Jennie's POV
Jisoo stays quiet during most of my explanation of my breakup with Kai and my question about what to call my relationship with Lisa, since I think we're dating but we haven't exactly discussed it with technical terms.
"I know I have already warned you, so I won't do it again. But please just be careful with her. Though I will admit she seems as infatuated with you as someone like her can be," Jisoo says as we take our seats.
It means a lot to me that despite her dislike of Lisa she is doing her best to be understanding and supportive.
As I walk into my third class, my Sociology professor waves me over to her podium.
"I just got a call that you should report to the chancellor's office," she tells me.
What? Why? A million fears seize hold of my mind, and then I remember that Lisa's father is the chancellor. I relax a little, only to have my nerves take over for different reasons. What could he possibly need? I know college doesn't work the same way as high school, but I feel as if I am getting called down to the principal's office, only the principal happens to be my . . . girlfriend's? . . . dad.
I pull my bag onto my shoulder and make my way across campus to the administration building. It's a long walk and takes me over a half hour. I give the secretary at the front desk my name and she quickly picks up the phone. I can't hear anything except "Dr. Manoban."
"He is ready for you," she says with a professional smile and points to the wooden door across the hall.
I go over, but before I can knock, the door creaks open and Marco greets me with a smile. "Jennie, thank you for coming," he says, guiding me inside, then gestures for me to sit down. He takes a seat in the large swivel chair behind an oversize cherrywood desk. I feel much more intimidated by him in this office than I ever did at his home.
"Sorry for calling you out of class. I didn't know how else to reach you and you know reaching Lisa can be . . . difficult."
"It's okay, really. Is something wrong?" I ask nervously.
"No, not at all. I have a few things to discuss with you. Let's start with the internship." He leans forward and puts his hands on the desk. "I'm happy to say that I talked to my friend at Vance, and he would love to meet with you, the sooner the better. If you're free tomorrow, that would be best," he says.
"Really!" I shriek, my excitement bringing me to my feet. Feeling awkward to be standing, I hastily sit back down. "That's so great, thank you so much! You have no idea how much I appreciate it!" I tell him. This is such great news, I can't believe he would do this for me.
"It really is my pleasure, Jennie." He raises his eyebrows with interest. "So, shall I tell him you will come tomorrow?"
I really don't want to miss any classes, but this is worth it and I am ahead anyway. "Yes, that will be great. Thank you again. Wow," I say and he laughs.
"Now for the second thing, and if you say no, that is perfectly fine. It is more of a personal request, or favor, I suppose. Your internship at Vance will not be affected in any way if you decline," he says and I grow nervous. I nod and he continues. "I am not sure if Lisa has told you that Karen and I are to be married next weekend."
"I knew the wedding was coming up. Oh, and congratulations," I tell him. I didn't know it was that close. My thoughts travel to when Lisa crashed their home and drank almost an entire bottle of scotch.
He smiles kindly. "Thank you very much. What I was wondering was if there is any way . . . that you could possibly . . . convince Lisa to come." His eyes leave mine and he stares at the wall. "I know this is overstepping my boundaries here, but I would hate for her not to be there. And honestly, I believe you are the only one who could convince her to show up. I have asked her a few times and she said no immediately." He lets out a frustrated breath.
I have no idea what to say to him. I would love to get Lisa to her father's wedding, but I doubt she will listen to me. Why does everyone seem to think she will? I remember when Marco told me he believes Lisa is in love with me—a thought that's as absurd as it is untrue.
"I will certainly talk to her. I would love if she went," I tell him in all honesty.
"Really? Thank you so much, Jennie. I hope you don't feel pressured to say yes, though I look forward hopefully to seeing you both there."
A wedding with Lisa? The idea sounds so lovely, but Lisa will be hard to convince.
"Karen is very fond of you, and she really enjoyed having you over this weekend. You're welcome anytime."
"I really enjoyed being there. Maybe I can get in touch with her about those baking lessons she offered." I laugh and he chuckles, too. He looks so much like Lisa when he smiles that it makes my heart warm. Lisa's father is so desperate to have a relationship with her angry, broken daughter that it makes my heart ache for him. If I can do anything to help Marco, I certainly will.
"She would love that! Come by anytime," he booms, and I stand up. "Thank you again for helping me with the internship. It means so much to me."
"I have looked over your application and transcript, and they are very impressive. Lisa could learn a lot from you," he says with hope in his green eyes.
I feel my cheeks heat up as I smile and say goodbye. By the time I get back across campus to the Literature building, I have only five minutes until class begins. Lisa occupies her old seat and I can't help the smile on my face.
"You held up your end of the deal; so did I," she says and smiles back. I greet Jisoo and take my seat between them.
"Why were you so late?" Lisa whispers as the professor begins class. "I'll tell you after class." I know if I bring this up now, she will cause a scene in the middle of class. "Tell me."
"I said I'll tell you after class. It's no big deal," I promise her. She sighs but lets it go.
When class ends, Lisa and Jisoo both stand up and I am not sure which one to talk to. I usually talk to Jisoo after class and we walk out together, but now that Lisa is back, I'm unsure.
"Are you still coming to the bonfire with Yeri and me on Friday? I was thinking you should come over for dinner first. I know my mom would love it," Jisoo says before Lisa can speak.
"Yeah, of course I am still coming. Dinner sounds great; just let me know the details and I'll be there." I can't wait to meet Yeri. She makes Jisoo happy and for that I already love her.
"I'll text you," she says and walks away.
"I'll text you," Lisa mocks and I roll my eyes. "Don't make fun of her," I warn.
"Oh yeah, I forgot how angry you get. I recall you almost jumping over that booth at Nancy when she did." She laughs and I give her shoulder a shove.
"I mean it, Lisa, leave her alone," I say, then add, "Please," to soften the mood.
"She's living with my dad. I have earned the right to make fun of her." She smiles at me and I laugh. As we walk out of the building, I decide it's now or never.
"Speaking of your dad . . ." I look over and find Lisa has already tensed up. Her eyes are leery as they wait for what I'll say next. "That's where I was today. In his office. He set up an interview at Vance for me tomorrow. Isn't that great?"
"He what?" she scoffs. Here we go.
"He set up an interview for me. It's a great opportunity, Lisa." I plead for her understanding.
"Fine," she sighs. "There's more."
"Of course there is . . ."
"He invited me to the wedding next weekend . . . well, us. He invited us to the wedding." I barely manage to get it out for the glare she's giving me.
"No, not going. End of discussion." She turns to walk away from me. "Wait, just hear me out. Please?" I reach for her wrist but she jerks away.
"No. You really need to stay out of this, Jennie. I am not kidding. Mind your own damn business for once," she snaps.
"Lisa . . ." I say once more, but she ignores me.
She walks off into the parking lot. My feet have become cement, keeping me from following after her. I watch as her white car peels out of the parking lot. She is overreacting, and I am not going to feed into it. She needs some time to cool off before we speak again. I knew she wouldn't want to go, but I had hoped she would at least discuss it.
Who am I kidding? We only started this "more" thing two days ago. I don't know why I keep expecting things to be so much different. They are, in some ways: Lisa is nicer to me mostly, and she kissed me in public, which was really surprising. However, Lisa is still essentially Lisa, and she is stubborn and has an attitude problem. Sighing, I hook my bag over my shoulder and walk back to my room.
Wendy is sitting cross-legged on the floor staring up at her television when I enter the room. "Where were you last night? It's not like you to stay out on a school night, young lady," she teases and I roll my eyes playfully.
"I . . . was out," I tell her. I don't know if I should tell her that I stayed with Lisa.
"With Lisa," she adds for me, and I look away. "I know you were; she asked me for your number, then she left the bowling alley and never came back." Her smile is massive and full of glee for me.
"Don't tell anyone. I don't exactly know what is going on myself," I say.
Wendy promises to stay mute, and we spend the rest of the afternoon talking about her and Bambam before he arrives to pick her up to take her to dinner. He kisses her as soon as she opens the door, holds her hand while she gathers her things, and smiles at her the entire time. Why can't Lisa be that way with me?
I haven't heard anything from Lisa in a few hours, but I don't want to be the one to text her first. Petty, I know, but I don't care. When Wendy and Bambam leave, I finish up my studying and have gathered my things to go take a shower when my phone buzzes. My heart leaps as soon as I see Lisa's name.
Stay with me tonight? the text reads. She hasn't spoken to me in hours but she wants me to stay with her? Again?
Why? So you can be a jerk to me? I respond. I want to see her, but I'm still annoyed.
I'm on my way, be ready. I roll my eyes at her bossy tone but can't help but feel excited to see her.
I rush down and take a shower so I don't have to take one at her frat house again. By the time I finish, I barely have enough time to gather my clothes for tomorrow. I dread taking the bus all the way to Vance, when it's only a thirty-minute drive, so I renew my resolve to go car shopping again. I am folding my clothes neatly into my bag when Lisa opens the door— without knocking, of course.
"Ready?" she asks and grabs my purse off the dresser. I nod and put my bag over my shoulder and follow her out. We walk to her car in silence, and I find myself repeating a small prayer that the rest of the night doesn't go this way.