THE HAPPIEST GIRL | JENLISA

Chapter 35

Lisa

Jennie: Lisa! Thank you so much for the flowers! They're beautiful. You didn't have to do that.

An instant smile makes its way onto my face and relief washes over me knowing that she got the 21 blue roses I sent her for her birthday.

Lisa: You're welcome. Happy 21st, Jen!

I pocket my phone and quickly board the plane, ready for my flight to Nashville. What Jennie doesn't know is that her brother and Suga are throwing her a huge surprise birthday party. Jin messaged me over social media about a month ago inviting me to go, if I could. I definitely couldn't pass it up.

I can only stay for an hour or so until I have to get back on the plane, back to New York. Even though I'm supposed to be on a break, Hyun-suk booked me some studio time and I can't miss it. Right after today's session, I immediately went to catch a plane and I'm now on my way to try to spend as much time as I can at Jennie's party. I'm already running late, knowing that I won't be there when she walks in and they all yell surprise.

Unfortunately, while I've managed to keep my trip to Nashville a secret from Hyun-suk, Don found out. He watches me like a hawk so it doesn't surprise me much, and he insisted that he come with me for protection or else he'll tell Hyun-suk who I know will forbid me from going, scared that I won't make it back in time for the studio. But I have it all planed out to make it back in time.

Stepping off the plane, a car service is waiting for us. I give the driver the address of the bar Jin sent me and we take off. When we arrive it's a small bar just outside the city. There's quite a few cars in the parking lot and I can tell that the party is in full swing.

Stepping inside, the building is decent sized, holding quite a few people. It's rustic with modern touches here and there. Everything is wood aside from the dark steel counter tops of the bar and tables scattered about. The soft, warm glow from the modern hanging light fixtures gives it an overall relaxed vibe.

Looking to the bar, there's a huge banner hanging from the ceiling that reads 'Happy 21st Birthday Jennie' and balloons are scattered about. Over the low rumble of the crowd and music coming from the speakers, I can hear an all too familiar laughter. Looking to my left, I spot Jennie with her head thrown back laughing at something Jin or Suga must have said.

She looks beautiful. Her smile is wide, eyes crinkling in the corners as her, Jin, and Suga animatedly talk about something. She's wearing high waisted black leather shorts with a flowy white top that's tucked in at one side. The high heeled wedges she's wearing make her lean legs look like they go on for miles.

She turns to grab her drink from a nearby table and her eyes find mine. Confusion flashes over her face before her smile stretches even wider in realisation. Setting her drink back down, she walks towards me, with a disbelieving smile on her face.

"What are you doing here?" she asks excitedly, opening her arms for a hug.

"I couldn't miss your twenty first birthday." I admit, hugging her tightly, admiring her vanilla scented perfume.

She pulls back, eyes questioning. "How did you know about this?"

"Jin told me."

She laughs, shaking her head. "I guess this really is a surprise party. I'm amazed everyone's been able to keep this so tight lipped. I really thought that I was going to be alone for my twenty first birthday." she admits with a sheepish smile, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
Jin mentioned that the first part of the surprise, aside from the party, was that him, the boys, and her dad were coming home for her birthday. Initially, they had Jennie believe that they couldn't make it back home from tour for her birthday.

"Definitely not." I chuckle, gesturing around the room full of people.

She giggles and gives a little shrug in agreement. She looks to my right, with a humorous smile making its way on her lips. "Hey, Don. I'm definitely surprised to see you here." she jokes.

Don just nods in greeting.

In the dim light I can see that her hazel eyes are glossy, slightly hooded, and her cheeks a bit flushed. Her permanent lazy smile tells me that the alcohol she's already consumed is starting to take effect.

"Hey, man!" Jin comes up behind her, giving me a hug. "Glad you could make it."

"Good to see you again." Suga is right behind him, greeting me with a hug as well.

We stand around and chat for a bit until a chorus of happy birthday breaks out through the bar. Jennie's dad emerges from the back with a big sheet cake in hand. He's carrying it on his forearm while the other hand cups around the candles to be sure they don't blow out.

"Happy birthday dear Jennie, happy birthday to you!" The whole bar sings and she hides her face behind her hands in embarrassment due to all of the attention on her. Her dad sets the cake down on a nearby table and she steps up, pulling her hair back before closing her eyes in thought, blowing out her candles to make a wish. The crowd erupts into cheers and claps.

"Happy birthday, princess!" Suga sneaks up behind her placing a tiara on her head that has a bedazzled 21 on it. She laughs while shaking her head in amusement, adjusting the plastic on top of her head.

"Shots!" Jin calls, carrying a large tray of shots from the bar. He passes them out to Jennie, her dad, and his bandmates. They all cheers and throw the liquid back.

Jennie scrunches up her face, shaking her head. "Ugh, no more!" she whines, coughing a bit after.

"Oh come on, don't be a baby on your twenty-first birthday." Jin teases.

"I am not a baby. I just want to be able to remember my twenty first birthday."

"What's the fun in that?" Suga jokes.

"How about this, you two can live it up and not remember it for me." she muses.

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Suga grins, grabbing another shot from the tray, tipping it back.

She just laughs, rolling her eyes.