Irene's POV:

 

"Finally," I breathed out. I felt my body relax the moment I sat in the van with my fellow members. We just finished another shoot and I was extremely exhausted. My ankles were throbbing and my eyes were hurting from all the flashes.

 

"I could really go for a drink," Wendy groans out while stretching her limbs from the backseat. Joy yawns and nods in agreement while leaning her head on her shoulder,

 

"We should all go out for drinks tonight," She says. Yeri shakes her head while scrolling through her Instagram,

 

"Nope, I refuse," She states. Seulgi looks at her in amusement from beside her,

 

"And why is that?" She asks. Yeri looks up from her phone and turns around to narrow her eyes at Joy,

 

"The last time I went out to drink with Joy, I ended up baby sitting. And trust me, drunk Joy isn't a pretty Joy," She states while turning back around and looking down at her phone. Joy scoffs and kicks the back of her chair,

 

"Okay one, I'm more on the y side than the pretty side, and two you," She says causing me to scowl,

 

"Language!" I Wendy hisses out. Yeri narrows her eyes and turns around,

 

"Say it again, I dare you," She threatens. I roll my eyes as they continued to bicker while leaning my head against the window. I took out my ear phones and placed them in my ears to tune out the children. I look out the window and began to watch the buildings pass by with a heavy feeling in my chest.

 

These are the days where I feel like I'm simply living my life on repeat. 

 

Wake up

 

Dress up

 

Go to a shoot

 

Come home

 

Sleep

 

And repeat.

 

I do love what I do, but there are days where I just want to take control of my own life. Although, I know that isn't possible. But, sometimes I would like to experience something new for a change.

 

Ding

 

I look down at my phone and felt a small smile grow on my face seeing the text ID,

 

Jennie Kim: Hi unnie!

 

Me: Hey, what's up?

 

Jennie Kim: The girls and I are planning on going out tonight and grabbing a few drinks! And don't worry our manager allowed it. Want to join?

 

I purse my lips together and mentally sighed. As tempting as the offer was, I desperately needed a good nights rest. So, I go to decline till a squeal was made by Joy. 

 

"Get ready for tonight girls," she cheers. We turn to look at her. Seulgi furrows her eyebrows in confusion,

 

"Why?" She asks. Joy smirks and turns her phone screen to us,

 

"Rosie just invited us out for drinks tonight and I've already accepted," She says. I roll my eyes and slumped in my chair in annoyance before replying to Jennie.

 

Guess I don't really have a choice then.

 

Me: sure.

 

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.

.

 

"Unnie!" The girls and I look over and noticed Jennie waving us over. I take in a deep breath before forcing out a smile and walking towards them with my group, besides Yeri. 

 

She still refused.

 

"Hey girls!" Wendy says as we seat ourselves on the table with them. Wendy and Joy seat them selves across from Jisoo and Rosé, while Seulgi sat across from Jennie while I sat beside Jennie. I felt slight disappointment wave through me for finding myself sitting across from Lisa.

 

Don't get me wrong, she is extremely nice from what I remember. It's merely the fact that she never really speaks. 

 

She changed somehow. 

 

Lisa used to be energetic and would speak to all of us. Even speak to me. So, you could say I certainly miss her voice. It was adorable. 

 

In a platonic way of course.

 

Purely platonic.

 

"How are you unnie?" Jennie asks. I send a smile,

 

Exhausted.

 

"I'm good, how are you girls? It's been a while since our last meet up," I said. I would alternate my gaze to Jennie and Lisa but Lisa was looking around the bar in curiosity.

 

"Yeah it has been! Congratulations are your comeback by the way. I loved your outfits in Kill This Love Jennie," Seulgi compliments. Which then leaves the two to be in a complimenting competition. I chuckle and look forward to Lisa who still wasn't looking our way.

 

I took that moment to scan her features for some reason. She indeed looked different from the last time I saw her.

 

Her hair was now shoulder length and dark shade of grey. It shaped her face perfectly. And I have never noticed it before but her jaw is extremely sharp. 

 

She's stunning. 

 

But, not wanting to look like an absolute creep, I go to look away but she suddenly turned to me at that same moment. We awkwardly stare at each other  when suddenly, a smile was drawn onto her plump lips. 

 

And that smile caused my heart to skip a beat.

 

My breath hitched in my throat at the sight of it. Her smile was so beautiful that it took me a while to remove my gaze but when I did, I met her eyes.

 

Those eyes.

 

Her eyes were so alluring. How have I not noticed it before? Her dark brown giant doe eyes were mesmerizing to say the least. I couldn't look away, nor did I want to. And for some reason, her smile never faltered and her eyes seemed to soften as they scanned my own.

 

Now, that's new.

 

"What do you want to drink Unnie?" Jennie asks, removing me from my own thoughts. Thoughts that left me in an unfamiliar territory. I quickly shake my head and remove my eyes from Lisa. 

 

A frown was fighting its way out when I did. Why? Because I no longer felt that warmth. Strange.

 

"I'll just have red wine," I replied. Jennie takes the other girls orders and goes to stand up when Lisa beats her to it.

 

"I'll go get it Jennie Unnie," She says and before Jennie could protest Lisa leaves to the bar. I couldn't help but follow her every movement. She was screaming confidence, yet humility. 

 

"Don't mind her silence Unnie, she's shy," Jennie says causing me to look away from the younger one. I tilt my head in confusion,

 

"Why is that?" I asked. Jennie shrugs,

 

"I don't know honestly. She just gets quiet whenever we're around you guys," She causally says. For some reason I felt offended. Why can't she show her really self to us? Specifically me? What am I even thinking?

 

Seulgi then looks over to where Lisa stood at the bar and stands up.

 

"I'll go help Lisa," She says. And before any one of us could say anything else she leaves. I watch her leave and found myself struggling to hold in a scowl seeing Lisa smile at Seulgi in appreciation. I didn't like that feeling.

 

"I should help too," I said so suddenly. Jennie looks over and shakes her head,

 

"You don't have to, they seem like they got it," She says. I turned towards them one more time and frowned seeing them laughing as they made their way towards us. What the hell is so funny? 

 

And why the hell does it seem easier for Lisa to laugh with the others but not me?

 

I immediately turn away from them as they got closer and acted as if I was paying attention to whatever the hell the rest were talking about. Seulgi goes around the table and hands out the girls their drinks when suddenly a slender arm extends from behind me, placing my drink in front of me.

 

I felt a chill go down my spine as the warmth and a sweet scent surrounded me. I look to my right to see Lisa's cheek only inches from my face. Lisa looks at me from the corner of her eyes and I swore I saw a tinge of pink grow into her smooth cheeks.

 

"H-here's your drink Irene Unnie," She shyly stammers out. Cute. I smile and send a small nod as she backed away. She goes around the table and seats herself in front of me. I chuckle as the blush remained her cheeks.

 

"Thank you Lalisa," I said. She flickers her eyes at me,

 

"Lisa," She says. I tilt my head in confusion causing the blush in her cheeks to increase. She clears awkwardly,

 

"Y-you can call me L-Lisa Irene Unnie," She timidly says causing a small laugh to escape my lips. I nod,

 

"If that's the case then you can call me Joohyun," I said. She nods with a shy smile,

 

"Okay Joohyun Unnie," She says causing my smile to widen. For some reason I found my self enjoying the way she said my name a little too much. Lisa matches my smile,

 

"You have a beautiful smile Joohyun Unnie."

 

Now it was my turn to blush.

 

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.

.

 

A few drinks in and everything seemed to be going well. Lisa had finally added herself into the conversation and I felt proud. 

 

I don't know if it was the alcohol in my system or not but I kept finding myself smiling whenever Lisa would smile. Or laugh whenever she would laugh. Everything about her was contagious.

 

"Do you girls want to go to a club?" Rosé asks with Joy giggling on her shoulder. How she founded her way to sit next to Rosé I may never know. I roll my eyes at the sight. Yeri was right,

 

Drunk Joy isn't a pretty Joy.

 

"Sure!" Wendy says while getting up. I had to force out a tight smile. My ankles have been throbbing for hours so I don't know if I could last the rest of the night. But nonetheless I didn't want to seem like a downer so I agreed.

 

So, walking outside the bar I couldn't help but grit my teeth and limp as my the pain in my ankle increased. It felt like it was on fire. Fortunately for me the girls were walking ahead so they didn't notice the discomfort in my face.

 

Or,

 

So I thought.

 

"Hey girls?" Lisa calls out from behind me. We all stop walking and Lisa finds her way beside me.

 

"What's wrong Lisa?" Jisoo asks. 

 

"Joohyun Unnie and I are going to just go back to our dorms," she says. I furrow my eyebrows and go to protest till she stood closer to me and wrapped her arm around my waist causing a blush to creep into my cheeks,

 

"We're tired so were just going to watch some movies, right Unnie?" She asks while looking down at me with a toothy grin. Just seeing that cute smile was causing my brain to grow hazy.

 

What is she doing to me?

 

I gulp nervously and force myself to look at the girls who were eyeing us suspiciously. I clear my throat and nodded my head, trying ignore my racing heart.

 

"Y-Yeah," I stutter out. The girl stare at us for a moment before nodding their heads and telling us to stay safe. I flicker my eyes to Jennie who had a knowing smirk plastered onto her lips before she turned around and caught up with the girls. The moment they were an earshot away from us I turn to Lisa who was typing away on her phone. I clear my throat,

 

"You can let go now you know?" I said. But she only tightened her group and pressed me closer to her side. She places her phone back into her pocket and sends me a concerned look with a gentle smile,

 

"Just lean on me okay? I saw you limping earlier. I already texted our manager to pick us up and take us back to my dorm," she said. I lift my eyebrows,

 

"Your dorm? I can get my manager to pick me up," I said. She only furrows her eyebrows with a tiny pout,

 

"If I let you go on your own, no one will take care of you," she said causing the blush in my cheeks to change into a darker shade of red. I was thanking the heavens above that it was already night time. I had to look away to hide the smile that was trying to escape,

 

"I can take care of myself I am an adult you know?" I said. She then chuckles and walks in front of me causing me to look up at her. Was she always this tall? She crosses her arms and stares at me in amusement,

 

"Id feel more comfortable tonight if you came home with me so I can take care of you," She says. I widen my eyes in surprise with my heart thumping insanely fast against my chest. Lisa's eyes widen at that as well. She seemed stunned from her own words. Lisa awkwardly clears and averts her eyes to the floor,

 

"I.. uh.. only if you're c-comfortable with that of c-course," She stammers out nervously while shifting in her stance uncomfortably. I shake off the surprised feeling and smiled. Her actions were too cute. I take a step closer to and placed my hand on her arm causing her to immediately look up at me.

 

"Okay," I said. She stares at me confusedly,

 

"Okay as in?" She asks. I chuckle and playfully roll my eyes,

 

"Okay as in..." I drag out while taking another step closer to her causing her to stiffen and stare down at me with widened eyes. With the lack of space between us I could easily see Lisa blushing and it caused my smile to widen,

 

"I want you to take care of me."

 

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The whole ride to her dorm my heart wouldn't relax. It kept trying to claw its way out of my chest with subtle touches from Lisa or the way Lisa would continuously ask if I was okay. Others would find her persistence annoying but I felt extremely grateful. 

 

No one, besides my fellow members, had ever shown me this kind of compassion before. And I'm very much enjoying this feeling. 

 

"Lean against the wall first so I can unlock the door," she says. I nod and watch her unlock the door in a hurry causing me to laugh silently. 

 

"I'm not dying Lisa, my ankle is just hurting," I tease causing her to playfully narrow her eyes at me and stick out her tongue.  

 

I was liking this side of Lisa.

 

She successfully unlocks the door and opens it. She extends her hand for me to take with a shy smile. I mimic that smile while averting my eyes to the floor and placing my hand in hers. 

 

No words were spoken when she took my hand in hers and helped me enter the dorm. The warmth of her hand and they way it felt so soft against mine felt overwhelming. Something was shooting down my arm. Something I couldn't understand.

 

It was ghostly yet... special.

 

She silently leads me to the couch and helps me seat myself down.

 

"Stay here, I'll go get an ice pack," She says while rushing out. I chuckle before scanning the living room. I've never been in their dorm before and it was quite cute. Especially with their dolls everywhere. 

 

"Oh!" I gasp in surprise as I felt something soft graze my leg. I look down to see a white kitten with blue eyes purring as she rubbed against my leg. I giggle and lean down to pick her up,

 

"Hello there, what's your name?" I ask. She meows causing me to melt at her cuteness. I bring her closer to me and placed a little peck on her head,

 

"Her name's Lily," Lisa says as she enters with an ice pack in one hand and a T-shirt and sweats in another hand. I put Lily down and took the clothes from Lisa's hand with a look of confusion. She chuckles and motions towards the clothes in my hand.

 

"That's for you to change into. I know you're uncomfortable with your dress right?" She asks. I chuckle while nodding my head. She helps me stand and takes me to the restroom. I enter and turn towards her,

 

"Is this Jennie's?" I ask. She scratches the back of her neck awkwardly with a small smile,

 

"It's mine actually."

 

There goes my heart again.

 

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.

 

"Oh my Gosh," Lisa exclaims as I enter the living room. I look at her in confusion while looking down at the clothes I was wearing,

 

"Is something wrong with the way I'm wearing it?" I asked. She immediately shakes her head with a wide smile,

 

"No you just look super tiny and cute in my clothes," she giggles out causing the heat in my cheeks to return once again. I send her a playful glare while limping towards the couch and seating myself beside her,

 

"For the record, I am not short. You're just as tall as a damn mountain," I tease. She chuckles while nodding her head and sending me a wide smile, showing of her perfectly straight teeth. 

 

"Okay little one," she says with a playful wink. She then surprises me even more when she bends down to take my ankle and gently places it on her thigh. I flinch as she takes the ice pack and places it on my ankle.

 

"I'm sorry, this will help with the pain and the swelling," she says with an apologetic smile. I look down at her hand that was gently massaging my feet and smiled timidly,

 

"I-it's okay," I stutter out. Lisa smiles at me before looking back down and continuing to massage my feet. I felt relaxed yes but my heart refused to remain calm.

 

We stayed silent for moment. No one uttering a single word or sound. I would've thought i would feel uncomfortable with the silence but I felt rather the opposite. It was comforting. It was as if I didn't feel forced to fill the silence. It was, calming. 

 

But, why with her? What made me feel so attracted to this doll like girl beside me? Wait no, scratch that. Why am I now so interested in getting to know this woman here beside me?

 

Maybe because she really is a woman now. Not a young teen anymore. She held this confidence she never use to have. It was captivating to say the least. 

 

I will not lie, my eyes always seemed to follow her whenever she performs. Like I said previously,

 

Stunning.

 

"Hey Lisa?" I call out. She hums in response but doesn't lift her gaze to me. 

 

"Why are you suddenly speaking to me?" I asked. She freezes her movements and slowly lifts her gaze up to mine nervously,

 

"W-what do you mean?" She asks while unconsciously resting her hand on my shin. Not that I was complaining. It felt natural.

 

"You never once spoke to me. So, why now?" I asked. I couldn't hide the disappointment in my tone and she recognized that. She stares at me for a moment before placing my leg back down to the floor and scooting closer to me. She faces forward and clasps her hands together nervously,

 

"Well, I don't know how to answer that honestly because I don't know the answer myself," she says with a dry chuckle. Lisa takes in a deep breath before continuing,

 

"I just—." She stops herself and faces me. I find myself holding in my breath as an unfamiliar look developed in her eyes. That look was causing my heart to burst out of my chest. I have never seen that look on anyone in my life. It was terrifying and intriguing.

 

And seeing as she slowly lifted up her hand and placed a strand of my hair behind my ear, I finally knew what I was feeling. I was indeed attracted to this woman. Oh God.

 

"Every time I'm near you, I can't help but feel something. It's so strange," she says as let's the tip of her fingers linger on my cheek and trail down to my jaw. With each passing second I felt my heart double in rhythm. No. Triple in rhythm. I gulp nervously and force out a chuckle,

 

"Good strange?" I try to tease. She stops her movements and focuses her eyes back to me. Her eyes alternated from my dazed eyes to my lips that suddenly felt dry. I hear her intake a breath as I unconsciously my lips.

 

"Definitely a good strange," She whispers out while leaning closer. I once again hold in my breath as I flicker my eyes to her lips that suddenly looked oh so inviting. I wanted— 

 

No.

 

I needed to taste those lips.

 

But before I could, Lisa had stopped and clenched her jaw while letting out a long breath. She pulls away and roughly rubs her face into her hands. I took that moment to place my hand over my heaving chest and let out a shaky breath.

 

What is happening to me?

 

I've never felt anything like this before.

 

It's was new and exciting.

 

"Lisa?" I nervously squeak out. Her body seemed tense and she was breathing heavily as if she was holding in her control. I slowly place my hand on her shoulder,

 

"A-are you alright?" I ask in a hushed tone. Lisa then removes her face from her hands and faces me. She looks at my lips once more and cursed under her breath,

 

" it," she mutters out. And before I knew it, she had taken my hand off her shoulder, placed her other hand on my waist and pulled me flushed against her body. I gasped in surprise from not only from the sudden contact, but with the way she had suddenly captured my lips with hers.

 

I was frozen, I couldn't move. Everything was too overwhelming. But as her lips began to move gently, against mine, I had immediately fluttered my eyes closed and placed both of my hands on her shoulders to pull her impossibly closer.

 

I felt her smile in my lips for second before pulling my body above hers to the point I was straddling her waist. I gasped in surprise but immediately melted into her body. 

 

Her warmth, her scent, her taste, everything was intoxicating and so addicting that I couldn't stop.

 

I didn't want to stop.

 

The way her lips molded into mine and moved so delicately as if she was afraid to break me had caused my heart to jump out of my chest and hold her. I lower my head to deepen the kiss and s my hands into her hair. 

 

The overwhelming feeling was increasing with each passing second my lips were on hers. 

 

Platonic my .

 

"God you're perfect," she mumbles into my lips as her grip on my waist tightened. I pull her back and moaned in delight as sparks shot through my body causing goosebumps to prickle my skin. This feeling was euphoric.

 

I didn't want it to end.

 

But I knew it had to because oxygen is essential to live you know?

 

So, unfortunately, Lisa and I pull away breathlessly. I rest my forehead against hers as we both tried to steady our breathing. 

 

"I've always wanted to do that," she breathes out with a light chuckle. I pull away and smile down at her flushed cheeks,

 

"I'm glad you did," I said. 

 

Ding

 

I look over to where my phone lay beside us and frowned seeing a message from my manager,

 

Manager: I'm outside, time to go. You have a shoot early in the morning.

 

I sigh in disappointment before sending a small apologetic smile down at Lisa.

 

"I have to go," I said while combing my fingers through my hair. Lisa pouts at that but nods anyways. I chuckle and placed a soft kiss on her lips before pulling away,

 

"I'll call you when I get back yeah?" I said while sliding off of her. A smile paints on her lips and I couldn't help but mimic it.

 

"Okay," She says while taking my hand in hers and intertwining ours fingers together. Our hands fit perfectly and it'll always surprise me. I just know it. She walks me to the door but before she opened it, she swiftly pulled me against her chest and pressed her lips onto mine.

 

I giggle but eagerly responded. She places her hands on my cheeks while I placed mine on her slender waist. She was kissing me so softly that it was making my knees feel weak and my mind to grow foggy. She pulls away and smiles brightly,

 

"Goodnight Joohyun," She says while opening the door. I squeeze her hand one last time with a gentle smile,

 

"Goodnight Lisa."

 

Everything I had felt tonight was absolutely new to me.

 

But it was definitely something I will get use to.

 

Lalisa Manoban, you are something else.

 

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The End