Jennie bounced down the stairs of her shared home with her two sisters, prepared for her early morning meeting with Lisa.
When she walked into the kitchen, her purple-haired older sister Jisoo stood there making herself a cup of coffee.
"You're up early. You must have a client you have to meet this morning?" Jisoo spoke up, adding some sugar and cream into her cup of coffee.
"Yeah. I'm meeting with Lisa Manoban. You do remember her from school, right?" Jennie asked, brushing it to the side as if she wasn't excited about her ex-girlfriend arrival back in town.
Jisoo stopped, her mouth dropping open. "Do I? No duh. She was your bestie! You two were inseparable. Your friendship with her was one of the strongest throughout school." She then grabbed her cup of coffee, sitting down at the kitchen island. "I can't believe she's in town. When did she move back? Last we heard, her mother said she was in Las Vegas."
"She was, but she's back to broaden her business by adding a similar homebuilding service right here in our hometown." Jennie admitted, checking her daily planner. "She came to the orphanage last night with her mom to help, and she asked me if I could help her find a place to open her design studio."
"I bet you're happy? That's why there's a little more pep in your step this morning, huh?" Jisoo accused, pointing at her. "You have your best friend back!"
Jennie blushed, her face heating so she looked away from her sister. Best friend? If you only knew unnie.
"I guess I am happy more than usual. It's been seven years since I've last seen her. Lalisa meant a lot to me before everything happened." Jennie admitted.
Jisoo looked at her sister sympathetically, her smile falling. "We have some ridiculous parents. They were stupid to ever keep you away, from Lisa. I wish they were more accepting of the differences in people."
Jennie scuffed. "This is one of the reasons I refuse to meet or see them now that I'm grown. You know the other reason. They ruined my life in many ways, and I don't think I can ever find it in me to forgive them."
Jisoo rubbed her sister's shoulder. "If I hadn't left for college a year earlier, I would've tried to change their mind. I hate that they judged her because of the way she was born and her sexuality."
"Forcing you to stop hanging around her because she was an intersex and gay was low. They acted as though her sexuality would rub off on you. They were so big on their stupid reputations with their fake friends."
"Yeah, and now they want me around so they can set me up with the children of those same fake friends. That's one reason things didn't work with me and Kai." Jennie spoke which wasn't entirely the truth.
"I couldn't take that he was friends with our parents. They probably were the ones who encouraged him to be with me." She added.
"Speaking of Kai, why did you call it off? This is your third time accepting the proposal from a guy, but leaving them at the altar? Are you afraid of full commitment?"
Jennie shook her head. "No. I just didn't love either of them. When I accepted their engagements, I felt it was my duty to say yes to their proposal since at the time we were dating. However, I could never fall in love with them. No matter how hard I tried."
"Honestly, I knew you weren't in love with none of them. It wasn't my business, but I was praying you didn't marry them because I could sense a quick divorce."
"Am I not marriage material, unnie?" Jennie looked down at the hardwood floors.
"You are marriage material to someone. You weren't marriage material for them because you weren't in love with them."
Jennie bitterly chuckled. "I'm so done with love and relationships. I'm never going to find the right guy."
"You shouldn't wish off love." Jisoo laid a hand on Jen's shoulder. "I think for your failed proposals, you've tried to lead your heart into love. It should be the opposite way, Jendeukie. For once let your heart lead the way."
"Is that how you're on the verge of getting married in a few weeks?" Jennie motioned to the ring and her older sister blushed with a head nod.
"How did you know Hae In oppa was the one? Although he recently proposed on your anniversary, it seems like you've known for a while now."
Jisoo took a deep breath, taking a small sip of her coffee. "I knew he was the one when I started to feel all the cliché things." She admitted.
"What are the cliché things?" Jennie asked, sliding on her coat.
"I feel the tingles when he holds onto my hands. The butterflies that fly a mile per minute every time he looks into my eyes. Then there are the fireworks, the loud sounds that take over my hearing every time his lips meet mine." Jisoo blushed. "That's how I knew he was the one. I've been in a lot of relationships, and I've felt a few of those emotions with a few, but only he has made me feel all those. When you feel all those things at once, you'll know that they're your better half."
"I guess I won't be accepting another proposal until I do." Jen grabbed her scarf, wrapping it around her neck. "I'll see you at the orphanage later on. Mrs. Park said the kids want to put the Christmas decorations up, so she wants us to get the stuff from the attic for her."
"Alright. I love you. Stay safe out there because the roads are a bit icy this morning."
"I love you too and I will."
**************************************
Jennie approached the table where Lisa was seated in her mother's restaurant. She smiled as Lisa paid her no mind, her head in her phone.
She slowly snuck up from behind her. "Hey there, stranger." Jen whispered into her ear, startling Lisa a little.
Lisa flinched, nearly dropping her phone before she heard Jennie's familiar laughter in her ear. "Good morning. I see you still enjoy sneaking up on folks?"
Jennie chuckled all the instances in which she would previously scare her coming to mind. "I'm sorry. It's a habit that I only have when I'm greeting you." She admitted.
Lisa stood up, walking around the table as she pulled out the chair for her. "I'm surprised you showed up. After last night, I wasn't sure you would come." She confided.
Jennie swiftly stood on her tiptoes before she draped her slim arms around her former bestie's neck, wrapping her into a warm hug, one she was afraid to give her yesterday.
Lisa's heart dropped to her stomach. After yesterday, she wasn't sure what to expect from Jennie Kim. She slowly fastened her arms around Jen's waist, not wanting to make her uncomfortable, but also craving a hug from her. It had been a long time.
Jennie wiggled her head into the tall girl's neck, her breath tickling Lisa's skin as she released a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to respond like that." She whispered. "I was shocked to see you."
"I apologize for the way I acted too." Lisa confessed. "I guess we were both thrown off by the surprising reunion. It's been a while since we last saw each other, so both of our emotions were running high."
Jennie squeezed her eyes tightly shut. "I missed you a lot Lis. It's been a long time." She bit back tears as her eyes sank in tears.
"I missed you too Jen." Lisa said as she softly caressed her back. "Is this enough loving for you? When can I get my body back?" She joked although she was enjoying the tight embrace just as much as she was.
"A few more moments." Jennie's voice was mumbled due to her lips being pressed against your neck.
"Okay... I think I'm finished now." Reluctantly, Jennie pulled herself out of her arms. "I missed the feeling of being in your arms."
Lisa smiled, looking down at her. "You can get a hug anytime you want."
"Thanks." Jen took her seat as Lisa walked around and grabbed hers. "We should get down to business now?" She reached into her bag, pulling out a notebook. "What are you looking for in the property that'll be your next design studio?"
"An open space. Over one thousand square feet would be great. An open layout, so I can showcase all the different options the clients can select for their home."
"Is that it? Do you want it downtown? Where is your required location?" "I want it somewhere in the suburbs or close to it if that's not too much to ask. I know there's a bunch of open lots out there, and I'm sure most of my clients are going to choose lots in the suburbs more than anyplace else."
Jennie jotted down Lisa's must-haves as her mother walked to the table with some muffins and coffee.
"I bet she is your hardest clients yet?" Her mother joked, softly tapping Lalisa on her head as she placed coffee and muffins on the table.
"Actually, her list is fairly simple and light." Jennie admitted, laughing as her friend's mom toyed with her daughter's cheeks as if she's still a baby.
Her mother loved her and her brother evenly, but she held a special place in her heart.
"I'll leave you two to it. Brought something over for you to eat." Cindy waved, leaving her daughter and Jennie alone.
Lalisa sighed, shaking her head as her mom left the table, and Jennie laughed at you.
"It's adorable how your mother still treats you like a child Lis. You two have the best relationship."
"You only say that because it's not your cheeks being squeezed to death Kim." She rolled her eyes, grabbing a muffin her mom had brought over.
"How are your parents doing? I haven't seen them in a while."
Jennie downcast and her emotions flipped from comfortable to irritated. "T - they're alright." She shrugged her shoulders.
"Tell them I said hi the next time you see them, would you?" She asked as she took a small bite out of the muffin.
The conversation went dry, and Jennie silently stared at a place on the table, her eyes darkening.
"Do you remember how much of these that I used to bring you to school, Jen?" Lisa held the muffins up.
"I do." Jennie grinned, her eyes lightening back up as she grabbed herself one. "I love them. They are my favorite." She took a large bit, humming at the taste.
"You love them so much that I used to think the only reason you liked me was because of them."
Jennie smirked, wiping the crumbs from the side of her mouth. "Maybe?"
Lisa's eyes widen as she playfully grabbed at your heart. "That explains why you left without telling me goodbye then, huh? I forgot to bring you muffins that day."
Jennie sadly looked down, chewing on the muffin in her hand. She wished she could use that as a useful excuse. Maybe then she would feel better about herself.
Lisa felt her mood drop again, so she cleared her throat. "I was only kidding Jen."
"I know." She responded softly, her lips lifted in a smile, although sadness clouded her features.
Jen took a sip of her coffee, wiping off her mouth. "I have to get going because I have a few clients that I have to meet with this morning, but I'll see you tonight."
"Tonight? What's tonight?" Her face scrunched up.
"The kids wrote their letters to Santa last night, and they want to give them to you. I offered to bring them, but they wanted to hand-deliver them to you."
"Okay then, I'll stop by tonight to pick them up. Take care and have a nice day at work." Lisa took a sip of her coffee, looking at Jennie over her mug as she stared back.
"See you." Jen nodded, reluctantly pulling her brown eyes away from Lisa's.
************************************
Lisa stood in the living room with Mrs. Park and the kids, collecting their letters to Santa Claus.
"Don't forget to tell Santa I love him. Tell him I love him so much and I've been very good." Chiquita told Lisa as she passed her letter over to her.
"I will tell him. Don't say anything, but I looked at his naughty and nice list this year, and you all are on the nice list." Lisa whispered to them.
All the kids except for Louis bounced around the living room in excitement, screaming in happiness.
"What's going on down here?" Jennie walked down the stairs followed by Jisoo, their hands full with Christmas decorations.
"Do y'all need help?" Lisa rushed over to them since they looked to be struggling with the full boxes.
"No, we go this, but if you don't mind, could you go to the attic and grab the Christmas tree out?" Jisoo asked Lisa. She nodded her head, walking up the stairs to the attic to retrieve the Christmas tree.
Collecting the Christmas tree in the attic, Lisa walked back to the living room with the others. "I got the tree." The tall girl called out, holding the Charlie Brown tree up.
"UHH! Not this Christmas tree again!" The children groaned, pouting as you sat the tree in the middle of the living room.
"Y'all don't like this tree?" Lisa asked, laughing at the sour looks on their faces.
"No. It's so thin and small. It doesn't even have a lot of tree limbs on it."
She stepped back, glancing at the tree. The kids were right, the tree was old and raggedy.
"Santa isn't real, but if he was, he wouldn't put any presents under that stupid tree." Louis shook his head.
"Louis, that's not true! We know it's not the best-looking tree now, but after we add some decoration to it, it'll look cool." Jisoo added.
The kids pouted, shaking their heads as they called for a new tree. "We can't afford it. I would if we could." Mrs. Park told the kids.
Jennie and Jisoo looked at each other about to offer to buy the kids a tree, but Lalisa interrupted. "My uncle owns a Christmas tree lot. I'm sure he won't mind donating a tree. I'll call him tonight and we can go to the lot tomorrow to pick out a tree?" She suggested to Mrs. Park.
"Thank you." The old woman pulled Lisa into a hug. "I won't be able to tag along because I have to be here when the social workers come by to inspect the house, but I'm sure one of the Kim sisters could tag along?"
"Jen's available." Jisoo suggested. "You two are close friends anyway." She shrugged.
"I guess I could." Jennie agreed.
"Can we come with you to pick out a tree?! Please? Pretty please?" The kids begged.
"I only have a small two-door, but I guess I can rent a bigger car for tomorrow." Lisa told the kids.
"I have to get going, but I'll see you all tomorrow."
"Don't forget these." Jihoon passed you their letters to Santa.
"Right. I can't forget these." Lisa grabbed the letters. "Why are there only four letters?" She counted.
"I didn't write one because I don't believe in Santa, and this all is stupid! It's all for nothing." Louis got up and stalked up the stairs to his room.
Everyone watched as Louis disappeared. "Should I go talk to him?" Lisa pointed upstairs. "He seems like he's had a rough day."
Jennie shook her head, standing up. "No, I'll do it. He's been upset all day. I'll fix it."
"Alright. I'll see y'all tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of the evening." Lisa waved, showing herself out.