In Your Orbit (1st Book) Completed.

Part 4: The Escape

Lisa darted out of the room like her life depended on it, her heart pounding not from physical exertion but from the laser-sharp glare Jennie had directed at her moments ago. She sprinted down the hallway and skidded to a stop when she spotted Jisoo waiting at their usual spot near the gym entrance.

Jisoo, leaning casually against the wall, raised an eyebrow at Lisa's frazzled appearance. "What the hell happened to you? You look like you've just escaped a death sentence."

Lisa didn't respond immediately. She bent over, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Finally, she let out a dramatic sigh and plopped down onto the floor, sprawling as if she had just finished a marathon.

"I bumped into Mikaela," Lisa groaned, throwing an arm over her face.

Jisoo's curiosity piqued. "And? Is that a big deal? You bump into people all the time, bro."

Lisa lifted her arm and shot Jisoo a look that screamed, You don't understand. "I caught her before she hit the floor. Like, literally caught her. And for a second, it was fine—normal even."

Jisoo tilted her head, trying to grasp the weight of Lisa's words. "Okay... And then?"

Lisa let her head fall back with an exaggerated thud against the tiled floor. "Jennie saw it," she said, her voice dripping with dread.

Jisoo blinked, then burst out laughing. "Oh no," she said between giggles. "Jennie saw you being a knight in shining armor for someone else? You're so dead."

"Exactly!" Lisa exclaimed, sitting up and running her hands through her damp hair in frustration. "She was glaring at me like I'd just signed my own death warrant. I mean, it wasn't even my fault! Mika wasn't looking, and I wasn't looking, and boom! Collision!"

Jisoo squatted down beside Lisa, her arms resting on her knees as she grinned. "So, what did you do?"

Lisa sighed again, her voice softening. "I caught her, obviously. But the second I realized Jennie was watching, I let go like she was on fire and apologized... twice."

That sent Jisoo into another fit of laughter. "You dropped her like a hot potato because of Jennie? That's priceless!"

Lisa slumped forward, burying her face in her hands. "It's not funny! Jennie's scary when she's jealous."

Jisoo gave Lisa a playful nudge. "You're such a baby sometimes, you know that? All this drama because of a little bump. Jennie loves you, Lisa. She's not going to murder you for catching someone."

Lisa looked up at Jisoo, her expression a mix of guilt and exasperation. "You didn't see her face. She was this close to killing me. And now everyone in that room probably thinks I'm a mess."

Jisoo shrugged. "Well, they're not wrong."

Lisa glared at her friend but couldn't help the small smile creeping onto her face. Jisoo's teasing had a way of easing the tension.

"Come on," Jisoo said, standing up and offering Lisa a hand. "Let's hit the court before Jennie comes storming down here to lecture you."

Lisa groaned but took Jisoo's hand. As she stood, she muttered, "I'm doomed, aren't I?"

Jisoo smirked. "Pretty much. But hey, at least you're entertaining."

Jennie leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as the tension from the earlier incident refused to subside. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but the slight furrow of her brows betrayed her annoyance. Across from her, Rose casually plopped down, a playful grin spreading across her face as she observed Jennie's restless demeanor.