Hana:

"You know, you don't have to walk me to school every single day," I mutter as Namjoon walks me into the school gates.

"It's okay," He slides his hands into the pockets of his jeans, stopping and turning to look at me, "My trip to the University doesn't change either way,"

"It kind of does," I pout, blushing slightly. This morning, Namjoon waited out the front for ages again. I did get into the habit of waking up early so he wasn't waiting so long for me, but last night I was super engrossed in this new drama. It has my favourite actors in it, so I had to start watching it. Once I started, I couldn't stop. My assessments were screaming for me to study, but I couldn't turn it off. It should be a crime for a drama to end every single episode on a cliffhanger.

Just the usual experience for any K-drama fan.

"It's fine, really," Namjoon chuckles, "As I said on the first day I started walking with you; I wouldn't do it if it bothered me,"

"Fine," I roll my eyes.

Today, Taehyung got to school early with his English assessment group so they could practice. I'm sure Namjoon wanted to arrive early too.

We have become closer ever since he started taking me to school with Taehyung. Tae, of course, loves Namjoon.

We have some things in common, but I still get the feeling that Namjoon isolates himself from others. I wish to find out why.

I hope to know everything about Namjoon, and I hope he opens up to me.

"Hana!" I look around, spotting Minho leaving one of the buildings. He jogs over to us with that brilliant smile on his face.

"Hey!" I hug him briefly, "How are you?"

"I'm pretty tired," Minho yawns, "Hoseok and Jungkook wanted to read through our assessment, so Jisung and I arrived early,"

I look over his shoulder to see Jungkook, Hoseok, and another guy, who must be Han Jisung, leaving the building Minho did. They wave at us, walking towards the building our English class is in.

I look up at Namjoon. He is giving Minho that strange look again as if he is wary of him.

"I'll see you in class, okay?" I say to Minho. He nods, smiling and bowing towards Namjoon. He continues glaring at him, leaving Minho to shuffle away from his stare. He turns and follows the others inside, jogging a little to catch up.

Before Namjoon can start towards the classroom, I grab his arm. He pauses, turning towards me.

"What's up?" He asks.

"What's up? Seriously?" I frown, folding my arms, "Why do you keep trying to start fights with everyone?"

Namjoon pales, looking at me as if I have caught him in some horrible act. He stays silent for a moment as if battling with his thoughts. Then, he smiles, wiping his expression of any discomfort.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"Don't lie to me, Kim Namjoon," I enunciate each syllable of his name firmly, "First Yoongi, then Jimin, and now Minho? What is your problem?"

Namjoon is taken aback by my observations. He clears his throat, shuffling his feet uncomfortably.

"I don't keep starting fights..." He looks up into my eyes, looking past his eyebrows. Darkening. Smouldering. It's almost like he's trying to communicate his reasons with this stare alone. The intensity leaves me feeling a little weak. I stare back, holding my ground firmly. I won't let him sway me, not his beautiful smile, or his attractive eyes.

Oh my god, Hana?? I chastise myself, Focus!

"Oh?" I look away, trying to maintain my composure, "Then why do you keep staring at Minho like that?"

He doesn't respond, so I look back. He still has that look in his eyes, but it slowly transforms into what looks like pity.

"Could you promise me something?" He asks, taking me aback.

"Maybe," I mumble.

"Can you promise me you won't ever be alone with him?"

What?

I frown, my confidence returning at this strange statement.

"Huh? Why? What do you know that I don't?" I blubber, my confusion mounting.

"Can you just promise me, please?" Namjoon asks quietly, taking a step closer. I gulp.

"No," I say firmly, "I need a reason,"

Namjoon looks away, sighing deeply as he considers my answer. After a moment, he simply shakes his head.

"Don't worry... let's go,"

He turns and starts walking towards the building. After a moment, I follow him, feeling more confused than ever.

. . . 

The Next day...

Just before lunch, I have a class with Minho. None of my other friends have this class, which is how I came to meet him.

When I first entered the room during the first week of attending school, I saw him sitting at the back by himself. It was the last seat available. It was quite easy to talk to him, and it still is.

Now, as I enter the class, he waves me over happily. I skip through the class, sliding onto the spare seat easily.

"Good morning," I grin, unpacking my bag.

"Good morning," He returns my smile, "How are you today?"

"Well, I woke up late again, so Namjoon had to wait for me," I chuckle. Minho's expression changes briefly, before his smile returns. I raise my eyebrow at him, turning so I am facing him.

"What's wrong?" I ask. He fiddles with his bag, avoiding eye contact with me.

"He doesn't seem to like me much, huh?" He mutters eventually, looking crestfallen.

Aww, no.

"It doesn't matter," I shrug, "Namjoon fights with everyone,"

"Really?" Minho frowns, "Like who?"

I update Minho on the situation with Jimin and Yoongi. Minho told me a lot of what I know about the fight between Namjoon and Yoongi, so I just simply remind him of it.

"So you see," I smirk, "You don't have to worry. Plus, I will get mad at him if he hurts you,"

"Promise?" Minho holds up his pinkie, smirking slightly.

"Promise!" I link my pinkie with his. He nods, turning back to his school bag so we can prepare for class.

. . . 

The next few weeks pass by in a blur. Namjoon, Yoongi, Jimin, and I all got really good grades on our English assessment; All thanks to Namjoon.

Each class comes and goes, and each lunchtime spent with them comes and goes. I find myself falling deep into the mindset school gets you into. This intense focus and need to finish, longing for the school holidays.

I end up spending more time with Minho. His fear of Namjoon builds, so occasionally I'll spend lunch with him and his friends instead of my friends.

We talk about anything and everything. I have so much in common with him, such as anime and dancing. He is a beautiful dancer, coming up with intricate choreographies for any song. I find myself mesmerised by his movements whenever he asks me to watch him dance.

He is such a strange character. I thought my other friends were weird, but Minho is next level. One afternoon, after school had finished, we spent the afternoon watching movies, only communicating with sounds.

Even with my new, blossoming friendship, I still find myself mesmerised by Namjoon. It's almost like my world is in black and white when he is not around. His smile, his eyes, his intense stare, his cute little dimples that show up when he's laughing. His intelligence, his deep conversations, everything. I find myself giggling when he freezes whenever our friends confuse him. His blank expression when he drops or breaks something. His random bursts of dancing energy when Jungkook and Jimin start dancing to something. His long encouraging texts and his enthusiasm for life.

I think I am falling in love with this man, and I am not sure I like it.

There is no way he will reciprocate my feelings. So, I keep them to myself. But there is still that little voice at the back of my head, begging, wanting.

. . . 

"HANA!" Jimin rushes over to me, pulling me in for a big hug. I grunt from the impact, winded from his enthusiasm.

"Yah, you're acting like I haven't seen you for months or something," I mumble against his chest. He pulls away, beaming cheerfully.

"You didn't hang out with us yesterday," He pouts, "Why don't you bring Minho and his friends to our table?"

"Am I not allowed other friends?" I tease as he leads me to our friends.

It has been 2 weeks since Namjoon told me to not hang out with Minho. I, obviously, didn't do as I was told. I still have no idea why he watches him so cautiously. Even Yoongi has started acting strange around him, requesting to talk to him alone. Minho has refused, worried about Namjoon's influence on Yoongi. I don't understand any of it. Minho is amazing. Even though I see Namjoon every morning, I don't bring it up, and neither does her.

"Of course you are," Jimin tsks, "I just wish we could all hang out together,"

Me too.

I reach the table, greeting my friends happily.

"Hana! How are you?" Jungkook jumps up, giving me a small hug.

"Hi, Hana!" Taehyung waves. I saw him on the train this morning, so he is less enthusiastic than my other friends, who are acting like I abandoned them.

"Hey!"

"Sit down Hana!"

Seokjin and Hoseok wave, gesturing to a seat near them in between Jimin's seat and Namjoon's. I try to ignore the blush on my cheeks and head to the seat. Jimin slides in beside me, immediately continuing a conversation with Hoseok. Yoongi and Seokjin are talking seriously about something, and Jungkook and Taehyung continue an arm wrestling match.

"Hey," I tense at the sound of Namjoon's deep voice.

Okay, maybe I have been avoiding my feelings for Namjoon instead of just hanging out with Minho like I'd like people to believe.

"Hi," I smile, hiding behind a confident mask.

"How have you been?" He asks.

"Pretty good," I chuckle nervously, starting on the lunch I purchased from the café.

"That's good," I look up to see him smiling, watching me eat the sandwich. I look away, startled. Is it just me, or have his eyes become more intense?

"So, this weekend we are all going to go out for some BBQ and drinks," Namjoon explains, "Want to come?"

"Oh! That sounds awesome, I'd love to!" I cheer.

"Sorry, I forgot to text you about it," Jimin chimes in, appearing suddenly over my shoulder, "We are all going, so it's going to be great,"

"I can't wait," I smile as he returns to the conversation with Hoseok. Namjoon chuckles, watching me eat my food. Cautiously, I cover my mouth with my hand.

"What's wrong?" he chuckles, leaning on his hand as that beautiful smile shines over me.

Oh my god, why are you so cute?

I frown, ignoring my stupid brain.

"Nothing," I shake my head, swallowing my last bite of food, "What's wrong with you?" I ask, a little too forcefully.

"Huh?" He blushes, looking down at the table, "Sorry..."

"No! It's okay!" I wave my hands in front of me, laughing at his pretend hurt facial expression.

We continue catching up on various things. Apparently, at lunch yesterday, Jungkook almost broke his arm trying to do something Taehyung dared him to do. Jimin lost a bet to Seokjin and ended up treating him like royalty for 30 minutes.

During the conversation, I notice someone watching us talk. I turn and look at Yoongi, frowning at him. He is smirking, subtly watching us out of the corner of his eye. Once we make eye contact, he winks, gesturing subtly to Namjoon. I blush. I know what that means.

Am I being too obvious? 

Happy birthday Min Yoongi!!!

(A/N) 🫰🫰🫰