Jennie's eyes widened at Roseanne's sudden reaction but she soon eased into the kiss as her hands clutched at Roseanne's coat, pulling the taller girl closer. Roseanne willingly slumped forward to close the distance between them as the kiss got slightly rougher.
A mixture of intimidation and excitement filled Roseanne. There she was kissing Jennie Kim. And the girl of her dreams was kissing her right back. She was pretty sure Jennie wasn't mad at her anymore.
"Roseanne, have you... oh gosh!" The two pulled away when a familiar voice called out. A surprised Mrs. Song stood at the doorway, jaw slightly ajar. Impeccable timing. A pink-faced Jennie readjusted her hair awkwardly and cleared her throat while Roseanne actively stuffed both hands into the pockets of her coat.
"Why don't the both of you come inside? It is getting pretty chilly..." Mrs. Song suggested before hurrying back into the house.
"Shall we?" Roseanne offered her arm expectantly and Jennie nodded quietly before latching onto the taller girl.
Once inside, Mrs. Song placed two tall glasses of warm water onto the dining table as the two girls silently settled down opposite each other.
"I'm certain you girls have some talking to do... I'll be in the shower." At least she had the decency to allow the duo some privacy.
As soon as the older woman was gone, the pair reached out for the glasses – at the same time. Jennie recanted at the physical contact and promptly sunk back into her chair. She could go thirsty, no problem.
But of course Roseanne wouldn't allow that to happen. She carefully pushed one of the glasses until it was in front of Jennie before grabbing her own. She didn't exactly need the water. But anything to help get her mind off the tingling on her lips caused by the passionate lip-lock earlier on was good.
Roseanne briefly licked her lips before smoothly downing half the glass. She casually looked up and noticed that Jennie was fiddling with the glass in her hands. It was as if the girl was anticipating some sort of conversation. Of course she was. One does not simply kiss another and let the matter slide.
"I..." Roseanne started as Jennie's curious orbs shot up to meet apprehensive ones.
"I'm sorry."
"What?" Jennie's grip on the glass tightened at the apology and disbelief was written all over her face. Was that really all she had to say?
"I said I'm sorry." Roseanne repeated naively, taking Jennie's words literally.
"What exactly are you regretting?" Jennie grasped the glass even more forcefully, threatening to crush it to smithereens.
"Everything." Roseanne plainly shrugged.
"Very informative. Thank you. Goodnight, Roseanne." Jennie cast the glass aside offhandedly and stood up, all ready to disappear into her room.
"I mean it, Jennie. I'm sorry for being such a useless coward who's too afraid to express her emotions. I'm sorry for causing you to be upset. I'm sorry for being such an insecure jerk who's completely in love with you." Roseanne managed in one breath before Jennie could take a step.
"Why do you keep saying things like that about yourself?"
"Because it's true. Even up till now, I'm still unable to see myself as worthy enough, Jennie. I don't deserve somebody like you. I don't even have the confidence to assure you that I'll give you happiness. But yet I can't control these stupid feelings going on in my heart. I always thought I was the most uninteresting, unresponsive person... until I met you. Things changed. Nobody was ever there for me. Nobody ever cared about how I felt. Somehow that changed when you came along..."
"Roseanne..." Jennie nimbly made her way towards where the other girl was seated and crouched down beside her. She noticed the rims of Roseanne's eyes were damp and that the girl was profusely blinking the tears away. It was Jennie's turn to feel rueful. She felt as though she should be blamed for even questioning the way Roseanne felt about her. All she could do was take the girl's hands into hers.
"Roseanne, I'm sorry I pushed you so hard for a definite conclusion about the both of us. I promise I'll just let nature take its course from now on. I'm contented with having you here by my side for now." Jennie explained softly.
"Thank you..." The other girl sniffed. She looked almost relieved of a huge burden.
"But I want you to just promise me one thing." Jennie continued. Roseanne looked attentively at the girl, prodding her to go on.
"Don't ever say degrading things about yourself again. Ever."
"But--"
"I love you, Roseanne. I love you for all that you are and for who you are. There's so much to admire about you and you need to start seeing yourself the way I see you. Alright? Promise?" Jennie stuck her pinkie out and looked at Roseanne earnestly.
Those were the only words Roseanne needed to hear. She nodded and interlocked her pinkie with Jennie's.
-----
Roseanne arrived back at the apartment one evening after school to see a mysterious man at the dining table busily feasting away. Jennie was rooted beside him and she seemed somewhat distressed.
Upon seeing Roseanne, Jennie rushed over towards the girl and spoke in a low tone, "I never expected this but my dad decided to drop by just to check up on me. Just--"
"Ah! Who do we have here? You must be Nini's roommate. I hear she's really fond of you. Come, sit! Join us for dinner!" The man had an exceptionally deep voice, which scared Roseanne a little.
Nevertheless, the girl bravely approached the dinner table, clutching Jennie's hand firmly as she did. "Hello sir."
"Dad, this is Roseanne. Roseanne, my dad." Jennie acquainted the two briefly before settling back down beside her father.
Roseanne pulled up a chair briskly and sat herself down. This meet-the-parent session was definitely uncalled for and Roseanne could feel her insides churning uncontrollably.
"So Roseanne, how's school working out for you?" The man began, stuffing an enormous piece of steak into his mouth.
"Things are going great, Mr. Kim. Unquestionably, I'm enjoying every moment of it." Roseanne tried to make things sound good. She had to make a good first impression.
"Perfect. And what do you do in your free time?" Another question.
"I have a few part-time jobs, sir." Roseanne replied and Mr. Kim almost choked simultaneously.
"You juggle jobs in your leisure time? Why's that? Your parents don't give you enough?" The man questioned further.
"Dad." Jennie cast a side glance at the man and his insensitive and unnecessary inquiry.
"No, sir. I settle my own expenses." It was obviously getting painful for Roseanne.
"Ah... so your parents... they have their own business?" This man was unrelenting.
"Dad, does it really matter?" Jennie attempted to interrupt but the pompous man merely ignored his daughter.
"Shush, honey. I'm trying to make conversation with our guest here. Just a little background check, nothing much."
A background check. Perfect.
"No sir, they don't possess their own business or anything like that. If you'll excuse me, I need the bathroom." This was about all Roseanne was willing to withstand.
After a quick nod of approval from the man, she hastily left the table.
"Dad, why did you have to put her in a spot? I never discussed such issues with her before. She's very sensitive regarding such matters." Jennie contended as soon as she heard the bathroom door click shut.
"Sensitive, indeed! What have I been teaching you all these years? I warned you never to mix with people like that! We have a certain class, Ruby Jane. I don't want people to think lowly of us Kims. And you had to pick her of all people to cohabitate with you. Just wait till your mother hears about this!"
"What're you talking about? It's people like you who disgrace us, dad." Jennie argued heatedly. How many times did she have to deal with people like that? It felt as though she didn't know who this man was. As a matter of fact, she didn't. She never liked the way her dad spoke ignobly of others.
"What did you just say? God, I must've left you here alone for too long. Now you're beginning to think and behave like one of those bums."
"Okay, now you're being plain ridiculous. Do you even hear yourself? You think you can just show up out of nowhere and try to tell me who I should or shouldn't be hanging out with? I'm not even gonna quarrel about this." Jennie gave up and retreated to her room, making sure to slam the door behind her.
-----
Jennie sat at her desk, kneading her temples. Apparently people and situations loved to sabotage her relationship with Roseanne. She racked her brains about coaxing and consoling the other girl. Jennie hoped with all her heart that Roseanne wouldn't start another talk about being worthless and stuff like that.
A few firm knocks on the door caused her to jump a little.
"No, Dad. I really don't wanna talk right now." Jennie answered with a grimace, assuming it would better express her irritation even though her father couldn't see her.
"It's me."
"Roseanne?" Jennie sat up instantaneously and made an effort to clear the clutter on her desk quickly.
"Is it alright for me to come in?"
"Sure, of course." Jennie mentally braced herself for a bleak conversation as the door was pushed open.
"Are you alright? I uh, couldn't help but hear parts of the altercation just now..." Roseanne made her way over and sunk into the chair in front of the desk.
"Are you alright? I uh, couldn't help but hear parts of the altercation just now..." Roseanne made her way over and sunk into the chair in front of the desk.
"I'm okay... are you okay? I apologize on my father's behalf for whatever he said." Jennie reached out to fondle the long, slender fingers. She had somehow made a habit of needing to make contact with the girl whenever she was near her.
"Nothing I can't handle. I'm used to all this, remember? Besides, I promised you I'd start having some self-esteem. Backbone-building in progress." Roseanne smirked and gave Jennie's hand an assuring squeeze.
"Well, prove that you're okay and that you're not secretly raging on the inside." Jennie declared, leaning forward.
"How?"
At her question, Jennie puckered up and pointed towards her own lips.
"Aish, you!" Roseanne moved forward and planted a quick peck on the girl's lips.
"Better." Jennie grinned from ear to ear like a child who just received a bag of candy.
"So, how long will your dad be staying for?"
"He's leaving tomorrow. Claims he has business to attend to. Might as well not visit altogether." Jennie sighed, still fiddling with Roseanne's fingers absentmindedly.
"Hey... cheer up. I'll still be here. I'll buy you some milk ice-cream tomorrow!" Roseanne proposed, recalling from a previous conversation that the girl's favorite food was the good old milk-flavored frozen dessert.
"Really?" Jennie's face spiffed up spontaneously as she momentarily forgot about her troubles. She hasn't had milk ice-cream for some time now. Having Roseanne buy her some made things even better.
"School ends at two for me tomorrow. I'll meet you after that!"
"I'll be waiting!"
Being able to make Jennie feel better, albeit just a little, made Roseanne feel helpful. She silently affirmed herself that she'd do her best to be there for the girl no matter what happens. Seeing the girl happy made her happy. It was as simple as that.