//it's sad to belong to someone else when the right one comes along//

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Lisa's POV

"ONE YEAR? NO. DEFINITELY NOT." I shouted at her from across the room. She stood there staring at me with pleading eyes.

"I'm only asking for one more year babe. I promise this will be the last one."

"That's too long! And I can't even come because that goddamn management won't let me."

I looked away from her as soon as her eyes started to well up. I can never say no to her once she cries.

She walked towards me then held my hands, "Please babe. I know I keep on postponing our wedding for my career but you know what a great opportunity this is for me."

"Then why can't we just get married before you go?"

She chuckled.

"You know I want a big wedding right? The kind that people will call 'wedding of the century' or something like that." Then she smiled, revealing her perfect set of white teeth.

I remember her first commercial was for a toothpaste brand. We were hanging out in the arcade when a guy around 40 asked her if she wanted to model for the brand. At first, we laughed. We didn't think he was serious. I mean a random guy just walks up to you and offers you a ticket to fame and stardom? I don't think that happens in real life.

But it did for her. I was so happy the day she barged into my bedroom and told me the good news. From that commercial, she got an invitation to join a reality show. She didn't win that show but the heads of the network discovered she has a talent for singing.

And everything went up from there. My childhood bestfriend turned highschool girlfriend became a sensational pop star. She began getting invitations from talk shows and has been asked to guest every week in the Sunday noon time show What's Up!

"You know I'm beginning to think you don't really want to marry me," I pouted at her. "You can just say so, you know."

"Don't say that. You know how much we wanted to get married ever since we were 16. Nothing has changed." Then she planted a soft kiss on my lips.

I sighed, "I can't believe I'm gonna marry THE Mina." She laughed.

"Well, it's not surprising for her," she said as she rubbed her nose against mine. "So please babe, just let me do this. I really really want this so bad."

I sighed. I don't want our wedding to be delayed for another year. But I can't say no to her, to this.

Since she started getting fans from different parts of the world because of her latest album, the management decided that she should go on a world tour. Who wouldn't say yes to that? I know how much this means to her. She values her career very much and this is a big step for that.

"Fine," she squealed in delight. "But promise me one thing."

"Anything"

"We're getting married the moment you get back. Okay?"

"Promise. So you're gonna plan the wedding on your own?"
 

"No. We're gonna talk about it on skype. You can still talk to me every night right?"

"Of course," she sat on my lap. "Hey babe"

"Yeah?" I said while inhaling her scent.

"Nothing's gonna change right?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know," she said, fiddling with her fingers. She always does that when she's nervous or tensed. "We're not gonna be one of those couples who fall apart after not seeing each other for a long time, right?"

I can't help but smile at her. She hasn't changed at all. People say that when a person becomes famous, he or she starts to change. Personality-wise.

But not my Mina. She's still the same humble, down-to-earth girl I fell in love with.

"Yes we won't be one of those couples. And besides, this is not the first time we're gonna postpone the wedding. What's one more year right?" Then I kissed the tip of her nose.

We've been together since high school. I'm sure a year can't do anything to change our love for each other.

***

"You sure you don't want me to come with you to the airport?"

"Nah you don't have to. And it's gonna be harder for me to leave if you're there."

"I wish I could come to the trip though. Isn't there a way for me to go? I mean I could pay for everything. My fare, food, everything."

She laughed. "Babe, you have a job here. You've got that movie you're directing. You can't just put that on hold to become a stage girlfriend on this tour."

I pouted, "But I want to. You know I always was and still am your biggest fan right?"

"My parents would disagree with you," she chuckled. "Kidding. Yeah, I know that."

I traced her jawline with my thumb, "I can't believe I won't be seeing this beautiful face for a year. God, what am I gonna do without you?"

"Finish your movie. I would love it if I could watch it when I get back."

She's right. I should invest all my time finishing the movie I'm directing. To be honest, I haven't even started the filming proper. Heck, I haven't even finished making the script yet.

I've been so unproductive this past year because I was so devoted to being a stage girlfriend. I always come with Mina on mall shows, tv guestings, and after parties. That's why I'm so devastated when I found out I couldn't come to her world tour.

"Hey today's the day you're gonna move in to your new condo right?"

Oh yeah. Well you see I had problems with my former condo. I just couldn't leave that place before since that's been my home for the past 8 years. But lately there's been a problem with the security when one of the tenants got robbed so I decided maybe it's time to get a new place.

"Oh right. Shoot I forgot I have to call Sana to ask her to help me."

"Too bad I won't be able to see your new place yet." She frowned

"Hey cheer up. There will be plenty of time for that in the future." I assured her.

Moments later, we heard a knock coming from the door. That's it. She has to leave.

After a few (okay, A LOT) last minute reminders, she finally managed to leave me.

"Don't party too much while I'm not around"

"Don't forget to drink your vitamins each night"

"Always remember to clean the air purifier every now and then"

"Can you please quit smoking? You know how much it bothers me"
 

It's like I'm more of her child than her girlfriend.

Instead of calling Sana, I just texted her to ask for the favor. I'm sure she'll get it anyway.

True enough, she arrived at the doorstep 20 minutes after I sent the text.

"You're moving? I can't believe you didn't tell me. ME, YOUR BESTFRIEND. YOUR BESTEST FRIEND." I just rolled my eyes at her.

I'm sorry, she's really dramatic.

She walked inside and went straight to the refrigerator.
 

"You know this is what I like about celebrities. They stock their fridge full of delicious stuff they can't even eat because they're trying to avoid getting fat so someone else ends up benefitting from it. Like me." She said while opening a jar of Nutella.

I don't even mind. She's been doing that since we were in college. Did I mention she lived with me for 4 years?

She was looking for a place near the university and since I don't mind having a roommate, I offered mine.

We met each other during the entrance test for the university we studied in. I remember that day clearly. She is the only exam taker who didn't look nervous. We were on the same line before entering the test room and she was just whistling the theme song of Friends. If I remember correctly she even slept during the Math part of the test. I wasn't sure if she finished really quick or she didn't answer the test at all.
 

How did we meet? We went to the bathroom at the same time. I was minding my own business when she opened a topic about how unfair the university is. Of course I was confused why she wanted to enter the school yet she didn't look up to it like others did.

Years later I found out she only studied in that university because everyone from her family went there. AND graduated as either summa or magna laude. Do you know how proud her parents were when she graduated as laude? Trick question, they weren't. She got drunk that night at the celebratory party and cursed her family. She kept going on about all her grudges eversince she was a kid. She even said she's gonna have her surname changed.
 

So you can say I've been her family (the only one she considers, at least) since we were 16.

It took a while for me to get her out of Mina's penthouse. If I didn't say I'd treat her to some drinks after we finish we probably still haven't left.

"Why didn't you just let the moving guys move all your stuff? You really had to leave some to make it hard" she said while lifting a box of dvds.
 

"I only left the valuable ones. I don't trust anyone with my dvds, books, and action figures."

We stepped into the elevator and with one press, it swooped up.
 

I gotta say, this new place is so worth the few extra cash I had to pay. It suits my style. The color of the walls are beige with traces of brown. There are two bedrooms and the living room is quite spacious.

"Wow can I live with you again?" Sana widened her eyes in surprise.
 

I just laughed at her. "I actually chose this one because I know I'm gonna need an extra bedroom in case you show up unexpectedly."
 

"Aw I'm touched," she even pretended like she was about to cry. "But seriously I am gonna crash here a lot."
 

I was just gonna arrange all my stuff before we head out to the bar when Sana got a call from her boss and was forced to come on the site to fix the problem. She's an aeronautical engineer by the way. I know, sounds fancy right?

"I'm gonna have to take a rain check Manoban. I'll get back to you on those free drinks 'kay?"
 

I just nodded then she left. I guess I'm gonna have to stay at home and work on my script.
 

I poured some scotch for myself, took my laptop and a box of cigarettes, then proceeded to the balcony. I put on my earphones to avoid any sort of distraction.
 

2 hours has passed and there is no improvement on the script I'm writing. This is one of those times when I can relate to Spongebob on that one episode where he had to write an essay but couldn't.
 

God, I'm having an intense writer's block. It's been weeks since I last added something to this script.
 

Realizing I'm getting nowhere on this, I decided to shut down my laptop and just take a shower instead. Hopefully some ideas come to me while doing so.

---

Third Person's POV
 

The moment she moved into the building (which is 6 years ago), Jennie Kim has always been loved by everyone. You couldn't find one person who can say anything wrong about her.
 

Other than her extremely good social skills, she also has a knack for baking. Last Christmas Party everybody was so impressed with the Strawberry Shortcake she brought that they thought it was bought from a famous bakery. Instead of being offended that they didn't believe she baked it, she was flattered that everyone love it.
 

Because of that, she formed a habit of baking for others. And the new tenant from 18A is no exception.
 

Hearing that someone is moving to the newly renovated room across the hall, Jennie decided she should bake cookies as a welcome gift.

She vividly remembers the conversation she had with her twin while baking the cookies.
 

"I hope she'll like this"

"Are you crazy? Everyone loves your cookies. Mrs. Turner even said she'd want you to teach her some time"

"Not everyone has the same preferences, Chu"

"Why is it so important for you to be liked by this new neighbor?"

"Because we haven't had any neighbor across the hall for 2 years" she answered, not mentioning that she needed the new neighbor to like her because she's not used to not being liked.

After the cookies were baked, they needed to cool down for another half hour. Which means she has to guard it well in case her sister sneaks a bite. She couldn't count the times she had to swat Jisoo's hand to prevent her from eating the cookies.
 

The moment the cookies have cooled down, she immediately arranged them in a basket and put a note on it saying 'Welcome to the building! :)' then she proceeded to the room across theirs.

***

Lisa was so drawn into the music blasting from the speakers in the bathroom that she didn't notice someone's knocking at her door. If it weren't for the pause between the song she was playing, the knocker must've waited another 20 minutes before she got out from there. She was a little annoyed for being disturbed while she was in the zone. I bet it's just Sana, she thought to herself.

 

Meanwhile, Jennie thought her new neighbor isn't home so she decided she should just leave and come back later.
 

She was about to turn around when the door opened, revealing a tall blonde woman wearing only a tank top and a towel draped around her waist.
 

"Hello there gorgeous" she thought to herself. But of course it would be crazy if she'd actually say that. So she just said "Welcome to the building!" while handing her the basket of cookies.
 

Lisa's irritated look was immediately replaced by a huge smile. She didn't know neighbors were this nice here. She should've moved sooner.
 

She took the basket from the lady and invited her to come in.
 

"I'm so sorry I didn't think I would be having a guest so I didn't put on any decent clothes"

 

Jennie blushed at the mention of the subject, "No it's okay. I understand." She looked around the place and noticed several boxes scattered. "What time did you move in?"

 

"3 hours ago," she replied before disappearing into the room on the far left side of the living room and came back out with denim shorts on this time. Barely being able to contain her excitement, she proceeded to the counter top to open the basket of cookies. You can't blame her, no one's ever baked for her before.
 

Mina doesn't know how to cook. Let alone bake. Lisa knows how to cook several dishes but she wasn't really satisfied with anything she made. Though a lot of people have already said she makes a kickass lasagna.
 

"These are really good!" Lisa exclaimed. Jennie couldn't help but give a triumphant smile. "What's in these?" She asked while savoring the bite-sized pieces of heaven playing with her taste buds.
 

"The usual. Though I guess it's the crushed peanuts that added the crunchy texture."
 

As soon as she said that, Lisa began choking. "There are peanuts in this?"

"Yes I put some to--OHMYGOD WHY IS YOUR FACE TURNING RED"
 

"Peanuts... allergy... heart... palpitating..." Lisa replied, barely being able to breathe. "Medicine cabinet..." she pointed to the bathroom. Jennie immediately ran to get the medicine.
 

"There's only cough drops here!" She ran back to the living room. "Should I take you to the hospital?" Jennie didn't notice her voice has gone up an octave because of panic.
 

Lisa only nodded at her so Jennie ran back to their place to get the keys to her car then went to the hospital.

 

After her heart rate went back to normal, Lisa was discharged from the hospital. Jennie came to her the moment she got out of the emergency room. The blonde woman immediately noticed how the brunette couldn't look her in the eye.

"Hey don't feel bad. You didn't know."

"But still. That was the worst first meeting in the history of first meetings." Lisa couldn't help but laugh.
 

"I suggest we don't declare that our first meeting. Let's forget everything that happened in the past hour"
 

Jennie finally looked up to her. "Really? We can do that?"
 

"Of course we can. Now we're back to square one," Lisa stretched out her hand, "Hi I'm Lisa. Lalisa Manoban. And I'm your new neighbor"

 

"Jennie. Jennie Kim," she shook Lisa's hand. "Nice to meet you, new neighbor.

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