experiments

chapter five

Jennie and Lisa don't have plans until Saturday but being in two out of three classes together means they are bound to see each other before that. On Fridays, they meet eyes during class.

Only very briefly, and when it happens, Lisa's lips turn up in an ever so slight smile. Jennie immediately looks away. Seconds later, she's seething.

At the end of fourth period, they're both done for the day and Jennie texts Lisa to meet her at the bus stop. When they both get there, they aren't alone, so they have to wait a few minutes in awkward silence until the other people waiting have gone.

As soon as they're alone, Jennie snaps her head around to Lisa, who is smiling at her again, only serving to make Jennie angrier.

"What was my one fucking rule, Lisa?"

The smile is wiped off of Lisa's face. "What?"

"My one rule, what was it?"

"That no one can know." Lisa shakes her head and knits her brows together in confusion.

"Oh, so you do remember? Because, the way you're acting, I would have thought you'd forgotten!"

"Okay, first of all, Jennie, calm down." Lisa put her hands up to gesture. "What are you talking about?"

"You! You smiled at me today."

Lisa shook her head. "And? What's the big deal?" Jennie slips her bag off her shoulder and swings it to hit Lisa. "Ow! What is wrong with you?"

"Smiling at me suggests you know me."

"I do know you," Lisa comments with a smug grin.

"Yes, but no one can know you know me. My rule was very simple, Lisa."

"Your rule was that no one can know what we're doing. Why can't people know we're friends?"

"I thought you said we're not friends?" Jennie raised an eyebrow.

Lisa clicked her tongue. "You know what I mean."

"We cannot even be seen together by anyone. It's even risky getting the bus together. I'll start getting an Uber to your house."

"What? Am I not popular enough for you to be friends with?" Lisa asks amusedly.

"No, it's not that. But if we were to start being friends, then people will start to talk about it. Then they'll talk about you and the fact that you're gay, and then rumours would start."

As the bus approached, Lisa stuck her arm out to signal it to stop. She frowned as they both got on it and went to their seats. "Well, you're friends with lots of boys, and no one says anything about that," she points out.

"That's different," Jennie brushes Lisa off with a shake of her head.

"You mean it's homophobic. Call it for what it is. A straight girl can't be friends with a lesbian unless they're hooking up."

"Well, in this case, they would be right. But I know it's wrong and I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do about it."

"You can stop pandering to it. Your role is equally bad."

"I'm not drawing attention to us. I'm sorry, Lisa, but it is what it is."

Lisa sighs. "My people will never be free."

Jennie exhales softly and slightly turns her head to see Lisa. "I'm excited to kiss you," she says quietly.

Lisa grins and faces Jennie. "Did you forget I had plans today?"

Jennie's face drops. "Yes," she clears her throat. "Yes, I did forget that." Lisa chuckles and Jennie pouts. "You waited until I got on the bus to remind me that."