BEWITCHED SHIP (JenLisa) [EDITING]

Chapter 17: Come Back

L I S A 

When Jennie wrapped her arms around me, the emotions I had tried to hold together finally crumbled. Tears spilled down my face, but this time, they were not born from sorrow. This was something different, something lighter. Relief, perhaps.

I had not expected her to be here—not now, of all times, especially not when I was moments away from being detained. Yet here she was, holding me close. I could feel her heartbeat, steady against mine, and I tried to reassure her that everything was fine, that I had managed to keep things under control.

We stayed like that, wrapped up in each other's warmth, and I felt a strange flutter in my chest. This was Jennie, the girl I had been drawn to for so long. Here I was, in her arms. But I quickly reminded myself to reel it in, to hold on to the sadness that clung to me.

Then she spoke, her voice gentle as she said my name.

I could only manage a soft hum in reply, trying to pull myself together, wiping at the stubborn tears that refused to stop.

"Let us try again," she said, and I pulled back just enough to see her face, confusion settling in.

"What?" I asked, studying her expression, hoping I had heard her correctly.

She gave me a small, hopeful smile. 

"Let us give us a chance. Let us work it out again."

Her words hit me like a sudden heartbeat. My chest tightened, and I felt like my heart might burst. This was Jennie, standing here, saying this to me. A nervous laugh bubbled up as I stammered, trying to find the right words.

"Y-you mean—" I began, but she simply laughed—a sound I could never resist.

"Yes," she said, a grin spreading across her face, her dimples deepening as she smiled that gummy smile that always got to me. 

"Let us date again. And this time, we will make it work—if you do not mind."

How could I resist that smile?

"Not at all," I replied, my voice barely a whisper as I looked into her eyes. Those eyes held me captive, and I felt a strange flutter in my stomach.

"You're staring," she said, looking down shyly, a blush dusting her cheeks. I chuckled, feeling myself drawn even closer to her.

I wanted this moment to last forever, the two of us caught in our own world. 

But before I could reply, the guard at the door moved toward us, clearing his throat.

"Time to go," he said, and my heart sank.

Jennie looked at him, then back at me, worry flashing across her face.

"You are going to be okay, right?" she asked.

I nodded, hoping my smile would reassure her.

"Don't worry about me," I said. "Just get some rest, and we will see what happens tomorrow."

Reluctantly, she let go, her hands slipping away from mine. I had to hold back a groan, already missing the warmth of her touch.

"I hope the President will be fine," she murmured, glancing down at her hands.

I chuckled, bending slightly to catch her eye.

"You worry about him too much. It is me you should be worried about," I teased, and she laughed, shaking her head.

"Always so full of yourself huh," she replied with a grin.

The guard, growing impatient, cleared his throat again, and Jennie finally stepped back, but not without a last, lingering look.