THE LIGHT OF LOVE | JENLISA

Chapter 32.

Looking at her own reflection in the mirror, Jennie tried to gather her thoughts because what happened before unsettled her. While she was looking at Lisa, she felt the sudden urge to use her power to feel Lisa's emotions, and she only resisted in the last moment. She had promised herself that she wouldn't use her abilities on her friends again and so far she was keeping this promise. But... even without using her powers, she could feel true emotion in Lisa's singing. Could it have been just her acting? Impossible. Lisa's entire presence on stage screamed that she was expressing her true feelings.

What if... Jennie got scared to even think the question in her mind. What if Lisa really had feelings for her?

"Stop being naive." the voice in her mind scolded her. "You just got emotional because of a song, that's all."

Yes, she needed to be realistic, that was probably it. With a sigh, she turned away from the mirror and prepared to leave when she felt again this intriguing warm sensation originating from the place where Lisa's lips touched hers... Why does the memory of that kiss keep coming back? Jennie shook if off, irritated. It was really becoming annoying.

Meanwhile Lisa was still in the room, and, with Jennie being absent, she concentrated her attention on Jin. Lisa kind of wished he was a jerk, at least it would make it so much easier to hate him. If she forced herself to think rationally about it all, he was just a good guy, being friendly to Jennie and treating her like a real gentleman. But Lisa wasn't able to think rationally: she hated him, even though she perfectly realized that her hostility didn't even have any logical basis. Not even knowing what made her approach him, she touched his arm to get his attention.

"I see that Jennie and you became close." she said directly, without even greeting him first.

"I guess so."

After looking at him intently for awhile, Lisa cleared her throat and said, her voice harsh and menacing:

"Listen to me very carefully Jin, Jennie is a good friend of mine... So if you hurt her in any way, ANY way, I swear I'll make your life hell. Understand?"

When the first shock passed, Jin's gaze became colder. He intentionally raised his voice so that everyone in the room could hear him.

"I really think you're the last person who can talk about that. You're really out of line threatening me."

The room went silent and everyone's attention turned to them.

"Oh my god, what!? Lisa, is that true? What did you say to him?" Irene yelled, appalled.

"Yeah Lisa, why are you such a bitch recently?" Seulgi added, still mad about how Lisa snapped at her earlier.

"And besides..." Jin went on, "If you care about Jennie's feelings so much, why did you kiss her without her consent?"

A few surprised gasps could be heard. Clearly caught off-guard by his words, Lisa couldn't say anything for a few seconds. And then she just lost it.

"You fucking asshole!" she yelled rushing towards him, as if she wanted to strike.

"Lisa, don't." a voice coming from the door froze her in place. Lisa felt that she could fight right there against everyone in the room, no problem. But against the small brunette who was standing in the doorway she was completely powerless. Jennie's eyes were so full of disappointment that Lisa lowered her head, her anger melting away. She knew she lost. In everyone's eyes she was the villain now and Jin was the good guy. A fucking knight in the shining armor.

"I think you should go." Irene said to Lisa quietly.

"What? Are you really throwing me out?"

Irene didn't reply but judging by her stance it was clear she meant what she said. Lisa nodded, as if she understood something, and slowly walked out with her head down, chased by shocked stares.

"Wait!" she suddenly heard when she already exited the main door. She paused and Jennie walked over to her with a worried look.

"Liz, what's happening to you?" she asked. She seemed concerned and not disappointed as Lisa had expected. The blonde just shrugged and said nothing.

"Please talk to me..." Jennie pleaded.

"I thought you didn't want to talk about anything except studying." Even Lisa herself was shocked how cold it came out. She was way past her breaking point, too hurt to care about anything or anyone.

Jennie gave her a painful look. "I don't recognize you...Why do you treat Jin like that? He's my friend, doesn't it mean anything to you?"

Lisa stayed silent, her gaze fixed at something at the distance.

"Even without using my powers I can tell that you're hurting inside, would you just tell me what is this pain that makes you this... restless?" Jennie kept insisting.

Lisa snorted ironically and shook her head in disbelief. "You're really clueless... You really don't understand-"

"Then tell me! Tell me what I don't understand!"

"You really want to know? Fine!" emotions took over Lisa, she began to speak hastily, her lips trembling. "What hurts me the most is that you believe that I'm a bad person, like the rest of them!" Taking a deep breath Lisa suppressed tears and continued: "I bared my soul to you, I told you about my feelings, didn't I? And not only you didn't believe me, you chose to think that I'm a pervert who assaulted you, rather than to think that I'm just a confused girl in love! I know life screwed you up, that people betrayed you many times, that you don't trust anyone, that you are convinced that you don't deserve love, I understand all that! And I'm not angry at you! But it still hurts so bad, it still fucking hurts, okay!?"

It was Jennie's turn to remain silent, shocked at Lisa's outburst. The blonde went on, in a slightly calmer tone.

"And Jin? Isn't it obvious? I just hate how he appeared out of nowhere and everybody just instantly loves him, including you! I know I shouldn't think like that, but I can't help it, it feels like... like he took you away from me... I guess I'm... I'm just jealous, Jen. So there you go, there's the truth you wanted. Are you happy now?"

As if suddenly frightened by what she just confessed, Lisa turned around and ran, leaving Jennie stunned and confused. There was so much desperation in the way Lisa spoke, but that's what made it seem... genuine. Sincere. Heartfelt.

Jennie's mind was filled with doubt. "Damn, Lisa, if only you knew how many times I heard 'I love you' from my foster parents. And it was always a lie. A big fucking lie. Always." Jennie's eyes brimmed with tears as she remembered that. Her foster parents would keep saying that they loved her and then after several months later they would just give her up, back to the orphanage or another foster family. And the same thing happened many times, too many times... The words "I love you" completely lost their meaning to her... Jennie just couldn't trust them anymore.

"Can you blame me Lisa that I find it so difficult to believe that you fell in love with me? Me: a weirdo, a freak, a monster?" her mind whispered. "Can you really blame me?"