Chapter 34.

Find Lisa. There was just this one single thought in Jennie's mind as she arrived in the school the next morning. She had barely slept last night, tossing and turning in her bed, analyzing the beautiful words that she had overheard. For the first time she admitted to herself that it was possible that Lisa truly loved her. "What she did was unbelievable. Just unbelievable. I've been to many schools and this is the first time that I feel liked and accepted. And it's all because of Lisa. Sweet, caring, thoughtful Lisa. How can I ever repay her for that? And she didn't even want any recognition for it, she even made sure that I'd never find out about it." Jennie's heart was melting at her own thoughts. "She must really love me, is there any other explanation?" But there was still some lingering doubt in her head. During her eighteen years of life no one really loved her so accepting Lisa's love for a fact was still very difficult for her. Like a giant hurdle that you just can't jump over, no matter how hard you try.

Suddenly she heard a message echoing from school's loudspeakers:

"Instead of the first class all students are invited to the main auditorium. Director Lee will make a very important announcement."

Jennie instantly hurried to the indicated place, but couldn't spot Lisa anywhere. She sat down and fixed her gaze on the entrance, praying for Lisa to appear. Five minutes later, director Lee walked up on the stage and began talking to the microphone. Jennie sighed, irritated. Damn it, all students were there, the entire school, but Lisa was nowhere to be seen!

Meanwhile Lisa was doing her best not to be late for class. She overslept and was now running through the corridor, wondering why it was empty at this hour. She arrived just on time, but the class was closed.

"Where are you? The auditorium, hurry up!" the message from Rosé appeared on her phone. Lisa entered silently while director Lee was already talking. She plopped down in the nearby chair, not anticipating that one of the most crucial moments in her life was about to happen.

"We investigated the act of vandalism which occurred in our cafeteria this month and unfortunately we couldn't determine who had done such a deplorable act. However, we also agreed that it cannot go unpunished. Therefore, the school board is considering to ask the police to perform a full investigation instead. The police will have access to all security camera footage and, given their experience, will have a much better chance to find the culprit."

Lisa's mind raced at full speed, churning a million thoughts per second. "No, it can't be true! What if they find out that it was Jennie? What if the cameras caught Jennie during her blackout? Jennie using her telekinetic powers to demolish the cafeteria? Everyone will be afraid of her again! She'll be treated like a freak again, she'll be hated again! No, no, no, it can't happen!"

"However," Ms. Lee went on, "involving the police may be damaging to our school's reputation, so I'd like to use it only as a last resort. Therefore, if the perpetrator confesses within twenty four hours, the police will not be informed. That would be all, you can go back to-" she suddenly paused seeing a tall, thin, blonde girl standing up in the audience.

"Do you have a question?" she asked.

"No." Lisa made a dramatic pause. "I want to confess. It was me." she said and the entire auditorium erupted with gasps and astonished whispers.

Ms. Lee barely contained her surprise, she didn't expect anyone to own up right there, publicly. "Please accompany me to my office. And the rest of you are free to return to your classes." she said and Lisa obediently followed her.

Nothing could have prepared Jennie for such a shock. She sat frozen in her seat, her hands grabbing the armrests so strongly that her knuckles turned white.

"I always knew Lisa had attitude issues." some student commented nearby.

"Yeah, she just can't control herself, this bitch is just violent."

"She got what she deserved, it will go into her file and she can say goodbye to her medical college."

Jennie shivered when she heard it. Her heart was full of two conflicting emotions, sadness and happiness fighting for dominance.

Sadness because she knew that Lisa's dream about becoming a doctor was over, a prestigious college would never accept a student who perpetrated an act of vandalism.

Happiness because she was now completely sure that Lisa loved her. Jennie could never believe in words, but Lisa just proved her love with her actions, sacrificing her goal, her lifelong dream, her entire future to protect the person she loved. It was an irrefutable evidence.

The auditorium was long deserted but Jennie was still sitting in her chair, experiencing something she had waited for eighteen years, all her life.

The feeling of being loved. And it was wonderful.

When a light is turned on in complete darkness and suddenly everything is visible, you feel safer, more confident, happier. Jennie was experiencing something very similar: the feeling of being loved was the light which glowed inside her heart and banished the darkness.

Waking from the daydream, she rose to her feet with determination and rushed to the door with a clear decision in her mind. "No, this isn't over. I won't let it happen. I'll fight for your future Lisa, I can't let you sacrifice yourself."

She arrived at the door of the director's office just in time to see Lisa coming out. Her resigned face brightened a little when she noticed Jennie.

"Liz, why did you do this?" the question was whispered so emotionally that Lisa gulped and bit her lip trying to quell the incoming wave of feelings. She remained silent and Jennie walked over to her, amazed how pure and innocent Lisa's face looked.

Jennie threw her arms around her and hugged her, their cheeks touching and after a second she felt Lisa hugging her back. She could feel Lisa's breathing in her ear and her eyes brimmed with tears from emotion.

"I know you love me now, I know it. I'm so sorry for taking so long to realize it, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she kept whispering.

"Don't be sorry, Jen, I understand that, I've always understood." Lisa whispered back.

"I can't even began to explain how thankful I am for what you did, I know how you worked hard to make people accept me, I know about the Music Club, I know everything. You're so amazing Liz, kind, gentle, generous... Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. Ever." They were both sniffing repeatedly, struggling to hold back tears. "You made me happy."

"That's all I wanted Jen, that's all I wanted." Lisa's reply was barely audible.

They stayed embraced, in silence, for another minute. When they finally loosened the hug and wiped their eyes, Jennie looked at her friend intently and said:

"Now let's go and tell Ms. Lee the truth."

"No Jen, wait-" Lisa tried to stop her, but it was too late, Jennie knocked on the door and came inside.