"I swear I won't cheat this time," Lisa declared, referring to our upcoming chemistry exam. She held a tray of salad and noodles, her expression determined. Rosé playfully picked on her, commenting on Lisa's lack of preparation. They bantered back and forth, while Jennie observed with her usual poker face.

I laughed along with them, but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Jin and Jisoo. Their growing closeness had left me feeling unsettled, and I couldn't shake off the unease in my heart.

"Y/n, have you seen Jisoo around?" Rosé's voice interrupted my musings, pulling me back to the present. Startled, I looked up to find Rosé standing beside me, her eyes searching for answers.

"Not really—" I began to reply, but before I could finish, Jisoo's voice echoed through the classroom, announcing her presence. I turned my gaze to the doorway, where Jisoo stood, dragging Jin along, their laughter filling the air.

A pang of heartache shot through me as I watched Jisoo seamlessly replace me by Jin's side. Did he even notice me? Was he intentionally ignoring me now?

"Is he with Jisoo now?" I heard a soft whisper coming from the corner seat. I couldn't make out who was speaking, but their words sent a jolt through me. My heart skipped a beat as I strained to hear the rest of their conversation.

"No idea. I thought he was with Y/N after what happened that day," another voice replied, equally hushed. The words hung in the air, leaving a cloud of uncertainty. Were they intentionally speaking audibly, or was it a slip of the tongue?

I tried to bury my feelings beneath a forced smile and focused on my book, "Organic Chemistry," hoping to find solace within its pages. Just somewhere at least.

"Hey, Y/n?" Jisoo's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I reluctantly lifted my head. She approached me, wearing a genuine and warm smile. I raised an eyebrow, silently urging her to continue.

"I wanted to thank you," Jisoo said, coming closer and taking my hand in hers. Her touch emitted warmth that sent tingles through my body, leaving me unsure of how to react. "It's because of you that Jin and I have gotten closer. You made my dream come true."

A bittersweet smile graced my lips as I tried to pretend that everything was okay. Deep down, though, I couldn't ignore the ache in my heart. I had been putting Jisoo's feelings before my own, but her actions now made me question if it was worth it.

Just then, the attention shifted as Kim Taehyung shouted my name from a distance, tossing a crumpled ball of paper towards me. The girls giggled and urged me to open it. Unfolding the paper, I read its contents—a short message from Taehyung.

My heart skipped a beat as Rosé snatched the paper from my hand, her eyes widening as she read its contents. The curiosity in the air was palpable as the others eagerly awaited their turn to read the message.

"Hey, what's this all about?" Jennie asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Lisa couldn't contain her excitement, her hands gripping my shoulders tightly.

"It's a confession, Y/n! And not just any confession—it's from Kim fucking Taehyung!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm. The mention of Taehyung's name sent a wave of disbelief and anticipation through me.

Taehyung, the charismatic heartthrob who had captured the attention of many girls in our school. The thought of him confessing to me left me feeling a mix of exhilaration and uncertainty. It was an unexpected twist that stirred a whirlwind of emotions inside me.

With anticipation building, the crumpled paper continued its journey around the group, each person's reaction heightening my own anticipation. I couldn't help but wonder what Taehyung's confession entailed and what it could mean for us.

While the others were eagerly speculating about the contents of the confession, I chimed in with a more skeptical tone. "Lisa, if you like him so much, why don't you go date him instead?" My words carried a hint of teasing, provoking a giggle from Lisa.

She giggled and replied, "I'm not that lucky girl, Y/n! It's you!" Her playful response lightened the mood, and the group erupted into laughter. It was a lighthearted moment amidst the anticipation and excitement.

---

I watched as Lisa tossed her question paper into the nearest bin, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. Her response of losing 74 marks left Jennie and me wide-eyed, shocked by the drastic difference in our performances. Lisa's nonchalant attitude about her poor score didn't help either.

"I'll be waiting at the table!" Lisa declared before disappearing from our sights. With a shrug, Jennie and I followed her lead, making our way to the table where the aroma of kimchi fried rice greeted us.

As we settled down to enjoy our meal, Jisoo's eyes landed on my plate, and she asked, "Can I have a bite?" Reluctantly, I nodded and pushed the plate toward her. But deep down, I couldn't hide my irritation. Was I now expected to share everything with her, even my food?

Jisoo scooped up another spoonful of my kimchi fried rice, savoring the taste as if it were her own. I watched with a disguised annoyed expression, longing to have something for myself. But it seemed that even my meal couldn't be spared from her intrusion.

"Not better than the one Jin cooked for me, though," Jisoo remarked, her words like daggers piercing through my heart. The anger within me began to boil. What was her deal? Why did she have to constantly bring up Jin in every conversation?

Jennie, unable to contain her frustration, scoffed and dropped her chopsticks. She spoke up, "Stop it, Jisoo. It's getting annoying now."

Jisoo looked up with her not-so-innocent eyes, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "What is getting annoying, Jennie?"

Jennie's frustration was evident as she got up from her seat, and I instinctively rose as well, trying to diffuse the tension. But before I could calm her down, Jennie continued, her voice filled with frustration, "You bringing up some random guy into our every conversation! We're not a friend group who's meant to be talking about guys all the time!"

Jisoo's smirk only widened as she taunted, "Oh? Do you maybe like him too, Jennie? Do you want to steal my spotlight every time?"

"Steal whose spotlight to be exact?" Jennie got up, and I followed suit, trying to calm her down. But she continued, her voice filled with frustration, "Someone who does nothing the whole day but only simps on boys? I mean, yeah, that's the only thing in your life."

"At least I'm not an orphan, Jennie," Jisoo yelled at Jennie, her voice filled with bitterness. The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Jennie's face dropped, hurt evident in her eyes. Without saying another word, she turned and walked away, leaving behind a trail of shattered friendships and broken trust. Lisa and Rosé followed her in a rush.

My patience wore thin, and I couldn't hold back my anger any longer. I immediately yelled at Jisoo, "You need serious help Jisoo!"

Jisoo's eyes bore into mine, fierce and defiant. She came near me and flicked her finger on my forehead, making me lean back and wince in pain. "Are you happy now that you finally broke us apart?" The weight of her words hit me hard, as she declared, "You're a pathetic piece of shit, Y/n. You will never deserve Jin as I do. Now get your ass out of our group and better hang out with people as low as you."

With those hurtful words, she turned and walked away, leaving me shattered and humiliated in front of the entire cafeteria. The stares of pity and judgment from everyone only added to my misery.

I stood there, my voice filled with a mix of pain and frustration, "Was it that easy, Jisoo? To break someone's trust who has done nothing except for helping you? I had been putting your feelings before mine, trying to support you, and this is how you decide to treat me?"

Jisoo turned back to face me, her expression faltering for a moment before a cold smirk crossed her lips. "I won't even bother to reply to a low life like you."

I hastily walked away, seeking solace in the empty corridor, leaning against a locker as I let the tears flow freely.

Amidst my sobs, I felt a strong presence behind me. Jin. His comforting embrace enveloped me, providing solace in the midst of chaos. His touch and his voice offered a sense of security and warmth.

"Shh, everything is okay, Y/n. I'm here for you," Jin's voice soothed my shattered heart. I allowed myself to find solace in his embrace, melting into his touch as the world around me faded away.

Eventually, I released my grip on his shirt, breaking the hug. "I'm sorry for crying like this in front of you," I apologized, my voice choked with emotion.

Jin smiled gently, his thumbs wiping away the remnants of tears on my cheeks. "Y/n, you don't have to apologize. I told you before, if there's any problem, I'll be here. I meant it. Some people do stick to their promises, right?"

His words resonated deep within me, reminding me of his unwavering support. A faint smile graced my lips, appreciating his genuine care and understanding. But there was something I needed to confess, to clear the air.

"Jin, I'm sorry," I looked up at him, my eyes still filled with traces of tears. "I wasn't intentionally ignoring you. I was asked to do that."

The weight of my confession hung between us, as I hoped he would understand the turmoil I had been forced to endure.

Jin's POV:

My heart pounded with a mix of anger and sorrow as I absorbed every word that fell from Y/n's trembling lips. Hatred for Jisoo coursed through my veins, fueled by the pain she had inflicted on Y/n. How could she break someone's trust so easily, especially someone who had done nothing but help her?

Y/n's tear-filled eyes met mine, and in that moment, I couldn't bear to see her hurting. Without a second thought, I pulled her back into my embrace, enveloping her in a protective cocoon. Her tears stained my shirt, but I didn't care. All I cared about was her well-being.

"I believe you, Y/n," I whispered, my voice filled with a mixture of tenderness and determination. "I know you didn't want to hurt me. You were forced into this situation."

New tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting the pain she had endured. It broke my heart to see her in such a vulnerable state. I tightened my hold on her, silently vowing to be her pillar of strength.

"You don't have to apologize," I reassured her, my voice filled with unwavering support. "I understand that you were caught in the middle of something beyond your control. You've done nothing wrong."

In that moment, I made a silent promise to myself. I would protect Y/n from any further harm. I would cherish her and ensure that she never had to experience such pain again. No one would be allowed to take her away from me, not Jisoo or anyone else.

"I'm here for you, Y/n," I whispered, my voice filled with determination. "I won't let anyone hurt you again. You can lean on me, trust me."

Y/n's POV:

M

y mind went back to Taehyung as I stood there, contemplating my next move. The encounter with Jin had left me emotionally overwhelmed, but my curiosity about Taehyung's intentions couldn't be ignored any longer. I needed answers, closure, or perhaps even a new beginning.

Feeling a mix of nervousness and determination, I turned to Jin, my voice filled with a blend of regret and urgency. "Jin, I'm sorry for leaving abruptly, but there's something I need to find out. Please understand."

As I pushed open the door, there before me stood Taehyung, holding a single red rose in his hand. The sight took me by surprise, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and curiosity. What did this gesture signify?

---