THEIR STORY (JenLisa)

STRESSED OUT

I miss you. I find myself wanting to text you, to call you. I want to ask about your day, to know if you’ve eaten, to hear your voice and see your face. But I know I shouldn’t. So, instead, I’m writing these short stories to express how much I miss you

~M

~~~
Jennie sat at the kitchen table, staring blankly at the bills spread out before her. Her phone buzzed with yet another text from her family, asking for money. The stress was suffocating, and she felt like she was drowning.

Lisa entered the room, immediately sensing the tension. She walked over to Jennie and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Jen. What's wrong?"

Jennie sighed, rubbing her temples. "It's my family. They keep asking for money, and I just... I can't keep up. It's too much."

Lisa pulled out a chair and sat down next to her, her eyes full of concern. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You don't have to go through this alone."

Jennie shrugged, her eyes welling up with tears. "I didn't want to burden you. It's my problem, not yours."

Lisa took Jennie's hand in hers, squeezing it gently. "We're a team, remember? Your problems are my problems too."

Jennie looked away, a tear slipping down her cheek. "It's just so hard. They don't understand how much pressure they're putting on me. Every time I think I have things under control, they ask for more."

Lisa's heart ached seeing Jennie so distraught. She pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. "I'm here for you, Jen. Whatever you need, I'm here."

Jennie pulled back slightly, wiping her tears. "I just wish they would stop. I can't keep giving them money I don't have."

Lisa cupped Jennie's face in her hands, looking into her eyes. "You need to set boundaries with them. I know it's hard, but you can't keep sacrificing your own well-being for them."

Jennie nodded, her voice trembling. "I know, but they're my family. I feel so guilty saying no."

Lisa brushed a strand of hair behind Jennie's ear, her touch soothing. "I get that, but you have to take care of yourself too. You deserve to be happy and not constantly stressed out."

Jennie sighed, leaning into Lisa's touch. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Lisa smiled, her eyes filled with love. "You don't have to worry about that because I'm not going anywhere."

Jennie managed a small smile, but the weight of her family's demands still hung heavy on her shoulders. "I just need a break from all of this. I'm so tired, Lisa."

Lisa kissed Jennie's forehead, her voice soft and reassuring. "Then let's take a break. We'll figure this out together, okay? You're not alone."

Jennie nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Okay."

The next few days were tough. Jennie's family continued to bombard her with requests, each one more desperate than the last. Jennie found herself snapping more often, her patience wearing thin.

One evening, Jennie was pacing the living room, her phone clutched in her hand. "Why can't they just leave me alone?" she exclaimed, her frustration boiling over. "I can't do this anymore!"

Lisa watched her, worry etched on her face. "Jennie, come here," she said softly.

Jennie stopped pacing and looked at Lisa, her eyes filled with anger and exhaustion. "What?"

"Come here," Lisa repeated, her tone gentle but firm.

Jennie reluctantly walked over to Lisa, who immediately pulled her into a hug. Jennie resisted at first, her body tense, but eventually, she melted into Lisa's embrace, her anger giving way to tears.

"It's okay to be mad, Jen," Lisa whispered, rubbing her back soothingly. "It's okay to feel like this."

Jennie sobbed into Lisa's shoulder, all the pent-up frustration and stress pouring out. "I don't know what to do," she cried. "I can't keep doing this, but I can't just abandon them either."

Lisa held her tighter, her voice steady and calm. "You need to take care of yourself first. You can't pour from an empty cup. We'll figure out a way to help them without it breaking you, okay?"

Jennie nodded, her tears slowing. "Okay."

Lisa pulled back slightly, wiping Jennie's tears with her thumbs. "I love you, Jennie. And I hate seeing you like this. We're going to get through this together."

Jennie looked into Lisa's eyes, feeling a rush of gratitude and love. "I love you too, Lisa. Thank you for always being here for me, even when I'm a mess."

Lisa smiled, leaning in to kiss Jennie's forehead. "You're not a mess. You're strong, and you're going to get through this. And I'm going to be right here with you, every step of the way."

Jennie smiled through her tears, feeling a sense of relief and hope. "I don't deserve you," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Lisa shook her head, her expression tender. "Don't say that. You deserve all the love and support in the world." She leaned in closer, her eyes locking with Jennie's. "And I’m more than happy to give it to you."

Before Jennie could respond, Lisa closed the distance between them, pressing her lips softly against Jennie's. The kiss was gentle, sweet, and full of unspoken promises. Jennie felt warmth spread through her, the weight of her worries momentarily lifting as she melted into the kiss, her hands resting on Lisa's shoulders.

When they finally pulled apart, Jennie rested her forehead against Lisa's, a small, contented smile playing on her lips. "I love you, Lisa," she murmured.

Lisa's eyes sparkled with affection. "I love you too, Jennie. Always."

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.