Lisa
"I think I made a friend at work today." I told Jin when I settled into his couch with a glass of wine.
"I thought you hated everyone that you worked with?" He said, sipping on his red blend.
"Hate is a word I reserve exclusively for Nancy." I shrugged. "I don't know, I've never felt like I had a lot in common with my co-workers."
"You've always had a chip on your shoulder though."
"What does that mean?"
"You always walk into a room like you're better than everyone else and don't want to give them the time of day. Then you get to know the room and you love everyone in it."
"That is not..."
"You hated me when you first met me."
"Touché."
Jin and I pulled out a deck of cards and played games, chatted, drank, and watched TV until Jennie walked through the door a few hours later.
"Hey." Jin said.
"Hey, Jennie." I said.
"You're here again?" Jennie asked, while hanging her coat on the rack.
"Nice to see you too." I said.
"Don't you have your own place?"
"I do, but I much prefer yours."
She rolled her eyes and went to her bedroom to change.
I turned to Jin. "Am I over here way too much?"
"She's just jealous that she doesn't have a friendship like ours."
"It's true; what we have is very special."
Jennie came back into the living area wearing a Christmas sweater, with a soft-looking plaid pyjama pants, and slippers.
"Are you hungry yet?" Jin asked.
"Very."
"Okay I'll start cooking."
"I'll help." I said, while following Jin to the kitchen.
"Are you staying for dinner?" Jennie asked me.
"Jin said you're having spaghetti tonight; so of course I am."
"I'm going to start writing you in to your bills, all of the food that you eat and electricity and water you use."
"Excuse me, I already give Jin money."
Jennie blinked like she wasn't expecting that. "Checkmate."
I turned back to Jin. "So how're the kiddos?"
"Oh you know, sticking candy canes up their noses while we rehearse for the Winter play. Other than that, adorable and I love them."
"Even when they put bugs on your desk?"
"Now there's too much snow for them to actually find bugs on the ground, so we're all on speaking terms again. By the way, are you both coming to the play?"
"When is it again?" Jennie asked.
"Wednesday the 16th. It's after school, so you'll actually have to leave work on time." Jennie gave her brother a look.
"What about you, coming to the play?"
"Of course I'll be there." I said. "I love your students. The Christmas plays are literally my favourite thing in the world. They're so adorable."
Jin grinned. "It's probably my best work yet."
"You should have been a Broadway director."
"You're right, but this is second best."
We laughed and I prepared the vegetables while Jin heated the noodles and created a pasta sauce.
"Where are you two going on your date tomorrow?" Jin asked.
"It's not a date." I said.
"You're picking her up and paying, aren't you?"
"Apparently."
"It's a date."
"Do you two talk about everything?"
"Of course we do."
"Do you keep any secrets from each other?"
"Absolutely not."
"Does that mean she knows all of my secrets?"
"Yes I do." Jennie answered from the couch.
I glared at Jin. "Dude!"
He shrugged. "You know I can't keep a secret. I tell Jennie everything."
"Does she know about...?"
"Yes, I know all about Fort Lauderdale." Jennie said.
My mouth hung open in shock and my face turned bright red. "You told her about Fort Lauderdale?"
"Absolutely."
I looked at Jennie who had the biggest grin on her face. "I know a lot about you, Lisa dearest. I told you yesterday. I think you might lose our little wager."
"I will never lose to you."
"Mhm..."
"You were on the debate team in college."
"And you played soccer."
I glared at Jennie. We were still tied.
