Jennie
"Come on," Jaehyun says, pulling Mason and me along. I giggle and sway a little as we make our way into the stadium. We've been tailgating before the game, and I'm already buzzing pleasantly. Mason wraps his arm around my shoulders and maneuvers us through the crowd. Lisa managed to get us seats on the lower level and I couldn't be more excited.
"You look cute," Mason says, pointing at my clothes. I'm wearing Lisa's jersey with jean shorts, and I'm giddy as hell. "The paint is a nice touch too," he says.
I glance down at my outfit and grin. "It's the first game of the season. Scratch that, it's the first college football game I've ever attended, and my girlfriend is playing. Of course I went all out! Don't worry, I brought face paint for you too."
Jaehyun and Mason both groan and look at each other. "Of course she did," Mason says to Jaehyun. I forced them both into Lisa's jersey too. By the time I'm done with them the three of us will look all matching and supportive as hell.
Mason is antsy when we sit down and almost jumps out of his seat when the cheering squad walks onto the field. His eyes are on Sana and I don't think anything could've distracted him. His eyes are glued to her the entire time and I can't help but smile to myself. He's obviously in love with her… He's the only one who doesn't realize it. "You know she wants you too, right?"
Mason tears his attention away from her for a single second and shakes his head. "No, she doesn't. It's my brother she wants. It's him she sees when she looks at me."
I punch his arm and shake my head. "You're a fool. You're all she sees. You just don't want to acknowledge it."
He smiles sadly and takes a big swig of his beer. He leans back in his seat and stares at Sana, and my heart breaks right along with his. I don't understand why they won't reach for the happiness they both want.
"He won't listen," Jaehyun murmurs into my ear. "I'm not sure what the story is there, but I'm pretty sure it's quite complicated."
I nod and sigh. From what he's told me, it does sound like there's a lot standing between them. It's so heartbreaking to see how much they clearly love each other, yet they stay away.
"Talk about complicated," Jaehyun murmurs. He tips his head toward the row in front of us and I look over to find Rosé sitting next to Jake. He's got his arm wrapped around her and his head close to hers.
They must feel our gazes on them, because they both look up. I'm not at all surprised to find that Jake's eyes are bloodshot. He's probably high on something. "I don't understand what she sees in him," I murmur.
Jaehyun laughs humorously. "He's fun, unlike me."
I rest my head on his shoulder and sigh. "Her loss."
The three of us watch the game and ignore Rosé and Jake as best as we can. It isn't hard to do in the excitement of the game. The energy is amazing, and I can't believe I missed out on this last year. Lisa is even more magnificent on the field than she was in high school. There's definitely a huge difference between the way she played then and the way she plays now. The endless training she does has clearly made a huge difference. I can totally see her going pro.
"Come on," Jaehyun says as soon as the game ends in a win for us. He pulls me along and maneuvers us through the crowd before I even have a chance to ask him where we're going. Before I know it, we're standing on the field and Lisa is running up to us. She throws her helmet on the floor and lifts me into her arms. "Jennie," she whispers, breathing hard. I grin and press a kiss to her lips, despite the sweaty mess.
"You were amazing," I say. Lisa grins and twirls me around happily. She sets me down and claps Jaehyun on the back before looking behind him. Jaehyun and I turn to find Rosé walking onto the field, her hand in Jake's. Jaehyun grits his teeth and Lisa tries her best to keep her expression neutral, but it's obvious to me that she isn't happy to see her with Jake.
"You were amazing, sis," she says, smiling. Lisa grins and hugs her, ignoring Jake altogether. My heart clenches painfully. I'm glad Lisa and Rosé are doing okay now. She was just as mad at her as she was at me, but she ended up forgiving her. I just wish she'd give me a chance too. I miss her like crazy, even though I'm doing my best to act like I don't.
"Thanks, baby sis," she says. "We're gonna have some drinks after. You wanna come?"
Rosé hesitates and then nods, much to my surprise. Lisa is clearly surprised that she said yes too, but she hides it much better than I did. I feel almost invisible as we make our way to the house party we agreed to meet at. Rosé is laughing with Jake and Lisa, while I just feel oddly left out. Lisa is visibly torn between us, and I hate that. I hate everything about this. I miss Rosé. I miss the way we used to be. Part of me thought that things would still be perfect between us all. That Rosé would actually become even more of a sister instead of a friend once Lisa and I got together, and that she'd be happy for us. I didn't realize how many hopes I had until everything fell apart. I didn't realize I'd been counting on her eventually forgiving me. What if she doesn't? How will that affect Lisa and me?
"You okay, baby?" Lisa murmurs as she wraps her arm around me.
I look up at her and try my best to smile. "Yes, of course," I whisper. Rosé glances at us and finishes her drink, her eyes flashing with annoyance. I watch as she sneaks off to the bathrooms with Jake, only to return minutes later, giddy and smiling. I should be glad to see her so happy, but something just doesn't feel right. I always feel like the happiness she portrays around Jake isn't genuine — like she's just tipsy and buzzing. Her smile drops when her eyes meet mine, and she clenches her jaw before looking away.
Lisa pulls me closer and presses her lips against my temple. "Let's go home, Minx. It's been such a long day for me. All I want is to lie down on the sofa with you and hold you in my arms."
I turn in her arms and smile up at her. "I'd love nothing more," I whisper right before pressing my lips against her.
