MINE

Friends

LALISA'S POV

Back in Thailand, I only had a few friends. It isn't because I was hard to approach or was I a bitch to everyone. No. Because I was the friendliest person in the world; I take care of my friends, I would always be there for them whenever they need me, and I love the people around me dearly. That was until when I was twelve years old, I had a circle of friends, I met them when I was seven. They were the children of my father's Investor's suitor, and I was happy with them. We watched movies together, eat lunch at school together, and do group studies together.

I thought I had an amazing group of friends. Our schoolmates even admired our friendship. Everything was great with them until I found out the reason why they befriended me. I heard them talking in my entertainment room when they thought I was still in the comfort room.

"How do we casually tell her that it would be great if she convinces her father to say yes to our parent's proposal without sounding like we're deceiving her?"

"I don't know. All I know is we need to do it now or else we have to stay longer with her. If my father didn't ask me to befriend her, I wouldn't do it."

"Yeah. I can't shine on my own when I'm with her. Everyone thought that she's greater than us. I can't take it anymore."

"Let's just casually open it up and then act like it's just nothing. I'm sure she'll try to tell her father about it, I mean she can't say no to us. She's precisely in love with the idea of us being the amazing group of friends."

After that, I didn't meet with them anymore. I immediately walk away from there and ask my butler to get them out of my house. I stopped talking to them all at once and told my father I'd want to be homeschooled. I was studying at home until I got into senior high school.

Since that day, I didn't open up to anyone anymore. I stopped entertaining people to be friends with me. Until of course, Rosé — who literally just shines everywhere with her energetic personality. She didn't even let me say no to being friends with and I didn't want to, because I was instantly comfortable with her. Jisoo Unnie — who always calmly converse with me. Who has this amazing aura around her that says, 'It's okay, you can let go of your worries. we'll be here for you.'

And then there's Jennie. My Jennie. She accepted me for who I am. She made me feel that it's okay to open up to her because she won't judge me and that she won't let anyone do so. She made me feel safe and protected. And for the first time since then, I let myself be vulnerable with someone again. On top of all of that, she showed me her real self too. She made me feel special by looking at me like she never looked at anyone before. She showed me who she is and that was enough for me to do the same.

I look around at the people who are with me right now. Nayeon Unnie is laying on the couch, Irene Unnie is on the carpet with her back on Seulgi's front. Rosé and Jisoo are cuddling on the other couch while I occupied the smalled couch I have here in my penthouse.

Rosé Introduced me to Nayeon and Irene when they got back from the seminar they had with my brother. I met seulgi through my brother since they have the same circle of friends. I found out a day after that she's dating Irene Unnie when she decided to have lunch with us as well.

I smiled at how comfortable they are in my penthouse. I thought I wouldn't be able to have friends again but here I am, hanging out with a bunch. I don't need to worry if they are just deceiving me into being friends with them because I know that they come from a rich family too. And besides, I trust them. They are different, just from the way they took care of me since I got here and met them. It's enough. It's enough to know they are real.

"Lisa. When's Jennie gonna get home?" Nayeon Unnie asks while scrolling through on her phone.

"Tonight." 'I miss her.' I sigh at that thought.

After our dinner date. Jennie's father called to tell her that she and her brother Kim Taehyung which is one of my friends now too — need to fly to new york for some business meeting since her father is stuck in some other business transactions as well. She even said no to her father since she said she can't leave me alone. But I convince her to go. I understand that this kind of thing happened. We didn't train since we were kids to be ignorant about the business world. She insisted on staying but I promised her that I'll phone her every night. But of course, that's not what she's worried about.

"What if some guy would come and flirt with you? I wouldn't be here to kill them if I'm in new york."

"I won't let them."

"I know you won't. you promised me, but I don't trust that they would stop even if you tell them to."

"I won't entertain them, Jen. I like you, not them."

"I just... I can't lose you."

"And you won't. I promised."

She flew to new york with her brother that same night. It's been a week since then and we never missed a night not talking with each other on the phone. She even sends me her schedules there so I'd know what time I am free to call her which is extremely cute.

"Let's have a sleepover at her penthouse." Irene unnie said while watching a movie.

"Yeah. I mean we don't have any classes tomorrow so It'd be cool." I chuckled at how she's still munching on her food while talking. I'm talking about chipmunk, who else?

"Sure. I'm sure she won't mind, I'll tell her about it. Just please don't be too loud. I'm sure she'll be jetlagged." I said as I opened my phone to text Jen about the girl's plan.

"Let's order something for lunch."

We all look at Chae. "Chaeng you just ate the whole cereal box and pancakes." Seulgi carefully said, afraid that Chae would outburst which happens a lot if it's about her food.

She raised her brows. "So? your point?"

I saw how seulgi gulped at that. "Nothing." She just awkwardly chuckled. "I'll order." She immediately took her phone from the table and start ordering food.

We all laugh at her as she just pouted and buried her face on Irene Unnie's neck.

'This is my friends. Finally. Real ones.'