Room 97

Chapter 15

Jennie had been talking nonstop about her happy childhood but Lisa’s mind seemed to be elsewhere. Lisa was starting blankly and looked like in deep thought. Jennie sighed and put her hand on Lisa’s knee.

“Lisa?” Jennie called and Lisa slowly looked at her with a blank expression but her eyes screamed sadness and doubt. “Something bothering you?” She asked and Lisa just sighed and stayed silent. “Hey, I thought you promised me to always tell me your thoughts? Don’t you trust me?”

“I just can’t forget about something that I did.” Lisa mumbled as she looked away from Jennie.

“Did what? Or perhaps...did to whom? Is it...Chaeyoung? Do you still feel guilty about that?” Jennie cautiously asked and Lisa shook her head slowly.

“I kept remembering the time I pushed you when I got mad at Jungkook.”

“Lisa, again it’s nothing. I’m safe, thanks to you.” Jennie smiled but Lisa’s expression didn’t change and Jennie sighed again. ”You’re making me worried, you know. Just tell me what you want to say.”

“I don’t know what’s happening to me, but I think being in here affected me—it changed me. The worst kind of change.” Lisa confessed. “I can’t control my anger. I wasn’t like this. This is not me.” Lisa sighed and fixated her gaze on Jennie. “Can you help me?”

“I’m not sure...what kind of help do you need?” Jennie hesitantly said.

“Just do anything to make me better. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to live with guilt.” Lisa begged with pleading eyes.

“I’ll try— No, I mean I will do my best.” Jennie smiled.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening to you earlier but what were you saying?”

“Hmm, actually I’m going to get something. Wait here okay? I’ll be right back.” Jennie said with a giggle and she stood up, leaving Lisa with a confused look.

It took Jennie almost half an our before she could get back to Lisa’s room. She opened the door right away and Lisa gave her a surprised look when she saw Jennie holding three balloons filled with helium. Lisa couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of her.

“Is it your birthday or something?” Lisa asked as she chuckled.

“No, but I think this would be fun.” Jennie giggled and tied the other two balloons on the chair and she opened the other one and then she inhaled the helium, she then faced Lisa with a blank expression. “Did you know that you can’t say bubbles in an angry way?" Jennie said and Lisa broke into a smile because of Jennie‘s squeaky voice. Jennie inhaled another helium from the balloon. “Like seriously. Bubbles!” Jennie tried to sound as angry as possible with a pouty expression and Lisa laughed as she shook her head. “See? It’s impossible.” Jennie chuckled.

“What are you up to?” Lisa asked as her laughter died down.

“I want to make you smile.” Jennie simply answered and she showed her gummy smile.

“Guess what, you’re doing a great job.” Lisa smiled and Jennie heaved a sigh.

“Lisa, do you mind me asking why Chaeyoung had to let you stay here for a little long when she can actually let you stay with her where she’s staying?” Jennie asked and Lisa’s expression changed. “You don’t have to answer if you’re not comfortable. I was just curious.” Jennie quickly added.

“Well, she once told me she was poor and living alone and could only provide for herself. She said she was living in a small apartment and it was the cheapest one that she could find and afford. If I lived with her, then we'd be hungry. Staying here was the only option she had. And me, no one would hire me because I didn’t get to finish school. My parents died when our house caught fire. Everything we had turned into ashes. It was only me who survived but our relatives didn’t even help me.” Lisa sighed. “And so ever since then, I had to deal with everything alone. I lived in the streets. I learned to steal things to survive. I got beaten up when I was once caught stealing. My life has been miserable ever since.„ Lisa shared as she sadly smiled. Jennie inhaled all the helium left in the balloon and patted Lisa‘s back.

“I admire your bravery and independence, Lisa.” Jennie sadly smiled and Lisa chuckled.

“Stop doing that.” Lisa said, Jennie got another balloon and opened it, inhaling the helium once more.

“What am I doing?” Jennie asked with a innocent expression and Lisa snatched the helium from her hand and inhaled it.

“Acting cute.” Lisa answered with her squeaky voice as she smiled. Jennie got the balloon back and inhaled the helium.

“Am I? What if I won’t stop? What will you do?” Jennie challenged. Lisa moved her face close to Jennie.

“I’ll stop you.” Lisa said with her deep voice, the helium was already gone in her lungs. Jennie gulped.

“How will you stop me?” Jennie asked, her voice had returned to normal as well. Lisa moved her head closer and snatched the balloon from Jennie and backed away from her with a smirk.

“I’ll pop these balloons.” Lisa answered as she let go of the balloon and Jennie blinked, kind of disappointed that Lisa didn’t kiss her and then she chuckled.

“Lisa, I just want you to know that you have me. You don’t have to go through this alone anymore.” Jennie sincerely said as she held Lisa’s hand and squeezed it.

“I know. Thank you.” Lisa smiled.

“You’re really pretty when you smile. Please promise me I’ll see that everyday.” Jennie said.

“Sure. You’re the reason behind it anyway.” Lisa softly said as she stared at Jennie’s eyes. “Oh god.” Lisa breathed out without breaking her stare.

“Why?” Jennie asked, puzzled, trying to read Lisa’s eyes.

“What kind of spell do you have that I’m finding myself liking you more everyday?” Lisa asked as she moved closer to Jennie slowly. “You’re kind, passionate, and we’ve only known each other for a short while but you already felt like home to me. It feels weird. It’s been years since I first felt this.”

“I can say the same.” Jennie said in a low voice, slowly drowning in Lisa’s eyes. “The only difference is that your mysteriousness made me drawn into you. It’s ironic how I see your flaws as perfections; how I see hope from your miserable past. And perhaps I can see myself with you in the future.” She softly chuckled. “I don’t have anything but I will give everything to you.”

“Jennie.” Lisa breathed out and brought her hand on Jennie’s cheek and caressed it. “I can’t promise you anything, I am nothing.”

“Don’t say that.” Jennie closed her eyes, holding Lisa’s hand as she felt the warmth of her hand on her skin. “We can make that nothing into something.” She said as she leaned in Lisa’s hand.

“Why did I deserve you?” Lisa whispered as she rest her forehead on Jennie’s.

“You don’t need to question things, you just have to believe sometimes.” Jennie whispered back.

“Do you mind if I...kiss you?” Lisa whispered and Jennie slightly shook her head.

“Kiss me whenever you want.” Jennie said and Lisa finally closed the gap between them.

Jennie felt the fireworks when Lisa’s lips touched hers, her heart began to beat faster and the butterflies in her stomach were going wild. It was a slow kiss and Jennie liked it. She’d like to savor Lisa’s lips a little longer and she wished it would never end. Jennie felt Lisa’s hands started to wander around her waist, pulling her closer and Jennie put her arms around Lisa‘s neck as if it has its own mind.

That slow kiss quickly turned into a heated one and Lisa’s hand began to brush up and down Jennie’s thigh. The latter sat on Lisa’s lap without breaking the kiss. Thank god Jennie decided to wear a skirt rather than trousers that day. Jennie felt sparks when Lisa touched her thighs, making the butterflies in her stomach go even more wild.

“Lisa.” Jennie breathlessly said when she broke the kiss.

“Should I stop?” Lisa panted.

“It feels wrong but right at the same time. What should I do?” Jennie asked as she looked into Lisa’s eyes.

“I respect you, Jennie. If you don’t want this, then I don’t as well.” Lisa said, still catching her breath.

Jennie didn’t say a word and brought Lisa’s lips to hers instead. She bit Lisa’s lower lip as her hands began to lower down on Lisa’s shoulders.

“Are you sure about this?” Lisa whispered.

“Shh, let’s just tone this down so no one will know.” Jennie answered and Lisa smiled, kissing her again.

Lisa grabbed Jennie’s collar to pull her closer to her and she slowly unbuttoned Jennie’s uniform as her kiss began to go lower down her neck. Jennie was beginning to feel high from Lisa’s kisses but it was immediately ended when she felt Lisa’s head buried on her shoulder and she had stopped unbuttoning her uniform.

“Is something wrong?” Jennie softly asked and Lisa looked at her.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I should do this to you.” Lisa said and Jennie sympathetically smiled as she nodded.

“I understand.” Jennie said in understanding. “I respect you.” She stood up and buttoned back her uniform and sat beside Lisa. “But...will I still get kisses from you?” Lisa looked at her as she chuckled and smiled.

“Whenever you want.”