Never Ending Lies

HISTORY

(JENNIE)

"So uh, Lisa. Where does the last name Manoban originate from?" I asked stuttering my words since the moment I had showed up at Lisa's work after the first 'interesting' encounter things felt a bit awkward; especially since that almost kiss that Lisa had given me kept replaying in circles in my mind. If only I had turned my head a few centimeters I could have connected our lips. Although that would have made this moment even more tense.

"Thai. There are various connections to my father's last name even through the form of the classic Latin name Manoban us before being 'Americanized'. We are Dutch though." Lisa answered insightfully.

"Wow. How do you know all that?" I asked baffled at Lisa's intelligence of half of her family history.

"My grandfather use to tell me about life growing up in Rotterdam in the Netherlands before migrating to America with his brothers. A lot of his stories came with a history lesson attached." Lisa continued staring out the passenger side window, glancing at me every now and then when our sights caught one another.

"What about your mom's side?" I asked enjoying this history lesson.

"My mother is Scottish Gaelic; maiden name Camran."

"Wait. If that's so how do you know Spanish?" I question going back to when we fought in my kitchen and she called me a stubborn princess in the my mothers Native tongue.

"School." Lisa answered shrugging her shoulders, "What about you? You're Latina on your mothers side, which is clearly evident but what about your dad?" Lisa asked.

"Huh, I would have to say English I suppose; I honestly don't really now. Although I am sure that my father isn't one hundred percent English though." I answered the question now summoning up my own.

"Well something to ask at dinner. How does he know Spanish" Lisa laughed. The infection sound emanating throughout the car lightening the mood.

"Translator books and I'll make note of it." I answered glancing at Lisa quickly, seeming a bit on edge but somehow content; maybe its the fact she isn't the one driving.

"So, you going to finally tell me where we're going?" Lisa questioned squirming in her seat.

I smiled contently to myself knowing that we were growing closer to our destination, hoping that Lisa would enjoy the surprise; if not that I could chalk this one up as a fail and earn me some total loser points.

"Somewhere you might enjoy. Since you're so fond of history." I answered vaguely before pulling into the parking lot. Lisa's eyes harbored a childish gleam in them as they sparkled like storm clouds right before lightning hit; clouds of grey and blue while her pupils where dilated in passion when she saw the surprise destination. The Scottish Highland Games; read the giant billboard.

A Country Fair with Scottish Flair; dancing, athletics, and of course food, more than a dozen food vendors offering Scottish meat pies and barbecue, ice cream, hot dogs and something called haggis. Which I might pass on, if a food sounds like a noise one makes in a bathroom it couldn't be good.

"Whoa, Jen this is so cool! How did you know about this?" Lisa exclaimed excitingly.

"I might have looked into the community event bored and hoped this sparked an interest." I babbled feeling my cheeks warm as I knew I was blushing.

"Jen this is so... I don't know what to say. This is awesome." Lisa continued seeming just as baffled.

"Well come on let's go! We're burning daylight loser." I teased opening the car door.

"Wait! Jennie, wait a second." Lisa called out after me and grabbing my wrist.

"What?" I asked my cheeks blushing again.

"Well unless you want to prance around in just a sports..." Lisa stated coming to a pause, her eyes roaming up and down my figure trying not to say what she wanted to.

Narrowing my eyes I didn't fully grasp the concept Lisa was trying to get across til it hit me. I was still in my clothing from practice. I hadn't changed after leaving as I just went straight to the shop. "Oh."

"Here. You can wear this." Lisa claimed stripping from her jacket and black 1975 merch T-shirt, passing it to me as she sat in just a white tank top.

"Thanks." I spoke throwing the still warm cotton shirt over my head; it still smelled like her too.

"Well let's go. Like you said we're burning daylight." She chuckled pulling her coat over her shoulders and getting out of the car.

The music was lively and energetic, strong and brave as the mixture of drum and violins that where accompanied by flutes and trumpets. The formality of the classic performance seemed to take a hold of the soul of the piece, the melody expressively created an evocative mood.

Soon my eyes glanced over to Lisa who seemed so entranced by the folk dancers on stage laughing and clearly enjoying herself.

"What's so funny?" I asked noticing she was on the verge of tears.

"Sue... Suelgi is up there. Oh my god I need to record this." Lisa answered searching for her cell while I skimmed the the sea of faces on the raised dance floor until coming about to the familiar face of Lisa's friend Suelgi Kang.

Just like the others she pranced about the stage in green and black kilt with matching knee socks and a black vest with gold colored trim and buttons. Her dark auburn hair was down and loose unlike the other girls around her whose hair was slicked back and tied into a neat bun.

"You didn't know she danced?" I answered shocked at Lisa's lack of interest in those she called her friends.

"I knew she danced but not at these things." Lisa spoke video recording the events.

"What dance is that?" I asked Lisa as we watched the group dance and twirl in circles.

"The broadsword. It's normally recognized as the war dance with the ceremonial sent in the Scottish royal court. It was used as part of a plot to assassinate the king back in 1573, or its to ward off evil spirit. I can't remember." Lisa answered putting her cell phone back into her pocket.

"Thank you Ms. Encyclopedia." I laughed.

"Come on, we'll meet her at the bottom of the stage." Lisa pressed taking my hand and guiding me through the crowd. Soon the song ended and an announcement was made that the dancer would take a quick break and continue momentarily.

"So I wasn't seeing things. The inseparable duo JenLisa were speculating." Suelgi laughed as the sound of her steel bottom shoes clicked and clacked as she walked down the stage stairs.

"Jenlisa?" Both Lisa and I questioned in unions confused at the name.

"Yeah, Jennie plus Lisa equals Jenlisa." Suelgi explained with a more bubbly disposition than our last encounter.

"Cute." Lisa sneered seeming annoyed at the ship name of our "relationship" as friends.

"I thought so too. I mean you and Jennie do make quite the cozy twosome." Suelgi continued causing a slight tension among us.

"So Suel, how long have you been dancing?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"Since I could practically walk or so my father says." Suelgi laughed seeming all in good nature, "I'm guessing Lisa dragged you here Jennie? Show off that big brain of hers and all." Suelgi continued nudging Lisa's shoulders.

"Actually I brought her here. " I admitted my cheeks warming again.

"Aww that's so sweet. Did you know Lisa was part Scottish?" Suelgi cooed.

"I took a guess." I admitted.

"That is too cute. Jenlisa OTP!" Suelgi cheered a bit too excitedly; I could see her and Wendy being good friends really quickly.

"OTP?" Lisa asked.

"On true pairing. Duh." Suelgi bluntly stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the word.

"Noted." I nodded.

"Jennie, You still hungry babe or nah?" Lisa asked trying to change the topic of discussion and cut this little reunion short.

"Oh Jen you need to try the Cranachan before you leave!"

"Cranachan? What is it?" I asked at the choice.

"Its a traditional Scottish dessert made up of oats, cream, whiskey and raspberries. It is crazy delicious like trifle!" Suelgi explained with an excited smile on her face.

"Come on let's go." Lisa whispered in my ear annoyed that we were still here. Her grip on my wrist tightened.

"I'll definitely look into them." Slowly backing away waving as Lisa's hold released from my wrist to my lower back courting me somewhere across the grass before letting go.

"That was rude. Lisa, what was that about?" I asked crossing my arms.

"Just say thank you." Lisa advised.

"Why? Lisa answer me!" I argued when Lisa hadn't said anything.

"Because nothing good comes from Suelgi asking questions! Alright? Now please just trust me when I say I did you a favor." Lisa pleaded her eyes filled with truth and sincerity.

"Alright. I do." I spoke when a calming wave overlapping me.

"Thank you. Now let's get you something to eat." Lisa laughed taking my hand in hers and scooping out food trucks.

Roaming about the large field and speculating some of the games that of course I had ask Lisa to explain what we were watching as a grown man hoisting a long log balancing it vertically holding the smaller end in his hand.

Lisa informed me that this was a Cabor toss and that competitor runs forward attempting to toss the log in a certain way that it turns end over end with the large end striking the ground first if done right with the smaller end that part coming to the ground where if one was to image a clock in the grass the small half should be on the 12.

"What else is there? Can we try one?" I asked excited with an adrenaline rush feeling pumped and into Lisa's culture.

"Yeah sure I guess. If you really want to." Lisa commented seeming a bit off by my request.

"Alright. Let's go." I expressed taking Lisa's hand in mind, entangling our fingers like it was second nature and felt right. Even though I saw the uneasy expression on Lisa's face from the action.

"How about that?" I asked when we came about a group of people throwing a sack of sorts with a pitchfork over a pole.

"The Sheaf toss?" Lisa questioned.

"If that's what it is? Unless you're tired of answering my questions." I slightly flirted hoping Lisa would reciprocate it.

"Nah I like the sound of my own voice." Lisa laughed with a cocky grin on her lips.

"Okay then Mrs. Encyclopedia, enlighten me with your knowledge." I grinned sweeping a few loose strains of her thick black waves out of her face; I felt Lisa shutter at my touch as I gazed into her eyes; her pupils dilating.

" Well huh, burlap bag filled with straw is tossed vertically with a pitchfork over a raised bar.Kind of like pole vaulting. " Lisa coughed clearing her throat.

"Fascinating. Can you give me a demonstration?" I cooed.

"I know what you're doing Kitten." Lisa spoke stepping closer to me.

"What am I doing?" I purred wrapping my arms around her neck as my heart raced in my chest. God I want to kiss her so bad but I can't! I can't let our actions be repeated, no matter how badly every inch of me craved Lisa. We had set rules, and being this close to Lisa was breaking boundaries.

A few moments passed as neither of us said anything, we just stood here looking into each others eyes as if connecting on a deeper level. There was so much of Lisa I didn't know and wanted to even if it was met with a few distractions.

"Let's get you drink." Lisa stated breaking the moment.

"Why?" I baffled.

"Cause you're thirsty." She laughed backing away.

"You have no idea." I whispered to myself completely agreeing with the accusation as I followed Lisa towards a beverage stand.

"Iron brew, two please." Lisa spoke smiling to the young red headed boy before handing him over the money.

"Iron brew? Are you trying to get me drank Ms. Manoban?" I giggled.

"I would never try Kitten; I already know what you're like when you drink. " Lisa teased as we waited for the boy to return.

"Then what is an Iron brew?"

"Irn Bru or Iron Brew is the brand of caffeinated orange soda that outsells other competitors within the borders of Scotland. " Lisa informed me handing over a small plastic cup filled nearly to the brim of the drink, "Cheers" She smiled bring the cup to her lips.

"Mhm. Look a picture booth." I pointed out after taking a quick taste of the delicious carbonated drink.

"Uh. Pass." Lisa dejected.

"What? Come on please? It'll be fun." I begged tugging her arm.

"Okay, have fun." She smiled.

"Oh come on Lisbear, pretty please." I pouted hoping to get her to submit.

"Don't even try the puppy dog pout. I'm immune Kitten." Lisa surmised.

"You can't resist me Lisa, I know you can't. You'll submit." I continued to tease taking a hold of both of Lisa's hands slowly leading her towards the booth.

"If it'll get you stop making that face then alright." Lisa capitulated walking into the the booth with me sighing in annoyance even though I knew she was secretly loving this.

"You first." I motioned letting Lisa climb in so she couldn't escape. Rolling her eyes in annoyance Lisa ducked in under the curtain before I followed behind.

"Whoa are we taking picture or are you giving me a lap dance Jen?" Lisa joked as I tried to sit closer towards her so that we were both in the cameras view.

"You wish you were that lucky." I scoffed rolling my eyes.

"I am that lucky." She replied with a smug smile and arched brows.

"Keep telling yourself that love. Now smile and not look miserable." I ordered as I pressed the giant yellow button in the middle of the dashboard causing a count down to begin.

Five flashes and weird faces later the pictures were done as I eagerly awaited for them to be printed out, then the moment of reckoning approached as the pictures dropped into the transparent box.

"Aw look how adorable we are Lisbear." I gawked nudging Lara who by the second photo actually loosened up and produce a smile for a few.

"Oh so cute." Lisa answered sarcastically.

"Psssh. You had fun and you know it. Stop being a grumpy old hag." I laughed swatting her shoulder.

"Whatever. Are you seriously going to keep those?" Lisa asked.

"Why you want them?" I rolled my eyes asking knowing she would just toss them away.

"What would I do with them." She stated.

"Hang them up. Look back on the memories and the fun we had in our youth." I disclosed studying the photos and our expressions. Specially mine in the third one where it was easily noticeable the gentle gaze in my eyes that I wanted to kiss Lisa.

"I don't mean to interpret on your moment but can you bring me back to my car now Kitten?" Lisa pleaded as she started to grow tiresome.

"I don't know. I'm having fun knowing this is sightly killing you." I teased smiling as I walked closer.

"Please."

"Fine. I'll bring you back. Spoil sport." I sighed.

"Thank you, Jennie." Lisa thanked me pausing mid-sentence to plant a kiss behind my ear, causing me to shutter at the sultry way she said my name, causing me to cuss inwardly as Lisa purposely did that to get back at me for earlier when I had my arms wrapped around her neck.

Walking across the yard back to were I had parked the drive back was all but quite as I focused on the road and Lisa lazily fell asleep in the passenger side. I had asked if she was well enough to drive home since there wouldn't be any problem to drop her off.

Lisa thankfully declined and said that she would need to be back in the morning anyway to open the shop.Even though I could have counter argued stating I could bring her in I knew it would be a lack of breath.

"You off tomorrow at the same time?" I asked pulling into the station.

"Yeah why?"

"Just asking. I didn't know if I would see you tomorrow, that's all." I shrugged avoiding eye contact.

"Do you want to see me tomorrow?" Lisa questioned and I could hear the cockiness in her tone.

"Maybe." I smiled turning my sight to Lisa.

"Well we were suppose to talk, which we never did so... maybe I'll give you a ring." Lisa smiled remembering the objection of us getting together today. I had completely forgotten.

"You're right."

"Okay. So maybe I'll see you tomorrow." Lisa laughed.

"Til then."