Chapter 37

Jennie's POV

"Now can you tell us why you just stormed out of the museum like that?" Seulgi asked as she comfortably lay on my hotel bed with her shoes on the sheets.

I shoved her feet down and sat beside her, urging her to give me some space.

"I told you, I was getting tired."

"Is that some other language for I-left-because-Kai-made-a-move-on-me?" Seulgi gave me a cunning smile that I just couldn't resist.

I rolled my eyes as I scrolled through my phone as I read Lisa's messages. "Maybe, maybe not."

From Lisa: Glad to know you're enjoying New York! Which hotel are you staying at? Just so I could imagine I'm with you right now.

Me: We're staying at The Marks at the Upper East Side. Ever heard of it? It's really beautiful and cozy, not too far from the museum. UGH I MISS YOU.

From Lisa: Oh no, haven't heard of it. Upper East Side though, how fancy. I can't wait to see you again baby, I miss you too.

"So did she take a trip down memory lane? Played the blame game? Snog you?" Seulgi threw out some random guesses. "Deliberately grew a boner in front of you? Tried to touch your... "

"Seulgi!" I shot her a glare, playfully whacking the side of her head.

"She's very vocal about being your ex though," Irene teasingly grinned as she hopped on the bed next to us in her pajamas. "I bet she's not over you yet."

Seulgi jumped out of my bed and transferred to Irene's. "High-five to that," she held her hand up. I bet they just wanted some bed action.

"You're right about your first three guesses except I didn't let her snog me," I said as I typed my reply to Lisa.

Me: Anyway, how's your story going? Got any new idea? :)

From Lisa: Yeah, I've written a few. I'm close to halfway. I just wasn't able to write that much because my ninety-five year old nan is a party animal.

Me: That is so adorable! Your nan rocks. I wish I could meet her someday.

From Lisa: You will meet my whole family one day.

"So what are you going to do about Kai?" Seulgi asked.

"Uh, nothing? We're leaving Monday morning."

"But like, what if you had the chance to have either Kai or Lisa for the rest of your life? Didn't tonight make you feel anything new?" Irene questioned.

"And what if Lisa loves you just as much as Kai does?" Seulgi added. "I mean, it's totally a hypothetical question."

I giggled as I continued to text. "I'm telling Lisa you guys are bombarding me with questions like a bunch of paps."

Me: Seulgi and Irene won't leave me alone. They keep asking me about you.

From Lisa: Tell Seulgi to shut up.

Me: Why?

From Lisa: Oh. Idk.

Me: I thought you didn't use text lingo?

From Lisa: I learned from you. LOL.

"I think we should call it a night," Irene yawned, pulling the sheets over her body. "My feet are killing me. I'm never wearing five-inch heels again."

"You'd look good in sweats and converse, babe," Seulgi winked at her.

Irene blushed and smiled at her but didn't say a word, she just give her a quick peck before Seulgi head on the couch..

I glanced at the time and smirked at Seulgi. "Yeah, it's almost one am and I'm tired. Taemin must've been enjoying his solo."

I looked at Irene and we both burst into a fit of laughter. When we arrived here early this morning, Taemin was complaining because the room he got had one huge bed, which he uses alone.

"He's actually such a fun to hangout with," Seulgi shrugged.

When Seulgi plopped herself on the couch, Irene and I both leaned to the side to switch off our lamps.

"Goodnight unnie," I said, before turning around to face the wall while cuddling with the hotel's body pillow.

"Hey Jennie?" Irene quietly spoke up.

"Yeah?"

"I know you've only known each other for a while, but I could already tell how much you and Lisa mean to each other."

I turned back around to face her, even if I could only see her silhouette. "Really?"

"The way you and Lisa look at each other is very different compared to the stolen glances you and Kai shared tonight.

"That's because Lisa really is different," I smiled to myself, picturing her cheerful face in my mind.

"You've got a keeper, Jennie."

"I might have just found myself one," I murmured.

I unlocked my phone and sent Lisa one last message.

Me: Goodnight Lisa. I'm too sleepy to function, but I'll give you a call tomorrow, yeah? Can't wait to see you on Monday

From Lisa: I'll see you soon, love.

**

The next day, Irene and I were both awakened by Taemin and Seulgi's loud voices as they loudly talk inside the room.

"It's almost ten, wake up!" Seulgi started jumping on my bed like an annoying eight-year old. "Wake up, Jennie!"

"What is your problem??" I groaned as I tried to kick her out with my feet.

I felt another person sit on the edge of my bed, and that person was Taemin. "We need to explore Central Park!" he said. His cold hands crept up to my feet and started to pull me down the bed.

"You guys... are evil," I muttered, forcing myself back up before burying my face on the pillow.

I felt a pillow land on my hip coming from Irene's area.

"Jennie, why are your friends like this?!" she mumbled groggily, still sounding half-asleep.

"Oh, come on Irene," Seulgi cooed sweetly as she walked towards Irene's bed. "You've had enough beauty sleep – and you don't even need it anymore. It's time to explore New York!"

"What's up with the eagerness?" I finally decided to open my eyes. "We've got all day to explore the city."

"Exactly and we wouldn't want to waste that," Taemin snorted.

"But I barely had any sleep," I muttered, tossing my head back on my pillow.

"Yeah, because you were too busy thinking about whatever you and Kai did when you disappeared together," Seulgi teased.

Taemin' slyly smiled at me as he playfully puckered his lips. "A love affair with your ex, huh?"

"Nothing happened," I rolled my eyes. "I'm getting up and taking a shower now so you guys can shut up."

**

Jongin's POV

It was a crowded Sunday night in New York today and there were barely any vacant seats at the bars. We ended up going back to the hotel that Taemin and Jennie stayed in and made the most of the high-class bar they had in it.

I knew Jennie tried to avoid me most of the time, especially when we started ordering our alcoholic drinks. I could tell she wanted Seulgi to sit beside her but I beat her to it.

"You're not having any drinks, Jennie?" I asked her.

"Not really in the mood for it now," she shook her head politely.

Taemin held up his glass and clinked it against mine. "So, Kim Jongin, after experiencing life in New York for three months so far, what have you missed the most in SoKor?"

"Well, for one, I missed you guys," I glanced at her and Jennie.

Seulgi started to go 'awwww' but stopped when she realized no one was joining her.

"I also miss the food and the little restaurants," I added. "Also the weather, even if it kind of sucks. I miss everything about SoKor to be honest."

"Would you go back to visit if you had the chance?" Seulgi asked.

I looked at Jennie and smiled. "I definitely would."

The tension in the room was undeniable. Jennie wasn't making it any easier for me. She kept glancing at her phone then she would look at me and then quickly look away. A part of me wanted to ignore her as a way of torturing her, but another part of me wanted to take her on this counter and kiss the hell out of her.

She was so freaking stubborn. I thought this was going to be easy for me but she was avoiding me in more ways than I thought she actually would.

At around eleven at night, Taemin and Seulgi were starting to get drunk and make loud noises at the bar. Jennie glanced at Seulgi, looking worried. "Seul, I think we need to get you back up to the room now."

"Let her have fun, Jennie," I rolled my eyes. "It's not every night you get to have a good drink in NYC."

Jennie's expression was blank but firm. All of a sudden, she grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to one corner. "I have to tell you something," she hissed.

"What is it, love?" I smiled at her as I looked down on her pretty face  the dumpling face that I have undeniably missed.

"Well, you're not going to like this but you need to know," she crossed her arms, keeping her distance.

Seulgi's loud voice interrupted, causing almost everyone in the bar to look at us.

"Oh, look who it is! What are you. . . " she slurred, but then she suddenly stopped in the middle of her sentence.

When I looked back at Jennie, a tall, familiar girl with blonde long hair was slowly walking behind her with a huge grin on her face. She snaked one of her arms around  Jennie's waist from behind, and then covered her eyes with her other hand.

"Guess who?" she whispered in her ear.

I blinked twice and squinted my eyes, making sure I wasn't just imagining things. When I finally realized who it was, I dropped my bottle of beer on the floor, causing a loud shattering noise.

"Lisa??" I gasped in shock as I curled my fists in anger, feeling the entire world spin around me.

Her hand dropped from Jennie's face as she stared at me in wonder. "Who are you?"

When I glanced back at Jennie, she looked like she was about to pass out as she slowly took a few steps back, quickly pushing Lisa away from me.