『JenSoo Short Stories』

To Laugh in Flowers (is to bloom in the rain) (3/3)

Truth be told, seeing Jennie again was not part of Jisoo's realm of expectations.

People normally bought flowers for special occasions. Hence, even if they were to become repeat customers, it wasn't every day or every week that they would place orders for flower displays or bouquets.

Considering that Jennie wasn't even interested in flowers, the chances of her returning were less than 1%.

It had been fun while it lasted, but the entire situation had felt so surreal that it was almost questionable whether such a thing could have really happened.

In any case, she had enjoyed their conversation and, if she were being honest, wouldn't mind meeting her again. However, while she knew little about Jennie, the other girl knew where she worked, so if she really wanted to come by, she would have.

Jennie was just being friendly, she supposed. After all, she seemed like the type of person who could make friends easily. Jisoo, on the other hand, took a while to get familiar with people.

Perhaps, it was for the better. They were so different that conflict was bound to happen. At least, that was what she told herself.

After a couple of weeks, it was as if their meeting never happened. Almost. Except, Rosé noticed that she had shifted some of the sunflowers to the main foyer on the off chance that Jennie happened to pass by and she couldn't exactly lie to her best friend.

It was probably a sign from the universe that the day Jennie burst into her life again, it had to be another rainy afternoon. She still mostly disliked the rain, but the sound of the raindrops reminded her of the younger girl.

"Unnie, I'm back!" Jisoo had looked up in surprise when someone bounced into the store. It took a moment for her to confirm that the girl standing in front of the counter was really Jennie. The rain was lighter than it had been during their first meeting, but it was enough for Jisoo to reach for her tissue box again. Coupled with the circumstances, It was almost like a scene from a movie. However, the moment was broken when the younger girl's eyes suddenly shifted behind her.

She felt the nudge against her spine and then she remembered that Rosé was still on duty. Before she knew it, she was being guided away from the counter. From the look her friend was giving her, she knew that there would be a lot of explaining to do before the end of the day.

The younger girl's cheeks lifted into a grin as she approached her. As if she was already expecting it, Jennie reached for the tissue in her hand.

"Is this a sign that I should be selling umbrellas?" Jisoo asked. "You could get sick if you always get caught in the rain."

"If you start selling umbrellas then I would have to conveniently forget my umbrella each time it rains, and I don't think my wallet can handle it." Jennie replied despondently. There was a lilt in her tone that indicated to Jisoo that she wasn't being serious, so the other girl played along.

"Are you actually here to buy flowers this time?"

Instead of replying, Jennie hummed innocently. "Maybe I would if you admit that you missed me."

In another world, this would be considered flirtatious banter. Leading with one line, leaving hints for the other to follow up with. Two parties going back and forth with an unspoken understanding about their relationship. Jisoo could see and appreciate that possibility. However in this world, she wasn't that brave.

"It's bad to lie, you know?" She quipped back. As expected, Jennie's lips extended into an immediate pout, revealing her true feelings.

"Ah, unnie... I could have walked into any other shop, you know."

"I know." Jisoo acquiesced. After all, it wasn't as if their store was the only flower shop in the district. There were probably many in the neighbourhood. Had Jennie gone into another store that day, she would have probably ended up in the same position as she was now, with someone else.

There was a split second where Jennie glanced towards the counter before the younger girl was suddenly a lot closer to Jisoo than she had been a while ago. Her instincts told her to take a step away but Jennie spoke before she could follow through.

Jennie's voice was soft, as though she was sharing a secret. It was vastly different from the bubbly and loud impression she had during their first encounter. "I don't just mean today, by the way."

Jisoo couldn't help the frown of confusion that was probably evident on her features. Had she misunderstood something?

"What do you-"

At this point, Jennie's cheeks turned a shade pinker.

"Unnie, I asked you a question the last time I came to the store and you didn't answer." She began. "Oh, you still don't like rainy days right?"

"Well, I don't like them, but I don't hate them either..." Jisoo admitted. Jennie was avoiding her question, as if she had unintentionally revealed something that she wasn't prepared to explain.

The other girl looked away, seemingly hesitating about something. Jisoo waited; something she had already been doing unconsciously.

"Do you think in the future, there's a possibility you might start liking the rain, even if it's just a little bit?"

With that question, everything became clear. The realisation hit her like the rain, it started with a light sprinkle and then became a heavy downpour there was no going back from. It was clever move on Jennie's part, she had to admit.

Jisoo considered it for a second. The future was as blurry as the outside of her store in a storm, but the idea didn't seem as despicable as it did before.

"Maybe."

Jennie's smile was warm and bright, like the sun after a storm, and in it, Jisoo found peace.

The rain was still falling over the pavement; the sky was still overcast. Yet, to Jisoo, it felt like the day had just begun.

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All Rights Reserved to the original author: Yukilia96 (on Asianfanfics)