No Strings Attached

Chapter Eleven

“You’re too imaginative.”

“You’re too aloof.”

Jennie ate her pizza and ignored her friend.

“Maybe you’ve not realised that you like her. Tell me more about her. Anyone who can make my best friend smile so much is definitely someone interesting.”

“Quit asking me questions and let me eat in peace.”

Just then, Jennie’s phone beeped. She picked up her phone from the living room and stood there while reading the text message.

“Jennie Ruby Jane Kim!” Rosé exclaimed as Jennie walked into the kitchen.

“What?!” Jennie asked, surprised by her friend’s sudden outburst.

“You’re smiling again! Smiling for no reason! I bet that was a text from Lisa. You’re turning red again!” Rosé hopped off her high chair and grabbed the brunette, pushing her in front of her fridge.

The tall two door fridge had a stainless steel finish and Jennie could see her reflection on the door. It was true that there was a tinge of pink on her cheeks and it was certainly not a warm day. She couldn’t attribute it to the red wine she drank as she hardly turned red when drinking alcohol.

“You wake up and you’re suddenly in love,” Rosé sang.

Jennie wriggled out of Rosé’s grip and walked away from the fridge.

“Someone sent me a funny text message so I smiled. Nothing wrong with that,” Jennie said nonchalantly.

“Whatever.” Rosé mimicked Jennie’s favourite catch phrase whenever she had to end an argument or when she was lost for words. Both women burst out in giggles as Rosé did such a bad impersonation of Jennie.

At around 10pm, Jennie chased Rosé home, citing the reason that she wanted to sleep early. Rosé insisted on sleeping over but Jennie shoved her out of the door. When Rosé finally left, Jennie plonked herself onto her bed. She propped her chin on her pillow and held her phone in front of her. Unlocking the phone, she scrolled to the text message she received earlier on.

“I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~Jason Love.”

Sender: LISA

“She’s back!” Jennie squealed, hugging her pillow.

Lying down on her back, she thought about what they would be doing if Lisa was with her, now that Lisa was back in Seoul. Would they be shopping in Apgujeong or perhaps eating at one of the cosy cafes in Garosu-gil street? Maybe even clubbing in Hongdae?

There were so many things she could think of to spend her time with Lisa. Those thoughts flooded her mind. However, it just didn’t seem right. They weren’t a couple. What were they? Jennie stared blankly at the message on her phone and wondered.

~*~*~*~

A “Closed” sign hung from the door and the main signboard was still covered with paper. Most of the furniture was still wrapped in plastic sheets and the floor was quite dusty. The lights inside the main café area weren’t turned on and there were boxes lining the walls of the café. A single light was coming from the kitchen at the far end of the café. Jennie opened the main door and stepped into the café cautiously.

Jennie walked towards the kitchen, carefully weaving through the obstacle course in the main café dining area. She stopped outside the door to the kitchen and peeped in.