In Your Orbit (1st Book)

Chapter 6: Rumors and Surprises

It was the following day, and Jennie walked into the school hallway, greeted immediately by Alex, who leaned against the lockers with a smug smile. "Morning, Jennie," Alex said casually, pushing off the lockers and falling into step beside her. "Had fun last Saturday, didn't we?"

Jennie raised an eyebrow, unsure where Alex was going with this. "Fun?" she asked, adjusting the strap of her backpack. "You mean the cafe?"

Alex grinned, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh yeah, the café. You wouldn't believe how many people think we went on a date." She winked, her voice dripping with amusement. "I might've helped spread a few rumors."

Jennie's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing with surprise and irritation. "Alex, seriously?" she hissed, glancing around to see if anyone had overheard. "That's going to make things awkward."

Alex shrugged, clearly unconcerned. "Aw, come on. It was harmless fun."

Before Jennie could respond, Alex's tone shifted to a more serious note. "Anyway, on to important things. I've called for a student council meeting this afternoon."

Jennie frowned, taken aback. "You what?" she asked, stopping in her tracks. As the student council president, Jennie would've known about any emergency meetings. But Alex, as vice president, had somehow taken the initiative without informing her.

"It's an emergency," Alex continued, her tone now matter-of-fact. "The school's annual Fest is coming up, and we need to get things moving."

Jennie exhaled, shaking her head. "You should've told me first," she muttered, frustration building in her voice. "I'm the president, remember?"

Alex flashed her a grin, as if she didn't take Jennie's frustration seriously. "Consider this me telling you now."

Before Jennie could push further, a sudden buzz filled the air as Lisa entered the hallway. She was greeted by Jisoo and Rose, her two closest friends.

"Lisa!" Rose called out, waving as she approached. "You feeling okay?"

Jisoo crossed her arms, eyeing Lisa carefully. "Yeah, you've been pushing yourself too hard. You should still be resting."

Lisa gave them a small smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm fine. Ready to practice again."

Jisoo shook her head, her expression disapproving. "Calm down. You're still injured."

Lisa scoffed, shrugging it off as if the pain didn't bother her. But her gaze wandered over to Jennie and Alex standing by the lockers, and something shifted in her demeanor. Her smile dropped for a brief moment, her jaw tensing as she overheard the rumors Jisoo had just mentioned.

"So... I heard Jennie and Alex went on a date," Jisoo added, her voice low but curious. She didn't mean any harm, but Lisa's expression darkened.

Without another word, Lisa turned on her heel and walked directly toward Jennie and Alex, determination etched in her every step.

Alex was still grinning, probably enjoying herself far too much. Jennie was in mid-conversation when suddenly, she felt herself being swept off the ground. A startled gasp escaped her lips as she realized Lisa had just scooped her up, lifting her effortlessly into a princess carry.

"Lisa! What are you doing?" Jennie's heart raced, her arms instinctively wrapping around Lisa's neck for balance. Her mind reeled, caught off guard by the suddenness of it all.

Lisa didn't stop walking, carrying Jennie down the hall with a cool expression, but her voice was pointed. "She's taken, Alex."

Alex blinked, momentarily caught off guard, but she recovered quickly, a smirk forming on her lips. "Oh, really? Didn't realize you were claiming her."