When Jennie asked Lisa to stay with her, Lisa has none the slightest idea of how it would turn out to be. Lisa has no idea how close should she stay with Jennie, because by the time that they got back to the garden where the dinner was set up, Jennie has never let go of Lisa after that.

Not even for a second did Lisa not feel Jennie's hand on her. If ever Jennie would let go of her hand, Jennie's hand will manage to stay clutched on her dress, or on her shoulder, or on her arm, or on her back, or in some instances - and much to Lisa's dismay and somehow, joy - on her waist.

Lisa, at times, try to take Jennie's hands off her for either reason: first, she's not used to it, and second, she's afraid for her alarmingly increasing heart rate.

Lisa should be thanking the heavens that she's not standing idly and idiotically in a corner anymore since Jennie drags her wherever Jennie will go.

Lisa should also be thankful since now she doesn't feel as out of place, but she's not feeling any better since she's not out of place. For whoever talks to Jennie, talks to her.

She has been acquainted with almost all of Jennie's clan by the time the gathering reaches its last hour. Whenever Jennie is met with a relative, Lisa is compelled to talk to them as well.

Nobody asks who Lisa was. Lisa doesn't know why either, she likes to think that maybe because they really didn't care who she was or what she's even doing there. Not that it's a bad thing, Lisa is actually more thankful they don't ask about her or she would be rigid as a stick in answering and keeping a conversation going.

But one fateful relative had the guts to finally ask the question Lisa is trying to avoid.

"Hi, Auntie." Lisa bows at a middle-aged woman Lisa assumes - from how Jennie addresses the woman - as the former's aunt. When Lisa sees Jennie bow, she does the same.

"Ruby Jane!" The woman hugs Jennie, and Lisa could just watch in unease as Jennie's aunt then turns to her, "And...?"

Lisa quickly looks at Jennie, and fortunately, Jennie gets it.

"Ah, Auntie!" Jennie prompts Lisa to go front, "This is Lisa."

"Hello, Lisa." Jennie's aunt bows, and Lisa returns it by bowing five more times, so Jennie was left rolling her eyes internally, "You are Jennie's... ?"

The question made both Jennie and Lisa look at each other.

Oh, no.

Lisa is what to Jennie, anyway?

Lisa's eyebrows are closely joined together and she can see Jennie's eyebrows bind together thinking of an answer as well.

"I'm... I'm," Lisa stutters as she thinks.

Servant? Guest? At least a friend?

Seriously, what am I to Jennie?

This was the time Lisa was waiting for, for Jennie to finally label their relationship.

And that was the time Lisa's heart drops yet again when Jennie does put a label between them, "This is Lisa. My... school mate."

Nope, not even friends. Even worse than strangers.

"Ah," Jennie's aunt nods slowly, "Well, it's nice that you're able to come here and join us, Lisa."

Lisa smiles at Jennie's aunt while trying not to look as bitter about Jennie's answer.

"But Ruby Jane, you look more beautiful than I remembered!" Jennie's aunt politely bows to Lisa before turning to Jennie, "I'm sure a lot of boys are asking you out, huh? Come on, you can tell Auntie everything." With her tone, Lisa could tell that she was just teasing Jennie. Like how all aunts and grandmas ask their nieces and grandchildren.

But what Lisa could not tell is why she mentally scoffs and lightly shakes her head from the thought of all of Jennie's admirers back in Seoul alone.

"Oh, no, Auntie." Jennie softly laughs, "It's just right."

"No need to be timid about it, Ruby Jane," Jennie's aunt smiles yet again.

Yeah. No need to be humble about it, school mate.

"Beauty runs in our blood." And Jennie's aunt finishes it with that.

Jennie only smiles at the comment as she bows her head for her aunt starts greeting their other relatives.

Jennie sighs, and then throws a smile at Lisa's way, "Could you still keep up?"

Lisa was looking down when Jennie asks, so she has to force herself to turn to Jennie's direction and fake a smile, "Yeah."

No need to question Jennie's label about their relationship when everything is already set clear, right?

------------------

Lisa decides to have another punch to drown her feelings along with her drink.

"Damn, that was good." Lisa sighs the words. She somehow managed to convince Jennie to let her off from the older girl's grip and breathe in some air.

She sits at a nearby chair that was quite distant from the people flocking together. Lisa closes her eyes to straighten her thoughts.

Why was she suddenly feeling these sick emotions again? So what if Jennie doesn't think of them as something more than school mates or guests or strangers? It has always been like that, so how is it any different from now?

Jennie always, always made it clear that Lisa means absolutely nothing to Jennie. Why did Lisa even hope for something more?

"I'm so stupid." Lisa shakes her head as she heaves another sigh.

"Why, hello there again, Lisa."

Lisa's meditation was cut short when he heard the familiar soothing voice of a man.

She turns to look at the person, "And hello there again, Sehun."

Sehun smiles as he asks, "Is this seat taken?"

"No," She shakes her head, and then returns the smile, "Unless you decide to?"

"But of course," Sehun sits beside Lisa, "Who could resist you?"

Lisa only giggles at his antics, and she hears him do the same.

Then she hears Sehun ask, "Where's my snotty cousin?"

Lisa chokes a laugh from how Sehun described Jennie, "She's somewhere out there."

"Good!" He exhales, "Look, Lisa. Don't believe what Jennie said about me. It's not entirely true."

"I know." Lisa leans her head on one of her hands for support, "She might be over reacting."

"She is." He weakly laughs, "I guess you somehow think I'm a jerk now, huh?"

"Hmmm," Lisa hums, "Maybe a little bit."

Sehun only smiles again, "It's alright." Then he motions with his thumb and index finger almost meeting, "I am... a little bit."

It was Lisa's turn to laugh softly, "We all are in some sense, it's alright. You're alright."

That was when Lisa feels her heat skipping beats again, for Sehun gives her a smile. A smile that was not asking to be laid, but a sweet, chaste smile.

And Lisa was sure Sehun was about to say something again, but was quickly cut off when they hear an angry,

"Haven't I told you to stay away from her, Sehun?!"

Lisa and Sehun haven't fully turned around yet when Sehun whispers, "And here's my snotty cousin to ruin yet another of our moments together." Which made Lisa smile for no reason. Maybe calling Jennie names was helpful in mending what she feels right now.

"And haven't I told you to stay away from him, Lisa?!" Jennie stands in between them while prompting Lisa to stand up.

"We were just having a chat, Jennie." Lisa says weakly, not budging from where she was seated.

"I just turned around and I see you flirting with my asswipe of a cousin again." Jennie then turns to glare at Sehun.

"Hey, no need to go that far." Sehun fakes a pained expression.

"Sehun, stay away from Lisa, alright?" Jennie widens her eyes, but speaks more calmly now, "She's not your typical..."

Lisa sees Jennie look for the words to say, "... bitch to play with, okay?"

Ouch.

"Whoa!" Sehun finally stands up, "It's okay with me for you to insult me, but to insult the girls I've been with is a different story."

"You've played with." Jennie quickly corrects him, and Lisa could just only watch in silence again as the cousins throw words at each other.

"I did not, Jennie!" Sehun flings his arms upward, "What even makes you think that?"

"I could name at least ten of the girls you've cheated and messed around with. Don't make me, Sehun."

"I'm not trying on anything with Lisa." Sehun sighs.

"Yeah, because I'm not allowing you to." Jennie finally pulls Lisa up, "We're going."

Lisa swears this has happened before already, with Sehun clicking his tongue and with her being dragged away by Jennie.

Leaving Lisa more confused than ever.