Jungkook's pov

"No, this can't be happening," I muttered to myself, the weight of realization settling heavily upon my shoulders. "I can't betray my best friend. I can't allow myself to fall for her. It's wrong."

With a firm resolve, I shook my head, as if attempting to dispel the unwelcome thoughts swirling in my mind. She still loved Taehyung, and she always would. I couldn't allow myself to interfere with that, to complicate things further.

"Jungkook, get a grip. You're not thinking clearly," I admonished myself sternly, my hands tightening on the steering wheel as I navigated towards my house. "Go home, take a shower, and get some sleep. You need to clear your head."

With that, I pushed aside the tumult of conflicting emotions threatening to overwhelm me, focusing instead on the mundane tasks of daily life. I would confront this newfound attraction head-on, tackle it before it had the chance to grow stronger and jeopardize everything I held dear.

....................

y/n's pov

I took a quick shower and changed into my night dress. I laid under the blankets staring at the sky through the window. Soon I was zoned into my past.

1st day in college. 4 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS AGO.

Standing before the imposing iron gate, I clutched my ID card tightly in one hand, a pen poised in the other. A heavy bag hung from my back, filled with the weight of anticipation and nervousness. With thick glasses perched on my nose, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me, my heart pounding in my chest like a drumbeat.

Surrounded by students who exuded confidence and ease, I couldn't help but feel out of place, like a fish out of water. Their casual demeanor contrasted sharply with my own jittery disposition, amplifying my sense of insecurity.

As I glanced around, I caught glimpses of unfriendly glances directed my way, further fueling my apprehension. It seemed as though I was already being judged before I even stepped foot inside.With a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and forced myself to take the first step forward, determined to push past my fears and embark on this new chapter of my life. Little did I know, this would be the beginning of a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and self-discovery.

With hesitant steps, I made my way through the bustling corridors of the school towards the principal's office. Despite my nerves, the principal greeted me warmly, congratulating me on winning the scholarship. Grateful for her kind words, I expressed my thanks before setting off towards my designated class.

However, my excitement quickly turned to confusion as I found myself lost in the labyrinthine corridors of the school. Amidst the maze of hallways, I stumbled upon a passing student and sheepishly inquired about the directions to the Electronics section.

"Are you new here?" the boy quipped, a hint of amusement in his tone. I nodded in affirmation, feeling slightly embarrassed by my predicament.

"Come with me," he instructed, leading me towards a wooden door. "Get in. This is your class."

"Thank you," I replied, bowing slightly in gratitude. But as I stepped inside, I was met with darkness. Confused, I fumbled for the light switch, only to realize that the door had been slammed shut behind me.

"Hey! Please open it! I'm locked in!" I called out in panic, but there was no response. The boy had left me alone in the dark.

Cursing my misfortune, I frantically searched for the switchboard, my heart pounding in my chest with each passing second. This was not how I had envisioned my first day at school, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of fear and anxiety wash over me as I grappled with the darkness that surrounded me.

As I stumbled further into the darkness, my knee collided painfully with a nearby table, eliciting a sharp cry of pain. I winced as I felt the injured spot throb with a dull ache, the skin turning an ominous shade of purple.

But my discomfort was quickly overshadowed by a sudden, cry that echoed through the darkness, sending shivers down my spine. "AAAAHHHHH!!!" I recoiled in fear, instinctively raising my arms to shield my face as I stumbled backwards, my back colliding with the solid wall behind me.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I cowered on the ground, my heart racing with fear and confusion. And then, just as suddenly as the scream had erupted, a beam of light pierced through the darkness, illuminating the figure of a boy standing before me, his expression one of concern.

"Hey, are you alright?" he asked, his voice deep and husky, cutting through the silence like a beacon of reassurance.

I could only respond with sobs, my body trembling with fear as I awaited his next move.

"Are you crying? Wait, let me switch on the lights," he said, his voice laced with urgency as he darted off to find the light switch. Moments later, the room was bathed in a warm glow, revealing the surroundings in their entirety.

As I wiped away my tears and adjusted my glasses, I realized that I was in the Biology lab. My initial panic began to subside, replaced by a sense of relief at finally being able to see my surroundings clearly.

"Gwenchanna?" the boy inquired once more, his tone soft and gentle.

"Y-yes... I was scared," I admitted in a low voice, still shaken from the ordeal.

"You look new here," he observed, his gaze lingering on me thoughtfully.

"I joined today," I confirmed, meeting his gaze with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

"Khereku Nae," he murmured, his eyes roaming over me in an appraising manner.

Returning his gaze, I couldn't help but notice the striking features that adorned his handsome face. He stood a good five inches taller than me, his dark, piercing gaze capturing my attention with its intensity. His smile, when it graced his lips, was utterly captivating, and his soft, black hair seemed to shimmer in the light like spun silk.

He was neither thin nor thick, but rather possessed a perfect balance in his appearance. But what struck me the most was his voice—deep and resonant, like the ebb and flow of the ocean, drawing me in with its allure.

"What are you doing here in the lab? Aren't you supposed to be in your classroom?" Taehyung's sharp question snapped me out of my daze.

"I was supposed to be, but I got lost, and that guy showed me the way here," I explained, still feeling a bit shaken from the encounter.

"Was he tall and fair, wearing a red shirt?" Taehyung inquired, his expression darkening.

"Ye-yes," I confirmed hesitantly.

"Jaebum..." Taehyung muttered under his breath, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone. "He's a bully and our senior. I'd advise you to stay away from him in the future."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind," I replied gratefully, bowing slightly in acknowledgment of his warning.

"Which class are you supposed to go to?" Taehyung asked, his demeanor softening as he shifted the conversation.

"E-electronics," I replied, feeling a surge of relief at the change in topic.

"I'm in the same class!" Taehyung exclaimed excitedly, his smile infectious. "By the way, I'm Taehyung! Friends?" He extended his hand towards me.

"Y/N," I introduced myself, accepting his hand with a smile. His touch sent a warm, tingling sensation coursing through my body. "Friends!"

As we exchanged introductions, Taehyung's gaze suddenly shifted behind me, his expression changing to one of amusement. "Do you know who's behind you?" he teased, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"W-Who?" I stammered, my heart racing with anticipation as I hesitantly turned my head—And came face to face with a skeleton.

"AAAAH!" I screamed in terror, instinctively lurching forward and wrapping my arms around 

Taehyung's neck, seeking refuge in his comforting embrace. It was a reflex, I swear—I hadn't meant to do it.

""It's okay, there's nothing to be scared of," Taehyung reassured me, his voice calm and soothing as he gently patted my back.

Feeling utterly embarrassed, I reluctantly released my grip from around his neck, my cheeks burning with humiliation. Why couldn't the ground just open up and swallow me whole?"S-sor-ry. I d-did not i-intend t-to—" I stuttered, my words barely audible as I struggled to articulate my apology.

"It's okay. I don't mind. You were just scared," Taehyung replied, his tone filled with understanding as he attempted to alleviate the tension between us.

"Now come on, I'll escort you to the class," he continued, taking charge of the situation with ease.

"But the door is locked," I pointed out, feeling a fresh wave of embarrassment wash over me at the realization.

"There's a back door," Taehyung informed me matter-of-factly, his casual demeanor helping to ease my nerves slightly.

With my face burning a tomato-red hue, I followed behind him as we made our way to the back entrance. As a student of a girls' school, it felt like a mortifying disgrace to have reacted in such a manner, and I mentally berated myself a hundred times over in the span of the past few minutes. But with Taehyung by my side, his reassuring presence offered a glimmer of comfort amidst the sea of embarrassment and self-recrimination.

Time skip to the period before lunch

As the professor scanned the room, his gaze settled on the girl seated beside me. "Jisoo? Tell me the answer," he prompted, expecting a response.

"I- I umm, It-it was, it was..." Jisoo faltered, struggling to find the answer.

Meanwhile, I had already solved the question and discreetly written the answer on the desk, signaling to Jisoo to convey it. With a grateful nod, she recited the answer, much to the professor's satisfaction.

"Thank you. I am in your debt. You can ask for my help anytime," Jisoo whispered to me, her voice filled with gratitude.

"It's my pleasure to help you," I replied, offering her a reassuring smile.

Across the room, Taehyung sat with his friends, appearing bored and on the verge of dozing off."Y/N? Can you draw the circuit explained by Jisoo on the smart board?" the professor called out, redirecting his attention towards me.

Making my way to the LED board, I took the stylus in hand and swiftly sketched out the entire diagram, complete with labeling and additional details. 

"Awesome!" the professor exclaimed, his approval evident as he continued, "This is the best diagram I've ever seen! You've done even better than me!" Applause erupted in the classroom, with Taehyung suddenly appearing wide awake, clapping enthusiastically with a wide toothy smile.

Not everyone shared Taehyung's enthusiastic smile; some faces were tinged with envy, their expressions betraying their inner turmoil. But I paid them no mind as I made my way back to my seat, a silly grin plastered on my face.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, the room quickly emptied until only a handful of students remained. I packed my bag and prepared to head to the cafeteria when my path was blocked by a boy, his tone rough and demanding.

"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded.

"C-Café," I stammered in response.

"Who's going to do our homework then?" his friend interjected, his voice equally harsh.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confusion evident in my tone.

"Don't play dumb. Take these!" With that, they tossed five notebooks at me. "Complete these tasks by the next period!"

"I-I... You should do your own work," I whispered, unable to meet their gaze.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO LECTURE US?!" the boy erupted, his voice booming in the small room.I flinched at his sudden outburst. "I didn't mean that," I mumbled, feeling the weight of their expectations bearing down on me.

"Do it then. I know you're a nerd," they taunted before storming out of the room, leaving me feeling defeated and dejected. Reluctantly, I returned to my seat, my hunger pangs forgotten as I stared down at the notebooks in front of me. 

"Do you study even during recess?" a familiar voice interrupted my concentration.

Looking up, I saw the tall figure of Taehyung standing before me. "I don't want to, but I have to. Otherwise, they'll harass me more," I explained, frustration evident in my voice.

"What! Who are they?!" Taehyung's anger flared, his brows furrowing with concern.

I recounted the incident to him, watching as his expression darkened with each word. "Those bloody fuckers! How dare they?! I'll tell Namjoon! They'll be punished!" Taehyung growled, his voice deep with righteous anger. It was surprising to see him so worked up on my behalf.

Namjoon, the student president of the first-year batch, was respected by all. He was also a close friend of Taehyung's.

"It's okay. I don't mind doing them. I don't want them to get into trouble because of me," I interjected, trying to diffuse the situation.

"You don't have to be so good," Taehyung remarked, his voice softening slightly.

"Forgive them for today, please?" I pleaded, not wanting to escalate the situation on my first day.

"Okay, only for you! But I'll make sure this is never repeated," Taehyung vowed, his determination evident in his tone. Grateful for his understanding, I nodded in agreement and returned to my work. To my surprise, Taehyung settled beside me, taking a notebook in hand.

"What are you doing?" I asked, genuinely surprised by his gesture.

"Helping you," he replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Why? You should be eating your food, or you'll be hungry later," I protested.

"You're starving too, aren't you? And we're friends. It's my duty to help my friend," Taehyung replied with a warm smile.

I was at a loss for words. No one had ever cared for me like this before. I had never had any close friends. Taehyung was different. "Thank you," I murmured, feeling a swell of gratitude in my chest.

"No thanks, no sorry among friends," he reminded me with a smile.

"Okay," I replied, returning his smile.

Suddenly, someone peeked through the door, and upon spotting me, rushed over like a ghost. He leveled himself to my height and peered into my eyes, blinking in sync with me. Then, he began circling around me, almost as if he were examining me. His pointer finger touched my arm, as if to verify my existence.

"Stop it, Kook! You're scaring her!" Taehyung scolded, coming to my defense.

"I'm more scared! You and WITH A REAL GIRL?! Are you sick, Tae??" 'Kook' replied, his tone incredulous.

"Stop your nonsense!" Taehyung retorted, his voice firm as he defended our friendship, while I sat gaping like a fish out of water.

"Usually, you avoid girls, so why this change?? Is she your girlfriend??" 'Kook' persisted, his curiosity evident in his tone.

"G-girlf-rie-end??" I stammered, my eyes widening and my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"It's not what you think! We're just friends!" Taehyung clarified, his cheeks displaying a faint pinkish tinge that I couldn't help but notice. Could it be that even he was feeling embarrassed?

As Taehyung explained the situation to his friend, I stole a quick glance at 'Kook'. He was of the same height as Taehyung, but a bit thicker. His eyes were large and doe-like, drawing attention to his features. However, it was his lips that were the most captivating. His hair lazily fell across his forehead, adding to his appeal. In this moment, he looked handsome as he observed me, but then his expression softened, and he suddenly appeared cute. Should I say he was handsome in a cute way?

"Hi, I'm Jungkook. Nice to meet you," he greeted me with a warm smile, resembling a human bunny with his adorable expression.

"I'm Y/N. Nice to meet you too," I replied, returning his smile.

"I'm Taehyung's best friend from childhood, so his friend is my friend too," Jungkook happily exclaimed.

"You're my third friend here."

"Who are 1 and 2?"

"Taehyung and Jisoo."

"Oh, I see." Jungkook noted.

"By the way, I didn't see you in this class." 

"That's because I'm a commerce student," he explained.

"Hey!" Taehyung interjected, "I'm also present, you know?"

"I'm just introducing myself to your girl," Jungkook defended, intentionally emphasizing the word 'your' and giving me a playful wink, which turned my face into a tomato once again.

"Jungkook, stop flirting!" Taehyung snapped, sensing my discomfort. "She's not comfortable." He read my mind, and I couldn't help but appreciate his understanding nature. I really liked this guy.

"I'm still single," Jungkook remarked.

"Me too. But I don't flirt, unlike you!" Taehyung retorted with a playful grin.

I glanced at the time and realized that only 10 minutes were left. I quickened my pace with my work, feeling slightly distracted by their banter.

"Go to your class, Jungkook! We need to complete the work!" Taehyung urged, realizing that we were running out of time.

"These boys! I want to kick their asses so hard!" Jungkook muttered under his breath. "Did you two eat?"

"Not yet," Taehyung replied.

Jungkook rolled his eyes and took out a packet of Bourbon biscuits. "Do your work while I feed you both!"

"It's okay, I—" Before I could protest, he shoved a biscuit into my mouth.

"Shut up and continue your work!" he insisted, a playful glint in his eyes.

"But I mmm... I can't speak with my mouth full..." I mumbled incoherently with a mouthful of biscuit.

Taehyung chuckled softly at our childish antics, enjoying the camaraderie between us.

_____________________________

Phew! 2341 words! Hope you are still reading...😊