Why her? [CHAENNIE]

24

***

The week passed surprisingly quickly. Jennie was attending trainings, working in tandem with Rose and helping Nayeon with her new responsibilities. Next week would be the last week of the year for Jennie, so she would have to make sure that all the processes worked smoothly without her.

Rose had time to celebrate her mom's birthday with her loved ones. Hyeri, Jisoo, and Mark surrounded her friend during a smoke break, asking about Jennie . But the blonde kept her cool and didn't say anything, realizing that there was nothing to tell. Nothing had changed, and Rose herself had not yet figured out what was going on and where it could lead.

All these days the girls had less time to talk in private, as they were usually used to, but sometimes they managed to do it furtively in the elevator or in the corporate kitchen. They talked about design, about cars, some funny facts about themselves. Jennie found out that Rose loves to watch reviews on cars - it relaxes her, and also likes elements of wood in the interior. Kim, on the other hand, shared that she loves fresh flowers like the ones she has at home, and when Rose asked why the girl uses earphones, Jennie answered easily:

-The sound is better.- The girl shrugged, finishing the water from her glass.- And the earphones don't run out of power at the wrong time.

Rose was always amused by this fact about the girl. Kim is always fiddling with her earphones: they fall out or get tangled in a ball, and then Jennie unravels them funny, as if meditating in the process.

They talked about many things, light and silly, getting to know each other, but they never once brought up the fact that Rose was engaged. Jennie was a little afraid of the subject, and Rose was too, because if they talked about it openly, face to face, it would be a huge step toward crossing the line.

On Friday, the guys from the office decided to get together at the bar to spend time together before the holidays. A lot of people might not be around next week anymore, so they decided the best time was today. As always they talked about topics ranging from design to mortgages to houses. Some discussed their personal topics and issues, while others kept the collective dialog going. The bar was very noisy, so sometimes you had to shout so that the interlocutor on the other end of the table would hear. The place was cozily decorated with Christmas paraphernalia, and the music was more thematic, relaxing rather than exhilarating.

Rose and Jennie sat side by side shoulder to shoulder, keeping up a dialog with Nayeon, Chahee, Lisa and the other guys. The girls didn't talk much just to each other, realizing that this wasn't the best place for that. Jennie really wanted Rose to move closer and touch her shoulder, to feel her warmth, but the blonde kept her usual distance, and it was frustrating, even though Kim knew it was the right thing to do.

Jennie also noticed that Rose often fell into her own thoughts, sometimes not listening to the conversation, looking thoughtfully at her glass with soda. When one of the guys addressed her, she didn't immediately understand what they were talking about, and Jennie, noticing it, looked at her, scrutinizing her face, and then with a faint smile repeated her colleague's question for Rose to answer. Kim has no idea what the blonde has been thinking about lately, but it's something that clearly bothers her a lot, as it's something she hasn't noticed about her before. Asking is obviously not an option - it's not the right position. She can only hope that either it will go away, or sooner or later Rose will share it with her.

Already habitually Rose offered Jennie a ride home and the brown-haired girl gladly agreed, very tired from the day at the office. The guys with their endless questions exhausted her.

Rose was silent most of the way, obviously still wandering in her thoughts, and Jennie leaned back in her cozy seat and let herself contemplate her calm features as they drove to the condo. Rose was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice when they arrived at the girl's house.