One of the things that Lisa picked up over the past few days of not being able to dance and get rid of some of her endorphins was running. She either does this early in the morning — sun isn't even up yet, or if she has free time in between classes when she fails to do her morning jogs.
Jongin, the protective bestfriend that he is, would also wake up early in the morning just so Lisa won't jog around the town alone. No place is safe when hungry hyenas want to feast so it's better to sacrifice his sleep than sorry and Lisa was thankful for that despite the several initial protests. She can never really win over Jongin when it's about her safety.
Lisa has 3 hours of gap before her next class so she decided to run around the field or maybe even around the campus. She had been joining the daily practices of the track and field team when she has time so it isn't a surprise for them to see her stretching with them — wearing a black running leggings under an above knee shorts, black and white running shoes, black dri-fit jersey shirt and her hair tied up in a high ponytail.
"No class?" Lisa remembers him, his name's Jinwoo, one of the track and field's super athletes.
Lisa nods, almost finishing her warm ups. "Yeah, 3 hours to waste to be exact."
He smiles. "Cool. You can still tag along if you want to."
"I'd love that. Same route?"
"Yes, just in the campus still. We will have sprinting throughout the course by the way. You ready?"
Lisa beams. "Absolutely."
And off they did. The team lined up in two different sections, each of which contains both men and women in different order to keep everyone in shape — a good training routine for women to be as fast or even faster than men.
Lisa has earned a spot in the middle of the line, she doesn't know how but the coach had been fond of her since she that day when she was the only woman who was able to keep up with the men. She was even offered a spot but she declined, she's only doing this out of hobby and has no plan to compete.
They did 3 laps around the huge oval before they finally went out and jog around the campus, following where Jinwoo is heading. It didn't take a while until they started sprinting and being in the middle with men running ahead and behind her, Lisa has no choice but to run as fast as she could to keep up — it wasn't hard, it wasn't enough, her lungs needed more pressure so she sprints faster.
The sprinting didn't last long as they go back to normal jog routine. Lisa was too focused with her breathing techniques and keeping up with everyone in the team that she didn't notice they're tracking the pavement in front of the Student Council's building.
Jinwoo starts sprinting again and others followed suit.
"Is that Lisa?" Jisoo asks, eyes not leaving at the figure who just created a distance between her and the line following her.
"I am so sure that it's her." Chaeyoung replies.
Joohyun turns to look at Seulgi. "She joined the track team?" She noticed the sadness in Seulgi's eyes.
"I am not really sure."
"She's still not showing up in practices?"
Seulgi shakes her head.
They are standing at the balcony located at the second floor where they could see the field and the oval.
"Is she still not talking to you?" Joohyun asks as she turns her head to where Jennie is standing. The longing, regret and sadness are all over Jennie's eyes and face. Joohyun could only sigh.
"Yeah."
"She only asked you not to visit the café though so you can still try and talk to her." Joohyun explains.
Jennie shakes her head. "I can't. I don't have the courage to do that after what I did. Maybe in time but for now, I'll give her the space that she needed."
"Jennie—"
"Please, let it go. I am fine."
Joohyun sighs, her arm immediately goes around Jennie's shoulders. "I am sorry I can't do anything to help you."
Jennie smiles, eyes never leaving at Lisa's figure who's still doing oval laps. "I can't help myself either so it's okay."
"I hope she'd talk to us soon. I miss that kid." Jisoo chimes.
"Same." Chaeyoung and Seulgi say in unison.
"It'll come. She'll come around. Hopefully." Joohyun is hopeful.
Jennie clenches her jaws while still looking at Lisa's figure who finally jogs to a halt.
***
"FREEDOM!!" BamBam screams almost at the top of his lungs in front of a huge tree after one whole week of hellish exams before their long awaited break.
Mina throws him an empty box of milk she'd been drinking. "Shut up! You're scaring the others!"
BamBam looks around, bows at the people who either have wide eyes, hands on their chest or eyes glaring, hands bawling into a fist. "Sorry." He says then turns to face his friends.
Jongin shakes his head. "I still don't know why your girlfriend agreed to be your girlfriend."
BamBam replies almost instantly with a smug grin. "Because I have so many things to offer. Hah!"
"Like what? Your noisy ass? Dang I'd ditch you instantly if I were her." Lisa replies.
"Foul! Lucky me, she's not you."
"Never would wish."
BamBam sticks his tongue out which Lisa answered by her own before all four them broke into a laughing fit.
As they head to the parking lot, Lisa will be their driver today, BamBam asks. "Aside from Lisa, anyone going home?"
"Nope." Jongin says.
Mina shakes her head when BamBam looks at her, not saying anything because she's sipping another box of cold milk.
"Now I feel guilty." Lisa chimes.
BamBam looks at her, raising an eyebrow. "For?"
"Because all of you will be working your asses off and I will be on leave for a week."
"Nah. A lot of students will be going home for break so I think it'll be rather slower than we'd usually have. Plus, you need that break. I mean we all do but.. you know what I mean." BamBam says, opening the back seat as soon as Lisa unlocks the doors.
Mina throws the empty box in the trash. "Right plus I'd rather spend this break being productive than going back to Japan and hear my siblings nag. No thanks."
BamBam raises his hand for a high five which Mina immediately meets. "Same!" Both of them laughed.
"And you?" She asks Jongin.
"We have no family trips this year so I am staying." Jongin saw the shift in her eyes so he moves forward and ruffles her hair, receiving a protest in return. "Don't worry. We all agreed to give you this because I am sure you will do so too if one of us needs it. No?"
"Of course I would."
"There goes your answer. Let's go. You have to sleep early for that trip tomorrow."
***
"What's bothering our princess' mind?"
Jennie looks up after hearing the voice then releases a groan after seeing who it is. "Oppa, how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?"
Mino chuckles, taking a sit on an empty chair — eyes looking at the calm waves of the beach. "And not see that reaction? No way."
Jennie huffs. "I still don't know how in the world did you become a teacher when you're this annoying."
"My students love me, that's why."
Jennie playfully rolls her eyes. "As if."
Song Minho or Mino, is not only a professor and the award winning director but also one of Jennie's closest cousins in her mother's side — while Jisoo and Jiyoon are in her father's. Only few knows they're blood related because one, no one needs to know and two, they're not obliged to let others know.
It's been two days since the official break starts and Jennie's mother's family tree decided to spend a 3-day vacation in the east coast near a beach where one of their ancestral vacation houses is located.
It's their first day and Jennie decided to move away from the chaos in the house and watch the waves to clear her mind, it's been too drained and worked up recently.
"You did not answer my question, what's up?"
"Nothing."
He raises an eyebrow. "I doubt. You'd usually wrestle with Dana and yet you're here, away from everyone else."
"Oppa, we're too old to wrestle."
"You're not in your 20s yet, what "too old" are you talking about?"
"Same logic."
"Nope." Jennie was about to answer but Mino did it first. "Seriously, you've been on auto pilot before the break too. Was being part of the student body being too taxing? You can always step down, you know."
Jennie shakes her head, eyes now back at the waters — looking lost, sad and dejected, of course Mino noticed all that. "No, I have Joohyun with me so there's nothing we couldn't handle."
"Then what's with the mood?"
She sighs, Jennie shut the world around her after her talk with Lisa weeks ago. Not even Jisoo or Chaeyoung could break in, she just almost instantly stops talking to people about anything related to Lisa, anything related to them.
All she did was getting herself busy with works after works as a Vice President of the Student Council, drowns herself with books after books of either about her subjects or just plainly for reading. She did not allow herself not to get her relax because her thoughts will fly straight to the woman she'd been secretly looking from afar. It hurts and sucks to come to realization of how much she'd wasted and how she hurt her big time for the sake of that petty revenge. It keeps haunting her.
Mino waits, but all Jennie did was sigh — constantly — so he says. "I don't wanna be that person but this has something to do with Lisa, isn't it?"
Jennie's attention and head immediately snap straight to Mino's direction, eyes wide.
Mino smiles, it's gentle and understanding. "I guess I hit the right one. Share the burden?"
"H-How.."
"Lisa is my student, remember?"
"Yes but how d-did you.."
Mino chuckles. "Let's just say, I see almost the same thing for about weeks before the break."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing, just figurative speech. Now. What's with you and Lisa?"
Jennie, despite being still confused, finally relaxes. She's done and so tired of trying to act all composed and okay when in reality, the weight of burden she's shouldering is now slowly crushing her down.
So she starts opening up to him. Observing his face and reaction to see if there would be discomfort about this entire ordeal but she sees and feels nothing but his full attention. No judgement, no discomfort, no weird looks, no disgust — just him looking at her straight into her eyes and attentively listening. Some part of Jennie wants to cry, relieved and grateful to have someone like him, like Jisoo and Jiyoon.
"Jennie.." his voice feels like stalling.
"I know I know. I was stupid, okay?"
"That you are. I know Jisoo and the others lectured you about this so I won't do the same thing anymore because one, nothing would ever change and two, I don't want to add salt to your wounds."
Jennie sighs, he's absolutely right. "Thank you."
"But there's one thing I want to tell you. One mistake doesn't define her nor you as an individual. What you did was a stroke of lack of judgement and just pure pettiness. But—"
"I thought there was no lecture?" Jennie pouts.
"There's a "But" before you cut me off, Princess."
"Call me princess again and I'll cut you off."
"Let me remind you of our age gap."
"And let me remind you my age."
"Still a princess to me."
"Then I'll still cut you off."
"Stubborn."
"So are you."
They both ended up laughing.
"But in all seriousness, let me go back."
Jennie pouts. "No lecture."
"Enough with the lecture, you've definitely learned your lesson. In a hard way unfortunately."
Jennie sighs.
"As I'm saying, you've learned your lesson so might as well make it up."
"Did you forget that she told me she doesn't want to see me or you did not listen properly?"
"She said do not visit the café. That's technically not telling you to not see her again."
"That's the same thing to me."
"The café is not the only place both of you could see each other. The fact that you're a Vice President and you're this slow? I refuse to acknowledge you as my cousin."
"Hey! The insults, I am really going to cut you."
Mino laughs. "Relax tiger. I am saying, whenever you are ready, whenever you're done mopping around.. go talk to her. I am sure she won't reject that if the opportunity comes."
"You sounded so sure."
"Because I am."
"Why so?"
"Like I said, I've seen almost the same thing as you are right now." He smiles — refusing to elaborate — before standing up, pats Jennie's shoulder and says. "You just have to be brave. Give yourself all the time to recover and follow your heart."
Jennie looks up. "How are you so calm about this? I mean, considering what the society says that is normal."
Mino huffs. "There's no such thing as "normal in the society" when it comes to feelings and emotions, Jennie. Trust me, our family has moved past that judgement so you have nothing to worry. Besides, I got your back." He winks.
Jennie's eyes instantly made a pool making Mino chuckle. "Don't cry. There's no need for that. Now, we have less than two weeks more before the break ends. Soul search all you want but bounce back. Got it?"
Jennie wipes off the tears that are flowing off her eyes down to her cheeks and nods. "Yes, I will."
"Good. Go back inside whenever you're ready. I'll keep the others away from here to give you the space."
"Thank you, oppa."
"No problem."
And he walks away, Jennie's attention moved back to the waters before she sighs. Right, she's going to bounce back and hopes Lisa will be ready to catch her.
***
"Sorry about that. My grandkids are way too energetic."
Lisa turns her head and attention to the source of the kind and gentle voice. She smiles. "I am way more handful than them and always driving all of you to your edges, Faith so this is nothing."
Faith chuckles as she slowly sits on the one seater couch next to Lisa. "Oh absolutely. You're a pain in the ass."
Lisa had to laugh at that. "Won't even argue."
Lisa traveled to Gwangju the next morning after her last shift and had spent handful of her time playing and entertaining Faith's grandkids, little nephews and nieces. Having a huge liking towards kids — being the only child is one of its factors — she'd gladly tire herself out just to keep everyone in check and entertained while their parents are doing their daily routines.
Ever since her arrival, she had been avoiding topics related to Jennie or the ruckus she left back in Seoul by not letting herself be alone with Faith because the woman knows her way too well for Lisa's liking.
But today is an exemption, other than being so physically exhausted all thanks to her temporary nanny duties, she's mentally drained and tired.
"How's school?"
"This feels like middle school." Lisa chuckles while Faith smiles. "But school is fine. I don't think I ever told you that I applied for a job."
"Oh you did? How was it?"
"I am now working in a café nearby the campus and honestly, it feels so nice and fulfilling to get your first hard earned paycheck. It's not much but it's rewarding."
"I am so proud of you." Lisa doesn't know why but hearing that directly from her somehow tug some of her heart strings and her tears are threatening to come out.
"Th-Thank you."
Faith chuckles when she noticed it. "I didn't know working and being in college could make you this soft."
Lisa sniffs and playfully glares at her. "Way to ruin the moment."
Now Faith is laughing. "Oh I did? I am sorry. Go on, have your moment."
"All gone. All in the ditch. Gone."
"So dramatic."
"You ruined it."
Faith's laughs soon died down and they both went silent, eyes looking at their neighbors' kids running and playing in the yard across their own. "Lisa."
"Hm?"
"You know I know you too well, right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"What's bothering you, my child?"
And there it goes, Lisa could only sigh. "A lot."
"I have all the time."
"Promise you won't give me an earful?"
"Depends."
"Faith.."
"Lisa."
Lisa sighs, in no way hell she's going to win it. "Fine. Brace yourself."
And Lisa started telling her everything, leaving no details out because of two reasons, Faith will still know if she'd leave something out and two, it's for her peace of mind and soul.
She doesn't know how much and how heavy the burden she's been carrying until she's finally able to breathe after telling Faith everything. Her chest feels a little lighter and the pain reduced even just for a little fraction.
"That's everything. I know it's too much but it happened."
"Why didn't you listen to Jongin? Or Nayeon? Everything would've been so much easier and better if you did so."
"I know but I got blinded."
"You did. If you confessed and apologized, your guilt would've been gone and your resentment would've been justifiable to me."
Lisa looks at her.
"What she did was wrong and I will never agree on that but you hid a lot of things too so both of you are at fault here. Being hurt is okay because we are human but you have to admit that this isn't just on her."
Faith finally turns her body to face Lisa. "You grew up to be a fine and respectful woman so you were nowhere near the Lisa I knew from a decade ago. But one thing that you didn't get rid of ever since you were little is your tendency to forget your past and just start living in the current without resolving anything. You force yourself to believe that what happened in the past has no bearing in the current situation."
"You tend to opt out instead of fixing it." Faith offers her a kind smile. "Biggest example, you forced yourself to believe that you're fine without your parents but we both know that's not the case."
"You're wrong. I am honestly fi—"
"Then what's with the constant opening of your other phone reserved only for your parents?"
Lisa turns quiet.
"Some part of you still wish they care, even just for a little. Deep inside you still lies the kid who did everything to get her parents' attention. You just hide that girl but you did not fix her by talking to your parents like an adult."
Lisa looks down. It's all true.
"I noticed everything though I wish I am not this observant." Faith smiles. "And you practically grew up under my care so I know your every nooks and crannies. One thing you have to remember, don't run away from your problems. Fix it so you can move forward and so it won't have any reason to crush and burn you."
"Talk Jennie when you get back to Seoul. It's obvious that you're not okay so stop the dilly dally and go fix it. Get your shit together and start a new. Both of you basically didn't start in a clean friendship so might as well do that now."
"Do..Do you think she'll accept me still? After all I did and said to her?"
"That's for her to decide but based on what you said, if you did not miss any detail, she is up for a brand new start."
Lisa sighs and looks up at the clear sky. "I still have days to reorganize myself before coming back to Seoul. Wish me luck."
Faith chuckles. "You don't need wishes. I know you'll be fine."
"I still wonder where that confidence in me came from."
"From the years of taking care and guiding you, that's for sure."
"Thank you."
"For?"
"For literally everything."
Faith smiles. "It's good money."
Lisa laughs. "Right. Like as if I didn't know they did not pay you for half a year just so you'd resign."
Faith looks up at the sky, her tiny wrinkles due to old age covers some part of her face but her beauty seems timeless to Lisa. That's probably because of her kind and selfless soul.
"Like I'd let that shaken me. I'd rather not have a salary than leaving you alone because I am sure you will not be who you are today if no one was there for you."
"I owe you a lot. Seriously."
"Just fix your little problem with Jennie and I'll deduct it out from the things you owe me."
Lisa chuckles. "I will. Thank you."
"You're very much welcome."