The Bet (Jensoo)

Chapter 17: Unpacking

"And that's about it" Jisoo said as they finally unpacked the last box of Soojoo's stuff.

"Thanks so much for the help Chu, I really owe you one... And of course you too Jennie" Soojoo took Jisoo's one hand and squeezed it.

The use of the nickname once again made Jennie wince but she managed to force a smile and a low "no problem"

Jennie felt bad for coming because she felt as if she was intruding Jisoo and Soojoo's moment to catch up and talk about their younger years but Jennie just couldn't understand why she's so protective of Jisoo when she's not even hers to protect. But it's normal for friends to protect each other, right? Jennie tried to convince herself.

In Jennie's defense, she let the two girls bond and reminisce their childhood days by minding her own business and focusing on her task in unboxing Soojoo's stuff. However, Jisoo was polite enough to include Jennie in their conversation because she thinks Jennie might feel out of place which Jennie found to be endearing.

"You know you're always welcome, Soojoo. Anytime" Jisoo said giving Soojoo a smile

"Are you sure you don't want to stay over? I mean it's late" Soojoo offered

"No it's okay, I didn't bring clothes with me anyway and I'd have to go to the office early morning tomorrow anyways" Jisoo reasoned

"Always the workaholic, chu. Okay then if you're sure" Soojoo said as she walked them to the door.

"I'll see you soon?" Soojoo asked Jisoo

"Yeah, see you soon" Jisoo answered before they turned to leave.

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"Why do you have to go to work on a Sunday?" Jennie asked as she turned the ignition of the car on.

"Just to do some of my work in advance so I don't have to do any over time this week" Jisoo said while putting on her seatbelt. "By the way, you don't have to drive me all the way home, you can just drop me off at the nearest station" she continued

"And why would I do that?" Jennie cocked a brow

"I-uh, because my apartment is out of the way." Jisoo said sheepishly

"Jisoo" Jennie said softly and Jisoo couldn't help but to melt at how her name rolled out of Jennie's tongue. Something only Jennie can make her feel. "In case you haven't noticed, I don't mind" she continued.

"But I don't want to bother you any more than I already have Jen, and not just for tonight" Jisoo trailed "Also for all the days and nights you'd have to go out of your way to bring me food or to comfort me when I'm hormonal and sad"

Jennie reached for Jisoo's hand and squeezed it as if to give an assurance "I like to be the one doing those things for you. I like to be the person you call or text whenever you would randomly hate the world just because you're on your period"

Jisoo couldn't help but blush at Jennie's words. She knows she's starting to feel something more but couldn't figure out what exactly. Jennie somehow managed to make Jisoo feel things she's never felt before and that scares the shit out of her.

Jisoo doesn't like feelings. It scares her because she knows how powerful feelings can be. Jisoo doesn't like being vulnerable and having feelings will make her vulnerable. She hates being vulnerable because it could give someone the power to hurt her and Jisoo doesn't want to get hurt. She's been through enough pain already and she just doesn't know if she can handle any more of it. So right now, Jisoo wants to protect herself. She thought of distancing herself from Jennie, to give her some time to really assess how she feels and what the heck is she feeling. But no, she's not going to cut Jennie off of her life because that would be plain selfish and unfair. She thinks she just need to balance her time with her friends and not hang around with Jennie all the time. It would work especially now that Soojoo moved in town.

"Jisoo?" hearing her name being called broke Jisoo's trance.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah" Jisoo nodded "I was just thinking of something" she continued, oblivious that Jennie was lost in her own thoughts too.

Jennie decided not to push Jisoo and just continued driving

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Jennie pulled the car just right outside of Jisoo's apartment. This is it – Jennie thinks to herself. She has finally decided that tonight she will ask Jisoo out officially on a date. She would be lying if she says having Soojoo around didn't help in her decision to finally make a move. Seeing their interaction earlier that night at Soojoo's apartment, it made her realize that if she doesn't act on it now, it might be too late for her and it scares her – it scares her more than the fear of Jisoo actually rejecting her because then she would blame herself forever for not being able to at least tell Jisoo how she truly feels for her.

"Thank you Jennie" Jisoo spoke as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "This is me, take care going home and drive safe"

Jisoo was about to open the door of the car when Jennie stopped her by speaking

"Jisoo w-wait" Jennie stuttered

Jisoo titled her head as if waiting for Jennie to continue what she was about to say.

"I was... I was.... you know, w-wondering, ww-wondering if" Jennie stuttered, she mentally cursed herself for being a stuttering mess when she was known to be smooth as fuck, but it's Jisoo we're talking about here, she is everything Jennie ever wanted and more.

"Yes?" Jisoo asked, she was confused as to why Jennie was acting so weird.

Damn it Jennie pull yourself together – Jennie thought to herself. She then cleared her throat "I was wondering i-if you would want to go out with m-me? You know, like on a date?"  Jennie still stuttered but at least it was better than previously.

"Oh" Jisoo said looking so shocked.

Jennie was praying to all the gods that Jisoo would say yes. When Jisoo hasn't said anything after being super shocked, Jennie started panicking.

So, she started rambling "I'm sorry if you think I'm moving too fast It's okay if you don't want to I just want you to know that I really like you like a lot you make me happy feel things and I will prove it to you every day and for as long as it takes I'll w-"

"Jen!" Jisoo cut her off from her stammering. "Slow it down"

"Sorry" Jennie said sheepishly

"Look, I totally did not expect you to say this.  I'm not saying no nor saying yes but would you give me some time to think about it?"

"Of course" Jennie replied, but sadness was evident in her voice. "take your time, Jisoo"

Jisoo didn't miss the sadness in Jennie's voice and it wounded her heart.

"Jen" Jisoo said slowly. She took one of Jennie's hands into her own and started rubbing the back of Jennie's hand with her thumb.

"I hope you understand this is really something new to me. I care for you and you make me happy too, just give me some time to think things through. Would that be okay?"

Jennie nodded and gave Jisoo and genuine smile. "I will wait for you no matter how long it takes, Jisoo. I just hope you wouldn't feel uncomfortable because I don't want to lose you ever."

"You won't" Jisoo responded and she gave Jennie a genuine smile in return.