Lisa
"The person of the hour." Chahee called out when we arrived, raising her glass in mock salute. "Or should I say, decade."
Jennie rolled her eyes and giggled as she pushed me down onto the couch in front of the armchairs that Chahee and Jimin were sitting in, facing us. It felt almost like an interview until Jennie perched her perfect ass right onto my lap. I inhaled sharply, readjusting myself so as not to stab her in the thigh. Chahee gave me a knowing smile over the rim of her glass and Jimin produced a remote from his pocket which he used to turn off the music blasting from the stereo nearby. I watched him. Was that a feature of my own house? I hardly ever came out here so I doubted I would even know if it was.
"As you know, this is Chahee and Jimin." Jennie repeated the introductions, adding a bit of context as she did. "Friends and roommates from New York."
"You all live together?" I asked.
"Can't afford not to." Jimin replied. "Have you seen rent prices lately? They... no. Of course you haven't."
I smiled.
"Actually, I have. Around here at least." I told them. "I wasn't sure if Jennie would be comfortable staying with me when she first came. So I had my realtor keeping an eye out for something nice in the city, not too far but to give her own space, if she wanted it."
"You did?" Jennie asked, surprised.
"You didn't want it." I told her, raising a brow. Chahee and Jimin chuckled.
"So, you make video games." Jimin said then. Not a question, just a statement of fact, and suddenly I really did get the feeling that I was being interviewed. Apparently, Jennie did too because she turned her furious glare onto her friends.
"Guys..." she warned.
"No, it's okay." I assured her, reaching up and brushing a strand out of her face to subdue her. "We make video games, mobile apps, interactive experiences..."
"What are interactive experiences?" Chahee asked.
"Virtual reality." I explained. "And all of the new kinetic frontiers in the industry. I find the technology fascinating. But I know that makes me a nerd."
Chahee snorted at that.
"Lisa Manoban, you are anything but a nerd." she replied, while staring overtly at my abs. I grinned back at her.
"Nerds can have six packs too, you know. We come in all shapes and sizes."
"This shape's my favourite." Jimin remarked and we all started laughing.
"Ms. Manoban." Nan called from the house then. "Dinner is ready. Would you like it brought to you outside?"
"That's alright, Nan. We'll be in in a moment. Thank you."
She nodded and disappeared inside.
"I could never get used to that." Jimin said.
"I could." Chahee replied, getting to her feet and we all laughed again.
Jennie's friends were easy to talk to and even easier to get along with. They had some questions, naturally, and I answered them as honestly as I could. But they really seemed to only have one concern and that was for the happiness of their friend. Once they determined that Jennie was happy enough with me, their questions tapered off and we were left to enjoy an amazing meal and a warm night.
By the end of evening, we were all sitting out by a fire that Jimin and I had built, telling stories and laughing as we all got to know one another. Finally, at around eleven pm, Jimin stood, stretching his arms over his head.
"Well, I'm about tapped out. That time change is a bitch." he said and we all agreed that it was likely time for bed. So we put out the fire and stood from our spots.
"I'm guessing I'm not getting my girls' night, then?" Chahee asked, raising a brow at Jennie.
"Girls' night?" I inquired, while turning to my wife.
"It's this tradition we have." she explained, trying to wave it off like it wasn't important to her, but I could tell it was. Her eyes strayed to Chahee now and then as she spoke. "Any time one of us would have a new person in their lives, almost always Chahee, we would spend the night in my room, eating junk food and telling the other person every little intimate detail."
"I've been craving some Sour Patch Kids." Chahee added. I smiled up at her.
"Go on." I told Jennie, while nodding my head in her friend's direction. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at me.
"Really? You want me to?"
"Of course, I don't want you to." I told her, stepping forward and wrapping my arms around her. "It'll be terribly lonely in my big empty bed tonight. But traditions are important, and so are the relationships they preserve. You need to do this. I understand."
She smiled warmly up at me, so much adoration in her eyes that it nearly knocked the wind out of me.
"Even though the purpose is to tell her every intimate detail?" She asked in challenge.
"If it's a test, I think I'll pass with flying colours." I told her, reaching up to cup her cheek as I gave her a wink.
"Besides, I've heard what you've already told her. How much more intimate can it get?"
"You have no idea." Chahee teased, grabbing Jennie and pulling her away. "Goodnight, Lisa!"
I laughed, waving after them.
"Goodnight, girls!"
Then, as they disappeared around the corner in a fit of giggles, I smiled to myself and headed back to my room all alone.
