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---
Chapter 2 – The Unspoken Things
(Jennie’s POV)
It was supposed to be just another day.
Another morning where I’d hide behind silence, sit beside the boy who would never love me back, and watch from a distance while he gave his smiles to someone else.
But today… something felt heavier.
Like the weight of what I wasn’t saying was finally pushing down too hard.
---
“Jennie, wait up!”
I didn’t stop walking.
The sound of Lisa’s voice behind me echoed across the hallway, but I didn’t turn around. I didn’t need to. I knew the sound too well. I knew every syllable, every tone.
It was raining again. A light drizzle. The kind of weather I usually liked.
But not today.
“Jennie!”
I heard his footsteps jog up beside me.
“Hey. You okay?” he asked, brushing rain off his jacket.
I finally looked at him. His hair was slightly wet. He looked good in dark denim and a white hoodie layered under a black jacket. Effortless, like always.
“Do I look like I’m not okay?” I asked, voice sharp but calm.
He tilted his head. “Kind of.”
“Then maybe don’t ask questions you already know the answer to.”
He gave me a look. The kind that made people melt. The kind that made girls think he cared.
The worst part was—he did care.
Just not in the way I wanted him to.
---
Later that morning, we had a group project meeting in the student lounge.
Lisa and I were paired with Rosé and Seungmin, a top student from our class.
The project was about building a brand campaign. Lisa was typing notes. Rosé was sketching a logo concept. I was trying not to look at his hand when it brushed mine on the table.
“Jennie, what do you think?” Seungmin asked.
I snapped out of my thoughts.
“Hm?”
“The brand name. Lisa suggested ‘Vibe’. Rosé thinks it’s too generic.”
I glanced at Lisa. He raised his brows playfully, like he always did when waiting for my reaction.
“I think…” I paused, then turned to the screen. “It’s not bold enough. Doesn’t say anything. Just sounds like we’re trying to be trendy.”
Lisa laughed. “Brutal. As expected.”
Rosé smirked. “That’s why we keep her around. She says what the rest of us are afraid to.”
I shrugged, expression blank. “I’m just honest.”
Seungmin chuckled nervously. “Well, honesty works. Let’s think of alternatives.”
As the others talked, I felt Lisa lean closer to me, whispering, “By the way, I think I’m gonna ask Yuna out today.”
I froze.
He said it so casually. Like it didn’t matter.
Like it wouldn’t crush someone sitting inches away from him.
I didn’t let it show.
“Why are you telling me?” I said flatly.
“You’re my friend. I tell you everything.”
Friend.
That word again.
I turned my head slightly, meeting his eyes.
“You sure she’s your type?”
“She’s sweet. Cute. Funny. Isn’t that enough?”
I looked away, pretending to read the notes on his screen.
“I guess,” I said. “If that’s all you want.”
He frowned a little, like he wanted to ask what I meant—but I didn’t let him.
I stood up. “I’ll work on the campaign proposal draft tonight. Text me if you guys change anything.”
“Jennie—wait—”
But I had already walked away.
---
Later that day, I stood alone on the rooftop behind the library—a place few students ever visited. It was quiet. Grey clouds above, wind brushing against my coat. The city below blurred under light rain.
My phone buzzed.
Lisa: “Hey, where did you go? You okay?”
Lisa: “Also… I did it. She said yes.”
Lisa: “We’re going for coffee after class.”
I stared at the messages.
I didn’t reply.
I locked my phone and put it away.
---
That night, I didn’t go home right away. I wandered through the city instead, headphones on, coat pulled tight. I watched couples walking by, laughter in the air, streetlights flickering.
He’s on a date right now.
That thought alone made my chest tighten.
It’s funny, isn’t it?
I’d built an entire fortress around my heart—walls so high no one could get in.
But Lisa climbed over them without even trying.
And now… I was the one bleeding.
---
I sat on a bench near the Han River, staring at the still water. My fingers were cold. I hadn’t realized how long I’d been out.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
It was him.
I let it ring.
Then it stopped.
Then rang again.
He’s probably worried.
I finally answered, voice emotionless. “Yeah?”
“Jennie—where are you?” Lisa’s voice was concerned. “You didn’t answer my texts. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine. Did something happen?”
“No.”
“Then talk to me. Please?”
I was silent for a second too long.
Then I said, “Didn’t you have someone else to talk to tonight?”
He paused.
“That’s… not fair.”
Life isn’t fair, I wanted to say.
Loving you wasn’t fair either.
“Go home, Lisa,” I whispered. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Jennie—”
I ended the call.
---
That night, I cried.
Silently. Alone. The way people like me always do.
Not because he chose someone else.
But because he never knew…
that he was already mine in a million silent ways.
---
To be continued...
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