"Hey Namjoon!" (Y/N) chased after the male, her hands placed underneath her backpack to stop it from bouncing up and down. Her pace picked up when she saw him walker faster to his family's car. "Namjoon! You forgot your notebook!"

Namjoon finally turns around, grunting in annoyance. Once she's in front of him, her breaths heavy from her sprint, she handed him his notebook with a smile. Instead of saying thank you, he continues his walk without giving her a second glance.

She frowns as she witnessed him throwing his notebook away. "I hate it when that filthy bitch touch my things," he said to himself, loud enough for her to hear.

(Y/N) bit her lips, choking back the tears that dared escape her eyes. "I... I just want to be your friend! I'm always nice to you even though you're mean to me. I defend you when people talk behind your back even though you spread negative things behind mine. I—"

"WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP!! Leave me alone! I don't want you. Nobody fucking wants you!" Namjoon yelled. He boarded his family's car, seeing a glimpse of (Y/N)'s sullen face. He felt terrible, but his pride got the best of him. "She wants us to be closer? As if..."

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"Do you think I could fit a whole apple in my mouth?" Yuri curiously asks Namjoon, his eyes studying the apple on his hand.

"Please don't do that."

"Why not? If I do it, isn't that a great achievement to have?"

"Don't," Namjoon deadpanned.

"Your jaw will lock into place if you do that," (Y/N) chimes. She drags a suitcase behind her as she approaches the two boys waiting for the school's bus to arrive while Jooyoung trails behind her, face unusually happy looking. "The apple will get stuck and the only way to get it out is to put a knife in your mouth to slice it. Doesn't sound so nice doesn't it?"

"Kill joys..." Yuri mutters to himself. "Ah! Jooyoung sunbaenim, did you get the note I gave you?"

"It's hard to miss when you taped it to my forehead..." she replies, "and yes I'll be your seat mate."

"Wait— I asked you earlier if I could be your seat mate," (Y/N) testified, eyes widening from betrayal. "Jooyoung—"

"I apologize (Y/N), but Yuri asked me first. To be fair, I never gave you an answer. You can be with Mr. Pres since everyone else have their own partner."

(Y/N) couldn't protest. Since their first encounter, she put a facade that she got along with Namjoon for the sake of her reputation. If people discovers she secretly disdain Namjoon, the star of the school, people wouldn't hesitate to judge and question her. Unlike him, (Y/N) is relatively new— she hasn't made a name for herself or gather enough people to support her in case a nasty rumor circulates around the school.

"Alright," (Y/N) she feigned a smile. "It wouldn't be that bad to be with him."

"Yeah," Jooyoung agrees, "I hardly see you guys interact. Is there bad blood between the two of you?"

"No, nothing at all."

Jooyoung raises an eyebrow and smirks, "perhaps... you like him? Mr. Pres is a very likeable person so I wouldn't question it."

"Anything but that!"

"Nothing to be embarrassed about~" Jooyoung muses in a playful tone as she enters the bus with a blushing (Y/N) following behind her.

'As if I'd have any feelings for him. Not in a million years. I would have to die if I ever say that I love him...' (Y/N) thought bitterly.

As she sat on an empty seat, making sure no one took Namjoon's designated seat beside her's, she caught a glimpse of him over the window talking to an older man. A wrinkled face peered out under a wedge of a black fedora, serving to hide his white, thin hairs and mottled scalp. Namjoon's grandfather, which (Y/N) guessed to be based on their uncanny resemblance, eyes was so densely lidded and weighed down that from afar away it seemed as if Namjoon was talking to someone who's asleep. Though, the truth is far from that statement— the old man is vigilant of his surroundings. He captured (Y/N)'s wondering without her knowing and smiles to himself.

"I don't recall seeing her before..." the elderly spoke in a hoarse voice, "who is she?"

Namjoon follows his gaze, "she's (Y/N) (L/N), grandfather. She recently came here from another country; her family moves around a lot. She was in my eight grade class back in America, do you remember?" He briefly smiles and continues, "she was the one who corrected my mistake in front of everyone and you scolded me for it."

He chuckles at the memory, "yes, I remember that very well. Though, I've also heard that name somewhere else..."

"Where?" Namjoon questions.

"If I'm right, back in Italy..."

"Italy?"

"Mmm... how interesting to see her here without him. I wonder why she left Italy when she had so many things going on for her there... well enough chit-chat, Namjoon. I have to go meet the principal— he asks for my presence. He wants to personally thank me for donating funds for this year's field trip. You on the other hand, need to board the bus before it leaves without you."

Namjoon looks down, brows knitted in confusion. He didn't even had the chance to ask his grandfather what (Y/N) was doing in Italy, and how did they meet.

"I'll take my leave, grandfather," Namjoon bows, then left for the bus.

As he walk down the isle of the vehicle, his eyes met (Y/N)'s. 'Italy... what could grandfather be doing in Italy?'  Then it hit him. His body froze on the middle of the isle, brain stuttering for a moment and his gaze lingered far too long on (Y/N) that everyone in the bus followed to the person he's looking at out of curiosity. When there was nothing, a teacher called his name, snapping him out of his stupor and sat beside the bewildered female. Namjoon kept his mouth shut, debating with hisself if those thoughts are logical or simply illogical.

He knew his family's business, but never dared poke his nose around because it is not yet his time. Namjoon wanted to cherish the present rather than worry about the future— though what he thought was distant, is actually right behind him, trying grab him by the back and force him to come out of his shell to take over the business, but he isn't ready yet. He isn't ready to have that amount of responsibility on his back.

(Y/N) looked at Namjoon's troubled stature with empathy— a feeling that she hasn't felt in a while. In her point of view, Namjoon seemed to be distraught, so deep in thought that he didn't hear the calls of his classmates, teachers, or friends. And underneath the empathy, there was annoyance. She couldn't stand witnessing people in this state— she knows it's messed up to look down upon them, but she can't help to feel this way.

"Namjoon," (Y/N) tapped his shoulder.

Like the others, she didn't get a response. This current behavior of his must've been influenced by his grandfather. He wasn't like this before everyone began boarding the bus.

"Hey," she placed her entire hand on his shoulder this time and fully turned her body towards his, "Earth to Namjoon!"

He shook his head, "yeah?"

She slumped back to her chair, then crossed
her arms under her chest. "Something wrong? You're not yourself."

"Nothing is wrong, what are you babbling about," he flatly said.

"Sure, nothing is totally wrong," she remarks in a sarcastic manner, "you haven't been answering anyone who's trying to strike a conversation with you. Usually, when someone calls your name, your whole neck snaps one-hundred-eighty degrees to their direction and answer them light speed."

"Why do you care if something is wrong," he raises his brows and smirks. "In fact, how do you know all of this?"

"Oh please, don't get any wrong ideas."

"I am getting that idea because you're saying that I shouldn't get any wrong ideas."

(Y/N) brushes his comment to the side. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I only want to beat you when you're functioning the same as I."

"I guess..." Namjoon subconsciously bit his lips. His brain searched for conversation topics— one that interests (Y/N). The thoughts of her became stronger over the days and so at times, he needed to push them back. Namjoon attempted to extinguish those thoughts because it interfered with his school work, yet he didn't receive his desired results. He was met with utter disappointment and constant avoidance from the female. Whenever he tries to engage a conversation with her, she either manages to create an excuse or responded dryly. "So um... how are you liking this schoo—"

"If you're trying to start a conversation, you're already doing horribly. That question is too generic and I've been asked that multiple times already. Do better Mr. Pres." She scoffs at his futile efforts.

"A little help would be nice," he mumbles.

"I did help you in a matter of fact. We are now having a conversation. A meaningless one might I add."

"Meaningless? Don't be so cold hearted, I'm trying to melt the ice between us." Namjoon tensed on his seat.

"Don't melt the ice, we don't need more global warming."

"You're impossible," Namjoon sighs defeatedly.

That ticked her off. "I'm impossible?"

He panicked, "I—"

(Y/N) lowers her voice, quiet enough so Namjoon is the only one who can hear her. "We are not friends, Namjoon. It doesn't mean that you and I have the same 'friends', you and I are friends. I only talk to you because it makes me look good in public."

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Jooyoung and Yuri sensed the heavy atmosphere looming over Namjoon and (Y/N)'s head as they excited the bus with sour faces. The two knew something happened between them— Namjoon's face plummeted to an expression Yuri never have associated with his features before. And (Y/N), under the buoyant and open personality Jooyoung became accustomed too over the past two weeks— there was something she couldn't comprehend.

Namjoon and (Y/N) faked happy encounters to lessen suspicion from their friends. Their friends on the other hand weren't as oblivious as they thought; they are aware of everything and wondered what happened.

Whenever Namjoon's male friends ask for (Y/N), his heart twisted, it's as if he suffocated every single time. He questioned himself: "why am I thinking about (Y/N) so much?" or "why do I care if other men talks about her?" or "why don't I want to give out advices to them on how to catch her attention?"

Namjoon knows why he can't stop thinking about (Y/N). As silly as it is, Namjoon have a liking for her. These feelings didn't start this year, when the two of them reunited in the first day of school, but when (Y/N) announced during the last semester of eight grade that she was leaving. He was too young to understand what it was— so as he matured, he began accepting and acknowledging his fondness for the girl these past two weeks despite her giving him the cold shoulder whenever they're alone.

The night rolled by and Namjoon sat by himself, looking at the bonfire, admiring the flames and enjoying the warmth it brought. Yuri sat down beside him and swung a hand over his shoulder. "How you doin' hyung?"

"Good, I guess..." he answers in a low tone. "Well... I'm not really good to be honest."

"Is it because of (Y/N)?"

"It's always about her nowadays," Namjoon softly chuckles. "I hardly get anything done because I'm always thinking about her. For the first time in my life, I don't know what I want or what I need to do because of her."

"Hyung... do you really not like her?" Yuri raises his eyebrows.

"No I don't." he lied. Namjoon gulped, heart aching from lying to Yuri for the first time. "Why are you pushing this agenda so much?"

"Just cause..." Yuri purses his lips into a thin line. "Because of all of the things you're feeling: can't stop thinking about her, not knowing what to do next because of her, and so many other things... I can't help but to feel it too..."

Namjoon sat up, eyes tensed to the younger boy. "What?"

"I-I don't know. Don't mind me. It's nothing serious," he smiled awkwardly. "Anyways, you and her need to talk."

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"No, I don't want to talk to him," (Y/N) sighs, her index and middle finger massaging her temple as she sat on the bed, which resides on her and Jooyoung's shared bunker.

"Be rational," Jooyoung flatly said. "I don't know what happened between the two of you, but letting things unspoken won't solve anything. I personally dislike this ambience between the two of you so I cannot imagine what you guys are going through. You need to talk to him."

After unpacking everything (Y/N) needed for the night and laid her pajamas on top of her bed, she took a moment for herself. Jooyoung sighed, said her good nights, and tucked herself to sleep, leaving the female with some thoughts of her own. (Y/N) needed fresh air. Grabbing a jacket, she exited the bunker, her mind conflicted.

She muttered to herself, "I'll think about it..."

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"For how long?" Yuri crosses his arm over his chest. He shifted his sitting position whilst taking off his jacket due to the heat of the fire. "I mean, how long does it take you to finally get to your point when you're talking to her? It seems like you take forever to start a conversation instead of getting straight to the point. You've known (Y/N) longer so you should know that she doesn't like wasting time."

Namjoon widen his eyes, offended of his friend's comment. "I— I don't take forever to get straight to the point..."

"Yes you do," (Y/N) says from behind them, hands inside of her pocket. "Yuri, can I have a moment with Namjoon?"

"Of course noona," Yuri hesitantly said. He patted Namjoon's shoulder as a sign for good luck. He spared one last glance to (Y/N) and left.

"Let me guess... Yuri was talking about us?" (Y/N) started.

"Mmm... and Jooyoung was trying to do the same? Because I know for a fact that you wouldn't go out reaching for me without someone telling you so."

"Mmhh..."

"Sit down next to me," he offered, which (Y/N) took.

She hugged her knees close to her chest, then rested her chin on the top of her knees. Her eyes reflected the gleaming red and orange light of the flames. They rose into the night as if they challenge the heavens. People say... beneath anger, there is sadness and to release this is to show vulnerability. It took courage for (Y/N) to do so, but she knows it's for the best.

"I can't easily forget what you did to me a couple years ago," a small chuckle passes her lips. "Yes, we were younger— kids who didn't know any better, but those words that you said to me: 'why do people like you' or 'you're an attention seeker' or 'I feel sick look at me'. What you said stuck to me. Do you know why? For once, in my whole entire life of moving and moving again, I thought that for once, I can finally make a friend because you and I were the same, but I was wrong. So this is why I don't want to talk to you at all Kim Namjoon. I don't want to talk to a sick bully. And you acting like nothing happened in the past disgusts me because why now? Do you want some happily ever after shit?"

She swallowed the saliva stuck in her throat, and painfully, she says, "our story is not going to end up happy."

"How do you know?!" He begged desperately. "I want to say sorry, but I know those three phrases won't destroy the pain you've felt. We'll have to make new memories, better memories. And I can't do those without you. Don't say that our story is not going to end up happy."

"Namjoon..." she sounded apologetic, it's as if something is holding her back.

"In the past, I was so jealous of you. You were everything that I wanted to be," he confesses. Immediately, he felt his heart become lighter. He forces out a small smile, one that reflects his self pity. "When I found out that you were transferring here, I was glad, not because I can finally apologize to you and make you feel better... it was to make myself feel better. I thought that, that was what I wanted, but in reality, it was for me to free myself from my own guilt. Stupid huh? Once I toured you around the school, I figured something that my younger self didn't figure out. It was that I wanted to get to know you more— I wanted to apologize because I want us to be closer..."

"I don't know if I can forgive or forget," she croaked. "You want to know me? ...to figure me out? So I'll give you some things. Underneath the arrogant, stubborn, and cold-hearted person you described me as, I'm still a human who experiences the same emotions as you. And you know what Namjoon?"

"What?"

"For years, I've been trying to get rid of my humanity— suppress these stupid emotions. At one point, it worked. It worked so fucking well, I felt great. But you just have to bring back these emotions."

"(Y/N)... being able to feel things isn't as terrible as you think it is."

She looks at him pleadingly, desperate for an ounce of warmth. Her eyes are the deepest shade of the richest earth, the color of comfort for his heart and soul, for when she even spared a single glance at him, he feels embraced, protected by its divine cocoon. He sees a glimpse of the universe in her as her eyes were made from the same atoms.

"You may think that, Namjoon, but it really is terrible when you don't have a choice." (Y/N) stood up, hands balled up into a fist, and left.

Namjoon watched her back shrink as she furthers away, his face defeated.

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"You look like you have something in your mind Woobin, speak," Namjoon's grandfather spoke, his voice laced with authority, eyes not leaving the papers he has to read over and sign.

After a while, Woobin had been giving glances to his superior, hesitant to ask a question that's been bugging him; but when Namjoon's grandfather, Mr. Kim, gave him the green light, he mustered up his thoughts and asked, "Sir, why didn't you tell Namjoon that (Y/N) is Vincenzo's apprentice?"

"I didn't want to interfere, that's all," he replies calmly.

"But sir, I'm sure you understand Vincenzo's influence in the Italian mafia. If someone is under his apprenticeship, they are someone who you cannot trust. Her being in the same school as Namjoon and befriending all of his friends does not sit right with me. She has a motive and I doubt that it's all about succeeding in school."

"I understand why you feel uneasy Woobin," Mr. Kim set his pen down the table and fully faced his secretary, "but don't fret. I don't believe that she has an ulterior motive. Of course, I can be incorrect, people like her are unpredictable. Let's say... if she does betray my grandson, then it is up to him to take care of it. He's soon inheriting our family's business so it's best for him to learn one way or the other."

"Understood," Woobin nodded his head.

He purses his lips and clenched his fists, mind still clouded with thoughts. Being the caretaker of Namjoon for most his life, Woobin couldn't help to but feel worry for him. He felt both physical and psychological pain coming in Namjoon's way. And what troubled Woobin the most was the way Namjoon's eyes linger far too long in (Y/N)'s direction.

He'd seen that look so many times in his lifetime: the longing of an unachievable.

Woobin breathes, "sir... may I suggest to invite (Y/N) after the field trip?

Mr. Kim smiles and nodded his head.

"Why not."

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Character List

Lee Jooyoung

Park Yuri

Kim Woobin

Mr. Kim

A/N

Hiii everyone! This took sooo long to get out. The chapters will be fast paced because each member will have about 10-20 chapters for themselves (it depends).

Well that's it for now!

—France