Beat | A Jenlisa Fan Fiction

Chapter 7

JENNIE'S POV

The incident a few weeks ago really brought the four of us together. I had not imagined something like that ever happening to someone so close to me, but I felt thankful that we have each other. I was especially grateful to Lisa. I don't ever want to know what would have happened to Chaeyoung if Lisa wasn't there for her.

After everything that happened to Chaeyoung, I realized I should've done more. I'd always been the type to wait until someone was ready to open up but in Chaeyoung's case, she didn't have much of a choice but to keep it to herself. When I tried to talk to her before, I let her be hoping she'd tell me when she was ready but I know now, I should have been a better friend. Lisa found out because she did something about it and I learned that I could do the same.

A few days after the incident, I talked to Chaeyoung to apologize. She told me there was nothing to apologize for but still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I could do better not just for her but for Jisoo and Lisa too. I told her that I would be there for them and that whatever happens, I got their backs. I meant every word that I said and when she understood where I came from, she accepted my apology.

The next few weeks, we'd all been inseparable but I felt that Jisoo was still having a hard time dealing with everything that has happened. She knew about Chaeyoung's situation longer than we did and knowing how much closer they were, I felt like she'd been the most affected aside from Chaeyoung.

Chaeyoung had been struggling too, as expected, but since she had started therapy, her mental and physical state had been improving. She told us that her parents were sticking around 'til the case was over and I felt glad that she wouldn't be going home to an empty house.

The restraining order against Jungmin had been approved and we all felt relieved that no matter what happened to the case, he couldn't go near her anymore. According to Chaeyoung, the case was coming along and that the lawyer said they had a good chance of winning. With the evidence that they had found in his apartment, the testimonies they'd gathered, as well as everything else, the lawyer said that he'd have a hard time weaseling out of this, even if he tried to use his connections. Hopefully, he would get a sentence that was equivalent to the pain he'd done to Chaeyoung and his other victims.

I set my thoughts on the incident aside as I arrived at the dance studio. The competition was just around the corner and Lisa and I had been busy rehearsing with the troupe. We'd even added weekend rehearsals just to catch up, especially since there were some days we had to skip school just to attend trials as witnesses. I'd been feeling so nervous, but Lisa's presence had been helpful. She assisted me in making sure that the troupe was at its best and every time she noticed me feeling nervous or exhausted, she made sure to comfort and help me. Finally, we finished teaching the troupe the final choreography we put together for the competition.

***

All the gruesome practices blurred together and the long-awaited competition day finally came. This was it. I woke up early despite not having a full night of sleep. I was restless. This was not just the biggest competition the troupe had ever been in; it was also my first time participating in any competition of this magnitude. We were lucky enough to even have a place in the top three in our country, but now we had to compete with professional teams from all over Asia.

I got ready and messaged my members final reminders before heading towards the venue. I knew Chaeyoung and Jisoo would be somewhere in the crowd to support us like they always did, so that somewhat calmed my nerves. It warmed my heart to know that despite the challenges they were facing, they took the time to be here for us. They were such great friends and I was fortunate to have them in my life.