THE HAPPIEST GIRL | JENLISA

Chapter 36

Lisa

Once things die back down, I know I don't have much time left. Finding Jennie, I gently grab her elbow to get her attention. "Hey, mind if I steal you for a second?"

"Not at all." She shakes her head, excusing herself from the group of people she's talking with. "Do you mind if we go outside for a second? I'm burning up." She fans her flushed face with her hands.

"No." I laugh and gesture for her to lead the way.

She goes to a set of double doors that lead out to a back patio. There are a handful of tables out there and the twinkling lights strung above the enclosed space, gives it a warm glow. I hold the door open for her and she steps out. Right as I'm about to follow her, I feel someone behind me.

"No." I groan as Don tries to make his way outside with us. "Please." I beg. "Please just let me have ten minutes with her. You can stand right here, but please, just stay inside."

He looks hesitant.

"Please?"

He sighs but takes a step back, standing to the left of the door, inside. As much as I wish he wasn't here at all, it'll have to do. I guess it's better to have him watching from inside instead of standing right beside me.

"Thank you." I walk out the door and meet Jennie at one of the tables. "Hey." I say softly.

"Hey." She smiles, tearing her gaze away from the distant city lights. "Sorry, it was just really stuffy in there."

She takes off the plastic tiara on top of her head, setting it on the table to run her fingers through her hair.

"It's no problem." I shrug casually. I'm actually glad I got her alone for a second. "I have a present for you." I say, handing her a shoebox wrapped in sliver paper that I've actually been carrying all night.

"Lisa." she whines with an adorable pout on her face. "You already bought me flowers!"

"I know." I chuckle. "But I had to get you this too." I say, suddenly starting to feel nervous, biting the inside of my cheek. She raises her eyebrows, but carefully unwraps the box. Opening it, she finds the white tulip inside. Furrowing her brows, she looks up at me confused. "You already got me flowers." She giggles.

"I know." I repeat. "But read the tag."

Her brow furrows deeper and she finds the tag attached to the flower. She pulls it out of the box, bringing it closer to her face to read.

Happy 21st birthday, Jennie!
I hope you have a great day full of fun and memories! Speaking of memories, remember when you told me how you never got your flower from Amsterdam? Well, I sort of switched my flight you booked me for the last day of tour to make a quick stop in Amsterdam to get you your flower. I hope you don't mind.

Lisa

Attached to the back of the note is a picture I took of me holding up the tulip in front of the Amstel River. While reading the note her face falls and her eyes become glossy. Not from the alcohol this time. She looks like she's about to cry and I feel utter guilt rush through me.

"I'm sorry." I profusely apologise when she looks up from the letter at me in disbelief. "God, I'm so stupid." I scold myself, tugging at my hair. "I knew I shouldn't have done that. I knew you probably wanted to pick out your own flower, or maybe you don't want one at all if it's not from your first time there. I'm sorry. I just tho..."

I'm cut off from my nervous rambling when her arms wrap around me, mine instinctively hugging her back.

"You really did that?" she whispers.