ACATALEPSY I BTS AU

CHAPTER 24 - Kiss and Tell

"Why?" you ask, feeling the weight of Lisa's turmoil.

"It's her boyfriend," she sighs. "He's been trying to flirt with me for ages, even while he's with her. I always said no, which made him mad. But today? After I rejected him again, he decided to get back at me. He dumped my friend, claiming we were secretly together, saying he was with her just to get close to me. She's frozen in disbelief. She loved him so much and believed every lie he told, kicking me out of her life. Now, she doesn't want to see me anymore... and I don't know what to do. I didn't even do anything wrong."

Tears start to spill down her cheeks again, and you pull her into a comforting embrace. "Let's watch a fun movie and talk about it later, okay?"

"Yeah, okay!" she replies, her eyes lighting up with a hint of relief.

Since you don't have a TV, you pull out your laptop and scroll through Lisa's Netflix account. You settle on Kung Fu Panda, but, as usual, one movie leads to another, and before you know it, you've finished the entire trilogy.

After the last film, you get up to grab some water and notice little Adam passed out on the kitchen table. You gently lift him and carry him to his bed, then head back to rejoin Lisa.

It's getting late, and you turn off the computer. You both start chatting quietly, careful not to wake the sleeping child. But then, Lisa begins acting a bit strangely. She takes your hand and starts playing with it, and you shrug it off since it's not the first time she's acted childlike. Suddenly, she places your hand on her chest, right above her heart, leaving you completely bewildered.

"Can you feel that?" she asks, gazing intently into your eyes.

You swallow hard and nod, unsure how to respond.

"Do you know why I turned down my friend's ex?"

You smile and try to pull your hand back, teasing, "Because he's an idiot?"

But she holds your hand in place.

"True," she says, "but mainly because of... you."

You feel your heart race as you slowly inch back, but she closes the distance. "For me... what do you mean? Lisa, don't start this."

"You've had me feeling some type of way since freshman year."

Your cheeks flush, and you try to rise from your seat. "Lis..."

"Wait," she says, her gaze unwavering. "You have to know this heart of mine beats like crazy every time I see you."

Before you can fully process it, she jumps into your space, kissing you deeply. You try to resist, but she's surprisingly strong, practicing kickboxing on the side. The kiss feels electric, and just when you think you might get a break, there's a loud knock at the door.

Finally, she releases you, and you catch your breath before getting up to check. But when you open the door, there's no one there. A wave of anxiety washes over you, but you decide to set it aside—right now, you have a bigger problem to handle.

You close the door and turn back to Lisa. "Listen, I've told you this before, but I'll say it again: I'm not looking to be in a relationship right now. I think it's best if we just stay friends."

She pouts but then shrugs. "Okay, boss." In an instant, she switches back to her playful, childlike self, giggling softly.

"Getting back to the point, if your friend is really a friend, she'll listen to you. You need to talk to her gently and sincerely. This must be a tough time for her, so remember, kindness is key."

"Thanks for the advice. I should head home; it's getting super late."

You open the door for her.

"Y/N, love, I'll see you in class! Thanks so much for being here. I really needed your company."