Never Ever Again (JENLISA)

Chapter 20

Lisa

(3 MONTHS AFTER)

Tomorrow is our graduation. The whole squad are already excited about that. About my relationship with Jennie, we're still together. The same goes with ChaeSoo, WenJoy, and SeulRene. Ten is here again with us. About Sehun, well, he became close with the squad. That's a good thing, I guess. I still haven't meet his friend–which is Kai–because I really have no plans on meeting him. Anyway, Jennie and I are planning to buy a house for the two of us. I'm going to use my money. Jennie wants to split the payment into, but I rejected her offer.

I already looked for the perfect house. And we're planning to buy it right after our graduation.

I'm planning to continue my dream–which is to be a photographer. Good thing that Jennie supports me with that. About her, she wants to do modeling and I will support her with that, too.

I'm with Sehun right now at the park. We're sitting on the bench while watching the kids around us playing.

"Jennie won't get mad, right?" He suddenly asked.

"Don't worry. She knows. And she understand." I said with assurance.

"Anyway, Kai wants to meet you and the squad." He brought out. I cleared my throat.

"Why?"

"Nothing. He just want to be friends with you guys. If you don't want the squad to meet him yet, then just go by yourself. I mean, I can accompany you to him. He's a nice guy. We're just the same age but he's still older than me." He stated.

"So, he's older than me, too?" He responded with a nod. "Alright. When will I meet him?"

"Later. Before you go home. Is it okay?" I nodded.

"I'll meet him later. And he can meet the squad tomorrow after graduation. Anyway, what's your plan when we graduated?"

"I don't know yet." He simply replied. "I want to audition in SM to be an idol. That's my dream together with Kai hyung." He added.

"Then go and audition. Are you having a second thoughts?" He nodded as he turned to me.

"If I'll become an idol, there's no way I can walk here and there without being recognized. And I hate that. Yes, it's my dream. But I want to continue living like a normal person."

"But as you said, it's your dream so go and achieve it, Sehun."

"No, Lisa. You don't understand. If I'll debut as an idol, and I became famous, I need to distance myself to you and to my other friends because it can cause issues. I don't want that idea. And besides, at times like this, all I wanna do is to stay with you forever and to protect you like what I used to do before." Somehow, my heart melted when I heard those words from him. Don't get me wrong. I don't have any feelings for him anymore. It's just that, it's been awhile since the last time we had this kind of conversation. It's been awhile since the last time I heard him saying those kind of words, because he left before, right? We didn't see each other for years so I really missed him.

"Enough with that drama, guys." Someone suddenly spoke behind us. When we turned our head, we saw Ten and Jisoo unnie.

"You really knew how to ruin the good moments." I annoyingly said. He grinned.

"Ofcourse, Lalisa. Anyway, let's go now."

"Where to?"

"To my heart. So, let's go?" I cringed.

"First of all, yuck. Second, not gonna happen. And lastly, I'm taken. Sorry." I said and rolled my eyes on him before I stood up.

"So harsh." I just ignored him.

We started strolling around. We really don't have plans for today. We just wanted to rest the whole day since tomorrow is our graduation. But these two guys insisted me and Jisoo unnie to go with them because they will stroll around the city.

"Let's go to amusement park." Ten said as he ran with Sehun, leaving me and Jisoo unnie behind.

"Aigoo. They're older than me but they're acting like they're younger." I said and shook my head. She let out a small laugh.

"Ppoong! Don't mind them."

"Ppoong?"

"Yeah! I love giving nicknames, right?" We laughed together.

"You know, you should've invited Chae to join us." I brought out.

"Ah. She went shopping with Jennie."

"Oh? Really? I didn't know."

"Jennie didn't tell you?" I nodded. "Maybe she forgot."

"Yeah. Maybe." I hesitantly said, thinking that what if there's another reason?

"You're good, right?" She asked while we're walking down the street.

"What do you mean by that, Chu?"

"Your relationship with Jennie is good, right? Or you two fought again?"

"What? No! We're good, unnie."

"If that's the case, maybe she just really forgot to tell you. But you didn't have to worry. She's with Chaeng." She stated. She's right. Why do I have to worry? She's with Chaeng. And Chaeng is my bestfriend. Silly.

"Yah, faster!" Sehun and Ten shouted at us so we walked faster.

When we arrived, the two insisted us to ride the ferris wheel with them. It's nothing for me but Chu is scared to ride it. In the end, I stayed with Jisoo unnie while the two of then rode it.

"Yah, Limario! Look at those pancakes! I want those!" She excitedly said and even jumped while clapping her hands.

"I have no money."

"Stop lying! I know you have some with yours so buy those for me, please?" I cringed when she made a puppy eyes. What the heck?

"Fine!"

***

I can't say that I had fun because all they did was to piss me off. But yeah, I had fun. But it will be more fun if the whole squad are with us.

Anyway, I met Kai earlier. Sehun is right. He's a nice person. Yes, I didn't like him before but after meeting him, I guess we'll be a good friends. I had fun talking with him. Maybe I should consider him as my friend, too. I hope we'll get closer with each other.

It's almost 9 in the evening when I got home. When I entered the house, the lights are off. And I don't know why. Chaeng will always leave the lights on in the living room but right now is different. She's not home yet, I guess.

Even though I can't see anything clearly because it's dark, I didn't bother to turn on the lights. I took off my shoes and headed in the kitchen to drink some water. I was about to drink the water in my glass when someone spoke behind me.

"Lisa, is that you?"

"Oh my f*****g s**t!" I shouted in shock. The lights in the kitchen turned on and I finally saw who's the person who suprised me to the max. I widened my eyes when I saw Jennie infront of me.

She's here?!

"Oh my God! Are you okay? Did I startle you? I'm sorry, honey." She worriedly asked while checking me. I clutched my chest because honestly, I almost died. Damn.

"No, no. I'm okay. Don't worry." I forced a smile.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't know that you're a scaredy-cat." Once again, my eyes widened.

"I'm not! You just really scared me. You suddenly spoke in the middle of darkness because the lights are off. Who wouldn't be scared because of that?" I drank the water in the glass first before I spoke again.

"What are you doing here, by the way?" I asked.

"I'm waiting for you to come home because I want to spend this night with you." Shen then pouted. Oh fudge. Why does she have to pout like that? Didn't she know that she's too cute to handle?

"O-Oh. Is that so?" She nodded. "Where's Rosé?"

"In her room. We're watching a movie when I heard a noise here in the kitchen so I went here to check."

"Oh. Did it disturb you?" She shook her head.

"No. In fact, I'm so happy to see you." And guess what she did next? She flashed her famous gummy smile, she threw herself on me, hugged me with full of love as she placed her head at the crook of my neck. Oh my god. My heart is beating so fast!

I hugged her back with a smile on my face.

"Go back there. I'm going to take a shower." I said as I pulled away from the hug.

"Alright. Join us after, okay?" I nodded. I watched her as she went back inside Chae's room. I composed myself first before I entered my room and took a shower in my personal bathroom.

***

When I exited the bathroom, I almost lose my balance when I saw Jennie sitting on my bed. Damn, I'm only wearing my sports bra and my shorts.

"Oh my god!" We shouted in unison. She stood up in panic and turned her back. I panicked, too, as I grabbed my PJ in my closet and quickly put it on.

Oh my god, Jennie Kim. You're making me go crazy.

"Y-You can f-face me now." I nervously stuttered and gulped. She faced me with her blushing face.

"I-I'm sorry, I should've waited for you outside." She awkwardly said and looked down.

"I-It's fine." I said as I let out an awkward laugh. "Are you going to sleep here? I mean, here in my room?" I asked while combing my hair. She sat on my bed again before she answered.

"Yeah. I'm nervous for tomorrow because tomorrow is our graduation so I want to sleep with you to lessen my nervousness." She shyly replied.

"Is that so? Alright. Anyway, we're going to buy our house tomorrow right after our graduation. But you know, it's okay if you have plans. I can just go by myself."

"No. I'll go with you. We'll buy our house so I want to buy it with you." She uttered. I tried to hide my smile but I failed. "Omo! You're so cute, Lili!" She teased. I rolled my eyes but goodness, why am I still smiling? Is this the effect of Jennie Kim?

After I combed my hair and after drying it, I laid down on my bed. Jennie quickly laid down beside me and hugged me on my waist. Aigoo. What a clingy mandu.

"I'm excited to live with you under the same roof." She muttered but it's enough for me to hear it. I smiled. I softly kissed her temple.

"Me, too, baby. Me, seeing your beautiful face every morning? I'm going to have a good day everyday." I said.

"We'll share a room, right? Or we have a separate rooms?" She asked with a pout.

"Yes, we'll have a separate room. But after some weeks or months, you know, we can finally sleep together in one room."

"Really?!"

"Really." She happily kissed my cheek repeatedly. I can't help but to chuckle because of her actions. I didn't know that she's this clingy.

"I love you~" She said in a cute way and kissed my cheek again. "I love you, Lili. I love you 3000." I smiled widely at her.

"I love you, too, Nini. To the moon and back." And with that, we drifted off to sleep with a smile on our face.

***

"Yah! Move faster, you two! We're going to be late!" And for the nth time, we heard Chaeng's voice outside my room. I quickly put on my shoes and a little make up. Jennie patiently waited for me. After I fixed myself, we exited my room together. We spotted Chae in the living room, waiting for us with her brows furrowed and her arms crossed.

"It took you almost an hour." She brought out.

"I'm sorry, chipmunk~" I said with a puppy eyes. She rolled her eyes on me and nudged me in the ribs. I yelped in pain. "Yah, it hurts!"

"That's what you get for making me wait for almost an hour. You deserved that, bitch." My eyes widened.

"Did you just call me b***h? How dare you, chipmunk? I thought you're my bestfriend." I faked a cry.

"Whatever. Let's go." We followed her from behind.

"Nini, are you not going to scold her? She hurted me." I uttered with a pout. She chuckled.

"Li, she's right. You deserved that because it took you so long." I pouted more. I saw Chae sticked out her tongue on me. I glared at her.

"I won." She said. I groaned in annoyance.

I opened the door for Jennie and helped her get inside the car. While Chae? Nevermind. She can go in by herself.

I was about to enter the driver's seat when I saw Rosé giving me a death glares. And honestly, I got goosebumps but I acted like it's nothing and just entered the driver's seat. When she finally went inside the backseat, she's still glaring at me so I quickly averted my gaze.

"Shall we?" They answered me with a nod so I started the engine and drove towards our school.

***

After I parked my car in the parking lot, we made our way inside the campus. All students are wearing formal clothes. I can see them talking to their friends. Some are tearing up. And some are already crying. Ofcourse, it's normal. We're already graduating. Maybe they're reminiscing every memories of them here in the campus for the past school years.

I'm also sad. I had so many good memories here. Since highschool, I'm already studying here in YG. I met different kind of people. Some of them became my friend, my close friend, and some of them became part of the squad.

Without uttering a single word, the three of us went together in our place. Just like what I expected, the rest of the squad are already there. Sadness are written all over their faces. We sat on the floor with them.

"I don't want yet to leave this campus." Seulgi unnie mumbled. All of us are sad right now. All of us really had a great memories here. Especially those times when we're together.

I know, Jennie feels sad too even though she just had the chance to study here on her last year of college. The same goes with Ten. About Bambam, even though he studied for years in JYP campus, I know, he kinda feels sad, too. When he transferred here in YG, he really became close with us. And he had a lot of fun with the squad. The same goes with Sunmi unnie who studied first in JYP campus with Bambam, and Somi who just transferred here in YG in the middle of this school year.

"Don't worry. We can still see each other after we graduated." Irene unnie said, trying to comfort all of us.

Irene unnie is the eldest in the squad before Sunmi unnie became part of us. She really took care of us like her real sisters and brother. She's always there for us. She's always there to comfort us, to be our shoulder to cry. I will really miss her.

"Omo. I don't want to cry yet. I want to save my tears for later." Joy said and began fanning herself to stop herself from crying.

"Seriously, guys, I will miss all of you. You had a big part in my life." Jisoo unnie said.

"Same here." Seulgi unnie uttered and smiled at us.

"Does any of you is planning to leave the country after we graduated?" I asked.

"I will go in Canada. I will continue my life there." Somi quickly replied with a sad smile.

"I'll leave the country, too." Said Sunmi unnie.

Aigoo. My dongsaeng and my unnie will leave me here. I immediately felt sad about that.

We were busy talking and reminiscing all the moments we shared together when the door suddenly opened and it revealed our school owner, Mr. Yang.

"The ceremony will start any minute from now. So better go to graduation ceremony space already. Advance congratulations for all of you." He said with a big smile and closed the door again after. We stood up and fixed ourselves. I breathed deeply and then exhaled.

This is it, Lisa. You will finally finish your studies. You can finally pursue your dream. You can finally make your parents proud.

"Lili? Let's go?" I was back to my senses when I heard my girlfriend's voice. I realized that I was left alone with her. The rest of the squad already went out.

"Yeah. Let's go." I said. Before I could even take a step, she pulled me closer to her and softly gave me a peck on my lips. My eyes widened as my face redenned.

"Don't be so nervous, honey. We can do this, okay? I love you." A smile quickly formed on my lips.

"I love you, too, baby. Let's go now." We intertwined our fingers as we headed towards our graduation ceremony space. Thankfully, the squad can sit together beside each other.

Jennie didn't let go of my hands. After some minutes, the graduation ceremony finally started. We started the ceremony by singing our national anthem and a prayer.

"Good morning, our dear students and their beloved parents. Today, we will witness the graduation ceremony of each students who studied here in YG Campus. Our professors here witnessed how the students worked hard for the past years. They witnessed how they studied hard. They witnessed how the students spent their whole time on studying. They also witnessed how each students became determined to finish their studies and achieve their dreams. And now, they will also witness how their dear students will receive their diplomas and their awards and medals. Before we start on giving their diploma, I have many things to say. First of all, as the owner of this campus, I am very pleased to see that many students decided to study here. And I was more pleased when I saw each of them really studying hard. They poured their blood, sweat, and tears on studying, practicing, and many more. So for those students who sacrificed and did everything for their studies, I want you to know that I am very proud that you can finally finish college, and you can finally pursue your biggest dreams. I know, there was times that I didn't become a good school owner and head in this campus. I did a lot of mistakes. I did a lot of wrong decisions. And I want you to know that I already regretted all of that. Now, that you'll leave this school already, I wish that you will be happy in your life. Achieve your dreams, make your parents proud, make your own family when you're finally in the right age, and invite me on your wedding if ever." All of us laughed because of that wedding thing that Mr. Yang mentioned.

"Shh. Let me finish first. Many students sent a letter to me, saying that after they graduated, they want to be an artist and an idol. They also said, they're going to audition here in YG, they will do their best so they can debut as an artist. I want to say that, go on. If that's your dream, then go on and achieve it. I will be very happy if I will see some of you singing and dancing on a stage and with many people watching and cheering you."

When Mr. Yang mentioned that idol thing, Sehun immediately came in my mind.

That's his dream.

"And for the last part of my speech before we give your diplomas and awards, I want to congratulate this circle of friends who really caught my attention since their first time here. This squad really have a strong friendships. I know, some of you admires them a lot." The moment Mr. Yang talked about that, the squad smiled warmly at each other, including me, ofcourse.

"Some students who came from JYP and SM campus became part of that squad. And some students who just transferred here this school year became part of the squad, too. They also have their own place here in the campus. They requested for it. So we gave it to them. I really admire their strong bond and friendships. And I am proud to finally see them graduating. And since I said that I am proud of them, I will proudly mention each of them. Starting from Lalisa Manoban, the Thai girl who's very talented. Kim Jisoo, Kang Seulgi, Bae Joohyun who is also known as Irene, Son Seungwan or Wendy whatsoever, Park Sooyoung who's also called as Joy, Kim Yerim, Park Chaeyoung or our dear Rosé who came from Australia, Jennie Ruby Jane Kim, Bambam, Ten, Sunmi, and Jeon Somi. I really admire you for having an unbreakable friendship. I hope that all of you will stay as a very good friends until the very end." All of the students gave as a loud applause. Almost all of us teared up upon hearing Mr. Yang's speech for us.

After his speech, the head teacher for the subject of Literature called the awardees including the special awardees such as the honorable mentions, salutatorian, and especially the valedictorian.

Bambam got awarded as a c*m Laude, and I'm so proud of him. Ten, Jisoo unnie and Seulgi unnie got awarded as a Magna c*m Laude. While Irene unnie and Jennie became a Summa c*m Laude.

That's my girl. I'm so proud of her.

"Let's congratulate our Salutatorian for this school year, Park Chaeyoung!" We all stood up and gave her a round of applause. That's my chipmunk. I'm happy that she became the salutatorian. It's one of her dreams. We sat on our seat again after she received her silver medal and delivers the salutation.

"Good morning, students, parents, our professors, and our school owner that is also our head. First of all, I want to thank all of you for being present for today's very special occasion for the college graduating students. All of our professors and also our head really had a great impact on the development of every students who will graduate now. Honestly, when I first sat down to think and write about my speech as the Salutatorian, I didn't know what to write. But after some thought, I decided to reminisce the memories a little. I have a lot of good memories here in YG. Starting from when I first stepped inside this very beautiful campus. I am so happy to meet the members of the squad which I belong to. To my friends, thank you for welcoming me. Thank you for not giving me a cold treatment. Thank you for staying with me. Thank you for all the good memories we shared together. To my parents, Mom and Dad, I hope you are proud of me right now. Thank you sending me here. Because of you, I met a lot of people who actually became my friend. And lastly, to our hardworking teachers and our school owner and head, thank you for all you did this school year. Thank you for teaching us the right and wrong things. Thank you for everything. Thank you everyone. Let's continue to work hard, but now, on pursuing our dreams. Congratulations, everyone!" When she finished her speech, we clapped our hands again.

When Rosie sat back on her seat, I saw her tearing up. She's stopping herself from crying.

"And finally, congratulations to our Valedictorian, Lalisa Manoban!" The moment I stood up and made my way up to the stage, they started cheering on me.

I hope you're proud of me right now, Mom and Dad.

I received my gold medal from Mr. Yang who proudly put it on me. I took out the paper in my pocket. I cleared my throat first before speaking.

"Good morning, friends and family, students, administrations and teachers. Before I start my valedictory speech, I gladly want to thank all of you who are sitting today in this very special occasion, and for those who gave me this opportunity to stand here infront of you to deliver my speech as this school year's Valedictorian. Ah. Time flies so fast. I still remember the very first time I entered this campus on my first year of high school. Since then, I continued my studies here. I met different kind of people during my journey here. Some of them became my close friends. And it includes all the members of our squad. To my beloved friends, we shared a lot of good memories together. There was also some times that our friendship was put into a test. But because we are strong, we passed all those test. So here we are now. We still have this strong bond and friendship. I am so lucky to meet all of you. Thank you. To my professors, you taught me a lot of things. From my very first day, until my last day before this special occasion. Thank you for all those things that I learned from all of you. To my girlfriend, the one and only Jennie Ruby Jane Kim, I'm so happy meet someone like you. Although I didn't like you when I first met you, I still developed a deep feelings towards you. But thank you for still loving me back even though I gave you a cold treatment when we first met. Starting from this day, I promise, I will love you wholeheartedly. I will always be the first one to comfort you when you are sad. I love you." They cheered for us. I sweetly smiled on my girlfriend.

"And lastly, to my parents, I hope you're proud of me right now. That's all, everyone. Once again, on behalf of all of the students here in YG, thank you for our professors, for our head and our school owner who did everything just to make this campus better. Congratulations, everyone. Let's continue to live happily, and let's achieve our dreams together. Once again, congratulations!"

After that, they started giving our diplomas.

Mom, Dad, I finally graduated. I also became the valedictorian. Are you proud of me right now? I hope you are.

"Everyone, thank you for attending this very special occasion. For all of our third generation students here in YG, congratulations!"

After Mr. Yang's last speech, the squad shared a warm group hug. Some of us are crying already, including Seulgi unnie, Yeri, Joy, Somi, Jisoo unnie and Rosé. I'm in the verge of crying already, but I tried my best to stop myself. I don't want to cry infront of them. Especially not infront of Jennie. They knew me as a strong person who will not cry easily.

"Yah, Lisa and Chaeng! Our beautiful salutatorian and valedictorian! Let me hug the both of you." Sunmi unnie said as she pulled me and Chaeng in a hug. We gladly hugged her back.

"Congratulations, guys! I'm so proud of all of us." I heard Joohyun unnie said. When I pulled away from Sunmi unnie's hug, I saw her crying.

"Unnie, don't cry!"

"You can't blame me! I'm just so proud that my two babies became our salutatorian and valedictorian." She cried out. I can't help but to chuckle.

While we're busy congratulating each other and letting our emotions out, I felt my phone vibrated. Someone just texted me. When I checked who is it, I teared up.

From: Mom

I heard you became the valedictorian? Congratulations, baby. I'm so proud of you. I'm sorry if we're not there to celebrate your success, but we're really proud of you. I love you.

From: Dad

Hi, my dear daughter. So, you're a valedictorian, huh? Congratulations! We will celebrate it together next time, alright? I love you, my daughter. You did a great job!

It's too late for me to realize that my tears are already gushing down to my cheeks. I closed my phone and put it back in my pocket.

Thank you, Mom and Dad. Finally. I already made you proud.