The Enchanted Semester/ Blackpink

Prologue

Mondays—Lisa loathed them. Everything about them felt bleak and exhausting, everything but her. The only saving grace in Lisa's weekly return to class was the chance to see her. Jisoo, the composed class president, with her heart-shaped lips, dark, arresting eyes, and a fragrance that lingered long after she'd passed, stirring something deep within Lisa, something that seemed insatiable. It was maddening, the way she moved with such effortless grace, making even the dull college uniform of blazer and skirt seem captivating.

Lisa's reverie was broken when Chaeyoung, her ever-blunt best friend, dropped down into the seat beside her, sighing dramatically. "At it again?" she drawled, her eyes rolling in mock exasperation. "God, the number of dreams I have in a month, you manage to have about her in a day. You don't stand a chance, you know?"

"I wasn't dreaming," Lisa muttered, her cheeks heating slightly as she straightened.

Chaeyoung gave her a knowing look. "Who are you trying to fool? I know that look, Lisa. I know you too well—right down to what's going on in that head of yours." She smirked, flicking a finger at Lisa's forehead. "You're not even looking me in the eye."

A defeated sigh escaped Lisa's lips as she slumped onto the desk, a pout forming. "Why, Chaeyoung? Why do we always want the things we can't have? Why is it always her?" She lifted her head to steal another glance at the brunette across the room. Jisoo was laughing softly with a friend, her legs elegantly crossed, every movement effortless and mesmerising.

Lisa barely noticed the hand waving in front of her until Chaeyoung gave her a light slap. "Hello? You're doing it again—spacing out. And here I am, drowning in a crisis."

Turning her gaze reluctantly to her friend, Lisa rolled her eyes. She and Chaeyoung were backbenchers, notorious for sitting at the very back, where the weight of responsibility felt a little lighter. Not that it made Lisa feel any less out of her league with Jisoo—Jisoo with her perfect marks, impeccable manner, and background of privilege, a far cry from Lisa's family, who ran a modest restaurant.

Just as she thought she could steal another look, Chaeyoung waved her hand in front of Lisa's face again, prompting an impatient swat in return. "What?"

"You're spacing out again! I've stopped counting. Lalisa Manoban, let it go. You don't have a shot," Chaeyoung remarked dryly, though her teasing smirk showed that she didn't mind repeating the obvious.

"Shut up! And what's this so-called crisis of yours?" Lisa asked, frowning.

Chaeyoung's eyes widened. "Oh, you're actually listening? Are you ill?" She pressed a hand to Lisa's forehead playfully, only for Lisa to slap it away.

"I always listen!"

"Not when she is around," Chaeyoung replied with a mischievous smirk, tilting her head towards Jisoo.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on, or—?"

"Fine," Chaeyoung huffed. "I overheard some girl talking about a project due soon, and when I asked her about it, she just laughed, like I should know already. You know how some of them are, thinking they're above it all. We need to figure out what this project is before it's too late."

Lisa's stomach dropped. "Oh no. My mum will lose it if she gets another call about my late submissions."

"Same! So here's the plan," Chaeyoung said, her face lighting up. "You, my dear friend, are going to go and ask the class president about it. Make a friend, maybe even ask for help."

Lisa's head shook immediately. "Absolutely not. She'll think I'm an idiot."

Chaeyoung gave a conspiratorial grin, leaning closer. "She probably does already, so just don't confirm it, alright?" Lisa smirked and gently shoved her friend's arm.