Between the Lines - Jenlisa

Part 12

Jennie stood there for a moment, still trying to catch her breath. Her fingers tangled in Lisa's hoodie, her pulse racing in the aftermath of the kiss.

She couldn't quite bring herself to pull away, even though the rational part of her brain was screaming at her to think. To make sure this was really happening, to take a step back and evaluate everything.

But Lisa wasn't letting her think.

Lisa's hands were gentle on her back, pulling her even closer, as if she was afraid to let Jennie go. Her lips brushed Jennie's forehead in the softest kiss, and the sensation sent a shiver down her spine.

"Jennie..." Lisa's voice was barely above a whisper, full of something soft, something vulnerable.

Jennie opened her eyes, looking up at her. "Yeah?"

Lisa's gaze flickered between her eyes and her lips, and Jennie could tell that she was still uncertain, still waiting for Jennie to decide.

And for the first time, Jennie realized that the decision was hers to make.

Jennie exhaled softly, trying to steady her breath. "What now?"

Lisa smiled, a quiet, knowing smile, her thumb tracing the line of Jennie's jaw. "Now we stop pretending, don't we?"

Jennie couldn't help but laugh softly, a mix of nervousness and disbelief at how easily everything had shifted between them. "You really have no idea how long I've been trying to convince myself this wasn't going to happen."

Lisa's smile grew wider, teasing. "And you think I didn't notice?"

Jennie glanced away, for a second, biting her lip. "I'm not good at this, you know."

Lisa tilted her head, running her fingers through Jennie's hair. "Yeah, I know. YOu're not the type to fall for people easily. But I'm persistent."

Jennie chuckled, the tension easing out of her. "I guess you are."

"And you like it." Lisa's voice was low, teasing, but there was something genuine in it too-- something that Jennie had been too scared to acknowledge before.

Jennie tilted her head, meeting her gaze. "I think I do."

And that was all it took.

The walls Jennie had built for so long finally crumbled, and for once, she didn't feel the need to protect herself from what was happening between them.

Lisa leaned in again, capturing Jennie's lips with hers, this time with a little more urgency, a little more need.

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Jennie had never been the kind of person to let herself get carried away.

She was always careful, always in control.

But with Lisa, control didn't feel as important anymore.

The days after the kiss felt different, even though nothing had been said out loud.

Lisa didn't push. She didn't suddenly start acting different, didn't demand anything from Jennie.

She just stayed.

And that what made it even harder fot Jennie to pretend that things hadn't changed. Between them.

Because they had.

And every time Lisa looked at her--every timer their hands brushed, every tipe Lisa leaned in a little too close --Jennie felt it.

Felt the shift, the invisible thread pulling them together.

Felt the way her body respondee without hesitation, without fear.

Sha wasn't running anymore. But she still wasn't sure how to move forward.

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It happened again a few nights later.

Rosé and Jisoo had gone to bed early, leaving Jennie and Lisa alone in the leaving room, the soft hum of music playing from Jennie's speaker.

Lisa was sprawled on the couch, her head resting againt the armrest, on leg stretched out, the other bent. She was scrolling through her phone, relaxed, effortless.

Jennie sat at the other end, pretending to read something on her tablet, but her mind was elsewhere.

On Lisa.

On the way her hoodie had slipped off one shoulder, exposing tanned skin.

On the way Lisa's fingers absentmindedly drummed against her stomach, her rings glinting under the dim light.

Jennie swallowed.

She hated how aware she was of Lisa now.

Or maybe she didn't hate it at all.

Lisa must have felt her starring because, without looking up from her phone, she smirked. "You okay over there?"

Jennie rolled her eyes, shifting her attention back to the screen in front of her. "I'm fine."

Lisa hummed unconvinced. "You sure? Because you've been starring at me for like five minutes."

Jennie scoffed "I was not starring."

Lisa finally looked up , tilting her head. "You were totally starring."

Jennie clenched her jaw. "You're imagining things."

Lisa smirked again, sitting up slightly, her eyes playful but sharp. "Hmm. I don't think I am."

Jennie's pulse spike.

Lisa was watching her now, like a hunter who knew her prey had nowhere to run.

And the worst part?

Jennie didn't want to run.

Lisa streched her arms over her head, then patted the space beside her. "Come here."

Jennie hesitated. "Why?"

Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Because I said so?"

Jennie narrowed her eyes. "That's not a reason."

Lisa sight dramatically. "Fine. Because I want you to."

Jennie inhaled sharply.

Lisa wanted her to.

Lisa wanted her.

And maybe-- maybe jennie had spent so much time denying herself what she wanted that she had forgotten what it felt like to just let go.

So she did.

Without another word, she put her tablet aside and moved closer, settling beside Lisa, her body automatically fitting into the space Lisa made for her.

Lisa didn't hesitate.

She wrapped her arm around Jennie's shoulders, pulling her in, letting Jennie rest her head against her chest.

Jennie could hear Lisa's heartbeat-- steady strong.

Lisa's fingers traced small circles on her arm, slow and deliberate, as if she knew Jennie was still trying to process this.

And maybe she was.

Maybe she still didn't have the right words for what was happening between them.

But for now, as Lisa's warmth surrounded her, as their bodies fit together so naturally, Jennie let herself have it.

No running. No pretending. Just them.