Never Ending Lies

PARTY CRASHER

(Jennie)

    "Oh my god!"

    "Is that Lisa Manoban?"

    "No way!"

    "Who invited her?"

    "Probably one of her buddies from school." The conversation between my friends harbored around a mixture of shock, disguise, and annoyance as our long lost missing former classmate walked through my door and entering my home with the notion to clearly crash my party.

    I was at a lost for words as my heart did somersaults behind my contradicting rib cage, it has been about two years since Lisa had transferred out of Melbourne High School. My eyes lingered down the body of my unexpected guest noting each visible curve that clung to her form, complementing it greatly. The past two years had been amazing to the girl I hadn't seen socially in years. Feeling a dryness in my throat causing me to avert my sight and take drink just to become withdrawn from the apparent staring.

    "When was the last time she even showed up to any Melbourne High event?" Ask Rosé Park, the former base position on the squad she played with the newly added red dyed tips to her long blonde hair. Her eye's scoping the intruders presence in a little less inviting and entranced like I shamefully was.

    "Can't recall. Normally, she avoided them like the plague last I knew. Can't blame her though. After the whole thing with Somi. Answered Irene Bae, the former girls varsity soccer goalie shurgged before running her hands through her long brunette hair.

    "No way! Can't be that long, right?" Wendy Shon asked. The bubbly debate team captain spoke in disbelief.

    "Jen?" I heard Rosé call bringing me out of whatever trance I was in.

    "Huh? Ah... wait.. last I remember was a few Lacrosse games." I answered practically at a mumble trying to recall the last time we were "blessed" with Lisa's presence. My eyes once again glancing over to the girl who was now swarmed by other party goers whose greedy hands touched the girls flawless body, engulfing it in tight embraces.

    A slight twinge of jealousy coursed within me with a glare that could probably be felt from across the room at the others who held the black eyed goddess attention and not I. Soon, that feeling was replaced by embarrassment when Lisa's eyes locked with mine from across the room; grinning. Turning away, I felt my cheeks starting to warm notifying that I was in fact blushing like a school girl when Lisa smiled at me.

    "Uh oh, looks like someone still has a crush..." Irene cooed drawing out the word "still" dramatically.

    "Shut up." I bit back annoyed at my friends loud announcement of her words as if she was intending to have the whole party know.

    "Ew! Really? Lisa's nothing but trouble. A complete waste of time. A heart break willing to happen." Wendy replied repulsively with clear cut negativity in her words.

    "All f**k boys are. No matter the gender." Rosé agreed.

    "Now that's not fair! You girls barely know Lisa, none of us really do since that whole incident with Somi and--" I spoke with speaking of mine and Rosé's old cheer captain.

    "Look who's talking Ms. Perfect. Did you try?" Rosé spoke cutting me off as she crossed her arms along her chest as if forgetting that she was still talking to current captain of the team til the end of the summer.

    "I did actually. When Somi first started bringing Lisa around to practice and when I had classes with her." I debated practically spitting out my words and crossing my arms along my chest as my friends sought out a conflict.

    My friends were quite.

    "I tried striking up conversations with Lisa each chance I could, it was like trying to get blood from the stone. Half the time, she either nodded or spoke very little. She was shy. Then one day, if you remember I was actually having a decent conversation with Lisa, Somi got possessive as s**t and shoved her snake of a tongue down Lisa's throat. She made me do suicide squats all week!" I continued practically in a volcanic rage at all of their close minded judgmental behavior.

    "Well, your ass did look amazing that week." Irene stated trying to lighten the mood as there was a tension among us now.

    "So, what did you learn?" Rosé asked.

    I sighed calming myself down before answering, "What little I could read from her was this; this Lisa that we've grown accustom to isn't her. This player alter ego she's adopted because of that whole messed up and uncalled for situation. Lisa, the real Lisa I experienced was kind and sweet, funny, smart... warm. The complete opposite of a "f**k boy". Deep down under this charade is still the same Lisa Manoban I knew."

    I sighed taking a deep breath realizing why I was still so smitten over Lisa after all these years and hoping I said what I had to in order to put an end to this witch trail. My blood warmed the inside of my skin and caused butterflies to flutter within me. I never understood what it was about Lisa that kept. me so drawn to her, I guess it'll always remain a mystery.

    "Prove it." Wendy spoke interrupting my peace.

    "What?" I asked not knowing the meaning behind her words.

    "Did I stutter? If you think Lisa's 'behavior' is an act, prove it." Wendy stated.

    "How?" I questioned seeing a flaw in the not so thought through plan.

    "Get her to open up and shed her cloak or whatever and prove there's still a beating and capable of loving heart inside her. I dare you, Jen." Wendy challenged me with not just her words but with her body language as well.

    "Then what? Break her heart again? Put her through that torment a second time? No, I won't do it and you can drop dead for even thinking that I would do something like that!" I spoke furiously trying not to raise my voice and cause a scene as I stood my ground at Wendy's proposal.

    "Scared?" Irene commented.

    "Of what?" I practically laughed arching my eyebrows awaiting an explanation.

    "That you can't do it." She answered.

    "Oh no, Jen can do it. What she's probably scared of is being played in the process and being one of Lisa's trophies." Rosé added coming to defense.

    "Finally give up her virginity." Wendy mocked as if my s****l status was a joke. A sickened knot twisted in my stomach as my cheeks started to blush just like always when my friends start talking about s*x, like their experiences and preferences and what not with graphic detail.

    They all knew how I feel about s*x and how I believe it to be more honorable to myself to wait and experience something so intimate as that; giving myself to somebody to that extent until I was in love and felt like I could trust that person. I mean, I just personally think it's beautiful when someone can resist such pressure and willing to be different. I think it will make it more special if I wait for one person, than to do it all the time with anyone I want. But, that's me.

    Honestly, I don't mind listening to them when they talk about sex... sometimes. But sometimes, it really is too awkward when they start bragging and I get frustrated and want to do it too, but ultimately, I know I'll wait no matter how long it might take. Secretly, I fear that I'll never meet someone who shares my values, not here.

    "Maybe Lisa can take Jen upstairs later and show her a thing or two like, oh... my.... god!" Wendy groaned making a perfect O shape with her mouth while running her hands through her hair and touching her body seductively.

   "Oh Lisa, yes Lisa!" Irene and Rosé joined in with Wendy's mockery.

    "You girls are so immature." I scoffed rolling my eyes to look around me, hoping that no one was paying attention to this.

    "Oh s***k me...."

    "Yes daddy... ah.... don't stop.."

    "God I'm... ahhhh."

    My embarrassment was complete. Everyone who knows the feeling of embarrassment would notice that my cheeks were flushing with the rest of my face  and neck as adrenaline pump fresh blood and oxygen through my body was probably turning my skin red. This was one of the moments I wished I could disappear and slip away from the scene, praying to God that there were no eavesdroppers.

    Even though I was probably as red as a strawberry, I couldn't help containing my laughter wondering why half the time I was friends with these weirdos; which wasn't really hard to see when it came to this motley crew. Although there are times we had our differences, we love each other no matter what. We are always there for one another when things got rough. Friendship is an interesting kind of love as there's no contract legally binding us together, because at the end of the day and after the breakups, mistakes, or whatever life throws at us, we choose those special few we always want to be in our lives, and those are the ones worth sticking with.

    "Are you done yet?" I asked chuckling as the other three continued their outburst of laughter causing them to crunch over holding their hips.

    "All seriousness Jen, you do need to get laid." Wendy spoke boldly reclaiming oxygen into her lungs.

    "Yeah, you defiantly need more than just your own two hands and crappy mood music." Rosé added.

    "I do not touc--"

    "Hey, where did Lisa go?" Irene asked cutting me off and interrupting my protest to Rosé's crude assumption.

    Turning around, I suddenly felt heart broken that Lisa wasn't standing at the door like earlier. Where did she go? Did she leave? I know we weren't exactly friends back then but we had something for sure if she was willing to talk to me back in tenth grade but the fact that Lisa just come and gone without a simple hello or goodbye left me kind of hurt. I mean she saw where I was and hadn't moved.

    "Maybe she left?" Rosé shrugged at the obvious notion.

    "Yeah, yeah, you guys probably scared her off with your grotesque groaning." I joked and rolled my eyes while trying to hide the fact I was a little upset.

    "Or perhaps... she's upstairs. Waiting for you in your room seductively displayed on your bed; ready to make you purr Jen." Wendy spoke walking closer to me, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively placing a hand on my shoulder.

    "Oh my god! I can't with you guys, especially you, Wendy. I'm walking away now." I announced as I felt utterly humiliated at this point again, wishing I could disappear.

    Grabbing my cup before retreating, I quickly spun on the heel of my foot when my body collided with something hard and strong yet warm and soft; the condense of my cup spilling out and onto whatever I had hit as my body froze.

    I was stuck in my spot scared if not horrified to look up and come facing whoever's outfit I must of ruined, slowly my gaze ran up along the body that stood in front of me and to my horror I had not just casually bumped into a strange party goer. No. A large lump formed at the base of my throat as it came hard to breath as I came eye to eye; being faced with the object of most desire; Lisa Manoban.

    "Nice to see you again too, Jennie Kim." Lisa grinned with her hands on my shoulders as she steadied my body, the way she said my name send a river of chills along my spine, I couldn't speak. I just gawked at how blue Lisa's eyes were at the moment and how the crystal blue orbs had a gleam in the dilated iris's that glistened as she smiled. They were so the blue that they froze me in place, they were so captivating. It seemed to extend farther than I could ever comprehend. Yes, Lisa's eyes were black; yet that didn't even begin to explain all the complicated depths and colors that were there too. They are so mesmerizing that it is as if they looked deep into my soul. I could not take my eyes off of them.

    "He- h-hey Lisa." I finally managed to choke out finding my voice. Her grin grew wider as she took note of my nervous disposition as I still stood frozen and was captivated in her ocean eyes, letting them wash over me; I swore I could hear waves crashing the longer I stared. "Oh my god your shirt! I'm so sorry Lisa, let me get you a dry one." I spoke rambling frantically as I didn't have the slightest idea I was doing and having zero impulse control.

 "Jen it's fine." Lisa protested but I didn't care to hear as I started tugging Lara the staircase, my hand held onto her wrist as I guided her to my room.

    It wasn't until I shut the door to my bedroom behind me that it clicked and my actions had just hit me; oh my gosh! My face burnt with the realization of what that entire scene must have looked like to the party goers; even worse... to my friends.

    "Well that escalated quickly. Never had a girl be that eager to get me in her room. " Lisa joked as her eyes scanned the confines of my room.

    Oh my god. Lisa Manoban was standing in my room; we were alone and worse my mind only focused on what everyone downstairs was imagining what they witnessed. Oh lord, what where they thinking? What was I thinking?

"You changed it." Lisa spoke again snapping me out of whatever weird spell I was under that caused chaotic thoughts.

"What?" I asked shaking my head.

"Your room. It was yellow last I remember; also you had that lifted bunk bed that had the built in desk area under it with a futon." Lisa answered making me impressed that she remembered my room after not seeing it and it hit me again. Lara has been in my room before.

"That was so long ago." I replied still a bit shocked and flattered that she stilled remembered.

"Like a life time ago." Lisa stated shoving her hands into the pockets of the black skinny jeans with a smile on those full, soft; tempting lips.

God what was it about the girl that stood before me that made my thoughts go to places that I have never ventured and my heart race. I walked closer to were Lisa stood as if being drawn in by her aura and everything that was her magnetism that made everyone gravitate towards her. It wasn't til I was merely a few inches away that I noticed Lisa's shoulders pulled back as she straightened her posture from its calm and relaxed state as she had become uncomfortable walking down memory lane.

"Right, ah shirt. You need a clean shirt." I spoke clearing my throat walking past Lisa and towards my closet skimming through its contents pulling out the first thing I saw.

"Ah, got anything a little less... cheery?" Lisa laughed as she chose her words carefully as I stood there confused at what she meant until I realized that I had presented her in horror the top to my two piece cheer uniform.

Blushing once again I turned back into my closet looking for something a bit more; Lisa-ish as I started to feel unaccomplished I finally came across something that wasn't too bad, pulling the hanger out of the closet I took the simple Maroon t-shirt from the hanger. Turning back to Lisa almost choking on the air I inhaled as she stood topless.

My eyes guilty of drinking in the image of the devilish master piece that stood perfectly before me; causing an explainable tingling heatwave along my skin. Lisa's smooth olive skin tone was nothing more than desirable at every curve and muscle that was exposed, I could feel my fingers twitch as they craved to draw along the lines of Lara's slightly toned abdominal muscles and my lips water at the perverse thought of kissing her collarbone and up her neck, biting down to mark the flesh.

Dear god Wendy was right.

I really need to get laid.

"You want to take a picture or something?" I heard Lisa ask a bit rudely although it was most likely out of discomfort.

"Sor- Sorry." I answered walking towards Lara to give her the shirt when my legs decided to go against me and give out causing me to stumble.

At the rate my heart was going I swore Lisa could defiantly feel it too as she caught me in her arms for the second time tonight but saving me from face planting into the carpet; once I corrected my posture we stood closer as once again I was caught looking into Lisa's eyes that were now a darker blue, her pupils extremely dilated as my warm skin brushed hers. The hair on my arms stood at attention when I felt Lisa release a small chuckle and the warm air cascaded along the surface of my skin causing goosebumps. We were so close that I could smell Lisa's breath, it smelled of mint and liqueur.

Was she drunk?

"How you ever made it as a cheerleader I'll never understand Kitten. You have zero coordination what so ever." Lisa spoke addressing me by a nickname I haven't heard in years. Stepping out of Lisa's embrace and fighting every instinct that screamed at me not to let go of the angelic being I willed myself free to let her get dressed and reclaiming my disposition.

"Shows what you know; LisBear." I responded with a nickname remembering that was something I use to call her, out of earshot of course. The nickname caused Lisa to arch a brow while I stood cross armed with a smirk painted on my lips.

"Ah, So we're going to play that game now huh Kitten?" Lisa dispatched once she had pulled the fabric over her head.

"Maybe." I shrugged the smile on my lips growing wider as I stepped closer.

"Okay; I surrender; put the claws away." Lisa replied laughing and putting her hands in the air like under arrest.

"Thought you liked being clawed?" I asked a bit flirtatiously as my grin died down to a more serious expression.

"Only on my back." Lisa smiled crossing her arms to match my body language. Her smile being so infectious that I couldn't hold back inevitable and returned my own genuine smile when I saw a glimpse of the Lisa I once knew; the Lisa I was defending not to long ago.

"We should be returning to the party before people start talking; god knows what they might suspect-"

"Really can't stand being near me that long you're making up excuses." I spoke cutting Lisa off before she could finish.

"Don't want to ruin your reputation Jen; after all I am is trouble and a waste of time." Lisa snarled meanly clarifying that she had overheard some part of the conversation that Wendy and the others where having.

"What else did you hear?" I asked hoping there was a silver lining and that Lara had heard me taking her side.

"Not much. Booked it to the kitchen for a few drinks before heading back into that war zone." Lisa explained stepping away leaving a chilling breeze to come between us.

"You know not all of us think that about you right? You know that I don't Lisa." I spoke hoping that she'd see that I could never in a million years ever think that way about her.

"Whatever. Thanks for the shirt I'll make sure to bring it back." Lisa snarked trying to leave and behaving as if she didn't believe a word I said.

Quickly I grabbed Lisa's wrist not allowing her to move any further away before I was able to state. "That's what friends do." I whispered with so much emotion in my words.

"We aren't friends Jennie Kim. We never were." Lisa answered; her back still turned to me but she wasn't pulling away or retracting her arm from my grip.

"Can't we try? Lisa please; I always wanted... to be your friend." I stated carefully choosing my words as I didn't want to expose too much and let something I didn't mean to say slip.

"Really? Then where were you two years ago when I was publicly humiliated huh? Where were you Jennie when I cried my eyes out for days after what Somi did to me? When I transferred schools with no one but Bambam to trust. Where were you Jen?" Lisa shouted as tears began to form behind her eyes that where a grayish blue like storm clouds, pulling her arm out of my grip.

"Lisa I tri-"

"No. No you clearly didn't." She spoke she cut me off.

"Lisa. Please-"

"We are not friends Jennie, you and the rest of them were never my friends. I was just Somi's arm candy until she ruined my life." Lisa spoke with fire in her eyes being fueled with anger, hatred and pain. I could feel tears swelling in the back of my eyes at Lisa's words as I couldn't even begin to understand the torment and humiliation of what Lisa had gone through or even being to understand the pain of being hurt and set up like that.

"Again; thanks for the shirt." Lisa said before leaving.

"I defended you!" I shouted towards her as I felt the tears streaming along my cheeks as Lisa shook her head giving no response to words as she swung the door to the bedroom open vacating from the solitary room. "Lisa!"I yelled, running after her through the halls and back down towards the party before we both stormed out of the doorway. My friends following behind me before coming to halt in the front yard stopping in my tracks as Lisa took off down the road.

"Trouble in paradise?" Rosé asked seeming concerned.

"I'll do it." I spoke breathlessly.

"What?" I heard their voices ask in unison.

"The dare. I'll do it."