Star-crossed (JenLisa)

4

Lisa hadn't felt this nervous since high school. And yet, here she was, feeling that same way again, because of the same girl. As she walked into the lobby of the familiar apartment building, she retraced last night's events. She wondered if the same things were wandering in Jennie's head.

Same door, several hours later. She brought a hand up and glanced at the watch on her wrist.

6:45pm.

Too early. Might come off desperate. She decided to wait a while more.

Unfortunately, the wait only served to make the girl more nervous. Within five minutes, her palms were starting to sweat. And as if that wasn't bad enough, she needed to go.

Oh of all times!!!

She tried bending forward, squatting, walking up and down the hallway, but it was all futile. Feeling like she had no choice, she rang the doorbell.

It was a short wait before the scent of strawberries filled her nose.

"Lisa! You're early!"

"Hi Jen!" she waved slightly. "Uhhh..." she fidgeted a little.

"What's wrong?"

It's getting worse!!

Lisa bent forward and propped her hand against the wall. It was getting unbearable.

"Are you okay?" Jennie stepped forward and held onto the girl.

"May... May I use your bathroom please?"

You are so embarrassing Lisa! She wanted to slap herself so hard.

"Oh! Hahahahaha!" Jennie chuckled before pulling her into her apartment.

The girl ran straight for the bathroom. She knew exactly where it was. When she was done, she stayed in the bathroom for a while, too embarrassed to leave. Taking a few breaths, she looked into the mirror and reminded herself to go according to plan.

Go to dinner, broach the subject. Simple.

"Lisa fighting!" she whispered before opening the door.

"You're out! Feel better?" asked Jennie, half-smiling, half-giggling.

Thanks to the embarrassing situation moments ago, Lisa hadn't notice how beautiful the girl looked till now. Even in a casual top and shorts, the girl was mesmerizing. She didn't respond, she just stood in front of the blonde, gushing like an idiot.

"You alright?"

"Uhh yea! Hungry?" she nervously rubbed the back of her neck.

Jennie nodded before clinging onto Lisa. "Let's go." It felt like high school all over again.

-----

(flashback)


"Today's THE day?"

"Yup!"

"Are you sure about this? I mean, how sure are you that she feels the same way?"

"I don't care anymore. It's the last day of school, and I've been hesitating for way too long. Even if she doesn't, at least I wouldn't have to face her every day thereafter. And," Lisa said as she put her arms on her two closest friends. "I have the both of you to pick up the pieces anyway."

"Wish me luck!"

Lisa had been in love with Jennie Kim since... forever. She was the first and only person that made the usually confident Lisa become a total nervous wreck whenever she was around her. Lisa didn't know how it started, but the attraction definitely started the first time she met the girl. Jennie was the belle in school; she had a pretty face when everyone else was going through the awkward teenager phase. So it was without doubt that Lisa wasn't the only one who had a crush on her.

The girl's personality however, could be summed up in a nickname: The Ice Princess. She wasn't unfriendly, she was mostly introverted, and contrary to rumors, she was definitely not arrogant, Lisa knew this for a fact. Beneath the cold exterior was a girl who was soft-hearted, fragile, shy and extremely warm, though it was only limited to the privileged few whom Jennie was comfortable with.

Lisa was fortunate to have been one of them.

Lisa walked down the hallways, searching for the girl. She couldn't sleep the night before. It took a long time to muster up enough courage for this. It had to be today.

But where was she?

"Lisa-yah! I need to talk to you!" came a voice behind.

"Later Chaeng!"

"Wait!!"

Lisa ignored the girl and continued her search. She did a thorough scan around the huge school compound, to find no sign of Jennie. She wasn't in her classroom; she wasn't in the library, where could she be?

"...La..li...sa.." Lisa was startled by a hand on her shoulder.

"Stop... running..." Rosie panted.

"You chased all the way here? Sorry but I gotta find Jen, it's urgent. Have you seen her?"

Taking a few more seconds to catch her breath, Rosie replied, "That's what I wanted to talk to you about! She's at the airport now; she's leaving for the States!"

"What? She didn't mention anything to me!"

"Not to me either. I just found out from Miss Lee."

"So when's she coming back?"

"She's moving there, Lisa."

"WHAT??!?"

"Anyway, that's not important. We have to get to the airport now!"

"Okay, get Jisoo! I'll get the other 2! We'll meet at the school gate. Hurry!"

Throughout the journey, Lisa was uncharacteristically quiet. Her big confession plan didn't seem as important now that Jennie was leaving. She was more worried that she wouldn't be in time to see her before she left.

Why is she leaving? Why didn't she say anything? Not even to me?

Momo placed her hand over Lisa's. "Don't worry, we'll make it." she assured.

Lisa nodded. "I really hope so."

When the taxi arrived at the airport, the 5 girls swiftly alighted and ran towards the departure gates.

Please, just a while more.

Lisa, being the most athletic out of the lot, reached first. Just in time to see the auburn haired girl heading in.

"JEN!!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, earning the attention of everyone in the area. She didn't care; the girl didn't seem to hear and was walking further in. "JENNIE!!!" she shouted again as she leaned against the glass panel that separated her and Jennie. She knocked frantically against the glass.

Turn back turn back please please please turn back!

It was as if Jennie heard her innermost thoughts, because she did. The girl walked towards Lisa.

Lisa felt a sting in her chest when she saw her face. Her eyes were red. She had been crying.

The both of them stood in front of each other, separated by a panel of glass. Jennie was tearing. Lisa wanted so much to hug her, to comfort her.

I can't get to her...

It was breaking her heart to see Jennie in this state.

I have to do something.

Lisa bit on her tongue and fought hard against her tears. Flashing her dorkiest smile ever, she then pushed her face up against the glass; effectively distorting it.

The 'glass face' worked.

Jennie shot an incredulous look and burst out in laughter. Lisa could barely hear her but she did see Jennie clutching her stomach and mouthing her name a few times. She felt an instant relief upon seeing her smile again. It made her feel better too.

"Lisa!!" soon after, the 4 other girls caught up with Lisa. They ran towards the glass panel to find Jennie in tears and in a laughing fit at the same time, and they all shrugged in bewilderment. As advised by Lisa, the 4 girls used hand signs and lip reading as a means of communication with the girl behind the glass, but it was cut short by her parents who signaled to them that they had a plane to catch.

The inevitable was here. Jennie had to go and Lisa couldn't stop it. Jennie forced a little smile, and took a good look at everyone's faces before she turned around. Lisa was helpless. She looked on as the auburn haired girl walked ahead, her figure becoming smaller and smaller.

I haven't said those 3 words yet...

However, right before disappearing into the corner, Jennie turned back for the last time and looked at Lisa.

This was her chance.

"I LOVE YOU!" Lisa screamed with her eyes shut.

When she opened them, Jennie wasn't there anymore.

While Lisa was having an internal debate on whether Jennie witnessed it, she realized the 4 girls definitely did.

One stared at her in disbelief.

One went "Awww, how sweet!"

One burst out in laughter.

And one facepalmed herself.

Maybe it was a better idea to mouth the words without actually saying them.

(end of flashback)