Chapter one

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He loved relationships

Every bit of it.

But when it came to his best friend Kyara.

He detested it.

Jimin sat across from his best friend, Kyara, his eyes drawn to the harsh red handprint circling her neck.

The bruises made his heartache. "Kyara, what happened?" he asked, concern flooding his voice.

She shrugged, a mischievous smile creeping onto her lips. "It doesn't matter. I had the best night of my life!"

Jimin raised an eyebrow, his fork pausing mid-air. "Best night? Really? You mean getting bruised?"

"Yeah! I met him at that bar downtown," she said, her eyes sparkling. "We hit it off instantly. It was like fireworks! We danced, talked, and things just... escalated."

"Escalated? Those marks look pretty serious!" Jimin leaned in, worry etched on his face. "Kyara, are you sure he's treating you right?"

She waved her hand dismissively, laughter spilling from her lips. "Jimin, it was passionate! We were lost in the moment. I don't want to focus on my past relationship anymore. I want to start over"

"Passionate is one thing, but those marks look aggressive," he said, his voice low. "After everything you went through with your ex, you should be with someone who knows how to be gentle. You need someone who cherishes you."

Kyara's smile faltered, and she looked down at the table. "I get it. But this feels different. He's not like my ex. It was just... exciting, you know?"

"Exciting shouldn't come with bruises," Jimin insisted gently. "You deserve better than that. I want you to feel safe and loving, not roughed and wounded."

"Okay, okay! I hear you," she said, a hint of frustration in her voice. "But I promise I'll be careful. Let's change the subject. Tell me is there someone? What about that new girl in your history class? Is she as cute as everyone says?"

Jimin let out a small sigh, grateful for the distraction but still bothered by their earlier conversation. "Well, there is someone... but it's complicated."

Kyara's eyes lit up. "Ooh, tell me more! You can't just drop that bomb and not explain!"

He hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "Okay, but you can't tell anyone. I've been seeing someone... a guy."

"A guy? Wow, Jimin! When did this happen?" she exclaimed, leaning in closer.

"It's been a few days. He's in this school, it's kind of our little secret," Jimin admitted, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Wow, this is huge! Do I know him?" Kyara asked eagerly.

"Maybe, I don't think so. We met at a tutoring and just kinda clicked. But it's complicated because... well, it's hard to navigate with everything going on. And I haven't told anyone yet."

Kyara nodded, her expression softening. "I get it. It's scary to put yourself out there. But you deserve to be happy too. Is he treating you right?"

Jimin smiled, his heart warming at the thought of his secret boyfriend. "Yeah, he is. We talk every day, and he makes me feel... understood, you know? Like he sees me for who I am."

"Then why are you so worried?" Kyara asked, her brows knitting together. "You deserve that happiness, just like I do. It sounds like you two have something special, it is the first I have seen your eyes sparkle talking about someone"

"I just don't want anyone to find out," he admitted. "What if they don't accept us? What if they judge us?"

"Let them judge!" Kyara said passionately. "You can't live your life worrying about what others think. If he makes you happy, that's what matters."

"Maybe you're right," Jimin said, feeling a bit lighter. "But I still need to figure things out, especially with how intense everything feels right now."

"Just remember, you're not alone in this," she reassured him, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. "We've got each other's backs, no matter what. And if you ever need to talk about him or anything else, I'm here."

"Thanks, Kyara. That means a lot," Jimin replied, grateful for her support. "Now, I do not want to miss my hangout section with him," he whispered teasingly.

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Jimin's heart raced as he pressed himself against the cold bathroom wall, the sound of footsteps echoing just outside.

Today was the day, exactly the 20th day since the forming of his relationship with Kai, his boyfriend, and since this was after all a secret the only thing they could do was meet up secretly and steal one or two moments.

"Gotcha," Kai whispered, wrapping his strong arms around Jimin from behind, pulling him into the warmth of his embrace.

Jimin's breath hitched, a mix of thrill and anxiety coursing through him. He glanced toward the door, acutely aware that their secret could be shattered at any moment.

"Are you crazy?" he laughed nervously. "Someone could see us!"

Kai's gaze turned serious, a spark of mischief lighting up his eyes. "Let them. I want to be close to you, even if it's for just a few moments."

Jimin leaned back into him, surrendering to the warmth that enveloped them. Beneath his polished exterior-a rich heir, class president, and volleyball team captain-was a heart filled with unfulfilled longing.

He was the kind of student everyone admired: friendly, trustworthy, and always willing to help, whether it was tutoring classmates for fun or leading charity events.

But the pressure of his perfect life weighed heavily on him, especially with Jungkook lurking in the background.

The arrogant president of the basketball team and his sworn academic rival, Jungkook thrived on competition and often resorted to ruthless tactics to maintain his status.

Their clashes were legendary, filled with sharp words and cold glares, yet the underlying tension often threatened to boil over.

It always did and perhaps always will.

In stark contrast, Kai had entered Jimin's life unexpectedly, starting as a student he tutored.

Their initial interactions with laughter and banter had slowly blossomed into something deeper, a love that felt like a precious secret they both cherished.

With Kai, Jimin felt understood in a way he had never experienced before. Each moment together, whether studying or stealing kisses in hidden corners, was a rebellion against a world that didn't accept them.

"Sometimes, I just wish we could escape," Jimin murmured a hint of desperation in his voice.

In that heartbeat, their lips met-soft, urgent, filled with longing. No words were needed to explain the comfort Kai tried his best giving.

For that brief moment, nothing else mattered; not the hallways crowded with people dying to get a peek at their personal lives, not Jungkook who looked for ways to bring Jimin down, and definitely not their parents who definitely would not approve of such "gay acts".

It was pure freedom. But as they pulled away, breathless and aware of the ticking clock, Jimin couldn't shake the nagging fear that their secret wouldn't stay hidden for long.

"Got to go," Kai whispered, glancing at the door. "Just remember, no matter what happens, I'm here."

As Kai slipped out, leaving Jimin alone with his racing thoughts, the thrill of their kiss lingered.

Jimin's heart raced after the stolen moment in the bathroom, where he and Kai had shared soft laughter and a kiss that felt like pure freedom.

The warmth of Kai's embrace lingered as Jimin stepped back into the bustling hallway, the sounds of students filling the air with chaotic energy.

Just as he rounded the corner, he bumped into Jungkook, who leaned casually against the lockers, a smirk playing on his lips.

Danger

"Well, look who it is," Jungkook drawled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "The golden boy himself, fresh from his little pee trip. How's that grade treating you?" Jimin forced a smile, masking his anxiety.

"What do you want, Jungkook? I don't have time for you or your crap." Jungkook leaned closer, his expression taunting.

"I'm just reminding you that today you took a 99 in History and I on the other hand a 100. Pretty embarrassing for the class president, don't you think?" Jimin's competitive spirit ignited.

"One mark more? Is that the best you can do?" The tension crackled between them until the bell rang, signaling the upcoming beginning of the period.

"I'll catch you later " Jungkook excitedly said, patting Jimin's shoulder as he placed his hands in his pocket and walked off.

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Jimin and Kai shared a quiet moment in the empty school gym, long after most students had gone home.

Laughter bubbled between them, the walls of the gym echoing their joy. They were blissfully unaware of the shadow lurking nearby.

Jungkook stood in the shadows, fists clenched as he watched the scene unfold. Kai leaned in, wiping a smudge of cream from Jimin's cheek, causing him to blush.

The sight of Jimin blushing-of him being soft, vulnerable-stoked a fire deep in Jungkook's chest, a fire that burned hotter with every second he watched.

He hated seeing Jimin like this. He hated happy jimin, hated blushy jimin, he hated ugly versioned jimin.

Kai's touch was innocent, but the way Jimin leaned into it, the way his lips curled into that stupid, shy smile-Jungkook's jaw tightened, jealousy twisting in his gut like a blade.

That should never have been Jimin. Not like that. Not.with.someone.else.

"I like you like this," Jimin whispered, smiling shyly. "When it's just us."

Jungkook's nails dug into his palms as he fought the urge to step forward, to tear them apart.

Kai chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from Jimin's face. "I like it too. No masks, no pretending."

Jungkook's heart hammered in his chest, the possessiveness boiling over. No masks? Jimin was always supposed to wear a mask.

He was supposed to be arrogant, sharp, and always on edge. The version of Jimin that Kai was bringing out-soft, unguarded-was wrong.

It felt wrong to Jungkook in a way that made his blood boil. He wanted the Jimin who would snap back, who would challenge him.

Not this.

Kai pressed a soft kiss to Jimin's lips before leaving, his footsteps fading into the night.

But the kiss-the sight of it-was seared into Jungkook's mind, fueling his anger.

The way Jimin had smiled after it, standing there in the afterglow, completely unaware of the eyes watching him.

He hated Jimin like that.

He always did.

And always would.

But as Jimin turned to leave the gym, a voice cut through the quiet, sharp and mocking.

"Well, wasn't that cute?"

Jimin's heart stopped his pulse racing. He turned to see Jungkook leaning casually against the lockers, arms crossed, a smug smirk playing on his lips.

His eyes gleamed with something dark, a twisted amusement that made Jimin's stomach turn.

"What do you want, Jungkook?" Jimin asked, his voice sharper than he felt inside. Panic bubbled under his skin.

Jungkook pushed off the lockers, sauntering forward. "Oh, I think you know. I saw you with Kai. It's really cute, sneaking around like that. Guess that's what you've been so distracted by lately."

Jimin's blood ran cold, but he kept his expression as neutral as possible. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Jungkook let out a dark chuckle, stepping closer until he was just inches away. "Oh, I know plenty. The note you slipped him in class, the roses and chocolates in your locker... You thought no one noticed that stupid grin plastered on your face every time you see him?"

Jimin's heart pounded. He thought he had been careful. The notes, the flowers-they had been small gestures, things he thought no one else would pick up on.

But Jungkook... he had seen everything.

He had seen way too much.

Jimin swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure. "You've got nothing on me."

Jungkook's smirk deepened, leaning in closer, his breath warm and tainted with smugness.

"I don't need much. Just one whisper, one photo, and your perfect little world comes crashing down. You know that."

Jimin's fists clenched at his sides. "What do you want, Jungkook? Why are you even bothering with this?"

Jungkook's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he stared into Jimin's. "Because you've changed," he muttered, his voice lower now, more serious.

"All this... 'happy in love' nonsense. You used to be a proper rival, Jimin. Sassy, preppy, arrogant, always ready to throw down. Now look at you-smiling like an idiot, blushing at stupid notes. It's pathetic."

Jimin's chest tightened, confusion flickering through him. "You miss me being your rival?"

Jungkook's smirk returned, this time more sinister. "I miss the challenge. The thrill. Without you pushing back, life's just... boring." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And I hate boring, Jimin."

Jimin's breath hitched, a sinking feeling in his stomach as the realization hit him. Jungkook didn't just want to ruin him-he wanted to control him.

To keep him in this twisted rivalry, to keep Jimin beneath his thumb, miserable and fighting back, just to make life interesting for him.

"You're sick," Jimin muttered, stepping back, but Jungkook stepped forward, closing the gap between them again.

"Maybe. But here's the deal," Jungkook said, his voice dangerously low. "You're going to give me what I want, or I'll make sure everyone knows about your little romance with Kai. Your secret love notes, your late-night meetings in empty gyms... all of it. I'll make sure you and Kai are the talk of the school."

Jimin's heart pounded in his chest, his pulse quickening with fear and anger. "You're blackmailing me."

Jungkook shrugged, his smirk never faltering.

"Call it what you want. I call it keeping things interesting. Here's my offer: you and I... we enter into a little arrangement. You keep being my rival, but we take it up a notch. Let's call it enemies-with-benefits. You give me what I want, and I'll keep your little secret safe."

Jimin's mouth went dry, his mind racing. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I'm dead serious," Jungkook said, his eyes gleaming with twisted excitement. "Because without the challenge, without you snapping back at me, life's too damn dull. And I'll be damned if I let you slip away with some perfect little romance. No, Jimin. You and I? We're going to keep this rivalry burning."

Jimin stared at him, the weight of Jungkook's words crashing down on him. He was trapped, caught in a game he hadn't even realized he was playing.

If he didn't agree, Jungkook would destroy everything-his reputation, his relationship with Kai, and the peace he had found. But if he gave in...

Jimin's voice trembled as he spoke. "And if I don't agree?"

Jungkook's smirk turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "Then I'll make your life a living hell. I'll expose everything, and you can kiss that happy little love story goodbye."

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Hey Jammies hope you enjoyed this chapter, thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

I love hearing your thoughts, so feel free to drop a comment below! Your feedback keeps me motivated and inspired to write. Don't forget to follow for updates there's plenty more drama, romance, and suspense on the way!

Till next Friday