Nerdgasm (JenLisa)

Chapter 5

Lisa

"You like her," Rosé says matter-of-factly as she drags me away to her car.

"I do not." It's taking a considerable amount of willpower to not turn back and look at Jennie.

"Do too."

"Rosé, I don't even know her," I say to her back. "That was the first time I've ever spoken to her. I can't like someone that fast."

"Okay." She stops and whirls on me as she halts in her tracks. "Say that to my face," she orders as she peers into my eyes.

"I don't like her. I p-promise." Damn.

"Ha!" With a triumphant smile, she turns back around and continues to lead me away without another word. It's not until we're buckled up and on the road to Nóstima, the Greek restaurant we've been wanting to try, that she speaks again. "Lisa, I love you, but you can't lie to save your life, especially to me. You totally like her. Your stutter gave you away."

"I stutter sometimes. That's how I am. You know that."

"And I know you, Lisa. You've done a really great job managing your stutter the last few years, but it usually only comes out when you're feeling a certain way."

I know her well enough to realize she's not going to let this go. "And?"

"Outside of just being weary of stuttering in the first place, the feelings that usually trigger it are anxiety, frustration, or nervousness. Now, tell me, which of those best describes our little interaction with Jennie? Hmm?"

She's giving me the side-eye as she drives, and her smug little smile has me chuckling against my will. "Fine, I can admit I was nervous. I can't help that she's pretty. I think seeing her again after she bumped into me threw me off."

"You should ask her out."

"She's my student."

An unladylike snort is all I get in response as we pull up to the restaurant. Once we're parked, Rosé turns in her seat to face me. "It's not like she's your student, Lisa. You can date. You should date."

"You're crazy. I'll be grading assignments, so even if we did date, it'd be a conflict of interest." I open up the passenger door, and we both head inside to be seated. "And where is all this coming from, you little rule breaker?" Rosé's always been a bit of a rebel. "You've never pushed me to date before."

"Yeah, well, I've never known you to be interested in someone before. At least, not in a long time. This changes things. Besides, I think she'd say yes. The entire time we were talking, she couldn't keep her eyes off you. Something tells me this little interest might be mutual," she says in a singsong voice as she waggles her brows.

I let her words sink in. She did keep looking at me in class, but I'm not entirely sure what that means. For all I know, I had something on my face. It'd make more sense for her to be interested in Hee-chul, just like every other girl in class. Before I can tell Rosé this, our waitress walks up to our table.

"Good afternoon, and welcome to Nóstima. I'm Rhea, and I'll be your server today." She's pretty, and she's giving me a big smile as she lays our menus on the table. "Can I get you both started with something to drink?"

"Water with lemon for me, please. Rosé?"

"I'll have the same, please. Thank you."

"Sounds good! Do you know what you'd like to order, or would you like me to give you a moment to go over the menus?"

"We actually haven't been here before," I admit. "It's our first time. We were craving gyros, but what would you recommend?"

"Ooh, virgins!" Rosé and I smile at each other over our menus because Rhea has no idea how accurate that statement really is. "I won't steer you wrong, I promise." She launches into a spiel about their most popular dishes, and she flounces away after we order the gyros we came for and souvlaki.

As soon as she's out of earshot, Rosé gives me a sly smile. "She's got the hots for you, too."

"Stop. Not every girl I've talked to today is interested in me, Rosé. It's called being nice, and they think I'm friendly or something. No one's interested in the nerd."

"Lies. I'm a girl, Lisa. I know these things. You don't see it—and don't take this the wrong way because I say it objectively since it personally does nothing for me—but you're hot. Not only that, you're genuinely nice who also happens to be very smart. You're a catch, and you need to stop selling yourself short. Women love nerds."

My cheeks start to burn from her compliments. "St-st-stop it, Rosé." Dammit. I groan as soon as the words leave my mouth. Thankfully, she doesn't say anything else and just gives me a little wink before launching into a story about one of her classes.

Once our food arrives, we chow down in companionable silence, content to enjoy each other's company. It's not until Rhea drops off the receipt that I notice her phone number scrawled on the thin slip of paper. Even though she's nice and pretty, I have no desire to call her. There's just no spark, and I don't want to give her the wrong impression. Rosé must sense my inner turmoil because as we're leaving, she makes a show of looping her arm around my waist and laying a noisy kiss on my cheek as she thanks me for lunch. I feel terrible because I can feel Rhea watching, but I'm thankful for Rosé stepping in and staking a claim so she won't feel as bad.

It's not until we've exited the restaurant, the bell tinkling behind us, that Rosé says, "Told ya so."

Needing to give my eyes a break from the strain of staring at my computer screen, I remove my glasses and rub my temples to alleviate the minor ache. I stand up and stretch my limbs as I glance behind me at the clock on the wall. I can't believe it's already six o'clock. After lunch with Rosé, I went to my remaining classes and decided to hit up the library to get a head start on my assignments for the semester. It's my first year in the master's program, and I want to make sure I start off strong. Being awarded a full scholarship for my undergraduate degree was incredible, but getting another one for my graduate studies makes me even more motivated to do well. Receiving a stipend through the teaching and graduate assistantship program has been a huge blessing and unexpected benefit, so keeping my grades up is my full-time job and priority. Just as I'm debating whether to head to the pool to get in one last swim for the day or head home, I hear a soft voice behind me.

"Lisa?"

The hairs on my forearms stand on end and goosebumps bloom across my skin at the sound, and I mentally prepare myself before turning around so I don't end up saying or doing anything embarrassing.

"Hi Jennie." There, that was good. "How's it going?"

Warring sensations of nervous anticipation and dread battle for dominance as the girl who's been tormenting my thoughts throughout the day moves closer. I don't know what it is about her, but I can't shake her from my thoughts. Instead of standing a few feet away, she moves into my bubble and stands unnervingly close.

"It's going. I just got out of my last class and am meeting a friend to get started on some of our online assignments for a class we're taking together." She moves a little bit closer and props herself against the edge of the desk I'm using. "Judging by your things and the fact that we're in a library, I'm going to assume you're doing the same?"

Breathe, figure out what I want to say, and speak, I think to myself. This little mantra has helped me control my stutter over the years and prevents me from spitting my words out in a rush, and I know I'm going to need to focus on it now.

"Yeah, I actually just got done studying. My eyes need a break."

"What do you have planned after?"

"I was thinking of going for a swim, but I might head home. I haven't decided."

At my words, her face lights up with interest. "You like to swim?"

I nervously run one of my hands through my hair. "I love to swim. It's my favorite thing to do."

"That explains it." She leans back a little against the desk, and her gaze sweeps over me like a spotlight, burning me with its potency. I can feel my face start to redden as she continues to blatantly stare at me with a secretive little smile on her face.

"Explains what?" The question tumbles past my lips, and although I kept my voice low, the words almost sound overly loud as they land in the air that's ripe with possibility.

Instead of answering me right away, she leans in closer. Up close, her brown eyes remind me of dark, rich coffee. She lifts a hand, and it's as if time suspends itself as she reaches toward me. My heart rate goes from racing to pounding as soon as I feel her light, delicate touch on my shoulder.

"Your body," she sighs. "It's r—" Her words are cut off as her phone starts to buzz loudly, and my brain is trying to figure out what she was about to say. What about my body? "Damn. I'm sorry, one sec." She pulls her hand away, and I immediately feel the loss of her touch. I watch as she quickly looks at the screen and sends off a rapid-fire text. "That was my bestie, Jisoo. She's over in one of the study rooms, and she's waiting for me. I'm sorry to rush off, but it was great seeing you, Lisa."

"Same here."

"What're you doing this weekend?"

"Just hanging out."

"Wanna hang out with me?"

"With y-you?" Oh God, there goes the stutter.

"Yes, silly, with me." She's unfazed by my slip up. "I'll even let you decide what we do. I promise, I'm not picky. I'll choose the date after that if it makes you feel better." She gives me a playful smile before she pokes me in the chest. "What do you say? Can you pick me up at one?"

Did she just ask me out on a date? And she's already planning more dates? My brain can barely keep up, and I'm having trouble deciding on what piece of information to focus on. I think she asked me a question.

"O-okay. One is good. Th-thank you for asking," I finally manage to say. Damn stutter. Breathe, figure out what I want to say, and speak. "I'll need y-your ph-phone number and address, p-please." Okay, f**k the mantra. It's not helping at all.

I don't even have time to be embarrassed because Jennie surprises me when her smile widens at my faltering words. "That has got to be the cutest thing I've ever heard."

"My st-stutter?" God, I'm hopeless around this girl.

"Yes, I love it. Can I have your phone, please?" I wordlessly hand it over, and she adds herself as a contact. "I'll text you my address. I can't wait to see you, and I really can't wait to hear that cute stutter again."

My lips part in shock, and she gives me a naughty wink as she moves to leave. She maneuvers herself so the distance between us is almost nonexistent, and her body is just shy of brushing against mine as she walks past. When her body is parallel to mine, her hand reaches up again to give my arm a squeeze, and she leans over to whisper in my ear.

"We'll have to pick up where we left off on Saturday. Until then, hot stuff." A quick kiss on my cheek follows that parting comment, and I'm left with a hardening d**k and red cheeks as she glides away.

I think Rosé was right. Screw the pool; I'm going to need a cold shower.