Jennie

I'm anxious as I get dressed. Things between Mino and me haven't been the same in a while now, and I feel terrible, because I know it's my fault. I've been pulling away from him when he hasn't done anything wrong. I don't know how to fix it, and I'm filled with guilt over him flying all the way here to be here with me. I'm torn between the obligation I feel to be with him and what my heart wants, what my soul needs.

Since the night Lisa came home drunk, I just haven't been myself. I've avoided her ever since, unable to look at her and know she truly isn't mine anymore. My heart feels broken and I feel like I'm mourning our relationship all over again. I thought I was over her, and I thought I was happy with Mino. Until that night. It wasn't until Lisa made it clear that I truly lost her that I realized how much I still care about her. Until then part of me had been taking her for granted. Until then, I thought I'd always own part of her heart.

Mino kisses my shoulder as I finish putting on my make-up, and I try my best to smile at him. Maybe a day away is exactly what we need. I feel bad about not spending Thanksgiving with Dad, even though I'm finally home for it after so many years, but I just can't face Lisa. I'm terrified she'll invite Layla, and I can't do it.

Mino seems excited as we walk down the stairs, but my heart twists painfully when I see Dad standing at the bottom of the stairs, a hopeless expression on his face. He's been asking me to spend Thanksgiving with him and the Manobans for weeks now, but I just don't think I have it in me. I offered for us to spend Thanksgiving together, just the three of us, but Dad wouldn't have that.

"Jennie," he says, and my heart aches. He looks so sad, and I hate that I did this. "Princess, are you sure you won't spend Thanksgiving with me?" he asks, his voice soft. He turns to Mino, and the expression on his face guts me. "Mino? Won't you talk to her? Please… it's been years since I've had my daughter here. I just want one Thanksgiving like the ones we used to have."

Mino is caving, I can just see it. He looks at me, distressed. "Darling, maybe we should," he whispers. He pulls me away from Dad and I sigh. "Would it really be so bad? It looks like it'd mean the world to your dad. I don't understand why you're still mad at your neighbors. It's been years. If you and Lisa are on good terms, then what is the problem? Surely you can act civil for an evening?"

I bite down on my lip and shake my head, and anger flashes through his eyes. He's been tense since he found Lisa and me standing in the living room, all those nights ago. He's been acting irrational and jealous, controlling even. Nothing I do or say appeases him, especially when it comes to Lisa or her family.

"What does it matter, Jennie? You're with me now. We're happy. Whatever happened is in the past. Or do you still care so much about the way things ended between you and Lisa that you can't even spend an afternoon at her old house? Do you really still blame them for standing between you two? Or maybe you're not over her at all. That would explain why you won't let me touch you."

I grit my teeth and glare at him. Every argument we have keeps circling back to this. He's insecure about Lisa and mad that I won't sleep with him. It doesn't matter how much I avoid Lisa, Mino just won't see reason. I told him exactly why I'm still hurt. I told him about everything Rosé said and did, and the way Helen sided with her. He knows Rosé will be there. He knows the pain they caused me had nothing to do with Lisa, and everything to do with the love and trust I thought I shared with them. Yet he still acts like that's all an excuse, like it's Lisa I'm upset about.

"Let's go," he says. "If you're over her, then let's just go. It'd make your Dad happy anyway."

I want to tell him no, but I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of arguing with him, and truthfully, I'm just tired of being angry altogether. Maybe this is exactly what I need. Maybe I just need to face Rosé and Helen. Holding onto this resentment is killing me on the inside. And maybe, just maybe, seeing Lisa happy with someone else is what I need to truly let her go.

I nod at Mino and force a smile onto my face. "Fine. Let's go."

He looks relieved and smiles at me. Somehow, in his mind, my anger towards Rosé and Helen is related to lingering feelings I might have for Lisa, but it isn't. Lisa is probably the only person in this that I don't blame. She was as helpless as I was, and she might very well have been hurt more than I was.

I follow Mino to the door, and Lisa looks up at me in surprise. She glances at Dad, concern flashing through her eyes. "You're coming with us?" she asks, her voice soft.

I hesitate and then nod. We haven't spoken in days now. I haven't even seen her in what feels like forever. My eyes roam over her face hungrily, my heart twisting painfully. Relief washes over me when I realize Layla won't be joining us.

"Don't," Lisa says, placing her hand my shoulder. "Rosé is going to be there, Minx. I don't want to see you hurting. I don't want to see you force a smile onto your face. Don't do this if you don't want to."

Mino pulls me away from Lisa with such force that it hurts, and I flinch. "Don't touch her," Mino warns. "And her name is Jennie."

Lisa tenses, and the look in her eyes tells me that she's close to losing it. I wrap my arms around myself and shake my head. "It's fine, Lisa," I murmur. "I'm fine. Let's just go."

She glances from me to Mino, her expression tense. Whatever she's seeing in my eyes must set her at ease, because she nods and gestures for us to walk to the car. She follows close behind us, as though she's trying to keep an eye on me and Mino, and Mino grabs my hand. He holds on so tightly that my hand hurts, but no matter how hard I try to pull my hand out of his, he won't let go. I hate seeing him like this. I hate that I've made him so insecure. So angry.

Mino holds my hand throughout the journey, but rather than set me at ease, it just stresses me out even more. By the time we arrive I'm trembling. I feel helpless and hurt, and I don't want to be here. Lisa looks at me with such concern that I force myself to put up a brave front. She looks worried and just as helpless as I feel, and I force myself to smile at her. I want to set her at ease. The last thing I want is for her to worry about me. Lisa inhales deeply and walks into the house, and Mino and I follow behind her.

Mino lets go of my hand to shake William's and I breathe a sigh of relief. His tight grip hurt my hand, and I didn't want to agitate him further by pulling my hand out of his. He's starting to feel like a stranger to me, and I'm starting to feel guilty for causing the change in him. I don't want to, but part of me wonders if sleeping with him might make things better. The thought makes me feel uncomfortable, but I'll get over that. I must.

I'm so focused on my thoughts about Mino and my aching hand, that I don't even see her standing there. Rosé. The girl who was once my best friend. I freeze, and so does she. I guess she didn't expect me to be here today. Helen recovers from her shock quicker than Rosé does, and she smiles at me.

"Jennie, I'm so glad you decided to come after all."

I nod at her, but it's all too much. Being here, seeing Rosé and Helen together. It hurts. It's all too much. The pain of losing Lisa, of losing Rosé and Helen, it all comes rushing back. Every memory that has plagued me throughout the years assaults me at once, and I almost burst into tears right then and there.