Jungkook didn't seem convinced, his brow furrowing slightly.  "Are you sure?" he pressed gently. "You seem upset."

Y/N looked down at her hands, feeling a lump form in her throat.

"Jungkook," she said softly.

He nodded, his expression gentle. "Yes?"

"Do you also think I am—" She paused, biting her lip. "Never mind. Let's continue. Today we have another topic to cover," she said quickly, avoiding his eyes.

Jungkook was silent, his brow furrowing slightly as he studied her face. He didn't push her to finish her question, but his concern was evident.

They both turned back to their books.

******

After lunch hour, Y/N entered one of the toilets, locking the door behind her. She set her book bag on a fold-down shelf to keep it off the floor. Taking one of the paper seat protectors from a dispenser, she laid it in place. Excelling in biology and chemistry, she was very aware of what germs could be found in public restrooms. Pushing down her jeans, she squatted until she was only an inch or two from the seat, not risking sitting on it even with the protective paper between her skin and the cold porcelain.

Once she was done relieving herself, she used a few squares of toilet paper to clean herself, tossed the wad into the bowl, and stood. As she pulled up her pants, the door to the hallway swung open with a bang, and three girls burst in, laughing and talking loudly.

"I told you he's a dork!" one of them said, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Oh, I totally agree with you!" another chimed in.

"Can you believe he actually thought I'd go to the prom dance with him? As if! I mean, come on. Seriously? I wouldn't be caught dead dating a loser like him," the third girl added with a cruel laugh.

Y/N hoped the girls would leave, but they continued talking.

"Oh em gee! Speaking of dorks—did you hear who Jungkook is asking to the dance?"

Y/N stiffened at the mention of her crush. She really didn't want to know who he was taking, especially if it was the stuck-up Ji Eun. Maybe if she covered her ears, she wouldn't hear who it was. Okay, stop acting like a kindergartener, you twit. Grow up!

"Who?" one of the girls asked eagerly.

Y/N held her breath, trying to steady her heart. She was on the verge of tears again, her hands trembling slightly.

"You'll never guess! Not in a million years!"

"Who, Stacey? Come on! Dish, girl!"

"Are you ready for this?" There was a long, dramatic pause, and then, "Y/N! Can you believe that?"

Squeals of disbelief echoed off the tiled walls. Y/N's eyes widened, and she slapped her hand over her mouth to keep quiet. She had to have misheard but couldn't think of any other girl in their class with a similar-sounding name. There was no way Jungkook was asking her to the dance. Right? Not when he could invite Ji Eun or any of the other girls who hung all over him.

Oh, my God! Is he really going to ask me?

A split second of excitement about her dream come true was interrupted by, "What? Why the hell would he ask that nobody?"

The insult stung.

"Ryan told me Jungkook is doing it as a joke. He's going to ask her and then stand her up."

The girls cackled loudly as Y/N's eyes burned with hot tears.

"Oh, that's so mean! I hope he does it somewhere we can video it."

"Yes! Oh, my God! That would be perfect!"

A joke. He's doing it as a joke.

Her body trembled, and she almost sat down hard on the toilet, stopping herself just in time. She couldn't let them know she was there. Not now. Not ever. How could Jungkook do that to her? And in front of the whole school! She'd be mortified.

The three girls continued to babble for a few more moments, but Y/N only caught bits and pieces over the roar in her ears. Her chin quivered as she fought to remain silent and hold back the sobs that wanted to erupt from her throat. Of all the people who might pull a mean prank on her, she would have never imagined Jungkook being the one to do it. But Ryan was Jungkook's best friend. If anyone knew who he would invite and why, it would be Ryan. Her heart crumbled.

"C'mon," Stacey said. "Let's go. If I get another demerit, I'll miss tomorrow's game."

The outside restroom door opened and closed again, with the threesome's voices fading as they crossed the hall. When silence finally surrounded her, Y/N's weakened knees gave out. She nearly fell into the toilet but caught herself in time, grabbing onto the nearby shelf and, in the process, knocking her book bag to the floor. She didn't care about getting dirt and germs on her bag since it wasn't as bad as having a piss-wet ass from the unflushed toilet.

The period bell clanged over the PA system, announcing that all students must be in their assigned classrooms, but she ignored it. She wasn't going into study hall after what she'd just heard. She'd rather earn her first demerit ever than sit in the lunchroom, knowing Stacey, Ashley, and Madison were most likely telling everyone what Jungkook's plans were. They'd stare and laugh at her from across the room, and she would squirm under their scrutiny, unable to escape for forty-five minutes when the bell rang again.

A heavy, dull ache took up residence in her body, and a wave of nausea roiled in her stomach, drowning the earlier butterflies. Trying to keep her sobs as low as possible in case someone entered the restroom, she leaned against the wall as tears scalded her cheeks before dripping onto the floor. This was the worst day of her young life. Jungkook's smiling face bounced around her mind as it often did, but she nearly vomited at the image this time.

How could she have been so wrong about him? Why was he scheming to play such a cruel joke on her? What had she ever done to him to deserve that? She tutored him all year to ensure he passed chemistry and never asked for anything in return. Yet, making her a laughingstock in front of the entire school was his way of thanking her? Fuck that!

Boys sucked. Most likely, men did too—her father and uncles being the exceptions. Her dad was the greatest man she knew, and she doubted there was another like him in her future. Someone who would treat her as if she were the most precious woman on earth. Y/N had hoped that Jungkook would be that man someday, but that dream had just been shattered. Her destiny was probably to be a crazy cat lady who lived alone and died a virgin at a ripe old age. Wonderful.Long minutes passed before her tears and sobs ebbed. She used toilet paper to blow her nose and wipe her eyes. Shock and hurt slowly morphed into anger. Now that she had a heads-up about what Jungkook planned to do, she could shore up her defenses and come up with a response for when he asked her to the dance. Hopefully, he wouldn't do it today. The pain was too fresh, and she'd probably burst into tears again when she saw him next.

How could she avoid him? Despite only having two classes together, they often passed each other in the hallway between periods. And then there was the tutoring session that afternoon. The only thing that came to mind was going to the health office and feigning a headache, stomachache, or heart attack. Something, anything that would convince the nurse to let her go home. That would be another first. She hadn't gone to the health office for any reason other than dropping off paperwork for her annual physicals since elementary school. Since she was rarely sick, other than seasonal allergies, her parents wouldn't think she was faking it. Her mom wasn't working today, so she could easily come and pick Y/N up. That would work for now, but she couldn't stay home for the rest of the school year. She needed to talk to Sadie—her cousin would know what to do.

Gathering her things, she exited the stall and stared at her reflection in the mirror again, taking a shuddering breath to stave off another round of tears and blubbering. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her cheeks were pale, so at least she looked sick. With any luck, that would help convince the nurse to let her call her mother.

She quickly washed her hands and then splashed some water on her face before grabbing a few paper towels. While she wanted to appear ill for the nurse, she didn't want anyone else to see her looking like that. It would just give the bullies another reason to taunt and laugh at her. Glancing at her watch, she was surprised to see only seven minutes left until the end of the period. With any luck, she could get to the health office without running into anyone.