Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 34: End of Hell (Jennie 28; Rosé 31)

A month had passed since that awkward night, and Jennie found herself busier than ever. Planning for her second ice cream parlor had consumed most of her time and energy, leaving little room for overthinking. Yet, no matter how busy she got, she couldn't entirely shake the thoughts about Rosé. Their friendship had grown stronger despite the unease that stayed after their last deep conversation. They still texted nearly every day, sharing everything from random memes to details about their hectic schedules.

Today, as Jennie wiped down the counters at her parlor, the familiar buzz of her phone pulled her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Rosé.

Rosie: I finally have a day off tomorrow! I can swing by your shop after work, pick you and Hayoon up, and we can have dinner at my place?

Jennie's lips curled into a smile as she read the message. She felt a rush of warmth at the idea of seeing Rosé again. It had been a while since they hung out in person, and despite her best efforts to suppress her feelings, the prospect of spending time together was something she secretly looked forward to. She quickly typed a response.

Jennie: That sounds great! Hayoon will be so excited to see you.

She leaned back against the counter, glancing at Hayoon, who was happily coloring at a table nearby. The little girl had grown so fond of Rosé, and watching their interactions often left Jennie with a bittersweet ache. She tried to convince herself it was nothing more than friendship, but deep down, it was getting harder to ignore the feelings she had buried.

The next day seemed to fly by. Jennie worked at the parlor, juggling customers and calls about the new location, all while mentally preparing herself for dinner. This would be the first time she'd be with Rosé since the conversation that had left things in a strange, unresolved place. Jennie wondered if Rosé still thought about it or if she had brushed it off completely.

By the time evening rolled around, Rosé texted to say she was on her way. A few minutes later, Jennie saw her car pull up outside the shop, and like always, her heart fluttered just seeing her.

Rosé stepped out of the car, her casual clothes giving her a laid-back, almost effortlessly cool vibe. Her smile was warm and inviting, instantly making Jennie feel at ease.

"Hey, you two!" Rosé greeted with a grin as she crouched down to Hayoon's level. The little girl let out a squeal of joy and rushed into Rosé's open arms.

Jennie laughed, "She's missed you."

"Missed both of you too," Rosé said as she stood up, her eyes meeting Jennie's. For a moment, they held each other's gaze, and something unspoken passed between them, but Jennie quickly looked away, trying to hide the way her heart raced.

"We're ready to go," Jennie said, clearing her throat. "You sure you're not too tired for dinner?"

Rosé shook her head with a grin, "Nope! I've been looking forward to this all week."

The drive to Rosé's house was filled with easy conversation. They talked about Hayoon's latest antics, Jennie's progress with the new shop, and Rosé's packed schedule.

At Rosé's place, the evening unfolded seamlessly. Rosé insisted on cooking, and Jennie joined her in the kitchen, helping out as they joked and reminisced. Meanwhile, Hayoon played nearby, her happy giggles occasionally breaking through their conversation.

But beneath the laughter, Jennie couldn't help but think about that conversation from a month ago. Had Rosé forgotten? Was she avoiding it? The tension between what Jennie felt and what she was willing to admit gnawed at her.

As the evening continued, Jennie and Rosé sat around the dinner table with Hayoon. The little girl eagerly ate her pasta, occasionally sharing random stories about her day at the ice cream parlor.