I don’t know why I had the urge to comfort Jennie, it was like my body moved on it’s own.

 

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have..I don’t know what got over me...” I apologized to Jisoo, who shook her head at me, “You didn’t do anything wrong Rosie..she’s just..you see there’s just some personal matters that..”

 

“You don’t have to try to explain Jisoo.” I interrupt her, “I get it, it’s her story..and we’re practically strangers. But will she be okay?” I asked. I usually don’t pry, but with her...it’s like I had to know.

 

“She will be.”

 

“Did something happen to her in Melbourne?” Lisa asked.

 

“Let’s just say she lost something very important there.”

 

“Well, would you like us to take you home now?” Lisa changed the topic, and Jisoo nodded her head smiling at us.

 

“Alright, let me go settle the bill.” Lisa offered.

 

“No it’s fine. I can get it Lis.”

 

“No no, you two stay I’ll set..”

 

“No, I'll go. No more arguing.” Lisa’s tone was stern, “I’ll be back.”

 

As Lisa left the table, Jisoo and I were left in a comfortable silence.

 

“You feel familiar to me.” Jisoo suddenly spoke up, playing with the rim of her glass. Her eyes gazing at the water melancholically.

 

“I’m sorry?”

 

Jisoo shakes her head, smiling while looking at me, “It’s nothing Rosie. Just know that I’m thankful for what you did today, with Jennie.”

 

 

“Well she looked like she was about to have a panic attack.”

 

“No it’s not that.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“For the first time in a long time..” Jisoo pauses, her smile losing it’s shine just for a second, “there was that light in her eyes again..even though it was brief.”

 

“I’m confused.” I chuckled, trying to ease this somber mood.

 

 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. Don’t take my words too seriously. Now let’s go?” Jisoo tilts her head towards Lisa’s direction, “I think she’s done.”

 

~ ~ ~ ~

 

“You okay?” Lisa asked after we dropped Jisoo off at her place.

 

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

 

“You just...seem a little off...and I don’t know if they noticed it, but you couldn’t keep your eyes off of Jennie earlier. Does my little Rosie have a crush?” Lisa teases me. I just roll my eyes at her.

 

“I don’t and can you just focus on driving. Watch your speed.” I remind her and she nods.

 

“But do you?” She asks again after a few minutes.

 

“I don’t.”

 

“But??” Lisa pushes, and sometimes I wish she wasn’t so persistent.

 

“But when I saw her, my heart began to beat so hard against my chest..but it also felt like someone was squeezing it..I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like..”

 

“Rosie, that’s called having your breath taken away. And I don’t blame you, Jennie is very beautiful.”

 

“No not like that...this was different..like I said, I don’t know how to describe it..and earlier when I saw her looking so pale, I couldn’t stop myself from comforting her.”

 

“Hmmm..” Lisa frowned a bit, I can tell she was in deep thought.

 

“Don’t worry about Lili...it might just be my heart acting up again.”

 

“Again? I thought your cardiologist said things are still A-okay?”

 

 

“Yes they are, don’t worry. I was talking about that one time.”

 

“Okay...make sure you tell me if something happens.”

 

“Don’t worry. Remember the doc said it’s normal since my body was getting used to this heart.”

 

“Right.”

 

“But it’s interesting isn’t it..”

 

“What?”

 

“How I can suddenly do things I couldn’t before.”

 

“Yeah...like you suddenly being ambidextrous and your art style changing sometimes...”

 

“I know..it’s weird, but what’s even weirder is that sometimes when I draw...I like get too lost in it or something because suddenly I have a finished canvas.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Yeah...and for some reason..the scenes I draw they feel like a memory of some sort. It’s just weird. Aly thinks it’s the whole broody artist in me that went through a traumatic experience. And she may be right. But it’s like each painting is part of a story. Of who’s or whom...I don’t know.”

 

“Interesting.” Lisa nods her head, her face making that expression that usually got us both into trouble as children.

 

“Okay whatever you're thinking right now Lalisa, stop. I think it’s just my coping mechanism for my trauma.”

 

“I wasn’t thinking anything.”

 

“Mhm sure.”

 

“Really!”

 

“Right right okay.” I just nod, pretending to believe her.

 

“Well we’re here.” Lisa pulls into the parking garage of our building.

 

“We having brekkie at yours or mine?” I ask as we walk towards our own condo units.

 

“Hmmm...considering the fact I can’t cook to save my life, yours. Or we can just go grab something in the morning?”

 

“Let’s go out. Try some new places around here.”

 

“Okay..see you tomorrow Rosie.”

 

“Goodnight!” I call out to Lisa before she disappears inside her condo.

 

I made my way to my room, getting ready for bed like usual. But even though my body was tired, my mind was awake. So instead of going to bed, I went to the next room, dubbed “Rosie’s Art Room” by Lisa.

 

 

I stared at the paintings that were leaning against the wall. I’ve separated them in two...one that I recognize as my own art style which is realism...and one that I developed after the accident, impressionism.. The difference being that my usual art style captures a lot of fine details, whereas my new style shows things “in the moment,” like a still gif.

 

As I sat in front of the blank canvas, my mind went back to the conversation I had with Lisa in the car, “A story…” I whisper to myself, getting up and laying each canvas out from my new art style in order from oldest to newest.

 

“Winter, spring, summer, fal..” I noticed a pattern I didn’t realize before, “And this woman…” I notice a woman in the center of all my paintings...she doesn’t have a face, it’s just her from the back, “Just how or who or what…?” I questioned, frowning, because I didn’t have an answer.

 

“I should stop thinking about it..” I sat back down in front of my easel, lifting my pencil starting to sketch a draft.

-

“What is it?” Chaeyoung asked, seeing the blush and smile on her girlfriend’s face.

 

“I..it’s nothing.” Jennie turned away, facing the other side of the bedroom, towards the window.

 

It’s been two months since the two officially began to date, after years of pining, and teasing from their friends.

 

“It can’t be nothing if you can’t even look me in the eye.” Chaeyoung replied, placing an arm around Jennie, pulling her towards her body, successfully spooning the girl, “What’s up?” The tall brunette insisted, placing a loving kiss on Jennie’s head.

 

“I just noticed something you do...and it makes me a bit shy...” Jennie admitted, turning around in Chaeyoung’s arms.

 

“And that is?"

 

“Your pupils..they dilate when you look at me. I usually can’t tell,” Jennie answered, looking into Chaeyoung’s eyes, “But when the sun hits your eyes, making the color of your eyes lighter...I see it.”

 

“Oh?” Chaeyoung lifts a hand, trying to cover her eyes, but Jennie stops her. She smiled, reaching a hand out to tuck the loose strand of Chaeyoung’s hair behind her ear, “Did you know,” Jennie began, “Your pupils dilate when you look at something or at someone you love.”

 

“Really? I didn’t know that.” Chaeyoung replies, feeling like her own physiology just betrayed her. It’s still too early to tell Jennie those words yet, even though they’ve been saying it to each other since they were kids...but it would be different this time...and Chaeyoung worries it’s too early.

 

“Mmhmm, it’s a response that we can’t control.” Jennie pulls Chaeyoung out of her thoughts, “And it makes me shy, happy, and I just...it makes me want to say it but…” Jennie looks down, feeling shy and slightly embarrassed.

 

“I love you.” Chaeyoung blurts out, she couldn’t contain it anymore. She’s been in-love with the girl in her arms since they were in boarding school together, “I know it’s only been 2 months, but we’ve known each other for so long that I just…”

 

“I love you too.” Jennie’s eyes were sincere, and Chaeyoung caught it...the way Jennie’s eyes dilated when her gaze landed on her face.

 

-

 

“Rosie...hey wake up.” I feel someone shaking my body.

 

“Huh?” I open my eyes to see Lisa standing next to my bed.

 

When did I go to bed last night?

 

“What time is it?” I groaned, getting up.

 

“Well, it’s quarter till 7 and if you want to have breakfast before you head to the office, you better get your cute little in the shower.”

 

“Omg that’s right!” I sprung out of bed and rushed to my bathroom.

 

~ ~

 

“So why’d you look so frazzled this morning?” Lisa asked as we ate at a nearby cafe.

 

“Nothing, I guess I was too tired from painting last night that I don’t even remember going to bed...sorry I woke up late.” I apologized.

 

“It’s fine Rosie, I had a feeling you were still sleeping when you didn’t answer me when I asked which place would be better.”

 

“Mhm…” I nodded, noticing that it was almost 9, “We should go, I still gotta grab Ms. Kim’s coffee and bagel.”

 

“I thought they cleared the whole you’re not the secretary fiasco?”

 

“They did, but Sejeong asked me a favor yesterday. I guess Ms. Kim liked the coffee I made and asked me to make it just until Minjeong starts.”

“You’re too nice Rosie. It’s not your job you know.”

 

“Yeah, but if it puts my boss in a good mood and approves my projects then it’s definitely part of my job.” I laugh, wondering who this mysterious Ms. Kim really is.

 

“Plus I’ll meet her today for the first time, so I really want to make sure she’s in a good mood. You know if I get fired I gotta head back home.”

 

“True...we better get you to the office then. Wouldn’t want you leaving me all alone here.”

 

“Aww you won’t move back to Melbs with me?” I playfully pouted.

 

“Nahhh Aly got you there.” Lisa stuck her tongue out, “Now c’mon let’s go. I still gotta prepare for the shoot today.”

 

~ ~ ~ ~

 

“Thanks again for doing this Ms. Park.” Sejeong beams.

 

“It’s really no problem, and just call me Rosie okay? Don’t be too formal.” I smile back, handing her the coffee and bagel.

 

“Anyways, I better get going. I still have to finish a few things before my meeting. Have a good day Sejeong.” I nod at the girl before heading to my office.

 

The day went by faster than I’d like. I feel like I blinked and all of a sudden it’s time for my meeting with Ms. Kim.

 

“Hey Rosie, you ready?” Nayeon asks as we make our way to the conference room.

 

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I hope I don’t disappoint her.” I frown a bit.

 

“Trust me, you won’t.” Nayeon had a mischievous tone in her voice, but I didn’t question it. I notice my team seems to be very playful, maybe it’s because they’re all friends first before workmates.

 

“What do you…”

 

“Rosie!” The others greet me as Nayeon opens the door for us, “thought you might have run away.” Jackson teases.

 

“Of course not. Though I’m a little nervous since I haven’t met our boss formally yet..”

 

“You’ll be fine, trust us. Jen likes you.”

 

“Jen?” I caught the nickname, could it be, “Wait are you talking ab..”

 

 

“Oh looks like everyone is already here.” I heard a familiar voice from behind me and Nayeon, “Good afternoon Rosie.”

 

“Jennie?!” I turned to see the shorter brunette who literally ran out at dinner last night, and I may or may not have been worrying about her.

 

“Didn’t anyone tell you who the CEO is?” She chuckles at me and I just awkwardly smile in return.

 

Good job Roseanne, you totally freaked your boss out last night. I mentally facepalmed myself.

 

“Well I just realized they all referred to you as Jen..so...I mean I guess I should have put two and two together.”

 

“For a lawyer...that sure is slow of you Rosie.” Yeri teases and we all laugh.

 

“Alright, let’s all get this meeting started.” Jennie sits down, and we all follow suit. The air goes from playful to serious as soon as we are all seated.

 

“So for the next issue, this is the theme I chose.” I motioned everyone to open the folders I had handed out, “Pink?” Everyone voiced out and I almost laughed at their confused expression.

 

“Yes. You see, I recently learned that pink roses mean gratitude or to show appreciation. And the color pink, though often used to symbolize love and romance, also symbolises acceptance.”

 

“So gratitude and acceptance is the actual theme, but you want to symbolise this through the use of the color pink?” Jennie asks me.

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Well…” I pause looking around the room, trying to decide how much I want to share, “Something happened to me before I moved here. And in a way, I want this issue to be my way of thanking the person who saved me and accepting what has happened in the past. I also want our audience to look at this issue and think of it as a fresh start. And the release date will match the cherry blossom season.”

 

“What do you think Jen?” Nayeon asked after a brief pause.

 

“I like it.” Jennie smiles, “Spring is also the time of rebirth...of change.” Jennie’s tone seemed off, but I didn’t question it.

 

After a few discussions on the workload divide, the meeting finally ended.

 

“Jen.” Nayeon calls out, as we begin to gather our things.

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Have lunch with us.” She states, rather than asks.

 

“Oh..seems serious, is this a work related or..”

 

“It’s personal…”

 

“I see..”

 

“Chu will be there too. I’ll drive.” Seulgi speaks up, and I catch them glance at me briefly before looking back at Jennie.

 

I want to ask what’s going on, especially with the events from last night. But I know it’s not my place. We’re not even friends and she’s my boss. I don’t know the story, and maybe it’s not something she shares.

 

“Don’t worry about me. I made plans with a friend. You guys enjoy.” I smile, before excusing myself.

 

It’s none of my concern…..but why am I so worried?

 

~ ~ ~ ~

A/n: BRUHHH WE 5 FOR 5 that’s whats up. A certain company can’t relate 👀👀👀🤭🤭

 

Also, I’ve decided not to separate Memories from this collection, because I am lazy….and I tend to disappear on my ongoings….so yeah...but this also means that Memories will most likely take a bulk of this collection (with the way things are going it will be 10 or more parts….maybe after it’s complete I’ll move it...idk..)

 

Let’s see if I can keep this up tomorrow too.

 

Tell me what you think below or in my dms. I want to know what you guys are curious about, what you think will happen, or anything you notice. Because things will really start to simmer soon.

 

 

 

Hasta leugo