Nerdgasm (JenLisa)

Chapter 17

Jennie

This night isn't going how I imagined it would.

Things were off to a great start when I got the details from Rosé, and we were texting back and forth to make sure we were both on the same page. The plan was to get dolled up, show up, and casually bump into Lisa.

Well, here I am, dolled up, shown up, and not bumping into my girlfriend.

Instead, I'm standing here, lost in a crush of people as I wait for Lisa and Rosé to walk by at some point. Her text from a few minutes ago said they arrived, and I'm trying my best not to scan the party for them.

Stay cool.

Stay casual.

I'm hanging out in the living room, which I thought would be the best spot since I have a clear view into the kitchen and entryway to the frat house. It's a great place strategically, but it also puts me in everyone else's line of sight, too. In the past fifteen minutes, I've had to turn down a dance from a drunken jock, decline drinks from guys I don't know and have no interest in getting to know, and make awkward small talk with someone who claims to have had a class with me.

The awkward small talk girl is finally dragged away by a friend, and I breathe in a sigh of relief at being alone again. I definitely don't miss this scene or the guys who love it. Now that I know Lisa's here, I just need to be patient for a little while longer.

Just as I think this, I feel a warm presence at my back. I can feel my lips start to lift in a smile—I really hope it's Lisa—but they immediately turn down when the person behind me speaks.

"Oh, damn, it's Lisa's little girlfriend."

Ugh, of all places to see June, he has to be here.

I try to take a page from Lisa's book and ignore him.

Don't engage, don't engage, don't engage, I repeat to myself.

"Who knew the little nerd could get such a hot piece of ass?" Juvenile guffaws follow his words, and I can feel my ire start to rise.

Oh, hell no, he did not just say that.

I turn to look at him, daggers in my eyes, a frown twisting my lips, and venom dripping from my words.

"Oh, damn, it's June, the asshole. Who knew his d**k would be as small as his mind? Oh, wait, I did. Jealous of Lisa much?"

His eyes widen in surprise before they narrow angrily at me. I shouldn't have said anything, but seeing his friends try to stifle their laughter at my retort has me feeling all sorts of satisfied.

"Why would I be jealous of that loser?"

"Besides the fact that Lisa's smarter, better-looking, and an all around much nicer person than you? She's also got a huge d**k, and she has nothing to prove to anyone by being a full-time douchecanoe."

It seems as if I've hit a nerve and crossed a line because June's face reddens as he takes a menacing step toward me. He looks apoplectic with rage, and his big arm darts out and grasps my arm roughly.

"If you like d**k so much, I'm happy to show you a real man's."

Fear courses through me at his words. "Let go of me, asshole!" I smack his fist with my hand, but he doesn't budge.

I can't tear my eyes off June, but I can feel the crowd around me start to stir at the commotion.

"Where's your little girlfriend, huh? No one to s-save you now?" he mocks, taunting me as he tightens his grip.

"I'm right here," a low, possessive voice rumbles from my left. Shock jolts my eyes away from June's face, and I watch in awe as a very familiar forearm reaches out and grips June's wrist. "Let Jennie go, June. I'll only say it once."

June looks elated to see Lisa, and it's then I realize I've inadvertently caused her to do what she's been so studiously avoiding for years: engage with June.

"Not gonna let your girlfriend fight your battles this time around, Lisa the dork?"

My gaze slides to my girlfriend, and I hardly recognize her. Besides the revealing toga showing off the broad expanse of her shoulders and lean, cut torso, her expression is fierce. Looking at her, I feel like a different person altogether replaced my sweet, non-confrontational girlfriend in the week we've been apart.

June doesn't seem to notice any of this because he continues to run his mouth.

"I was just offering to show her a good time. Her p***y must be good for a nerd like you to whip her d**k out." He shakes my arm roughly as he says this, causing me to whimper in pain.

As if in slow motion, I see Lisa's jaw and body tense at the sound. Before I can blink and truly comprehend what's happening, her hand rears back and punches June squarely in the nose.

Blood gushes down June's face at the painful crack, and a collective gasp ripples and echoes through the now quiet room. He let go of me when Lisa's fist made contact with his nose, and I'm relieved when I'm moved behind Lisa and a few other bystanders.

June appears stunned as he stares at his blood-speckled hands for a moment, but he quickly morphs into a bull seeing red. An enraged roar fills the air, and he charges at Lisa.

To my surprise and relief, Lisa calmly steps forward, stiff-arms June, moves behind him, and brings him to his knees. Her arm is locked around June's neck, and her forearm presses down on his throat, veins bulging with the effort.

June flails and sputters in his grasp, but he's unable to break free of the tight hold. Both his hands are scrabbling at Lisa's forearm, and he starts to tap his hands once his face starts to turn a mottled shade of purple.

Lisa lets up on his throat, giving him a little breathing room before he leans down to speak in his ear. "I t-told you I w-wouldn't say it again. Now apologize."

She sounds so calm, but my heart squeezes when I hear her stutter. This whole ordeal is costing her more than she's letting on.

"Dude, I'm sorry," June sputters.

His words quickly die off when Lisa tightens her forearm on his neck again. "N-not to me. To her," she says as she jerks June's body so he's facing me. "I d-don't give a s**t what you s-say or do to me, but you crossed a line by bringing my g-girlfriend into this. You definitely crossed a line when you t-touched her. Apologize to her. N-now."

"I'm sorry. It w-won't happen again."

It's ironic that he's stuttering now when that's what he's tormented Lisa over, and I stare him down.

"Sucks when the tables have been turned on you, huh?" I can't help but say, hoping the truth of my words washes over him.

"It does. I'm really sorry."

I can't tell if he's sincere in his apology, but I decide to be the bigger person. "Even though you don't deserve it, I forgive you."

A look of relief passes over his face before panic flares up again when Lisa leans down to speak in his ear.

"I've ignored your s**t for years, never defended myself because you. Are. Not. Worth. It. But this beautiful girl is, so if you ever touch or verbally abuse her again, I will not hesitate to finish what I started tonight. Got it?"

Her words are soft and crystal clear with conviction, her stutter gone in the face of her certainty.

With a whispered "yes," June nods his head as much as he can while still in Lisa's hold. When he's finally released, he sucks in big gulps of air but stays down on his knees. He looks thoroughly embarrassed as he looks out at the crowd that has gathered, but shock washes over his features when Lisa moves to face him and extends her hand to help him up.

Overwhelming pride and gratitude and love cause my eyes to water. Not only is Lisa the bigger person, she's one of the best people I know.

I can see June's hand shake as he accepts assistance, and when he stands, I'm close enough to hear Lisa's whispered words. "Try to be a d-decent human being, okay?"

An emphatic nod is all June can muster before he scurries away with his cronies close behind. It's not until they're out of sight that Lisa realizes all eyes are on her. She flushes under the scrutiny, but before she can say anything, a tall guy with a frat t-shirt over his toga strides up to her and claps her on the back.

"Dude, you are a badass. Way to handle that with class. Can we get you a beer?"

A cheer resounds, and a beer is pressed into Lisa's palm.

"Th-thank you." The blush staining her cheeks is adorable, and I can see the adrenaline start to leave her body as she tries to process what just went down.

"No problem, dude. You gotta do what you gotta do to protect your lady. You're the baddest nerd I've ever met," the frat guy jokes. "I'll be part of your nerd herd any day."

An awkward laugh leaves Lisa's throat, but she leans in to whisper something into the guy's ear. I can't hear what's being said anymore since the party is slowly coming back to life, but the frat guy grasps her shoulder in acknowledgement and moves away.

"Let the festivities recommence, folks!" he shouts out to the rest of the house as he steps away. His declaration is met with cheers, and it seems to jumpstart the people around us into action.

The party around us comes back to life, but Lisa's gaze is steadfastly trained on me. We stare at each other across the few feet separating us, and we both move in tandem until we're toe to toe. I look up at her, an apology and thank you ready on my lips, but she lifts a hand and gently presses a finger against my lips.

"C-can we go outside, please? We n-need to t-talk."

Her stutter signals that she's nervous, and my tummy flips with butterflies. I nod in response and follow her out to the backyard, relief hitting me when she wraps my hand in her.

It's not until we reach a secluded corner of the yard, far from prying eyes and ears, that we sit down on a bench and face each other. A few weighted moments of silence hang between us before Lisa speaks.

"Are you okay?" Her warm brown irises shine with concern as they rake over me.

"Yes, thanks to you." Emotion clogs my throat as the events of this evening and the last week come rushing back. "I'm so sorry about everything, Lisa."

I launch myself into her arms, taking comfort in her strong embrace. I can hear her heart thumping wildly beneath her chest, and I snuggle as close as possible before she pulls away.

"N-no need to be s-sorry. I'm the one who should be sorry. It was unfair to ask you to wait a week to talk things out. We could've avoided all this tonight if we had t-talked things out sooner."

Regret and self-blame lace her words and tug at my heartstrings.

"You stop that right now," I admonish. "Who knows how things would've played out? What matters is you were there for me tonight, and I can't express how grateful I am. I feel terrible for berating you in the first place, and I feel even worse that you gave in to June's taunting tonight when you've avoided doing so all these years. I…I talked to Rosé," I confess.

Lisa's brows rise at this little tidbit, but her lack of verbal response prompts me to further explain.

"She told me about the therapy and all you've done to get where you are today, and she told me about your ex. Her perspective on things opened up my eyes to how I was acting. I just…I'm so sorry I pushed you," I rush out. "And I'm sorry for the terrible things I said. I truly don't want to change you, but it hurts me to see you belittled for something that makes you who you are. You have nothing to be ashamed of with your stutter. You're perfect the way you are, Lisa, and if you choose not to respond to what jerks might say, I can respect that. I always knew it, but I saw firsthand tonight that you're the bigger person. It was clear June wanted you to respond, and I feel like I helped you play right into his hand."

A few silent tears track down my cheeks as the guilt eats at me, and I hiccup when she reaches over to wipe them gently off my face.

"I think it's safe to say we were both wrong about some things. As much as I didn't want to admit it to myself, you were right, Jennie." I open my mouth to refute this statement, but she shushes me with a chaste kiss on the lips. "I've come a long way to manage my stutter, but I still get a little too preoccupied with it sometimes. It's a p-part of me I haven't fully accepted or embraced, but I plan to work on it some more. I can admit this, but what I told June tonight was the truth. I don't care what he says to me, or anyone else for that matter. Their words mean nothing, but when someone uses words or actions to hurt you, that's when I care. That's when I'll step in. Besides, I think he'll leave both of us alone from now on, don't you think?"

I laugh at the pride evident in her voice. "Maybe some people do like to learn things the hard way. Besides, you defending my honor was a huge turn-on."

Lisa laughs at that. "Oh, really? I'll keep that in mind." She's still smiling, but her expression sobers a bit. "Do you remember what I told you during our swimming lesson?"

My heart squeezes at the reminder, and I nod as a watery smile spreads across my face. "You said you'd always keep me safe."

She cups my face, and her thumbs caress my jaw as she presses her forehead against mine and stares into my eyes. "And I meant it. I'll always keep you safe. If that means pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, I'll do it. There's nothing I won't do for you. I-I-I…" she stutters and takes a deep, cleansing breath. "I'm f-falling for y-you, Jennie," she whispers.

Joy floods my system like sunlight reaching the darkest corners of the world, warming me up from the inside out. I can't help the blinding smile I can feel spreading across my face.

"Well, Lisa, I happen to be falling for you, too."

I capture her surprised intake of breath with a kiss that quickly turns from sweet to scorching. We get lost in each's lips, familiarizing ourselves once again with the taste and feel of each other. I'm not sure how much time passes, but Lisa ends the kiss before I'm ready for it to stop. I lean in to chase her mouth, and her low chuckle causes my tummy to riot with arousal.

"I need you to clarify something for me, please."

Her tone is teasing and playful.

"Whatever you want, hot stuff."

"Did you tell June I have a huge d**k earlier?"

A heated blush smudges my cheeks, but I stick by what I said. "Yes, but don't let it get to your head."

Lisa throws her head back on a boisterous laugh. "You're so punny."

"Oh, my God. You are such a nerd." I mean it as a term of endearment, and I know Lisa takes it that way when she smiles fondly at me over her thick frames.

"Yeah, but I'm your nerd," she says as she leans in to press a kiss against my nose.

And I wouldn't have it any other way, I think to myself.