The Quiet Contract

Sin after Sin - The recording

Jennie POV

Before I could spiral any further, the soft sound of a door opening pulled my attention. Lisa stepped out of her room, her hair still damp from the shower, wearing a fresh hoodie and sweatpants. She looked... calm. The faint pink flush of fever lingered on her cheeks, but her posture was relaxed, her movements unhurried.

I immediately tensed. My overthinking hadn't stopped, and now, seeing her walk in like nothing had happened only made my chest tighten further.

"Hey," Lisa greeted, her voice soft and scratchy from her recent cold. Her eyes flickered between Jisoo, Rosé, and me. "What's going on?"

Her gaze lingered on me for a beat too long, and I quickly averted my eyes, trying to compose myself. I couldn't let her see what a mess I was.

"Just catching up," Jisoo answered breezily, leaning back into the couch with an exaggerated stretch. "You look better. Fever gone?"

Lisa gave a small smile. "Still a little tired, but I feel okay."

"You should still rest," Jisoo said, her tone almost scolding. "Jennie practically dragged me here just to check on you, and now you're up and about like nothing happened."

"Dragged?" I snapped, turning to Jisoo. "I didn't drag anyone. And you were the one—"

Lisa raised her hand, cutting through our bickering with a soft chuckle. "It's okay. I appreciate you guys coming over. Really."

Her eyes met mine again, and something unreadable flickered in them. Was it gratitude? Or something deeper?

The air felt heavy between us, the unspoken tension crackling like static electricity. I couldn't help but think of everything Rosé had said earlier, the way my heart had sunk at the realization that Lisa might think so little of me. And now she was standing here, calm and collected, while I was barely holding it together.

"Jennie," Lisa said softly, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

My heart skipped a beat.

Jisoo immediately perked up, her smirk wide and mischievous. "Ooh, private conversation. Should we leave?"

Rosé rolled her eyes. "Come on, Jisoo. Let's give them space."

Lisa shook her head, smiling faintly. "It's fine. We'll just talk in the kitchen."

I swallowed hard as she gestured toward the open kitchen area. My legs felt like lead as I stood up, following her without a word. My overthinking was in overdrive now, each step toward the kitchen amplifying the sound of my own heartbeat.

When we reached the counter, Lisa leaned against it, crossing her arms as she looked at me. "Jennie," she started, her voice low, "you okay? You seem... distracted."

Her words caught me off guard, and I felt my walls crumbling. "I—" I faltered, unsure of what to say. Should I confront her? Apologize? Ask if she thought I was some shallow, reckless person?

"Hey," Lisa said softly, her tone laced with concern. "You can tell me. What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. "Did Rosé... tell you something?"

Lisa's brows furrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"

"About me," I pressed, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to keep it steady. "About where she saw me."

Understanding dawned on her face, and she exhaled quietly. "The club," she said simply.

I flinched, feeling my heart drop. "So you know," I whispered.