Two Months Later

*Mirae POV*

"I'm going to get a head start," I said. "I need to finish up an assignment before school starts."

"Want some company?" Tae asked, his mouth full of food.

"Finish your food!" I grimaced, then laughed. "I'll be fine. See you guys in a little while."

I left the restaurant as they all waved goodbye. It was a 15 minute walk to school from here but sometimes, on sunny days like today, it really wasn't so bad. The morning air was chilly, but not enough to permeate my oversized sweatshirt. (By 'my' I mean Jungkook's that fit him just fine. He'd let me borrow it last winter, and I just never gave it back.) It was a beautiful day, and for some reason, I felt really good about it; like something exciting was going to happen.

I entered the school and saw no one except the school secretary and what appeared to be a student talking to her in the front office. I made my way to my first class. Mrs. Lee always unlocked her classroom early in the mornings for reasons such as this. I think I may be the only one who'd ever taken advantage of it, but still she continued to do it, even if it was just for me.

"Mirae!" Mrs. Lee said delightedly. "It's lovely to see you!"

"You, too, Mrs. Lee." I bowed slightly and smiled. "Is it alright if I – "

"Yes, of course, honey! Do whatever you need to do."

"Thanks." I headed to my usual seat and began finishing up the Algebra homework I'd been doing when I'd fallen asleep the night before.

When I'd finished that, I realized I still had another 15 minutes before class started. I reached into my backpack and pulled out the sheet music for the newest song I was learning to play on the piano. I loved music, but had always been dedicated to singing. It had only been recently that I'd decided to branch out and learn more. My dad played multiple instruments, and I'd decided to start with his favorite. So, I had been teaching myself to play the piano for about three months. It was my birthday wish for myself, to learn.

I was tapping imaginary keys on my desk as I read over the notes again and again until there was a distraction at the front of the classroom in the form of the school secretary and the student I'd seen talking to her in the office. I recognized that it was the same student because his hair was a soft, light shade of mint green.

They approached Mrs. Lee's desk, and I heard the secretary say, "Hello, Mrs. Lee!" in a voice that was way too chipper for so early in the morning. Apparently the new kid agreed, because he stiffened and barely managed to hide a grimace as she spoke. "This is Min Yoongi, a new student. This will be his first class of the day."

"Welcome, Mr. Min!" Mrs. Lee said kindly. "It's a pleasure to have you join my class!" Yoongi bowed politely but said nothing.

As I observed him further, I noted more distinguishing factors about him. He was pale, much more so than I was accustomed to. But surprisingly, the light green hue of his hair actually complimented his skin, rather than washed it out. He was slightly shorter than the average height for a guy, but taller than my 164 cm height for sure. The way he held himself made him appear to be somehow simultaneously anxious and self-assured. From where I was sitting, I couldn't make out many specific features of his face, but I did note the impassive look on it.

"He, um," the secretary lowered her voice as a few other students began filtering into the classroom and taking their seats as they talked amongst themselves. "He has requested to not be introduced to the class."

"Oh," said Mrs. Lee, a bit surprised. "Well, that's no problem! I will honor that request, Mr. Min." He mumbled what I assumed was a 'thank you' before Mrs. Lee continued. "I don't have a seating chart in my class, so feel free to sit wherever you'd like!"

I looked back down at my sheet music before he looked toward the desks, not wanting to be caught watching him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him shuffle to the back of the classroom and sit in the very last row, in the furthest seat on the left side of the room.

He obviously liked to keep to himself and not be the center of attention, or even noticed at all. 'He'll never make friends that way,' I thought. 'But I get it. I'm the same way.' I had always had built-in friends, however, because our parents were all friends. I never had to actually make any friends; they'd just always been there.

And suddenly, I began hatching a plan. I'd have to show confidence, which would be difficult in a situation like this for anyone, but especially for me. And I knew I'd probably even have to be overly confident because I highly doubted I'd be well-received.

The thought of all of this made my stomach do a little nervous flip, and I began to question whether or not it was worth it. But in the end, determination and the thought of Yoongi otherwise being all alone here won.

And the eventual look on the boys' faces as I proved them wrong? An awesome added bonus.

~~~~~~~~~~

Yoongi wasn't in my next class, but he was in my third. I kept my distance in third period, though, because I knew I wouldn't be able to talk to him there for long. And before I knew it, the lunch bell rang. Lunch period offered an ample amount of time for a conversation, and I knew it was now time to put my plan into action. I waited until Yoongi had left the classroom to get up and go to my locker to grab my lunch.

I took a deep breath outside of the cafeteria before entering. I saw him sitting at a table directly across the room from the one where the boys and I always sat. He was unsurprisingly alone, lazily scrolling on his phone.

I took another deep breath, then strode toward him with an air of confidence that was so fake, I was sure he'd see right through it.

"What's up, new kid?" I asked, standing before him.

He looked up at me and I was finally able to get a better look at his features. Due to what I'd seen of his bored, deadpan facial expressions which showcased his obvious disdain for seemingly anyone and everything around him, I was not expecting to find that Yoongi was quite good-looking.

Despite his bangs hanging halfway over them, I could see that he had cat-like eyes that were a dark-chocolate brown. They were framed by a monolid on the right, and a double lid on the left. Everything about his eyes was striking, and looked as though they'd be absolutely beautiful if it weren't for the contempt in them with which he was scrutinizing me.

He had an adorable button nose that I had to seriously resist the urge to reach across the table and boop. The disapproval and irritation at having been approached and spoken to radiating off of him made it quite obvious that he wasn't ready for booping just yet.

His lips were set in an unamused half frown, but his cupid's bow was plush and prominent, and his lower lip was just plump enough that it made his expression appear more pouty than the intimidating he appeared to be trying to convey.

He had not spoken in the time I'd been observing him more closely, and I continued to wait for an answer for a few seconds longer than necessary, purposefully making it awkward.

"The silent type, huh?" I raised my eyebrows and smiled audaciously at him as I tossed my dosirak onto the table. His expression never changed as he watched me the whole time, even as I pulled my backpack off and let it slide to the floor. But then his eyes widened very slightly, and he scowled as I dropped into the chair across the table from him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, in a monotone voice that was tinged with annoyance.

"He speaks!" I exclaimed. His scowl deepened. "I'm sitting," I replied brazenly. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

"Annoying me," he stated bluntly.

I laughed. "That was rhetorical, but good to know I'm making a memorable first impression! I'm Mirae."

He said nothing, but furrowed his brow at me, as though expecting me to say something else. I didn't.

"Am I supposed to say something now?" he asked with irritated sarcasm.

I smiled. "You just did."

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. It was confirmed when Yoongi looked up, another scowl forming.

"Uh, Rae?"

"What's up, Tae?" I asked as I looked up, too.

"Everyone's at our table, wondering where you are. We're doing our best to hold onto your chair but – "

"I'm gonna sit here today."

"No!" Yoongi interjected. His dark eyes flashed ominously as they met mine. "Sit with your friends."

I cocked my head. "Are we not friends, Yoongi?" I asked with mock confusion.

His unreadable expression returned. "No."

"Hmm," I shook my head as if deep in thought. "That's a shame."

"Sooo..." Tae said, turning his head so only I could see his wide-eyed expression that screamed what are you doing. "You coming?"

"Nah. Tell the boys I'll see you guys later. I'm gonna sit here today."

Tae furrowed his brow at me, but then slowly walked away.

"Go sit with your friends," Yoongi growled through clenched teeth.

"But I'm already set up here," I said as I opened my dosirak and held up my chopsticks for him to see.

"Fine," he spat. "I'll leave."

"I doubt that," I said matter of factly, not bothering to look up at him as he stood. "You don't strike me as the type who enjoys being around large groups of people. And unfortunately for you, you waited too long to try to switch tables. So, now you have two options: one of those," I thrust my thumb over my shoulder. He glanced behind me at the other tables surrounded by people. "Or this one."

He sighed loudly and dropped back into his chair.

"Good choice!" I chirped. "None of those people would have even introduced themselves to you. A bunch of assholes go to this school."

"You go to this school."

I finally looked up at him. "Who says I'm not an asshole?" I winked.

He rolled his eyes. "Just don't talk to me."

I shrugged as I took a bite of rice. I then pulled out my phone to occupy myself. I smiled as I noticed I had about a dozen texts from the guys. I opened one and replied.

JOON

Joon What the hell are you
doing?

Mirae What do you mean?

Joon Why are you sitting over
there?

Mirae I'm stepping out of my
comfort zone.

Joon Is that what this is about?
Mirae, that was months ago!

Joon I thought we'd moved past that.

Mirae Yes, but that doesn't mean I
can't still try to do it now!

Joon Are you trying to prove a
point or something?

Mirae Do I need to prove a point?

Joon Of course not! But it feels
like that's what you're doing.

Mirae Well, if a point ends up being
proven, then hooray!

Joon 😑

Joon But why with the angsty new
kid?

Mirae Go big or go home.

Joon I swear to god, you're more
competitive than Jungkook.

"HA!" I laughed so loudly that Yoongi jumped, and many people throughout the cafeteria turned to look at me. I ignored them and continued to laugh quietly, knowing Joon had heard me across the room. I could feel his eyes boring into me.

I began to sense another pair of eyes on me, and I glanced up. Yoongi was watching me. I raised my eyebrows at him.

"What's so funny that you needed to draw the entire cafeteria's attention to my table?" he asked, obviously annoyed.

I stared at him blankly. He shrugged as he gestured toward me, as though allowing me to explain. I continued staring. Realization hit him after about 30 more seconds.

"Oh my god," he said with exasperation as he rolled his eyes. "You can talk to me."

I smiled brightly. "My friend sent me a funny text."

He just looked at me.

"So, here's the thing," I leaned toward him conspiratorially. He didn't budge. "My friends say that I refuse to meet new people due to my social anxiety, which is accurate. So, to prove them wrong, I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone." I sat back in my chair. "That's why I'm here. Talking to strangers terrifies me." I smiled broadly at him as I shrugged my shoulders.

He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Are you fucking with me?" he asked.

I looked at him innocently as I shook my head.

"So, I'm what? Your guinea pig? A bet?"

"No, neither of those!" I insisted. "Well, you're definitely not a bet. Guinea pig...maybe kinda? I just thought that this was the perfect opportunity to try, since we're both benefiting and – "

He cut me off. "How am I benefiting from this candid camera shit?"

I snorted. He didn't appreciate it.

"You didn't know anyone here and – "

"Didn't?"

"Exactly," I grinned at him again. "Now you know me!"

His face was entirely expressionless. "Who said I want to know you?"

"Ooo, savage!" I giggled, and my eyes danced with genuine amusement. "Well, fuck you, too!"

His eyebrows shot up, and a look of surprise briefly crossed his face. His signature apathetic look replaced it just as quickly, however, and his monotone voice also returned.

"You're odd."

"Thanks!" I said brightly. "And you seem...nice!" I made sure the last word was dripping with sarcasm as I flashed him another cheeky grin.

He rolled his eyes yet again, just as the bell rang. We both stood.

"You need help finding your next class?" I offered.

"No." He turned on his heel and walked away.

"It was great having lunch with you, Yoongi!" I yelled over the crowd, causing him to drop his head as if embarrassed. "Let's do it again soon!" He didn't even look back at me as he raised a hand just slightly over his head and flipped me off. I laughed loudly, making sure he heard it before he exited the cafeteria.