Chapter 10

[ Someone has some work to do ]

From Jen: Are you headed home?

From Lisa: Is school out yet?

Rosé replied 'yes' to the both of them as she walked towards her car, a cute little bug. Her phone vibrated again not seconds later.

From Jen: Please come over, I need you.

Rosé froze. The head cheerleader never asked her for help except for when she was really desperate. Another reply shook her out of her thoughts.

From Lisa: Can you stop by? It's... important.

The hot nerd's eyes bulged. Great. The badass needed her as well. 'Important' was their code word because Lisa almost never deemed something 'important'.

Well fuck. What could possibly be wrong with BOTH of them? Maybe the fight? It was pretty brutal. Maybe... the kiss? She had walked up to them before Jungkook had approached and honestly... she was a little too enthralled by what her two friends were doing to even see him coming.

If she was mesmerized by it there was no way that Lisa and Jennie wouldn't be... so maybe that was it? But what would they need her for now..?

Knowing those two, they probably did or said something stupid. That must've been it. She sighed heavily and typed:

To Jen : What did Lisa do?

To Lisa: What did Jennie do?

The blonde's message came first this time.

From Lisa: Please Chaeng, just come over. I really just need someone to talk to. PLEASE.

Dammit. This was serious.

Rosé waited for the brunette's reply. Knowing that Lisa can wait for her, and Jennie would probably send her a long and vagueー oh, there it is.

From Jen: Fucking hell, Chae. I fucked up. REALLY bad. I drove Lisa to my place to check on her injuries and we had a moment or something and she... she fucking KISSED me! I panicked girl. I said a lot of shitty things that I didn't mean and... god fucking dammit why didn't you tell me her dad hit her? God I feel like such a bitch! Please just get over here! NOW!

Oh my god. She thought as the message processed in her brain, the pieces coming together.

Lisa's dad HIT her?

But... the badass said that he didn't? She was lyingー of course she was lying! Fucking Lalisa Manoban with her pride. Rosé sighed again (really, she had the two most complicated friends)... she knew which one needed her more now.

To Jen: I'm sorry girl, I can't. I'll be over in a couple hoursー please don't do anything stupid. Love you.

To Lisa: I'm on my way.

[•••]

Lisa was currently lying on her couch wrapped up in her favorite blanketー it was covered in unicorns, fraying at the edges and only fit around half of her body but she loved it.

That fight with Jennie brought up a lot of hurtful things that she constantly tried to forget about, and right now she was trying hard not to burst into tears.

"Lis?" a soft voice said. Rosé had helped herself in, like always. As soon as she saw the blonde, she rushed over to her. "Hey you, come here..." she softly whispered, concerned. The red headed girl lifted her head and got on the couch so that she was laid on her lap.

"Everything's so messed up, Chaeng." Lisa's voice trembled. She ditched the pillow she was originally holding and clutched onto Rosé's leg instead. The badass was more like a little kid at heartー a side of her almost no one got to see.

"Tell me," she said, stroking her friend's hair and trying to avoid the cuts on her face.

"I justー I kissed... Kim."

Rosé played dumb and said," Yeah I know, I saw."

"N-no I mean, like when she brought me home. She just looked so cute and she was cleaning my cuts and I don't know, I just kissed her!"

"Do you like her?" The hot nerd asked abruptly. She found out over the years that it was best to be blunt with the blonde. She could immediately see the blush on Lisa's cheeks.

"W-why don't you sound surprised? I kissed Jennie."

"Don't change the subject." The badass blinked at her forcefulness.

"I don't know... I'm definitely... attracted to her. I don't know, I've never 'liked' anyone before. Only lusted after."

"Well, is that all you feel for her?"

"Ugh I don't know Chaeng, okay? I mean, of course I do but I don't know if there's something more..."

Rosé knew though. The Thai girl had never even thought of liking someone before, she might not be able to read her own feelings but Rosé sure could.

"It doesn't matter anyway. She hates me."

"I'm sure she doesn't HATE you, Lis. You've helped her out a lot this past week." Lisa shook her head as much as their position allowed her to.

"No, Chaeng. You don't know what she said. You don't know what I said." Rosé stayed silent, contemplating what to sayー or at least, how to exactly say it.

"Why didn't you tell me your dad hit you?" Lisa shot up and looked at her wide eyed.

"How did youー uhm.., w-what?" she stuttered.

"Lis, it's okay. I understand," She reassured, rubbing her shoulder lightly.

"Did Jennie tell you?" she nodded.

"I just want to let you know that I could've helped you."

"I-I know... but I was scared."

Rosé sighed and hugged the girl again so that Lisa was tucked under her chin. If anyone from school walked in they wouldn't believe their eyes.

Badass Lalisa Manoban hugging nerdy Chaeyoung's waist and her eyes shut tight trying to hold back tears. Rosé felt so bad for her friend, and if it was the other Korean girl's fault for bringing up those memories. She was gonna get an ass whooping.

"It s-started in the summer before seventh grade," Lisa started.

"It's okay Lis, you don't have to tell me."

"No, I want to."

"Okay," Rosé could only nod, knowing that it was hard for her to talk about.

"The first time was when his drinking started to become a 'problem.' We were alone in the house and he asked me to get him another beer. I told him that he already had too much. T-then we started to argue and he was already SO drunk, he just hit me." Rosé's jaw dropped.

"Lisa, no..." she lowly gasped.

"I– it wasn't too hard. Just a s-slap. It scared me more than it hurts," tears were close to the surface but Lisa remained strong.

"But Lisa, your dad physically harmed you. He should go to jail. Why didn't you tell your mom?"

"He said that if I told her then he'd hurt her too... I just wanted to protect her. And little Nico," Rosé's heart was breaking for her friend all over again. People thought so low of her when really, she was a better person than any of them would ever be.

The red headed girl had only met her dad in person once, on accident when she went to Lisa's to hangout. They had just gone past 'hitting on the hot tutor' and were starting to develop a friendship. Actually, met wasn't exactly the right word...

FLASHBACK

The two sophomores sat on Lisa's bedroom floor watching Hercules with Nicoー he liked Meg and thought she was pretty (so did Lisa [she likes girls with sass]).

"Hey Lizzie, do you have any food?" Sophomore Rosé asked.

"Uh-huh," the doe eyed girl answered, completely engrossed in the movie. Rosé huffed; she probably didn't even hear the question.

"Well, I'm going to get us some food." She tried again.

"Uh-huh."

"Little N? Do you want anything?"

"Uh-huh," the little boy replied with the same expression as his older sister.

Rosé just rolled her eyes and got up. Looks like she'd have to get it herself, and the kitchen seemed like a good start. Maybe she'd have some time to fry some bacon..?

When she descended the stairs she was met by a man she had never met before she could reach the kitchen.

She looked at him calculatively. He had shaggy brown hair and his stuble was unkempt. She also noticed he had striking brown eyes. They weren't like Lisa's soft hazel brown or Nico's lighter brown, they were darker and his lids were tired. Everything about him unsettled the teenager.

"You're Lisa's dad?" she cautiously asked. Rosé had known Lisa for about a year and a half at this time and she had never once seen the man, only her mom (who absolutely loved her).

"Yeah? Who are you and what are you doing here in my house?" He snapped.

Rosé's eyes widened. Was she not allowed to be over? Was her dad stricter than her mom?

"I uhm- I'm your daughter's friend. We were just-"

"DAD!" Sophomore Lisa's voice came from behind her. She was barreling down the stairs. And the way of how her tone raised, she didn't sound happy.

"Lisa," he sighed whilst the taller girl's eyes narrowed.

"Get out," Rosé looked at her in surprise. How could she get away with being so harsh with her dad?

"Lisa Iー"

"I said get out. NOW." But he didn't move.

"Chaeng, can you go watch Nico?" Sophomore Rosé looked between the two Manobans, it was one of the only times she looked unsure of herself. Slowly, she turned around and walked back up the stairs, out of sight.

But she was curious. And she liked to know things; she crouched down and listened in on their conversation.

"I'm sorry, Lisa. I promise this time I mean it." But the badass didn't take a second to think of his words.

"I don't care. You have no right to come here and terrorize my friend. This isn't your house anymore."

Rosé didn't know her parents were divorced, but it confirmed her earlier assumption.

"I have a right to know what is going on in your life, Lalisa."

"No you don't! God dammit when are you going to get it through your head! You lost that priviledge a long time ago."

Hearing the Thai girl so mad made Rosé to rethink her snooping. She felt like she was intruding on something a little too sensitive (she was) and she went back to her room to see Nico right where they left him.

"Loshy pasta, Nics snacks?"

"Oh sorry kid... I must've forgot! I'm sure Lis will get some," she chuckled nervously.

Nico looked at her funny; he was pretty smart for his age.

They both heard the door slam downstairs and then heard feet coming up the stairs.

"Sorry guys, I couldn't decide between snacks." Lisa said with her beaming smile, but Rosé could tell that she was still shaken from seeing her dad.

She plopped between the two of them and set down a couple bags of chips and candy.

"So what'd I miss?"

It was as if nothing happened.

END FLASHBACK

After that, she got even more glimpses into the badass' life and one day she asked her to come over and just cried her eyes out.

"Lisa, you can't keep letting him treat you like this..." she said, coming back to reality.

"He doesn't," she said quickly.

The red headed girl blinked twice. "What happened?"

"The third time he hit me it was harder... I-it left a bruise and my mom wanted to know what happened. I lied and said someone's bullying me, so she enrolled me self-defense classes."

Well, that explained why she was such a good fighter and why she put up with no one's shit.

"The next time he tried it was in front of my mom,"

"Oh lord, Liー"

"And I hit back."

[•••]

After that, they talked some more and Lisa continued to surprise Rosé. Until the dancer finally fell asleep in her lap.

Reluctantly, she checked her phone, ready for the onslaught of messages that were bound to be waiting for her.

From Jen: What? Why!

From Jen: PARK CHAEYOUNG. Where the fuck are you?

From Jen: Chaeyoung :( Pleeeeaase come.

From Jen: :,( :,( :,( D: D: </3

From Jen: :(

From Jen: ...you're with Lili, aren't you?

From Jen: okay okay but please just get over here when you can.

Rosé felt immensely guilty for leaving Jennie but she had to understand that Lisa's problem was really serious... not that Jennie's wasn't butー oh you get it!

Lifting the blonde's head from her lap carefully, she replaced herself with a pillow and left a short note for her before leaving the house. Time to go console another friend.

[•••]

Jennie knew she should be thinking about something more important, less family shaming things rather than what she was thinking right now. She should have been thinking about how bad it was that Lisa's dad abused her and how the motherfucker should be locked up. Or maybe how Lisa's cuts were doing and if she hurt badlyー even thinking about Jungkook would be a better alternative than this.

But Lisa's lips on hers, it was all she could think aboutー it consumed her. The feel of those pouty pink lips pressing into her own.

Gently.

She had been so damn gentle. No demand, no rush, nobody to impress.

She had never been kissed like that. The kiss in the hallway had been her doingー forceful and animalistic, meant to fuel Jungkook's rage. While the kiss on the couch had been because Lisa wanted to.

Jennie had wanted to.

...did that make her gay?

Fuck, even thinking it made her paranoid.

No, she couldn't be GAY. Her parents were extremely old-fashioned, especially with the way her grandparents raised them. She wasn't exactly a homophobe but her parents sure were. To them, everything was about how you presented yourself.

It was about looking good and having the best manners. She was raised to live by the family's book. And the book had many rules:

Rule one of the Kim's book: Always come out on top.

Rule two of the Kim's book: Be the envy of everyone around you.

Rule three of the Kim's book: Love is weakness, fear is power.

Her mom and dad weren't even in love when they were married. Their marriage was arranged because both of their families played by the same rules. Over the years, they learned to live with one anotherー to raise HER.

Her dad was a world renowned doctor; whilst her mom was a powerful lawyer who was hired by the highest people. It only fit that she looked absolutely perfect.

Straight A's, honor roll, head cheerleader, popular, volunteered at the local hospital, and straight.

Pretending to date a girl was okay because it was pretend. She was convinced that if her parents ever found out about it (they didn't) they would be proud of how cunning and manipulative girl she was being. But now... she had kissed a girl. Twice. And liked it.

To anyone, especially her parents, that was EXTREMELY gay.

So was she gay? How the hell would she know? She had only kissed one girl! That couldn't make her gay could it?

Jennie's chest tightened as she thought about it.

Could it?

"Jennie?" The voice broke her out of her thoughts and she screamed.

"Jen? Oh my god what's wrong?" Rosé asked barging in. The other Korean girl was panting and trembling. Sweat running down her body in beads.

"C-Chae?" She stuttered, "I c-can'tー"

Rosé rushed to her side and started wiping her face and rubbing her arms.

"Breath Jen, breath. Slowly, come on." She went through the movements with her and the brunette eventually took deep and steady breaths, her heart rate slowing.

"I think you just had a panic attack."

The head cheerleader nodded.

"Am I gay?" Rosé looked at her sadly, seeing how scared she looked.

"Girl..."

"I-I don't know why I'm feeling these things. My parentsー"

"Your parents are insane," the red headed girl said as if she'd said it many times before.

And she has.

"Butー"

"Is this about Lisa?"

Jennie automatically looked down. She wanted to feel shameful about her... feelings, but all she could do was blush like a school girl with a crush. Which, technically, she was.

Shit.

She had a CRUSH on Lisa.

Lalisa Manoban, the local badass who fucked anyone willing. Lisa, who ditched classes and smoked under the bleachers. Lisa who could down shots like a champ, who could beat up football players twice her size.

Lisa... with her long flowing blonde hair and those freaking doe eyes. With abs she wanted to run her tongue up and downー and lips she wanted to kiss all night. Lisa who had a vagina and boobs and was most definitely FEMALE.

GAY Jennie, so so gay.

"Being gay isn't a bad thing, Jen."

"I'm not gay!" She snapped instinctively, her face contorting into an angry scowl before her eyes widened. "I'm sorry, it's just... this is so..."

"I know. It's okay to feel these things, Jennie. Your parents shouldn't dictate how you feel."

"Butー"

"Shut up and listen," the hot nerd demanded.

"Girl, you shouldn't hide your feelings no matter what they are. It will drive you crazy till you explode. If you're gay you're gay. If you're not, then you're not. This is 2018, people are gay. Some people are bi. To me and a lot of people, it doesn't matter." Jennie waited to see if she was done talking before she tell her piece.

"Thanks, Chae..." she said, looking down. The brunette was still unsure about this whole thing.

"Remember that no matter what, I'll still love youー platonic of course." Jennie finally cracked a smile and rolled her eyes playfully as she pushed her nerd bestfriend.

"I don't know, Chae... maybe I'm just confused... besides, she probably hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, I promise."

"You don't know what I said to her. She hated me."

"I know enough," she said knowingly.

"So you WERE with her?"

"Mhm."

"H-how is she?"

"A little beat but she's Lisa. She'll bounce back." That made Jennie sighed in relief; she hoped the girl would be alright.

"You know you don't have to figure it out right now."

"What?" The brunette asked, playing dumb.

Cue 'The Chaeyoung Look.'

"Okay, I know..."

"And when you figure it out I'll be here to tease you about how hot you think Lis is."

"Chaeyoung!"

Two seconds later, the hot nerd was pushed onto the floor.

[•••]

Fast update because I know ya'll gonna be busy streaming soon! Tehee~

•••••••

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