Between the Lines - Jenlisa

Part 8

For the next few days, Jennie told herself that nothing had changed.

That Lisa's quiet okay on the walk home hadn't mean anything.

That the lingering glances, the hesitant touches, the way Lisa looked at her sometimes-- none of it meant anything.

It was easier that way.

So Jennie pretended.

She acted normal, let herself fall into their usual rhythm-- practice, schedules, teasing, late-night snacks in the dorm.

And Lisa...Lisa let her.

She didn't push. Didn't bring up that moment again. Didn't ask why Jennie had frozen when their fingers brushed in the kitchen, or why she got so quiet when Lisa absentmindedly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear during a photoshoot.

Lisa was patient.

And that was somehow worse.

Because Jennie could feel her waiting.

And the longer she waited, the harder it was for Jennie to ignore the truth pressing against the edge of her carefully built walls.

The tension finally cracked one night in the practice room.

It was late-- too tale. They had finished group rehearsals hours ago. But Jennie has stayed behind, running through some choreo by herself.

Or so she though.

She had just finished a run-through when she turned and found Lisa leaning against the doorway, watching.

Jennie startled. "How long have you been standing there?"

Lisa grinned. "Long enough to see you mess up that turn twice."

Jennie scowled. "I didn't mess up."

Lisa just hummed, pushing off the doorframe and strollinbg toward her.

"I thought you went home," Jennie muttered, walking over to grab her water bottle.

Lisa shrugged. "I was going to. But then I saw you were still here."

Something about the way sha said it made Jennie pause.

Lisa hadn't needed to come in. She could have just left, could have gone back to the dorm and pretended she didn't notice Jennie struggling alone.

But she hadn't.

Jennie suddenlmy felt seen in a way she wasn't sure she was ready for.

Lisa must have notice the hesitation because she tilted her head. "Wanna run it together?"

Jennie exhaled, nodding. "Yeah. Okay."

Lisa grinned. "Good. You definitely need the help."

Jennie groaned. "I take it back. Go home."

Lisa just laughed, pulling her into position.

And Jennie let her.

Dancing with Lisa always felt different.

With other people, Jennie had to think about every move, every step, every transition. But with Lisa, it was instinct.

They moved in sync without trying, like their bodies already knew what they had to do.

It was dangerous, how easy it was to fall into a rhythm with her.

And maybe that was why Jennie wasn't prepared when Lisa suddenmy switched things up .

During freestyle break, Lisa spun toward Jennie, stepping closer. It wasn't part of the choreo, wasn't something they had planned. But Jennie react without thinking.

She stepped forward, too.

Suddenly, Lisa was in her space-- closer than she should be. Their bodies weren't quite touching, but Jennie could feel her, could feel the heat radiating from her skin.

Lisa's breath was steady, measured.

Jennie's wasn't.

Lisa's gaze flickered down-- just briefly. But Jennie caugh it.

She felt her pulse stutter.

Lisa was waiting again.

For Jennie to do something.

To move away. To close the distance. To decide.

Jennie's hands twitched at her sides.

She wanted to stay.

But she was scared.

So she did the only thing she knew how to do.

She broke the moment before it could break her.

"Cocky much?" She said, forcing a smirk, stepping back like her heartwasn't pounding. "Don't think I didn't notice you messing up that footwork."

Lisa blinked, like she had just been pulled out of something. Then, slowly, she smirked back.

"Oh , plaese. My footwork was flawless."

Jennie turned away, grabbing her towel. "Keep telling yourself that, Lalisa."

Lisa let out a breath laugh, running a hand through her hair. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Nini."

Jennie froze for half a second before forcing herself to keep walking.

Because the thruth was--

She wasn't helping her sleep at night.

She was keeping her awake.

And Jennie didn't know how much longer she could pretend otherwise.