"Well, funny story, actually," Taehyung began, his voice light with forced nonchalance. He shifted his weight uncomfortably, knowing full well that his best friend would read between the lines of his words. "I was outside—"

"Outside? When do you ever go outside?" Jimin interrupted with a deadpan expression, his skepticism palpable.

"Can you let me speak?" Taehyung huffed. "I was outside, and Y/n just happened to be there too. We had a... minor conversation. Nothing big." He shrugged, attempting to downplay the encounter.

But Jimin wasn’t convinced. "You're trying to tell me Jang Y/n had a conversation with you? Good one. Why would she even talk to you unless she was plotting something?" His eyes narrowed in suspicion, the only plausible explanation in his mind being that Y/n had ulterior motives.

Taehyung rolled his eyes. "I’m serious! We talked, and then I panicked and ran away. End of story." Without waiting for a response, he began to walk off.

Jimin trailed after him, pondering his friend’s words. "So, she's not bullying you?" he pressed, jogging to keep up.

Taehyung shook his head.

"And this so-called 'conversation' wasn’t a big deal?"

Another nod.

Before Jimin could dig deeper, a voice interrupted them. "Ouch, you really had me thinking I was important to you," Y/n quipped, perched on top of the lockers like a queen surveying her kingdom. Her presence commanded attention, forcing both boys to crane their necks to meet her gaze.

Y/n slid down with a deliberate thud, her hands clapping together as if dismissing some invisible dust. "I don’t particularly like people talking about me behind my back. Kind of... bothersome," she said, her tone playful but laced with subtle warning. "So, where are we going?" She flashed a dazzling smile, clearly enjoying their unease.

Jimin and Taehyung exchanged a silent, panicked glance.

"Oh, don’t tell me. You two were plotting to talk about me without me there? And I’m supposed to be the bully," Y/n scoffed, though there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

Jimin, sensing his best friend's discomfort, took the reins. "We were just heading to lunch, like everyone else," he replied casually.

"Where?" Y/n pressed, unfazed.

"Under the bleachers," Jimin admitted after a moment of hesitation, motioning for them to start moving.

As they walked, Taehyung kept his head low, stealing glances at Y/n while trying to remain invisible. Y/n, however, seemed more curious than confrontational. "You’re not as bad as everyone says, you know," Jimin remarked mid-bite once they settled under the bleachers.

"Congratulations, Jimin. You just figured out how rumors work," Y/n shot back with a wry smile. She then turned her attention to Taehyung. "What about you? What kind of person did you think I was?"

Caught off guard, Taehyung froze, his cheeks flushing under her intense gaze. He mumbled something incoherent, his shoulders rising in a helpless shrug.

"Fair enough," Y/n replied, though her tone carried a hint of disappointment. She leaned back, studying him as if trying to decode the mystery of his silence.

Throughout lunch, Taehyung remained tense, his movements stiff as if Y/n’s very presence weighed him down. She noticed his discomfort and tilted her head curiously. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice softer now.

Before Taehyung could respond, Jimin jumped in. "He’s probably stressed about being late to class. Right, buddy?" He clapped Taehyung on the shoulder, prompting a frantic nod from his friend.

As the two boys got up to leave, Y/n called after them. "Wait! Are you going to the party?"

Jimin nodded enthusiastically while Taehyung shook his head, the stark contrast earning a laugh from Y/n. She couldn’t help but wonder what Taehyung would be like at a party—quiet, awkward, maybe even endearing.

Left alone, Y/n pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with practiced ease. She exhaled a plume of smoke, watching it swirl and disappear in the cool air. For a moment, she considered waiting under the bleachers for Jimin and Taehyung to return. But she dismissed the thought just as quickly; her presence had clearly unsettled Taehyung, and she wasn’t one to force company where it wasn’t wanted.

"Y/n?" A familiar voice broke her reverie. One of her usual friends appeared at the edge of the bleachers, his expression half-amused, half-impatient. "We’ve been looking for you."

She shrugged. "I said I was busy."

"Yeah, real busy," he teased, gesturing to her spot on the ground. "Come on. We’re heading to a party—Minho’s brother’s throwing it. Let’s go."

Y/n hesitated for a beat before stubbing out her cigarette. "Fine. Lead the way."

As they walked off, her mind wandered back to the quiet boy with the shy smile and the even quieter words. There was something about him that tugged at her curiosity, an unfinished conversation she couldn’t quite shake.