Never Ending Lies

SECOND CHANCE

(LISA)

I feel like I am dying a horrible death but don't get the sweet release of leaving this world and just keep reliving it. Nausea and a headache that feels like a jack going off in my skull. This feeling is foggy but familiar with dry mouth and super dry eyes. I needed a large bottle of water and aspirin but it feels like if I stay in the fetal position all day I should be alright. Move, I die.

My clothes were a wrinkled mess as I awoke taking in my surroundings. I had passed out at some point in the night on Jisoo's couch. Last night was a bit of blur as I walked into the kitchen and turning on the coffee machine.

"Good morning sleeping beauty." Jisoo announced walking in.

"Hey." I choked out my words; my voice raspy and dry.

"Wild last night right?" She baited trying to start a conversation.

"Not that I can remember." I answered my memory still blurry.

"What do you remember?" Jisoo continued making me feel a bit suspicious about what she possibly could mean. Taking a sip of my coffee before I let the sweet caffeinated warmth dance along my taste buds before setting the mug on the counter.

"Nothing really." I confessed.

"Think about it." Jisoo advised.

Thoughts rattled and racked around my brain as I tried to recall the events that happened last night, what had happened? Concentrating my memory slowly faded back, oh my god...

"Jennie" I gasped loudly.

"Bingo. So mind explaining what went on between you too?" Jisoo badgered.

"What happened?" I muttered scared of what he might reveal.

"You tell me. All I saw was you follow Jen upstairs, go to your room then a loud slam of a door before you came back to the party." Jisoo inquired taking a sip of coffee.

"Ugh... I was stupid. I was drunk and stupid and probably f****d everything up." I groaned cupping and hiding my face before running my hands threw my hair, "Wait, where is Jennie?" I asked worried.

" Upstairs."

"She's still here?" I practically cheered running out of the kitchen despite the sensation of vertigo causing my head to spin. Jogging up the stairs I felt completely out of breath as my heart raced in my chest.

What was I going to say? I was such an ass to her last night and a simple apology wouldn't fix it. I should walk away? I should walk away from the door and from Jennie forever. She doesn't need this bullshit, she doesn't need me messing up her life. I should just give up.

But that isn't me. It never has and never will be, I'm going to fix this. No matter what it takes; taking a deep breath I slowly built up the confidence to lift my arm and knock on the door.Slowly it opened and a messy haired Jennie appeared before me.

Her long dark hair was pulled up in a messing bun, her face was washed clean from last nights makeup and there were multiple hickeys displayed along her neck from my kisses last night. The feel of her skin on my finger tips and lips pressed against mine while her our tongues tasted each others replayed in my head making me want to recreated that moment all over again; I couldn't.

My eyes took it the image before me as Jennie's small framed was hidden under my black One Love Bob Marley t-shirt that draped a little past her knees. She must have changed into some time last night after our encounter.

"He- Hey." I choked out not really sure what to say in order to fix this.

"What?" Jennie sneered as she crossed her arms.

"Can we talk?" I asked prepping myself for rejection.

"Vocally yes; to each other... depends what you have to say." She spat annoyed crossing her arms.

"How about I'm so so sorry about last night. I was an i***t and wasn't listening to my better judgment. You were right I was a bit jealous and I don't really understand why. I know saying sorry isn't enough, it never is but I am Jennie. I am really really sorry and I want to make up for last night. What do say? I'll take you out for breakfast and talk. About everything." I ranted practically out of breath begging and apologizing but still readied myself for rejection.

It felt like a thousand years had passed as Jennie stood there in silence with a sullen expression on her face that caused knots in my stomach. What was she thinking? What was she going to say or do! Oh my god Jennie say something for the love of Christ!

"Let me get dress then."

"Wait what?" I stammered completely thrown off track at the causal acceptance.

"Unless you want me to go out in just this let me put on some pants." Jennie stated.

"Well you already know what I'd vote for." I joked hoping to start the day on a better term.

"Exactly. Which is why I'm going to get dressed." She chuckled.

"There should be some pants in bottom left draw. Help yourself to anything that fits."

"Will do." Jennie dispatched with a smile before disappearing behind the door. It didn't hit me til then that I needed to change my clothing too.

"Um Jen. Can you possible hand me some clean clothes? Please and thank you?" I asked from the outside of the closed door. A few seconds passed until the door reopened and Jennie was represented handing me a pair of acid washed jeans.

"What no shirt?" I snickered raising a brow. Rolling her eyes Jennie tossed a black shirt at me as well, "I'm starting to suspect you have other motives." I continued laughing.

"Hmm nah. Now get dressed I'm hungry." Jennie ordered before once again disappearing behind the door.

After getting dressed I paced back downstairs to the kitchen, greeted with the most beautiful sight. Jennie still wore my One Love T-shirt, tying it so that it exposed her perfectly toned stomach and a pair of faded out jean shorts and those weird laced around heels.

"You should wear my clothes more often. You look good in them." I announced walking into the kitchen.

"Please don't say 'but you look better without them.' Because I don't want to throw my coffee at you." Jennie bantered.

" Why? Don't want to harm my face?" I shot back.

"No. It'll be a waste of coffee." Jennie answered with an amused smile on her lips.

"So what do you want to do?" I asked not really use to being in this sort of situation.

"If memory serves you said something about food." Jennie answered taking a sip of her coffee.

"I did. But drawing a blank." I admitted ranking my brain about what was going on today around town; "How about the community fair that's happening? Live music, activists. Food?" I baited hoping that it was a good plan.

"Hm. Sounds do-able." Jennie shrugged.

"Maybe I can win you another stuff bear" I addressed inching towards Jennie; testing the waters at how close she would let me get; Currently I stood by her side looking down at the small brunette who was only a few inches shorter than I.

"Lisa, what are you doing?" Jennie huffed turning to me. Her chocolate brown eyes exerting sadness and confusion causing an ache in my chest.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Lisa just drop the bullshit and tell me what you want. I'm tired of trying to figure you out." Jennie's voice cracked as her words passed her lips.

"You, Jen. I want you. I want you as my friend." I spoke with genuineness in my words seeing a quick glimpse of hope spark in Jennie's eyes.

"Lisa, stop playing with me it's-"

"I'm not!" I declared cutting Jennie off mid sentience cupping her cheeks in the palm of my hands when she tried to turn her head away, I redirected her sight to mine."Jennie I... I don't know what's going on with me and I'm so damn confused. It's like one minute everything is normal, or as normal as my life is and next; when I'm with you I question everything and I'm going to be so grateful for this second chance to be friends." I felt a lump form in the back of my throat.

"Lisa I... I really care about you; if it wasn't already abundantly obvious but I can't keep dealing with this. Not knowing were we stand." Jennie addressed and I could hear her voice cracking a bit.

"Jen-" I breathed not knowing what to really say but I knew that I couldn't this bet already; but was that what I should really be scare of losing or her?

"We need rules or something." She continued.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Personal space; boundaries. I don't want a repeat of last night, it was confusingly tempting." Jennie proposed.

"Okay. I'll try not to stand so close." I agreed stepping back a few paces releasing her face. I saw the pain reflect in her eyes that this was killing her inside as it was me, "Anything else?"

"Banter?" She questioned.

"Explain?" I asked just as confused as she did.

"Like how we always have these little back and fourth." Jennie answered.

"Oh. Like the 'look better in my clothes' thing?" I replied.

"Yeah. Stuff like that." Jennie advised.

"It'll be tough but I'll try." I joked.

"Just keep it PG. " Jennie smiled.

"Anything else?" I pondered.

"Not that I can think of. So friends?" Jennie puzzled as if those words were killing her as I felt it too.

"Yeah. So breakfast? Eat in or out?" I asked leaning over the counter my eyes roaming along her body, licking the soft tissue of my lips as as images of last night tainted my mind. Jennie squinted her eyes glaring at me for the not so subtle innuendo, "What? I kept it PG." I laughed.

"Hmm. Clearly." Jennie jeered.

"In or out? I'm thinking waffle house or just hit the Fair; or both." I suggested.

"Said it once and I'll say it again. Are you trying to make me fat?" Jennie questioned.

I smiled lifting my eyebrows as the only answer I could summon wouldn't be so PG and I knew that Jennie knew it too.

"Don't answer that." She seconded herself.

"Answer what?" Jisoo asked walking into the kitchen in his automatic uniform and grabbing her thermos.

"Out for breakfast or not." I answered standing up straight.

"Wanna join?" Jennie invited.

"Can't work. Speaking of which, Lisa when you going back?" Jisoo asked taking a swig of the coffee.

"It's a surprise." I remarked.

"You have job?" Jennie spoke seeming shocked at the discovery.

"Gotta pay insurance and gas. Can't always get by on my good looks." I smirked, "So you ready to go?"

"I guess if I have to." Jennie yawned sarcastically rolling her eyes before heading towards the door.

I casted one last look at Jisoo who just bowed her head, shaking it as she laughed seeming amused by everything.

Grabbing my coat and keys I joined Jennie at the door, escorting her to the car and letting her in. Walking around to the driver side and hoping into the seat; handing Jennie the aux cord.

"Oh my; are you sure? This is such a big step. I don't think I can commit." Jennie faked gasped.

Rolling my eyes I sigh, "i***t"

"Loser." Jennie spat stinking her tongue at me before I pulled out of Jisoo's driveway. Flipping through her music before Body Rock by Fifth Harmony come through my speakers; I chuckled as I wasn't surprised that Jennie was enslaved by today's top chart pop girl group I did know a bit about; although the song of choice was a bit ironic.

"What's so funny?" Jennie asked noting the humor I took in this.

"Nothing." I answered clearing my throat.

"Hmm. Interesting." Jennie queried as I could feel her staring.

"What?"

"Just... it's a little uncanny." Jennie pandered.

"What?" I grew annoyed.

"That girl in this group. You remind me of her." Jennie answered vaguely.

"Mani?" I asked proudly straightening my posture.

"No. She has way more swag than you." Jennie laughed.

"Rude." I scoffed with a grin on my face.

Jennie smiled back, "You kind remind me of Lauren."

"How?" I asked rolling my eyes as I ready know the reason, being compared to the raspy angelic voiced singer before.

"Long black hair, nose ring; beautiful mysterious brooding eyes." Jennie declared.

" Hmm. You know you remind me of one of the girls too."

"Dinah?" Jennie asked seeming serious.

"Ha! No. D-mac has way more coordination than you." I laughed almost in tears.

"You said I was rude, well." Jennie scoffed but still held a smile on her lips.

"Guess again."

"Ally, cause I'm so motherly?" She stated.

"Actually a little but features wise I was thinking about the younger one; Camila" I answered looking towards Jennie quickly.

"I have been told that many a time before." Jennie interjected.

"You don't sound pleased about it though? I mean she's insanely gorgeous and smart. Talented as hell-"

"You need a moment alone to fangirl?" Jennie laughed.

"Ha ha. Well I'm just saying they're all iconic and to be even compared by an inkling is a compliment." I ranted.

"I'm shocked you haven't said anything about her ass." Jennie marveled.

"Oh I could go on about that." I quipped.

"Please don't. Just drive." Jennie cautioned.

Smiling, I brought my full attention back to the road; humming along to the melody and glancing to the side to witness Jennie laughing and singing along.

The Central Area Community Festival, the annual neighborhood celebration that showcases food and music from the Seattle area. Musical performances by local artists, food trucks, arts and crafts and games.

Just like at the Strawberry fair awhile back; Catalina and I binged ate at almost every food trunk here trying at least one of something from each vendor after a few hours. Even managing to win Catalina two decent sized stuffed animals.

"Ugh, feel like I'm going to explode." Jennie groaned rubbing her belly.

"Well just wait til you're out of my car." I laughed driving us back to Jennie's.

"Eh. No promises." Jennie whined.

Shaking my head still laughing at the moment, "Here, take two." I spoke opening the elbow rest and passing over a bottle of antacids.

"Well look at you. Doctor Lisa Manoban." Jennie chuckled.

"Nah. Mechanics are more my thing." I answered.

"Is that what you want to study in college?" Jennie asked.

"Yeah. What about you?" I redirected the question.

"I haven't put much thought into it. I mean I want to attend college but don't know what to major in." Jennie informed seeming a bit embarrassed.

"Nothing to be ashamed about. Sometimes stuff like picking majors are hard; You could always go audit a few classes and see what sparks a passion." I advised being able to relate to Jennie's situation.

"I was thinking about skipping a year and do some charity work you know? Make some money and save."

"You didn't get any scholarships from cheerleading?" I pondered at the oddity as I could recall a few games I had attended where I witnessed Jennie in her prime out in the field; she was so passionate and in love with the sport, not to mention extremely agile. One would think colleges would be busting down Jennie's door to have her on their team.

"I did. But never settled on a school either." Jennie admitted.

"Hmm. Well no rush" I shrugged.

"Where are you going? To college." Jennie asked.

"Brown U; it's in Rhode Island." I answered.

"Good engineering program?" Jennie continued.

"Decent. To me what college I went to didn't matter; it was getting out of here that was important. Out of Melbourne." I admitted keeping my sight forward. The car grew to a silence and there was no need to ask why I wanted out; Jennie probably already knew the reason.

"Lisa-"

"Jennie, don't okay. Just don't." I pleaded cutting her off before she could start.

"Have you ever even talked about it since then?" Jennie spoke addressing the situation between me and my ex, Somi; who I hope is rotting in her own personal hell.

"Twice; To my family and to Jisoo and the others. Most times I avoid talking about it." I scolded feeling pissed off at the unwelcoming visit to memory lane.

"I'm sorry. I hope one day you'll feel safe enough to tell me. Until then I won't bring it up." Jennie finished as I felt the warmth of her hand take mine from the gear shift; placing it on her knee and running her thumb over my knuckles as our fingers were intertwined.

It's funny; it seems so counter intuitive that the innocent act of holding hands could be so emotionally charged as I felt my anger and anxiety from moments ago melt away.

No other words were exchanged between us while we continued the drive to her home. The music on the radio was yet another ironic Fifth Harmony song that seem to tie in with my thoughts; With hands that could save me, Face that could break me...