The morning light streamed through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across the dorm room. Y/n stirred under her blankets, the soft fabric cocooning her in a cosy embrace. She squinted at the clock on her bedside table. Her heart raced as she realized she overslept again.

Frantically throwing off the covers, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and planted her feet on the cool wooden floor. She could hear the distant sounds of students chatting outside, their laughter echoing through the dormitory hallway.

Coming out of the bathroom, she rushed to her closet, pulling on the first clothes she could find– a wrinkled t-shirt and a pair of jeans that had seen better days.

With one last glance around her room to ensure she hadn't forgotten anything crucial, Y/n grabbed her keys, bolted out the door and moved towards the cafeteria.

Upon reaching, she pushed open the heavy cafeteria doors, the familiar hum of chatter and clattering trays washed over her. The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling vegetables wafted through the air, mingling with the laughter of students gathered around tables.

Just as she proceeded to grab a tray for herself, a girl with thick lashes and defined brows came inches away from her face, sending glares in Y/n's direction. It was nothing uncommon for Y/n until she proceeded to grab Y/n's already frizzy chestnut hair.

"Aghh! Stop! Are you out of your mind, Kyla?" Y/n shrieked before she proceeded to grab her nemesis's perfectly styled blue highlights.

"You were out of your mind, Y/n!" Kyla's grip on Y/n's scalp tightened as if she were her tamed prey, just like how her pet bird was for some wild creature that invaded the camp last midnight. The heavy blush used on her face was not complimenting her now ogre features.

The cafeteria had quieted down, students turned to watch the unfolding drama. As the tension escalated, Y/n felt the weight of their gazes on her.

Shortly after, Kyla retreated her hand back from Y/n's head. Y/n did the same, but soon her eardrums played a not-so-harmonious melody when Kyla screamed in her ears.

Kyla grimaced at the bunch of her hair resting peacefully on her rival's palm, which made Y/n grin at her accomplishment. A playful smirk made its way onto her lips from the small victory over their newly released episode of rivalry; adding fuel to the flames erupting inside Kyla.

Her eyes twitched before widening as she raised her hand and brought it closer to Y/n's cheek, but Y/n's reflexes were quick enough to defend.

"What is your problem, Kyla?!" Y/n exclaimed, her hand still grasping Kyla's wrist.

"You did that, right?! Kyla exclaimed in response and abruptly retreated her hand from Y/n's grip. The glossy case over her eye signalled she was close to tears.

A pair of girls, Kyla's trusted friends, Sarah and Rae came along from the crowd, making a tight circle around Y/n.

Y/n froze for a moment, unsure if she should step back or argue further.

Just as it seemed the situation might escalate, the heavy doors swung open again. Gaining the attention of the peers, a figure walked in with a black leather jacket on top of a plain white t-shirt accompanied by a pair of trousers in a denser shade of brown.

The noise of boots clicking against the tile floor became more distinct as the intruder purposefully stride forward.

Hoseok made his way through the throng of students, his presence commanding attention. He was well-known around campus-not just for his looks but for his easygoing nature and genuine kindness.

His charming dark brown eyes gave a look of confusion mixed with suspicion while his hairs were parted from the middle, partially adorning his forehead.

He reluctantly stopped in his tracks and stood right in front of the girls, giving them side glances; while his charismatic features depicted his attempts to figure out the situation.

Y/n glanced at the hairs resting on her palm and quickly slid them at the back of her waist to prevent any misunderstanding.

"What brings you here? Probably to find me?" A shrill voice spoke as Y/n glanced at the owner of the voice. The newly found sweet facade on Kyla's face, which was only seen when he was around, twisted Y/n's nerves on the inside as she couldn't help but give her an eye roll.

"Cafeteria is for food, right?" The college's heartthrob remarked, more like sneering at the clingy question being thrown in his direction.

A scoff mixed with laughter slipped from Y/n's mouth, as her mind relaxed by the uncommon presence of her friend during times like these, when she had to deal with her former friend, Kyla.

All the eyes in the cafeteria shifted onto Y/n, making her smile fade into thin air.

His sharp gaze met Y/n's as if analysing her features and the truth that hid beneath. To avoid his stare she awkwardly directed her gaze towards her feet.

And shortly after, the heartthrob asked what needed to be asked, "Why were you two brawling like street cats do at night?"

Before Y/n could even decide whether to stay silent or defend herself, Kyla wasted no further moments as she blurted.

"She served my canary to a wild dog last night, its cage was found in the garden, wide open in front of her room's window... t-this morning!" While pointing her finger with a manicured nail at the tip, Kyla whimpered slightly while explaining her convincing side of the story.

A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd as people leaned in closer, eager to hear every word.

Y/n felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she grimaced at her telling, on her biased opinion, completely forgetting the bond they once shared. Devastated by her constant allegations, she finally opened her mouth to defend herself but before she could do so, Hoseok spoke in the most obnoxious way possible as if he was already aware of the happening.

"But that can't clarify the fact that Y/n was behind all this. You two have an adjacent room. Maybe due to wind, the cage which always used to hang onto your room's window crashed into the wall, or something, and the wild creature was just waiting for this moment to happen. "

His unexpected intervention caught Y/n off guard, but she couldn't help feeling a sense of relief wash over her. They've known each other since their freshmen year, but he was never the kind of guy to jump into a conversation where he wasn't needed. And never in those years of their friendship had they shared a moment like this, even when Y/n was engaged in continuing her rivalry with Kyla.

With a few well-chosen words, Hoseok managed to defuse the situation and bring the heated moment to a peaceful resolution. Y/n's eyes unconsciously lit up when his gaze met her.

A serene heart-shaped smile slowly formed at the corners of his lips, which unknowingly made her heart skip a beat. But the next words slipping from his mouth left Y/n with questions and some newly risen rays of hope.

"I am not sure about what happened but I can say one thing... that it can't be you. "

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

LATER THAT DAY

It was the same place, same menu and same gossiping people, but more calm air than before.

While munching onto the last bite of her gimbap roll Y/n's mind drifted to the past events. With the chaos that happened this morning, she couldn't care less anyway. It wasn't her fault that Kyla blamed her for everything.

The aftermath of their outbursts? The punishments assigned to them.

Kyla, being the director's daughter, succeeded in extending the given deadline for their internship project while Y/n was obliged to submit it way earlier than others, which meant she was forced to activate her hibernating brain cells.

A frustrated scowl appeared on her face. She pressed her lips together when her stomach growled even after finishing what was being provided at the cafeteria.

Briefly after, a pale and short-statured figure approached while waving in her direction. Y/n immediately recognized him as one of her current close friends.

Approaching closer to the edge of the table, his pale-toned features became more visible, depicting mischief. He squinted his foxy eyes in her direction as if signalling for something, but Y/n lifted her brows in confusion and waited for him to speak.

He seated himself on the chair across the table and uttered, "I heard you went through some shit yesterday. I mean, why it's always you, dude?!" He said before grinning.

Close friends?... nevermind, Y/n thought.

"Wanna die, you pale boy?!" She quibbled at his intentional comment with no harm while it was still being able to raise her discomfort by reminiscing about yesterday.

"Woohoo! Our Y/n is again having some anger issues, which is why she always lands in shit," he blurted again which made Y/n send daggers in his direction.

"Okay fine, tell me what happened?"

"Don't you know already?"

He shook his head, "Not the details. Hoseok told me just vaguely and I'm more curious about your punishment."

At the mention of his name, Y/n's hibernating brain cells were already awake. Her body worked faster than her brain, and a question slipped from her mouth as her eyes excitedly grew wider, "First, tell me what he told you, bout me?"

The blond head sitting in front of Y/n smirked as the air between them became teasingly tensed, and at that moment, Y/n already realised where things were being shifted.

"Why? Is he having so much effect on you, that you must know what he talks bout you when we're alone in our room," Y/n blushed shades of red while thinking how her crush of two years must be behind those four walls, but to hide it, she retaliated, "Oh come on! My buddy, you're his roommate. Tell me just a bit," she whined.

"It's a secret milady. You know, just some boy stuff," Jihoon added with a smug smile.

Y/n uncomfortablely blushed even harder at the mention of the word. Her mind ran out of guesses, at what kind of boy stuff included her, but before she could go any more deep into it, a loud laughter rang in her ears, making her smack his head in realization.

Grasping for air in the middle of his laughter, he blabbered again, "I made a fool out of you and you just fucking blushed like a baboon's butt. "

Hysterical laughter filled the small corner of the cafeteria again as Y/n gave him a look of displeasure. Her eyes squeezed with frowned brows, and her lips arched, "Shut your fucking mouth up! Woozi."

Y/n hissed, clearly knowing his dislike towards the silly nickname. His laughs quickly disappeared in fine dust as he paused and heaved a sigh.

"So, where were we?"

"I'm punished with a preponed deadline for our final project submission date, with one month," Y/n tiredly responded as she proceeded to place her head in the palm of her hand supported by the table.

A long sigh escaped from his mouth as if he wanted to speak, but decided to remain silent for few moments.

"Now tell me what he told you about me?" Y/n asked again, but to her dismay, the short, pale boy ignored her question and existence as he slowly stood up, turned his heels and started walking away as if nothing had happened.

Y/n's rebellious nerves were pumped with hot blood again as she stood from her seat and snapped in the middle of the cafeteria, yet again gaining everyone's attention, "Yaahh LEE JI HOON! You bastard! Imma kill you next time!"

✧

(A/N)

Hi everyone, nice to meet you 💖 if you kept reading and reached here
thanks !!!
I hope the story is sparking your interest cuz there is so much more to be revealed. Let me know your thoughts 💌 in the comments.

With love,

Your jobless AutHOr