Jungkook and Taehyung agreed to meet up at the rooftop during lunch. Jungkook didn't feel like eating but Taehyung insisted on bringing some food. They set up a few flattened cardboard boxes to make their own makeshift picnic mat on the concrete. He wonders if Mina has noticed their absence from the cafeteria. He hopes it doesn't matter now that she sits with Naeun's clique.

"Well, this is nice," Taehyung says, his hands behind his head as they lay on the cardboard, looking up at the sky.

Jungkook silently agrees, soaking in the fresh air. It's much quieter up here compared to the cafeteria.

He has come up with more options on what to do with the Mina situation. One option is telling Taehyung about Mina. He remembers trying in the past, but each time Taehyung would divert the conversation to something else. It almost feels like Taehyung is unconsciously defending Mina and Jungkook doesn't know how to feel about it; however, this time Jungkook knows for sure Mina is bad news. Would Taehyung believe him now?

"I'm sorry for everything," Taehyung says.

Jungkook sighs. "I know. You can stop saying that now."

Taehyung leans on his side, looking at Jungkook. Jungkook can feel Taehyung's eyes analysing his face.

"Have you decided?" Taehyung asks.

Jungkook's gaze lingers on the sky, taking in the colours and textures of the clouds. "I've had my answer a long time ago."

Taehyung sits up. "You have?!"

Jungkook's laughter is gentle as he sits up, meeting Taehyung's eyes. "Do you want to know?"

Taehyung's nod is hesitant, and he takes a deep breath before gulping.

Jungkook leans in to kiss Taehyung-a kiss drenched in purpose. As they pull apart, Taehyung's eyes flutter before he asks, "Is that a yes?"

Jungkook smiles as Taehyung goes in for a second kiss; Jungkook however, stops the kiss with his finger. "Under one condition."

Taehyung's face changes to one of confusion. "What do you mean?"

"We can't let anyone know." Jungkook isn't fond of his decision, but it's the easiest way-even without Mina's blackmail, Jungkook doesn't want to be diving into a public relationship with another guy in the last year of school. That's like asking for social suicide. Especially if the guy he's dating is Taehyung-all the girls will kill Jungkook. Besides, it will give him time to deal with Mina without involving Taehyung.

Taehyung's face relaxes. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"I'm happy with whatever you want," Taehyung says, grinning.

A smile involuntarily spread across Jungkook's face. "Thanks for being understanding."

"I know you dislike being the center of attention. I can respect those boundaries." Taehyung pushes aside a strand of Jungkook's hair away from his eyes. "I'm just happy you don't hate me."

Jungkook pushes Taehyung down, straddling him playfully. "Don't say those words." Jungkook pouts. "I could never hate you."

The bell rings, making both of them groan. Jungkook wants to stay here a little longer, but he grabs onto the chance to walk with Taehyung to their class without it looking too suspicious-cause you never know when Mina could be watching.

As they approach their class, they see a crowd gathering around what seems like a fight between two students.

"Wait, I gotta quickly grab my things from my locker," Taehyung says, running off before Jungkook could say anything.

The crowd in front of Jungkook piques his interest, so he doesn't give it much thought.

"I'm warning you," Naeun says, the venom in her voice sending chills down Jungkook's spine. "Stay out of my business."

It shocks Jungkook to see Mina as the target of Naeun's distaste, and everyone crowding around is waiting for the fight to get physical.

Mina chuckles. "You can't do anything. You're all talk. I don't know why your minions suck up to a skank like you."

Jungkook gasps.

"What did you just call me?" Naeun pulls out a hair tie, tying up her hair.

Seokjin and Eunji, who are standing behind Naeun, look worried.

"Skank. S K A N K," Mina spells out.

As Naeun throws a fist at Mina, Eunji and Seokjin quickly intervene and hold her back.

"Get off me," Naeun shouts, struggling in their hold. She glares at Mina. "You're a psycho!"

Mina crosses her arms, looking unbothered. "It's funny to hear you say that."

"You're just jealous," Naeun says, her smile turning sinister. "No one wants to be with a two-faced bitch like you. Your vagina probably reeks of old fish."

Jungkook covers his second gasp with his hand.

"You can't get in between us," Mina says, twirling her hair like Naeun usually does.

"I'll kill you!" Naeun lunges at Mina, but everything comes to a halt when Mrs Jung comes rushing into the crowd.

"Break it up!" She shouts, ushering everyone to walk away.

"Well, that was entertaining," Yoongi says, frightening Jungkook.

"When did you get here?!" Jungkook asks, trying to recover from the jump scare.

"I was always here," Yoongi replies before leaving with the ocean of other students heading to class.

Jungkook shakes his head. A part of him is living for the drama now that it doesn't involve him. Too bad Taehyung isn't here to see Mina act the way she did.

💌

Naeun splashes water at her reflection in the mirror. This is fucked. Everything is going to shit, and she doesn't know what to do from here. Her journal has gone missing, and she knows it was Mina who took it-who else could it be? She should have never trusted her.

"Can I leave now?" Seokjin asks, awkwardly standing on the side.

"No," Naeun snaps. They're in the girls' toilet.

"There's nothing we can do about it now. She has the book."

"Well, we can't do nothing." Naeun puts a finger up to her temple in thought.

Seokjin sighs, scratching the back of his head. "At least we don't have to sit with her anymore."

"Oh my god, you're a genius." Naeun grins, tracing her hair back behind her ears.

Seokjin points to himself, confused. "I am?"

Naeun nods. "All you have to do is keep sitting with Mina."

"I did not say that."

"Oh, oh! And then I will pretend you guys kicked me out so she'll think she's hot shit. You and Eunji will follow her and make her feel like the new queen."

Seokjin shakes his head in horror. "I did not sign up for this."

"Mina will keep a tight grip on that book when I'm around, so if you guys can loosen her up a bit... yes, yes. Great idea, Seokjin." Naeun gets her phone out, typing a message. "We'll need to keep Jungkook in check, too. Can't have her outing everything to the school because of him."

"I don't like this."

"Neither do I, Seokjin. Neither do I..." She turns and pinches Seokjin's cheek. "I know you'll miss me. Both of you."

Seokjin rolls his eyes.

"Now. Pretend to ignore me from now on." Naeun nods at herself in the mirror, then turns back to Seokjin. "Too da loo."

She leaves Seokjin, en route to Taehyung. He needs to know what Mina is up to.

💌

A.N:
I know, I know :((( Sorry for disappearing. I'm back at it again~