, and I figured that you probably found me pathetic. At least until that one time in the bathroom after I had been beaten up. You helped me, and you were so kind to me despite everything.

"So here's my confession. I'm in love with you, Jisoo, and I would love for you to be my girlfriend."

I could burst from all that news. Either from happiness or confusion. My eyes were pinched together as I heard the last bit of the tape, and I couldn't help but wonder out loud.

"Why would she tell me that if she's dead?" I mumbled to myself.

"Because I'm not."

My eyes shot up from where I was looking at the ground. And there, right in front of me, stood the most beautiful person who ever walked this planet - someone I never thought I would lay my eyes upon again; Kim Jennie.

My heart started pumping against my chest, and my breath got uneven, but I couldn't think of anything else to do than run towards the girl. She copied my actions and so our bodies smashed together in a breathtaking hug. We fit perfectly together as our bodies mold into each other.

Complete silence - except for the uncontrollable breaths escaping my mouth - fills the air. I was so at a loss for words I couldn't think of anything else than hugging the crap out of her.

I pulled away from the hug to study Jennie. Was this real? This was something I could only possibly dream of, right?

"Pinch me, "I couldn't help but say, my eyes shut.

I needed to know if this is a dream.

"What?" she chuckled in surprise.

"I need to know if this is real or if I'm dreaming," I stated, and so she pinched my arm confirming that this was happening right now.

I couldn't be happier to ever feel physical pain than I was right now.

"You're alive, "I breathed out, a smile taking over my whole face.

"Yeah, that's kinda the whole point of this, "she joked.

After everything I'd heard her go through I couldn't believe she was still strong enough to stand here and joke about this. She just amazed me time and time again.

My hands traveled up from where they were holding her waist, after the hug, to cup her cheeks. I looked deeply into her eyes. Those eyes I could get lost in. Eyes like an ocean I would dive right into if possible. A heartwarming smile played upon her lips as I got lost in the brown in them. I pulled myself together, took a deep breath, and let out the words I'd been longing to for so long.

"I'm in love with you too, "I whispered into the peaceful air.

The words almost took her by surprise before a smile that could make even the saddest person happy was shown on her face. Then her hands were pulling me closer by the waist and our bodies were pressed impossibly closer. We exchanged one last smile before our lips molded together in a sensational kiss.

It was so innocent yet sinful. So cautious yet careless. So simple yet powerful. It was everything I could have ever dreamed of, to say the least.

My lips were numb from the excitement and sensation as we pulled apart. A couple of more moments were spent admiring each other before I spoke again.

"I have so many questions about everything."

"I know. I have one too first of all, "she said.

"Okay. What?" I smiled at her.

We were still standing very close, and I felt the warmth of her body all over my own.

"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" she smiled, but I could still see the nervousness in her eyes.

As if I'd ever say no.

"I'd love to, "I smiled, kissing her soft lips once again.

We shared one last look before Jennie took my hand in hers and led me inside the house. I could see by the way her mom gave her a knowing and approving smile that she was in on this and knew she wasn't dead.

Jennie led me up the stairs to her bedroom where we plop down on her bed.

"Okay. Ready for the questions, "she stole one last kiss.

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Well, she's alive and very much in love with Jisoo.