I Hate U | Jenlisa

Chapter 48

Jennie walked through the break hall, making sure everything was running smoothly.

One of the teachers made sure that a group of students set up some champagne tables and another group set up chairs in the auditorium.
The audio-engineering students were well prepared, and everyone who wanted to perform later in the evening was doing the final rehearsal.
The caterer was due to arrive in just under an hour.

And even though everything seemed to be going well, Jennie was nervous. For several reasons.
She glanced at the two inconspicuously dressed, young police officers who had introduced themselves earlier and explained that they were responsible for security.

When they said security, they meant that they were planning to dismantle an entire organization of criminals.
The criminals wanted to use the event to drug some of the richer people, abuse them, and record it to blackmail them later.
Jennie was one of the intended victims.

Yes, she was nervous.
Terribly nervous.

"It's going great, Jennie. Don't worry too much.",

Wheein said, suddenly appearing behind her. Jennie smiled at her.

"I think I'd be nervous even if God personally assured me that everything was going well."

Wheein nodded in understanding and handed her a muffin.

"Miyeon baked them for us.",

she said simply.
Jennie gratefully accepted the muffin and stood next to the blue-haired girl in silence for a few minutes.

"You're nervous about something else?",

Wheein finally asked.
Jennie shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

"That, too."

Silence again.
Neither of them could tell if the other wanted to say anything.
Wheein finally cleared her throat.

"I know we're not really friends. At least not outside of school. But..."

She smiled at Jennie.

"I'm still here for you if I can help. You're a fantastic student representative. I hope you know that."

Jennie blinked in surprise, then returned the smile.

"Thanks Wheein. I'll let you know if I need you."

"Wheein. Jennie!"

Rosé came running up to them, Lisa right behind her. While Lisa and Wheein greeted each other, Jennie was surprisingly pulled into a hug by the blonde girl.

"How did the final rehearsal go?",

Jennie asked Rosé, who was beaming so enthusiastically that she didn't really need any words.
Nevertheless, she gushed about how fantastic the lights on the stage looked and how much she was looking forward to the performance.

"It's going to be amazing! Oh my God, Jennie-Unnie, I'm so excited."

Rosé's glow could probably make the sun pale. It was so contagious that Jennie's worries faded into the background for a moment.
Rosé nudged Lisa with her elbow.

"You wanted to ask something.",

she reminded.
Lisa sighed, but then nodded.

"I wanted to ask... uh... or make sure? Anyway... if you really want to be my date for the charity party. I mean, I'd already asked indirectly, but..."

Jennie smiled happily.

"I didn't assume anything else."

Even though we couldn't really clarify that.