Hate You, Love You. | Jenlisa

90

Nancy calls an impromptu meeting of all volunteers for the Sadie Hawkins dance. For the past week, Rosé, and to an extent, Nancy, have been trying to convince me to come but I'm firm on my resolve of not going. I'm not interested in participating in a sexist tradition.

"Couldn't Nancy have held this meeting on any other day? It's Friday and I want to go home. Who likes to be stuck in school longer than necessary on a Friday? No one." Rosé groans. The meeting is being held in Mrs. Lee's classroom so that's where our boot clad feet are currently dragging to.

Rolling my eyes at Rosé's complaint. I comment. "You were the one who volunteered us–volunteered Hyejun and I involuntarily. If anything, I'm the one who's supposed to be complaining because I'm not going." What's the point of volunteering for something when you're not even going?

She knows I'm right, and the sticking of her tongue is an indication of that. "You're seriously not reconsidering?" She asks hopefully. "Nope. I haven't attended a Sadie Hawkins dance ever since I got here."

I've attended prom and homecoming, never the Sadie Hawkins. "I'm not going to start now."

"You have a reason to start now," she answers with a sly smile. "You have someone you can go with. Lisa and Jennie sitting on the tree." She pauses. "When you think about it, it actually makes sense because she was in a tree and you-"

"I get the picture."

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

I shove her a little and turn the door handle of Mrs. Lee's classroom. "Whatever."

We enter fully and I scan the classroom. There are about 10 people seated on the desk chairs, some I recognize from our classes together.

Rosé and I sit down next to a girl who looks familiar, although I can't place my finger on it. She's doodling in her notebook with earbuds firmly placed in her ear. Because I sit next to her, I can hear the song emitting from the buds: Tomboy by (G)I-IDLE.

She turns to me and her eyes widen in recognition. Pulling off the earbuds she says. "Jennie?"

"Hey..." I trail off.

"Minnie," she completes. "I'm Minnie and we me at Jisoo's party.

Oh, right. The conductor of the truth or dare game!

"I knew I recognized you from somewhere." She laughs a little. "Right. I haven't seen you since the party."

"Same. I guess we're not in the same classes?" She nods. "I'm in the 11th grade." No wonder. "So we're not in the same class. I saw the signup sheet for volunteers for the Sadie Hawkins dance and I just had to," she says animatedly.

"My parents are big on volunteer work and helping out the community so I thought I'd follow in their footsteps."

"That's amazing," I commend. "Volunteering for the community is admirable."

"Thanks." Rosé gives her a wave and I introduce them. They exchange pleasantries. "It was nice to see you again, Jennie, and it was nice to meet you, Rosé."

"Same," we chorus and she puts her earbuds back in her ear.

"Before I forget, where's Hyejun?" Rosé asks curiously. "I haven't seen him all week."

Beats me. I haven't seen him all week either. He sends me the occasional texts to check up on me but I don't know where exactly he is or what he's doing. I've asked him but he has been evading the question.

"His aunt is sick," I lie. "So he has to take care of her. He's living with her after all."

She frowns. "I didn't know that. I'll call him today and see how he's holding up."