Jennie

"God, this reminds me of Lisa's graduation party. Do you remember that?" I ask Rosé. She blushes and looks at me with wide eyes. I chuckle. "Of course you remember. You abandoned me and spent all night locked up in your room with Jaehyun. I was so sure Lisa was going to catch on."

Rosé sticks her hand into my bra, just like she did that night, and helps me create more cleavage. Though these days I don't really need it. I didn't think my body would change much more, but it has. I'm far more curvy than I was two years ago, and I'm certainly not complaining.

"Perfect," Rosé says. She forced me into a skintight bodycon dress that puts the phrase little black dress to shame. My shoulder-length hair is straightened perfectly, and Rosé has worked her magic with my makeup. I look far more seductive than usual. I wish I had her mad makeup skills.

She's outdone herself with her own hair and makeup too. She's wearing a dress not too different from mine, and her long hair is perfectly straight too. She's given me a cat eye look, but she's totally rocking her smokey-eye. It really emphasizes her hazel eyes. I don't think I could've pulled it off.

She runs her hands down my shoulders excitedly and smiles. "I'm so excited about tonight's party. It'll be different from the handful of mixers we attended in the first week. This'll be the first real party we're attending together."

Her excitement rubs off on me and I giggle as I take another sip of my vodka soda. Rosé and I started pre-drinking a couple of hours ago as we got ready, and I'm pleasantly buzzing now.

"Hey," Rosé murmurs. "Did you really think I abandoned you at Lisa's party? I know back then I was pretty absorbed in Jaehyun, and I know I am now too. I didn't really think I neglected you, but maybe I did. Have I?"

I purse my lips, unsure what to say. I don't want her to feel obligated to spend time with me. I don't want to be needy. "I guess maybe a little?" I end up saying. "I kind of thought that we'd really enjoy college together. We've both worked so hard to get here, and it's all just been a bit… disappointing. My classes are insanely hard and I'm already falling behind, and you're always with Jaehyun or your new friends. It just feels like so much has changed. I thought college would be a lot more fun than it actually is."

Rosé looks down in guilt and nods. "I'm sorry, Nini. This was meant to be our time, and I'm just totally neglecting you."

I feel bad because she feels bad. It wasn't my intention to make her feel that way at all. I wrap my arm around Rosé's shoulder and shake my head. "Well, whatever. Let's just have a good time tonight."

Rosé grabs her glass and clinks it to mine. "Yep," she says, her eyes twinkling. We both finish our drinks and make our way to the house party Rosé has gotten us an invite too. I'm nervous as we walk into the house while Rosé smiles at everyone relaxedly.

She empties her glass, and I bite down on my lip. She already drank far more than I did while we were getting ready. The party has only just started and she's already swaying in her heels. I know she feels more confident when she's had a few drinks, but I can't help but worry about her.

She offers me a shot and I take it reluctantly, my eyes flitting through the room. I freeze when I find Lisa standing in the corner, her hand on Sana's waist. Lisa head is bowed toward Sana and she seems to be listening to her raptly. The two of them seem close and I just can't help but be filled with intense regret and jealousy. Might Lisa and I have been like that if I had agreed to be hers? Would she and I have lasted? Would we still be together or would life have torn us away from each other?

I take the second shot Rosé hands me, the liquor burning its way through my throat. I barely resist the urge to gag and Rosé laughs as she rubs her hand over my back. She flits through the room, chatting to almost everyone, and I can't help but wonder when she even got to know all these people. It seemed like she didn't spend any time with me because she was either in class or with Jaehyun, but now I'm wondering if she spent some of the nights she came back late partying instead. I shake the idea off. Why would she go anywhere without even asking me to join? That doesn't seem likely. I trail behind Rosé quietly and nod as she introduces me to one person after the other.

"Girl, we should find you someone to sleep with," she murmurs, giggling. I look at her with wide eyes and shake my head. Rosé bursts out laughing. I'm starting to feel pleasantly buzzed and relaxed, so when she hands me another drink, I take it eagerly.

"Thank god," Rosé murmurs. "I was so worried you were gonna feel uncomfortable tonight. I'm so glad to see you live it up a little."

I start to reply to her when a girl I don't know grabs Rosé's hand and pulls her along toward a game of beer pong. She shrugs at me apologetically and winks. "I'll come find you in a bit! Socialize, girl!"

I nod and sigh. Would it be okay if I just leave already?