JENNIE
Don't stop until we're done.
Then run off the tracks.
Never look back, never look back.
~ Romeo's Quest
"Do you always walk around cemeteries alone?" I snickered, seeing Lisa.
She turned to look at me and smiled wide. "Only when I'm waiting to see a pretty girl."
I rolled my eyes. "You're corny." She pulled me closer to her and slowly licked my bottom lip before she kissed me. "Mmm," I muttered against her mouth. I cleared my throat. "Taehyung from school sent me a text asking me out again," I whispered, biting my bottom lip.
Lisa arched an eyebrow. "The guy can't catch a hint, can he?" She paused and lowered her voice. "Do you want to date him?"
I stepped backwards. "What?"
"I mean…he can actually date you, Jennie. This isn't right—meeting behind buildings, in cemeteries—"
"What's that supposed to mean?" My eyes watered up. Why would she say such things? I was happy with her. We were happy. The only thing I could think of that could have brought on the change in Lisa was the note I'd given her last night.
I shouldn't have given her the note. I'd come on too strong. I'd been too forward.
She grew grim for a moment, deep in thought. I hated how I couldn't read her. Her eyes blinked and she looked up.
My eyes shifted to the ground. "Is it because of what the note said? Because I-I'm sorry if it's too soon but—"
"No, Jen…" Her face softened, all evidence of her sudden mood change gone. "It's nothing. Forget about it. Anyway, why did you bring it up? Taehyung texting you?"
I contemplated asking her about her thoughts, but I feared she would push herself away from me. Breathing deeply, I tried to clear the fog between us. "I know I can't say I'm seeing you…but maybe…" I pulled my hair to the side and held my neck out. "Maybe you can leave a mark saying that I'm yours?"
She snickered. "You want me to give you a hickey?" I nodded. She sighed. "But that's so..."
"High school-ish?" I laughed. "Don't forget, baby. Your girlfriend's still a senior."
"Mmm…girlfriend. I like the sound of that." Lisa moved her mouth to my neck and slowly began to suck on my skin, teasing me. Her tongue flicked back and forth slowly and then rapidly, her sucking becoming more intense. I arched my neck in her direction, holding my hands against her hips. When she pulled away, I felt a light kiss on my neck. "I guess that makes you mine."
My head shook back and forth. "I was yours before we ever met."
"That awkward moment when you find people making out in front of your parents' graves."
My heart jumped out of my skin as I heard another voice hovering over us. I was quick to step back from Lisa in fright. Her eyes moved to the guy standing near us, and I gasped.
I could've been looking at Lisa if I hadn't known better. The only differences were that this guy had buzzed hair and his brown eyes were a lot colder. A lot more lost.
"What are you doing here?" Lisa asked. Her eyes were filled with a look I'd never seen from her. Hate? Love? Could someone hate and love at the same exact time?
"Well, I'm in town and thought I would come say hi to Mom and Dad. I would ask you what you were doing here but…" He stared at me with a smirk, and I curled my arms around my waist. "I think it's pretty clear."
Lisa's eyes moved to me and then back to her…brother? I felt my face flushing over. How long had he been standing there?
"I'm glad you found yourself a girl. She's cute," the stranger said. "It probably makes it easier for you to sleep at night, eh?"
"Go home, Jennie," Lisa demanded.
I looked at her, confused. Why was I being sent away? "Wh-what? Wait—"
"Now." The word was stern and hurtful.
I was instantly worried by the way she'd spoken toward me. She'd never seemed so harsh, so distance—even when she'd found out I was her student. I felt my heart jump, and Lisa's eyes softened when she stared into my greens.
I stepped toward her to try to comfort her sudden shift in personality, but she only stepped away from me.
That hurt.
I turned to the guy who was sporting a sly smile my way. Irene was standing behind the two guys, playing her guitar, singing the Beatles Let It Be. I frowned at her, silently begging her to help me understand what was happening.
Then she was gone.
Because she'd never really been there.
After an eternity of doubts and indecisions, I left, giving them both a wordless goodbye and feeling empty inside.
I waited until I reached the outside of the cemetery to start crying. I hated how much I cried this past year. I was supposed to be stronger.
I rushed back to Richard's home and darted straight for my bedroom. I tried not to overthink things. She would text me. She would explain. Nayeon was in the shower, so I was fine to cry alone in my bed. I pulled out my cell phone and waited for her text.
And waited.
And waited.
Hours passed, I missed dinner, and my mind was wandering into dark thoughts. She still hadn't texted me once.
Me: What was that all about?
My stomach filled with nerves as I waited for the ding of my phone that never came.
Me: Please don't ignore me.
Nothing.
Me: Don't do this…please…
I was begging her to reply. Begging her to answer me.
Me: We'll talk tomorrow?
Nothing. No response. I placed my hands over my face and began sobbing uncontrollably.
"I blame you for making me have to write this damn flash fic—" Mingyu came stomping into my bedroom and paused when he saw me bawling on my bed. "Jennie, what's wrong?" He moved over to me and I began crying even more from the level of concern in his voice.
I wished I could tell him. I wished I could tell somebody, anybody. But mainly I wished I could talk to Irene. She would've known what to say. She would've known what to do. She was the logical one, not me.
Mingyu slid over my body and lay down next to me, wrapping his arms around me. I pulled him closer sobbing into his shirt. "Jesus, kid…what's going on?" he whispered.
I couldn't respond, and I doubted he was even looking for a response. Before I knew it, I felt two more arms wrap around me and another body covering me in a tight hug. Nayeon.
We didn't speak. They simply held on to me, making sure to let me know that I wasn't alone. Richard showed up next, peeking into the bedroom. He didn't say anything, but he did come and sit at the end of my bed.
That was the most comfort I'd received from him. Ever.
