19 - Jealousy in the club

                                    

                                          
LISA
I stood alone in the dimly lit backstreet of the club. The muffled sound of the music combined with the city noise invaded my senses while the low thumping of the bass resonated in my chest. I was leaning back with my eyes closed, allowing the ruckus around me to drown out all other thoughts.
If I weren't in a foul mood I'd still be dancing and partying with the rest inside, but the only person I wanted to actually engage with refused to be around me for ridiculous reasons.
It's Jennie's birthday and the birthday girl decided to rent out a small club to throw an all girls party. Most of her close friends are expected to make an attendance but of course, only one really mattered to me.
I had to contain my excitement when Jennie confirmed that Red Velvet was coming. Since she and I reconciled, I haven't met up with the group's leader. Even our messages and calls were surprisingly at a minimum. Honestly, if it weren't for their ruthless schedule, I would think she's avoiding me but nonetheless, I was thrilled at the thought of seeing her again.
But as what happens when fortune's not on your side, things didn't turn out the way I imagined. Irene was upset with me and believe it or not, it's all because of some hair clips. Yes, hair clips. Everything else went south from there.
To give context, while we were getting ready for the party, Jennie noticed the hair clips I'd put on. She loved these types of things and so she was quick to see the red and gold clips I was fiddling with as I idly waited for them to finish.
"Where did you get those cute clips?" She asked. 
"Uhm...These... It's..." I stuttered stupidly. I couldn't exactly tell her Irene gave them to me that one time we're together and my then unruly hair was distracting her. Like Jennie, my secret friend loved these and was often seen wearing them that it even became a trend in South Korea.
Not waiting for a structured answer, Jennie took them without asking and clipped them on her hair.
"It's mine now." She said cutely and marched back to the mirror to finish her makeup. I was feeling too lazy to contest, so I let it be and just made a mental note to reclaim the hair clips later. It looked better on her than me anyway.
What I forgot to take into account, however, is Irene's keen sense of awareness. I guess it's a leader thing. She's bound to notice the smallest of details and notice she did.
Red Velvet was among the earliest to arrive and my eager gaze immediately sought for Irene. She looked stunning in a corset-like top that fit her petite body snugly, paired with form fitting flared pants and pointed stilettos. The way her exposed white skin and red lips stood out in her all black ensemble, makes one think she primped herself up to attract and like metal to magnet, I was drawn.
I winked at her as soon as she met my gaze and despite her attempt to suppress it, a small smile appeared on those rosy lips. She raised an eyebrow in response then looked the other way as if the two of us were strangers.
Our members were still unaware that we've been seeing each other, so we had to act accordingly. It was our choice not to tell them. Although there's nothing wrong with us being friends, there's something really intimate with what we have that we wanted to keep it just between us two for the time being.
If only I'd known she'd react the way she did, I would've doubled the effort to sit beside her because when Jennie beat me to it, that's when Irene's demeanor changed. She arched an eyebrow upon seeing the hair clips fastened perfectly on Jennie's hair. Her face reverted to her default intimidating expression as she got a closer look and confirmed outright what she wasn't sure of at first.