Chapter 44

Jennie swore it was a good idea at first.

“I’m not even scared,” she had confidently said, chin slightly raised, arms crossed as she scrolled through The Conjuring on the TV screen. “It’s just a movie, Lisa. Relax.”

Lisa, who had seen enough horror films to know exactly how this would end, simply raised a brow and grabbed a blanket. “Mm-hmm. Sure, Nini.”

Jennie shot her a glare at the nickname but pressed play anyway.

—

It started fine.

For the first fifteen minutes, Jennie was calm—too calm. She sat upright, legs crossed, occasionally making comments like, “Why are they going into the basement? That’s just bad decision-making,” or “If that were me, I’d simply leave.”

Lisa tried—really tried—not to laugh.

Then came the clapping scene.

Jennie froze.

Lisa noticed it immediately—the subtle shift. The way Jennie’s shoulders stiffened, how her eyes widened just a bit too much, and how her confident posture slowly melted into something… less brave.

“…Okay, that was unnecessary,” Jennie muttered.

Lisa smirked. “You’re still not scared though, right?”

Jennie huffed. “Of course not.”

—

Thirty minutes later, Jennie had migrated.

She was no longer sitting “independently.” No, she was now pressed right against Lisa’s side, one hand gripping Lisa’s arm, the other clutching the blanket like it was her last defense against evil spirits.

And when a sudden loud noise blasted from the TV—

Jennie yelped.

Actually yelped.

Lisa burst out laughing. “You’re not scared, huh?”

Jennie tightened her grip. “I’m not scared. That was just—startling.”

“Mhm.”

“Shut up.”

—

By the time the movie ended, Jennie was completely silent.

Too silent.

Lisa turned her head slightly and found Jennie staring at the TV like it had personally betrayed her.

“…Jennie?”

No response.

“…Nini?”

Slowly, Jennie turned her head, eyes wide and glassy. “Why… why would people make that?”

Lisa lost it.

She laughed so hard she nearly fell off the couch. “Oh my god—you’re traumatized.”

“I am NOT traumatized,” Jennie snapped—but her voice was quieter than usual, and she didn’t let go of Lisa’s arm.

Lisa grinned. “You wanna watch the sequel?”

Jennie looked at her like she had just suggested summoning a demon.

“Absolutely not.”

—

The apartment was quiet afterward.

Too quiet.

Jennie insisted on keeping the lights on. All of them.

Every. Single. Light.

Lisa watched in amusement as Jennie checked corners, peeked down the hallway, and gave suspicious glances toward literally anything that could remotely resemble a shadow.

“You good?” Lisa asked, leaning against the wall.

Jennie crossed her arms. “I’m fine.”

A beat.

“…You’re not fine.”

“I’m fine.”

“Then why are you holding my shirt?”

Jennie blinked.

She was, indeed, clutching the hem of Lisa’s shirt like a lifeline.

“…Shut up.”

—

Ten minutes later—

“Lisa.”

“Hm?”

“…Come with me.”

“Where?”

Jennie hesitated.

“…Bathroom.”

Lisa stared at her.

Then she grinned.

“Oh my god, you’re scared to go alone.”

“I am NOT scared!” Jennie snapped, cheeks flushing. “It’s just—it’s late, and the hallway is dark, and—”

Lisa turned off the hallway light.

Jennie immediately grabbed her arm tighter.

“LISA!”

Lisa burst into laughter. “Okay, okay! I’ll go with you.”

Jennie glared at her but didn’t let go. Not even a little.

—

The walk to the bathroom was… an experience.

Jennie stayed glued to Lisa’s side, occasionally peeking behind them like something might be following.

“Stop looking back,” Lisa teased. “You’re making it worse for yourself.”

“What if something is there?”

“There’s nothing there.”

“How do you know?!”

Lisa leaned closer, whispering, “Because if there was, it would’ve grabbed you already.”

Jennie gasped and smacked her arm. “That’s not funny!”

Lisa laughed again, clearly enjoying this far too much.

—

Inside the bathroom, Jennie refused to close the door completely.

Lisa leaned against the sink, arms crossed, watching her with an amused smile.

“You know,” Lisa said, “for someone who said ‘I’m not scared,’ you’re doing a lot of clinging.”

Jennie shot her a look. “If you laugh one more time, I’m sleeping on top of you tonight.”

Lisa tilted her head. “That sounds like a reward, actually.”

Jennie paused.

“…You’re right. I take it back.”

—

That night, Jennie did not let Lisa go.

Not on the couch.

Not while turning off the lights.

And definitely not in bed.

The moment Lisa tried to move even an inch, Jennie’s arms tightened around her like a koala.

“Where are you going?” Jennie mumbled.

“Nowhere,” Lisa said, smiling softly now instead of teasing.

“…Stay.”

Lisa wrapped her arms around her properly this time, pulling her closer. “I’m right here.”

Jennie buried her face into Lisa’s neck, voice small. “Don’t let anything get me.”

Lisa pressed a gentle kiss to her hair. “Nothing’s getting you. I’ve got you.”

A pause.

“…Even if it’s a demon?”

Lisa chuckled quietly. “Even then.”

Jennie hummed, finally relaxing.

But just as Lisa thought she had fallen asleep—

“…Lisa?”

“Yeah?”

“…Tomorrow… we’re watching a cartoon.”

Lisa smiled into the darkness.

“Deal.”