/THIRD PERSON POV/

The night was packed with silence. But not entirely, though, for he could still hear the screeches of the trees around him—the sound of their leaves being brushed by the wind.

He could even hear the howl of wolves, somewhere distant within the forest he was guarding. He walked, dry leaves crackling underneath his footsteps. His eyes cautiously peered on the tall, proud pines.

Tonight was his turn to patrol around, to make sure that no one trespass the area of his people. The forest was the ultimate borderline of their area and other creature's. By other creature, he meant any creature. It could be werewolves, vampires (if they did exist), nymph, and even mortal human.

He would not tolerate anyone, whatever their reasons were. This was his sector and he could do anything he pleased to. He could kill them right on the spot, or take them home to kill slowly and painfully—anything he pleased to.

His blonde locks showed off contrast among the dark woods, it shared the same shade with the crescent moon glowing overhead. He stalked, his eyes second-naturedly hunted upon the slightest source of any sound he could decipher.

His black pullover hoodie kept him quite warm, but not warm enough. The wind, especially inside the forest, was a little too aggressive compared to the previous nights. He wondered was this a sign or just another bit of natural events.

He could hear the sound of river faintly, each step he took pulling him closer towards the source. He almost smiled to himself in satisfaction, if he reached the river with no one—anything in particular—standing in his side of the forest, he could turn back and head to his camp. To maybe get a brief, good night rest, before two hours later walking the same paths to patrol again.

Running a hand through his hair, a sigh of relief escaped his mouth as the rippling sound of water got closer. Water, it reminded him of a certain blonde hundred miles from him. Nature, actually—it reminded him of her a lot; as if she and nature were one.

He came into an abrupt stop as he noticed someone standing in front of the river, their back facing him. They were wearing a hooded coat, but they just stood there without making any noises.

Stepping delicately, he locked his eyes and focused on the stranger in front of him. Who was that? What were they doing inside his region? But he needed no one to answer—no matter who they were or whatever their reason was, he'd end up killing them for trespassing.

"Ah, the protector," the stranger spoke up, her feminine voice slicing painfully through the quietness of the forest.

Of course, she wasn't a mortal. She was just another creature, a silly one for not considering to step back when she had crossed the river. A silly one for submitting herself to the hands of him, the guardian of the forest.

"You're crossing the boundaries," he stated calmly, still stepping forward towards the hooded woman. His hands stayed ready on his sides—in a stance where they would fly to protect the owner if the intruder ever dared to do anything reckless.

"Is that so?"

"Who are you?" Bambam asked, his forehead knotted together. Her voice sounded familiar—he had heard her voice a couple of times before, yet he couldn't process who was the owner of the honey-like voice.

"Is it that easy to forget me, Bambi?"

Bambam froze on the spot.

Until the very moment, only two people had ever called him Bambi. The first one being Lisa, the woman he trusted with all his life, and...

No, not happening.

It couldn't be her.

She's dead.

But, if not her, then who was this hooded woman?

"That's not my name. You shouldn't—"

"Pretty sure you gave me permission years ago, Bambi. You didn't seem to mind then every time I called you that," the woman turned around, but her face was still hidden beneath the hood of her cloak.

Bambam could feel his heart beating faster. He couldn't be dreaming, he recognized her voice very precisely—he couldn't be mistaken. But, at the same time, it just couldn't be her. She was just a human. She died, there's no way she's standing here right in front of him now—not when he saw her die.

"I won't warn you again," Bambam sounded pretty much unstable, but his hands kept their place, ready to launch an attack any time they're needed to. "You're crossing the boundaries. And that is not my name."

"I didn't mean to disturb you or anything," the woman proceeded towards him, walking ever so gracefully beneath the glowing moon. "I just wanted to know how my Pranpriya is doing."

There, when the familiar name rolled out of her mouth, Bambam pushed all of his doubts aside. Despite all the impossibilities, there had been only one person who ever called Lisa by that name. Only one person had Lisa given the authority to.

Bambam froze for the second time that night. 

Her face was still hidden beneath the hood and by the shadows, but he could feel her smile. It crept upon her face, lingering there as a victory medal. Then, she slowly raised her hands to reach the hood, sliding it off of her head.

Her pale face was too bright underneath the crescent moon, a contrast to the dark surroundings around her. Her dark hair was braided and sat elegantly over her shoulder. Her nose, lips, thick lashes were just as he remembered. Just as perfect, as ethereal as they used to be.

Bambam gulped, preparing his throat to let out the name he'd had in mind from the first time he heard her voice. 

"Tzuyu?"

—

/JENNIE/

I woke up and was greeted with the sunlight peering through the curtains. Two women were asleep beside me—sandwiching me, one blonde and one brunette.

Chaeyoung and Jisoo had decided to sleep in my apartment because they needed to finish their student project. I had already finished my project with Irene, so they came to me for tutor and guides.

I leaped from the bed carefully and headed towards the bathroom. After I washed my face, I brushed my teeth and proceeded to make breakfast.

Chaeyoung and Jisoo stayed up until 2 am last night—I went to bed earlier because I just couldn't keep my eyelids up anymore—and now it was already 11 am, both of them hadn't woken up yet. 

Snatching the ingredients from the cabinet above, I started making pancakes.

I knew both of them loved pancakes a lot, especially when it's made by Jennie Kim. Me, duh.

After approximately 15 minutes into the cooking, I heard the doorbell rang. I was confused for a second because as far as I remember, I wasn't expecting anyone. Besides, today's Sunday—it couldn't be the newspaper boy.

I scrambled to my feet and jogged towards the front door. Peeking through the fish-eye-hole, I was more than surprised at the sight.

There stood a tall, broad, muscular, blonde right in my front door. Her eyes darted around my apartment, her hands shoved down her jeans pocket.

What the hell was Chaeyoung's sister doing here? 

I quickly combed my hair with my hand—an enormous part of me wanted to look pretty for the person on the other side of the door.

Opening the door, I was greeted by a soft smile. "Hey, Jen. Is Chaeng here?" 

"Yeah, but she's still asleep," I answered right away, almost choking at the closer sight of her.

Lisa was wearing a grey sweatshirt and denim jeans, her eyes up in a ponytail. Her black car was parked on the side road in front of the building.

Honestly, did unattractive even exist in her dictionary?

I'd seen her a couple of times, of course, but seeing her this close just made me realize how she was even more beautiful in detail.

As if a flash of lightning had just struck me, I asked myself, what the hell was I thinking?

What was this?

Did I like her?

No, I was just appreciating the sharp yet soft features of her face up close, her complexly strong throat, her prominent nose, the pink, plump lips—

Okay, I definitely liked her. 

Perhaps only a little bit.

Or maybe more, I didn't know. 

And no one needed to know, not even Chaeyoung nor Jisoo.

Actually, I might tell Jisoo. She had been with me since high school, she'd be mad if I didn't tell her. 

But Chaeyoung, I guess I'll tell her later. I couldn't be like, "Hey Chaeng, I like your sister, she's so my type!" could I? No, she might get all confused and interrogative in a sudden. 

And I believed Jisoo would understand—she always did.

"You're still with me?" Lisa chuckled softly.

Oh, shit, was she talking to me when I zoned out?

"Sorry?"

"I said, can you tell Chaeyoung that I came earlier? Tell her she needs to go home as soon as possible, I'm waiting back home," she smiled, and I returned the same expression without thinking twice.

"I can do that," I answered simply, before something better crossed my mind. "Or you could just come in and wait for her inside. Besides, I'm making pancakes."

I internally cringed at my own sentence. It sounded so lame—it would definitely sound better if I had said "I'm making lasagna," or "I'm making gamjatang,"

"Oh, you don't have to—"

A part of me sank when I heard her declining my offer, but my stubborn ass didn't want to lose.

"No, Lisa. I insist," I answered and finally, she nodded.

We proceeded into the apartment, her tall figure following me soundlessly from behind. 

Suddenly I felt nauseous as her eyes searched and examined the room. I couldn't make sure whether she was studying the living room or me, but I felt her eyes fixated somewhere in the room. 

"Wait here," I turned back briefly and flashed a smile. Her eyes wandered around the room, studying the uninteresting walls and items of furniture inside it. She glanced at me, nodding, before continuing her previous action.

I suddenly panicked when I noticed a burnt smell. I quickly jolted to the kitchen and sighed when I saw the second pancake was already burnt. Without a second thought, I scooped it up and carefully drop it into the trash bin. 

I continued making the next pancakes, humming the melodies to Taylor Swift's song playing from my phone. (you better play Gorgeous by Taylor Swift, enjoy ;))

You should take it as a compliment
That I got drunk and made fun of the way you talk
You should think about the consequence
Of your magnetic field being a little too strong

Flipping the soft cake, I held a breath. 

Plop!

A satisfied smile painted upon my lips as I succeeded. 

Slipping the spatula underneath the circular cake, I lifted it from the pan to place it on the plate beside me. 

The fourth pancake, done!

"You have a beautiful apartment," A voice came from behind me, startling me a little. 

I turned around after pouring the liquid onto the pan just the right amount. 

"Thanks, I guess," I smiled at Lisa who was staring at me from across the kitchen counter. 

"Did you design it yourself, or it was built this way?" She continued, processing onto my side of the counter. 

"I did rearrange the bedroom and this kitchen, a little on the living room, too. The rest, I let it the way it was," I answered, patiently waiting for the bottom of the pancake to turn from the liquid form to a perfect fluff cake.

"You have a good taste, then," I heard a chuckle from Lisa. She seemed to appreciate architecture and structures a lot, maybe she had wanted to be an architect? 

I didn't know, but I wanted to.

"Thanks," I answered, grateful for the fact that my back was facing her, to hide the blush forming on my cheeks. I figured the bottom of the pancake was already done, so I slipped the spatula underneath it to flip the cake. 

A few moments later, I moved the perfectly done pancake onto the plate. 

Fifth, done!

"You seem pretty interested in architecture," I stated, but implying it as a question. 

"Kind of," Lisa answered. 

"You're not going to study it?" 

"No," her answer instantly surprised me. She looked too intelligent and perceptive to pass the chance. I couldn't hold back the curiosity from prying in.

"Why?"

Lisa went silent for a moment, and I thought I had crossed a line—

"I'm responsible for my family's company as the heir—if you've forgotten, so I need to focus on it first," she stated, moving to my side, her back pressing onto the kitchen counter. She was still studying the corner of the rooms when I spared a glance to her. 

And, God, was she gorgeous. Even more with her side profile on display. I wasn't even exaggerating, her side profile was just perfect. 

You're so gorgeous
I can't say anything to your face
'Cause look at your face

And I'm so furious
At you for making me feel this way
But, what can I say?
You're gorgeous

I internally shook my thoughts away, trying to think of an appropriate response to her answer instead of bashing about how beautiful she was. 

"Ah, I remember. And you're just 21, right?" One year older than me, yet she's had her future all planned out. 

"Correct," she answered. "Funny, people always ask that whenever I tell them about this. What do you think, am I too young for the chairmanship?" she suddenly looked at me, her eyes burning holes onto my side. 

God, her fucking eyes. 

Those eyes, they never lie.

If you've got a girlfriend, I'm jealous of her
But if you're single that's honestly worse
'Cause you're so gorgeous it actually hurts

Being the suddenly nervous wreck I was, I spilled the liquid on the floor a little when I was pouring it onto the pan. "Stupid," I muttered, placing the container on the kitchen counter. My eyes searched for a mop or a napkin to clean the tiny bit of mess on the floor. 

"Let me," as if she had just read my mind, Lisa stalked across the room and grabbed the mop. She quickly wiped the liquid and returned the mop without saying any more words.

"Thank you, for the third time," I laughed lightly, silently cursing the blush that crept up onto my cheeks. Lisa only hummed in response.

"So, what do you think?" She reasked her previous question. 

"You're definitely young for that position, but I won't say you're not worthy of it. I've heard a lot about you from Chaeng, and I could say you're already impeccable for the position," I smiled at her, trying to ease my own nervousness. 

Lisa stared at me for a little too long that I'd like. Not that I dislike the way she stared at me, it was how my body reacted that I condemned. 

I suddenly felt like she was trying to get inside my mind, to crawl inside it just like how she had just done the moment she showed up in front of my doorstep, and stay. 

Stay.

I liked the word when it's being corresponded with her. 

You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah
There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have
Guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats
Alone, unless you wanna come along, oh

I'd like her to stay a little longer—I hope Chaeyoung and Jisoo wouldn't wake up so soon so we'd have a little more time together. 

"That's so kind of you," Lisa spoke up, snapping me out of my whirl of thoughts. "But, don't you think it's better to judge a person with your own eyes, instead of from other people's point of view?" 

I stayed silent, concentrating on flipping the seventh pancake. 

"For example, Chaeng had told me you were gorgeous. I didn't know you're this mesmerizing. I was so speechless the first night we met," Lisa finished her sentence, and suddenly the world stopped. 

What the actual fuck?

Did she just call me mesmerizing?

Am I dreaming?

I tried my best to calm down, to somehow convince myself that this was how she usually would talk to anyone. I mean, I'd listened to her conversations with Chaeng, and usually, she's so sweet. I was just surprised at her compliment. 

But the butterflies inside my stomach said otherwise. 

I liked her compliment.

"Tha—"

"Shh, no more thank you's," Lisa cut me off instantly. "No need to thank me for stating an obvious fact." 

Lisa smirked. 

What had she done to me?

And I'm so furious
At you for making me feel this way

What happened to me?

Pretty sure I had never thought that a person could be this much attractive. 

Lisa proved me wrong only in one simple conversation. 

But what can I say?
You're gorgeous

Damn, her.

You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah

I only nodded and proceeded to walk past her towards the table where I'd placed a napkin. But then, I felt my body lost its balance, my feet sliding quickly on top of the slippery floor—the same spot Lisa had cleaned earlier. 

One second, I was falling.

The next following seconds, I was not.

There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have

A pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist tightly, keeping me steady and preventing me from falling. My hands instantly went to grab her biceps for an anchor.

When I looked up to the owner of the arms, I immediately hoped that I had not. 

You are so gorgeous it makes me so mad

Lisa's face was only centimeters away from mine. Her doe eyes staring at mine, then flickered a quick second to my lips. 

Her warm breath hit the tip of my nose. 

I could hear the sound of my quick heartbeat and with all my faith I hoped that she couldn't. 

My mom used to say you should count to three—three seconds were all it took to turn silence into something else. My mom used to say you should count to three, to wait for the right moment to kiss someone. 

You're gorgeous.

Taylor Swift's voice sang faintly on the background.

Should I kiss her?

Could I?

Would I?

Would she kiss me?

One.

My eyes went to her lips, lingering there a bit before going back to her eyes. 

Two.

Her arms tighten on my waist and backside as if she's bracing herself against what would happen next. What was going to happen? I didn't know.

But I wanted to.

But what can I say? 
You're gorgeous

I closed my eyes, letting my body to take control of the situation.

Thr—

Another feminine voice, not mine nor Lisa's, surprised us ever so suddenly—reminding us we're not the only ones inside the apartment.

"Lisa?" 

—

A/N: 

woah wait, what had just happened there?