"Scholarly Hearts" When academic rivals found love

Chapter 7: Understand her more

As Lisa pulled up to Jennie's house, she stepped out of the car and opened the door for her.

"After you," she said with a grin.

Jennie smiled, appreciating the gesture, and hopped in. The drive to Lisa's place was filled with light conversation, but Lisa couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves about the night ahead.

When they arrived at Lisa's house, Jennie's eyes widened in shock.

"Whoa! This is your place?" she exclaimed, taking in the expansive mansion before her. The grandeur was overwhelming; she had always known Lisa was well-off, but this was on another level.

Lisa laughed at Jennie's expression. "Why are you looking like that?"

Jennie shook her head in disbelief. "I had no idea you lived in such a huge house! It's unbelievable!"

"Yeah, it's a bit much," Lisa admitted with a casual shrug. "But I like it."

Curiosity got the better of Jennie. "Do you live here alone?"

Lisa nodded, her expression shifting slightly. "Yeah. My parents are separated. My mom works abroad, and my dad has a business in Spain."

Jennie's heart softened at the revelation. She hadn't realized how much responsibility Lisa must carry on her own.

"That must be tough sometimes," she said gently.

"It can be," Lisa replied, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice.

"But I'm used to it."

As they stepped inside, Jennie felt a mix of admiration and empathy for Lisa. The lavish surroundings contrasted sharply with their rivalry at school, and it made her see Lisa in a new light.

"Come on, let's get started on our plans for the club," Lisa said, leading Jennie further into the house.

As they moved through the spacious rooms filled with natural light and elegant decor, Jennie couldn't shake the feeling that this night might change everything between them.

As they settled into the cozy dining area, Lisa began to serve an array of delicious food, filling the table with everything from fried rice to dumplings. Jennie's eyes widened in shock. "Are we having a feast? This is too much, Lisa!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and amusement.

Lisa laughed, clearly enjoying Jennie's reaction. "We should eat first before discussing everything, you know, just so our brains won't be empty!"

Jennie shook her head, still taken aback by the amount of food. "I appreciate it, but seriously, this is a lot for just the two of us!"

"Trust me, you'll need the energy," Lisa replied playfully, nudging Jennie to dig in.

As they started eating, Jennie couldn't help but feel grateful for Lisa's hospitality. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere felt warm and inviting. They chatted about their plans for the club while enjoying the meal, and Jennie found herself relaxing more with each bite.

"Okay, okay! You win!" Jennie finally conceded with a laugh as she piled some more food onto her plate. "But only because you made it."

Lisa grinned triumphantly. "I knew you'd come around!"

As they finished their meal, Jennie felt a sense of camaraderie building between them.

The competitive edge that had once defined their relationship seemed to fade away in the comfort of Lisa's home and the warmth of their shared laughter.

As they finished their meal, Lisa decided to shift the conversation.

"So, was your intelligence just something you were born with, or do you actually work hard for it?"