Kiss Me

Chapter 13: The Lake

Fumbling fingers took hold of a fishing rod. Jennie's frowned. Fishing isn't her thing but Lisa had dragged the group along for a weekend getaway with her parents. It was nerve-racking at first but Lisa's expectant eyes made Jennie indulge at her girlfriend’s request. She wanted to spend some time with Lisa anyway.

But the girl had been evasive ever since Mr. and Mrs. Manoban arrived. Even if it was understandable, sort of kind of, it was still irksome. She just wanted to laugh with Lisa, cuddle or talk. She was bored and there was no fish eating her bait, making her more irritated than she already is. She hissed before cursing under her breath. She turned to her right where the other girls were happily chatting, laughing as Yeri told them her latest misfortune at the mall with Ten. Another turn of the head and her sight landed on Lisa and her father. They were sitting on a stool far away from the group; fishing rods in hand but no words were exchanged between them. Jennie wondered if the Manoban household had always been so silent.

"Have you gotten any, yet?" Mrs. Manoban's voice bolted her back to life as the woman sat beside her on the wooden dock.

"H-hi.. Mrs. Manoban."

"Oh sweetie, drop the formalities. Jisoo and Seulgi calls me Auntie, I think it would just be right if you call me Auntie too." Mrs. Manoban smiled and turned to glance at the other girls.

"Are those yours and Lisa's friends?" She added when her sight fell on Irene, Rosé and Yeri.

"Ye-yes.. Auntie,” she awkwardly said before continuing, “The tallest and thinnest of all is Rosé, my childhood friend. The pretty and pale girl is Irene, one of my bestfriends and Seulgi's girlfriend. The short haired girl is Yeri, my sister."

"Oh, your sister is lovely. Your parents are lucky to have such beautiful children." Mrs. Manoban said with a smile as her sight lingered on Yeri before bringing her attention back to Jennie.

Jennie smiled and blushed at the compliment, not really knowing what to say.

"I apologize for Lisa's behavior just now." Mrs. Manoban then said and Jennie's looked at her questioningly.

"I know you might think that she's avoiding you. But believe me, right now all she wants is to sit here in my place," Mrs. Manoban chuckled and glanced briefly at her daughter before continuing, "But it had been a long time since she last went fishing with the old man."

Jennie nodded and smiled.

***

Lisa sighed in relief when the figure of her mother sat beside Jennie in her peripheral vision. The girl had been sulking and been quiet, but Lisa knew her evasiveness had something to do with it. Another sigh. Fishing is getting boring. She just wanted to talk to Jennie.

"Tired?" Her father's voice brought her attention back to the lake. She shook her head no. She was bored, not tired.

"The fishes are being evasive today. Maybe they went to school? You know.. School of fish?" He added with a grin.

Lisa had to suppress her laughter before whining, "Appa~! Still the lamest joke ever. Go buy yourself a new joke book."

Mr. Manoban laughed along with Lisa.

"Maybe I should really buy a new joke book." He said as he snickered.

Lisa just shrugged as their laughter died down.

"You have many friends now." Mr. Manoban commented.

"Ye—yeah."

"Schoolmates?"

"Yes. Well, we will be in college soon while the short haired girl, Jennie's sister, is a freshman in High School."

Lisa's father nodded and glanced at the group for the last time.