In Your Orbit (1st Book) Completed.

Chapter 2: More Than Friends

The afternoon sun filtered through the high windows of the school, casting soft beams of light onto the busy courtyard. Lunch had just begun, and Jennie found herself heading towards the giant oak tree where she and Lisa usually sat. As she neared, she spotted Lisa already there, sprawled out casually with her back against the trunk, one knee bent and a book resting on her thigh. The volleyball Lisa always carried was next to her, resting in the grass.

"Hey, Lisa!" Jennie called out, her voice as bright as the sunlight.

Lisa looked up from her book, a lazy smile tugging at her lips. "Took you long enough, princess. Thought you might've gotten lost in your fan club again."

Jennie rolled her eyes playfully as she dropped down next to Lisa, her legs stretched out in front of her. "Oh, come on. They're not that bad," she said, unwrapping her sandwich. "Besides, you're one to talk. How many girls on the volleyball team are fawning over you right now?"

Lisa raised an eyebrow, tossing her book aside. "Eh, they're just team members. Nothing serious," she said, her voice casual, but Jennie could see something flicker in her eyes. "But if you must know, yes, I am very popular. Thank you for noticing."

Jennie laughed and gave her friend a playful nudge. "Yeah, yeah, everyone knows you're the school's coolest girl."

As Jennie started eating, a comfortable silence fell between them, the kind of silence that only comes from years of friendship. Jennie watched a few students stroll by, each one waving or calling her name. She smiled and waved back, but her focus was on Lisa, who seemed content to simply sit in the quiet, unaffected by the bustle around them.

After a while, Jennie turned to Lisa, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Hey, Lisa?"

"Hmm?" Lisa grunted in response, her head leaning back against the tree trunk, eyes half-closed.

"Why haven't you ever dated anyone? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're not caught up in all that drama, but... I've always wondered. I see you with all these girls practically swooning over you, and you never seem to care."

Lisa's eyes shot open. Of all the questions Jennie could've asked, this was definitely not the one Lisa had expected. She tried to keep her cool, playing it off like she always did. "What, you're asking me about my love life now?" she teased, though her heart skipped a beat. "Why do you care?"

Jennie shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "I don't know. I guess I just don't get it. You could have anyone you wanted. But you've never shown interest in anyone."

Lisa sat up a little straighter, shifting uncomfortably. The truth lingered on her tongue, heavy and unspoken. She wanted to tell Jennie. She wanted to confess that the reason she never dated anyone was because no one could compare to her—because it was always Jennie.

But instead, Lisa forced a grin, the same one she always used when deflecting tough questions. "Maybe I'm just waiting for someone special, you know? Someone who... gets me."

Jennie smiled softly at that, resting her chin on her knees. "Someone like me, then?" she said, only half-joking.

Lisa's breath hitched in her throat for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice quieter than usual. "Someone like you."

Jennie, oblivious to the weight behind those words, let out a light laugh. "Well, good luck. If anyone deserves someone amazing, it's you."

Lisa looked away, her heart heavy with words she couldn't say. You have no idea, she thought. You're the only one I want.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Jennie hopped to her feet, brushing off her skirt. "You ready for volleyball practice later?" she asked, smiling down at Lisa.

"Yeah, always," Lisa replied, standing up and slinging her bag over her shoulder. "You coming to watch?"

"Of course! Wouldn't miss it," Jennie said brightly, her usual enthusiasm returning. "Besides, I've gotta be there to keep all those fangirls away from you."

Lisa chuckled as they walked back to the building together. "Please. You enjoy the show just as much as they do."

Jennie gave her a mock gasp. "Excuse me, I'm your best friend! I'm there for moral support, not to drool over you."

"Uh-huh, sure."

Later that day, Jennie sat on the bleachers in the gym, watching Lisa and her teammates warm up. The rhythmic thud of the volleyball hitting the floor echoed through the gymnasium as the girls practiced their serves and spikes. Lisa stood out easily—her tall frame, athletic build, and effortless grace making her the star of the team.

Jennie couldn't help but admire her. Lisa had always been so cool, so calm. Even when she was surrounded by the chaos of a game, Lisa never seemed flustered. Jennie noticed the way the other girls on the team looked at her—there was no denying it. They weren't just admiring Lisa's athletic skills; they were enamored with her.

One of the girls from the team, a junior named Mia, approached Jennie during a break in the practice. "Hey, Jennie. You're here for Lisa, right?" she asked, her tone slightly nervous.

Jennie nodded. "Yeah, just watching. She's really good, isn't she?"

Mia blushed. "She's amazing. I mean, not just at volleyball. She's just... cool, you know?"

Jennie chuckled softly. "Yeah, I know. She's been that way since we were kids."

Mia hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Lisa, who was joking with her teammates on the court. "Do you think she's, like, seeing anyone? I mean, I don't want to ask her myself, but..."

Jennie blinked, taken aback. "Lisa? No, she's not seeing anyone."

Mia's eyes lit up. "Oh. Cool. Just wondering."

As Mia walked away, Jennie found herself feeling... odd. The idea of someone else being interested in Lisa wasn't new—people had always admired her. But now, something about it made Jennie feel strange, almost protective. She wasn't sure why, but the thought of Lisa with someone else didn't sit right with her.

After practice, Jennie and Lisa walked home together, as they always did. The cool evening air was refreshing after the heat of the gym, and they chatted casually about the practice.

"You really killed it out there today," Jennie said, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "I think Mia's got a bit of a crush on you."

Lisa snorted. "Mia? She's just a kid."

"She's only a year younger than us," Jennie pointed out. "And she's not the only one. You've got a whole fan club, Lisa. I bet half the girls at school have a crush on you."

Lisa rolled her eyes. "And yet, none of them interest me."

Jennie tilted her head, curious. "Why not? I mean, you're this cool, star athlete. You could date anyone you wanted."

Lisa stayed silent for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to tell Jennie that the only reason no one else interested her was because she was already in love—with Jennie. But once again, she swallowed the words, keeping them locked away.

"I just... haven't found the right person, I guess," Lisa said quietly.

Jennie smiled softly, nudging Lisa with her elbow. "Well, when you do, they're going to be the luckiest person in the world."

Lisa looked down at Jennie, her heart aching with unspoken feelings. "Yeah," she whispered. "I hope so."

As they continued walking, Jennie hummed a soft tune under her breath, her thoughts drifting. She glanced at Lisa, admiring the way the streetlights cast a golden glow on her face. For the first time, Jennie wondered if maybe—just maybe—Lisa was more than just her best friend.

But the thought was fleeting, disappearing as quickly as it came. Jennie pushed it aside, not ready to explore what it meant.

For now, they were best friends. And that was enough.