Lisa
"Good morning." I said when I pushed open the door to the Kim's apartment early on Monday morning.
Jennie whipped around and gave me a pointed look. She was in a sweatshirt and leggings and her face was bright red with exertion. "Did Jin give you a key to the apartment?"
"Of course he did."
Jennie grumbled something to herself but didn't speak loud enough for me to hear. "He already left for work."
"I know. I'm here to see you." Jennie eyed me and I lifted up the green and red Starbucks cup. "Your coffee?"
"Oh, I already forgot."
"I know, you forget about everything that's not work related."
"I do not."
"Really? Want to test that claim?"
Jennie chewed her lip for a second then sighed. "Fine, you win. Thank you." She accepted the cup. "What did you get me?"
"Your favourite."
Jennie frowned, totally unimpressed. "You know my favourite, huh?"
"Of course. Grande white chocolate peppermint mocha with whole milk and four shots during the winter. Every other time, it's a venti sweet cream vanilla cold brew with only two pumps of vanilla, except when you're really feeling it. Then you get a Starbucks double shot on ice with four shots of espresso, no classic syrup, one pump of vanilla and one pump of white chocolate mocha and just a splash of half and half."
Jennie stood there with her mouth opened.
"Close your mouth honey, you look like a trout." I teased, but she didn't respond, apparently still unable to process that I knew all of her Starbucks orders. I looked her up and down. "Working out?"
"Yeah."
"How do you have time to do everything that you do?"
"What do you mean?"
"You wake up early, workout, go to work for like ten hours or more every day, come home, cook dinner, find time to hang out with Jin, then do it all over again."
"What can I say? I'm just that impressive. I'd also punch someone at work, if I didn't exercise."
I laughed. "Maybe I should try that; I probably wouldn't want to punch Nancy."
"I still want to punch someone, but this way I don't actually do it."
"Well I must say: you are one impressive woman, Jennie Kim." Jennie shook her head but didn't respond to the compliment. "You know, we really should hang out more. This banter that we have is really great."
Jennie looked at my blankly.
"Exactly. We could have our own comedy show."
"Do you ever stop talking?"
I grinned. "Things would be too boring, if I stopped talking."
"Apparently."
I checked my watch. "It looks like you're in luck: I got to head to work. I'll see you tomorrow morning with another peppermint mocha, fake girlfriend. Have a good day and don't stay at work too late."
I blew her a kiss and laughed as I walked out the door. As it closed, I heard Jennie yell, "How do you know my drink order?"
I popped my head back into the door. "I always order Starbucks with your brother."
"You pay attention to my order?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"
"Because we're not friends."
"Yes, we are."
"No, we're not."
"I make it a point to remember things about people."
"What does that even mean?"
I shrugged. "It's nice to know people pay attention to the things you like. It makes me feel good, so I make it a point to do that for other people. Like, I know you're allergic to avocado, you hate salmon, you prefer mustard with your French fries, you hate soda... wow, these are all food related, aren't they?"
Jennie appraised me and didn't speak. I couldn't read her expression, couldn't tell what she was thinking, but under her intense gaze, I laughed uncomfortably, not knowing what to say. "Uh... okay, well... I've got to get to work. I'll see you tomorrow with your coffee. If you want to change your order, text me before seven. Bye!"
I heard a 'thank you' through the closed door. I smiled and hopped in my car, cranking up the heat, with my body already frozen from the quick trip up the stairs to the apartment. I wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck and rubbed my hands together.
