Precious Things || Jensoo

Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four

All I want to do is run away screaming.

Luckily, I guess, the kiss only lasts a mere second before I pull away, horrified. For one, we're in the damn school yard, and for two...

Oh my God, Jongin kissed me!

Ew.

I manage to stutter and move away from him. "Er.. uh.."

He looks a little guilty.

"I can't," I force out. My heart is pounding, but not in the good way.

"Oh."

Now I feel bad. Jongin has never been anything but nice to me. He's a nice, single boy whom I categorically do not want to date. He has no idea that I'm in love with his ex, and why should he have?

"I'm sorry, Jongin," I say, with honesty. "There's no way my grandfather will let me go to prom, let along go with someone." I reach over and pat him on the hand. It's kind of awkward. "But I'm really, really touched that you asked."

"Oh." He looks a little less upset now. "No chance?"

I shake my head. "Jongin, my grandfather doesn't let me leave the yard alone. He's not going to let me go to an unsupervised dance with a boy."

He smiles at that. "I understand. Um -" He looks nervous. "If it's just because you don't want to come..."

"It isn't," I half-lie. I mean, I don't want to go to the prom with him, but the part about my grandfather was the truth. It's just that, for once, it's convenient rather than annoying.

Once he leaves, I categorically decide to fail to mention the kiss or the invitation to Jennie. I know my girl, she wouldn't take it too well. And I can't help thinking of her as my girl, even if she refuses, point-blank, to talk about that kiss.

Once I walk away from the courtyard I'm hit by another thought. What if he... what if he kisses me again? I mean, I made it sound like only my grandfather was holding me back from him.

Ew.

I really don't want to kiss Jongin again. I'm going to have to let him down. I'll try to do it gently.

As the bell is about to go, I run into Jennie.

"Hey, Chu, do you know what's up with Jongin?"

"Uh, no, why?" This is the first time I've ever lied to her.

"Meh, he just walked past looking upset."

"Oh..."

Dammit, I hate lying to her.

"Anyway, what are you doing this Friday?" she asks.

"Uh, nothing, usual stuff. Once again, why?"

"Um, there's a party... like, for the end of school and shit."

I look crestfallen. Finally, an invitation I really wish I could accept and, yet, I know I can't.

"Hey, I mean, I can get my step-mom to invite you over for an end-of-year sleep over," Jennie grins. "Your grandfather doesn't need to know about the party."

She really does think of everything. Just having her in front of me has completely wiped the horrible last ten minutes out of my mind, thank God. Except, I still don't think it's going to work.

I look at her sceptically.

"Trust me, Jisoo," she reassures me.

"Jen... I just... my grandfather wasn't born yesterday. He's eventually going to get over Hyorin doing your calling for you."