Y/n’s week had been nothing short of chaotic—a whirlwind of confusion, unease, and a peculiar curiosity that she couldn’t quite shake. To call it crazy would be an understatement; it was utterly insane. The new teacher unsettled her in ways she couldn't explain, yet there was something different about him. Not the bad kind of different, but something that piqued her interest, leaving her baffled and craving answers. Who was he?

Monday arrived with its usual dread, signaling another week of torture. Y/n groaned at her own thoughts. What is wrong with me? She had never been one to care much for other people, not out of disdain, but because keeping to herself was easier. Others mistook her solitude for aloofness. The blaring alarm pulled her from her musings, and she glanced at the clock. Late again. She groaned, throwing herself out of bed. This is becoming a habit. Great.

Ten minutes later, she was sprinting down the school hallway, a blur of disheveled determination. But fate, as always, had other plans.

“What do we have here? My favorite student running late?” A deep voice stopped her mid-step. Her heart skipped a beat before her mind even registered who it was. She turned slowly, already knowing Kim Taehyung, her Literature teacher, stood there with that ever-present smirk and eyes that seemed to see straight through her.

“Favorite student?” she retorted, her voice laced with sarcasm. “We met a week ago. Hardly enough time for me to earn that title.”

“You underestimate my ability to recognize brilliance, Ms. Jang. You’ve been my favorite since I first saw you.” His tone was teasing, but his gaze was something else entirely. It held an intensity that left her breathless, as though he was trying to tell her something words couldn’t express.

She broke eye contact, staring at the floor as if it could offer an escape from the moment. “For your tardiness,” he said, slipping effortlessly back into teacher mode, “you’ll have detention with me after school.”

Detention? With him? Of course. My life is a cosmic joke.

“I expect you to show up, Ms. Jang. If not, I’ll happily assign you a month of detention. Your choice. Have a nice day.” With that, he left, leaving her stewing in frustration.

---

Skipping detention is my only option, Y/n decided by lunchtime. With two study halls after her break and grades that kept teachers off her back, slipping away unnoticed was easy. Home was a haven of laughter and warmth, and tonight was no exception—until her parents dropped a bombshell.

“We have new neighbors!” her mom announced cheerfully. “They’re joining us for dinner tonight.”

Y/n sighed. Great. Just what I need—small talk with strangers. When the doorbell rang, she stood beside her mom, mentally preparing for the evening. Then the door opened, and her world tilted.

There he was—Kim Taehyung . Her teacher. Her neighbor.

“Good evening, Mrs. Jang and Y/n.” He greeted her mother with a polite handshake before turning his attention to Y/n. His smirk softened into a smile, warm and genuine. She froze, her mind screaming in disbelief. No way in hell. He’s my neighbor?

---

Dinner was an exercise in endurance. Taehyung fit in seamlessly, charming her parents and answering their endless questions. Just her luck, she was seated next to him. She learned more about him than she ever expected—his love for books, animals, and music, his close bond with his family.

“What brought you to town?” The question escaped before she could stop herself. His smile faltered, replaced by a look of quiet longing. “I needed a fresh start,” he said softly. “A breath of air away from everything that held me back.”

Her heart ached at the sadness in his voice. Curiosity burned within her, but she let it rest. For now.

Later, her father suggested she show Taehyungthe library. Reluctantly, she agreed. The moment they entered, her mood shifted. This was her sanctuary, her escape from the chaos of the world. Taehyungseemed to sense it, his eyes lighting up as he took in the shelves of books.

“This is incredible,” he murmured, his awe palpable. Their shared love for literature bridged the gap between them, and they talked about favorite books and stories. Time slipped away unnoticed.

“Look, Y/nie,” he said suddenly, his voice earnest. “I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I want to start fresh. Can we be friends?”

“Why did you call me Y/nie?” she asked, startled.

“Because you’re special to me.”

His words left her speechless, the weight of their unspoken meaning settling between them. Silence filled the room, heavy yet comforting, as if neither wanted to break the fragile connection.

As they left the library, he walked close behind her, his presence a magnetic pull she couldn’t ignore. When they reached the door, he caught her hand, spinning her to face him. Their eyes locked, and the air between them crackled with unspoken emotions.

“What are you doing to me?” he whispered, his voice raw. “I can’t stay away from you, no matter how hard I try. What is this?”

She had no answer. She was as lost as he was, searching for meaning in the chaos of her feelings.

Without waiting for a response, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Then, without another word, he left, leaving her drowning in thoughts that were entirely his—Taehyung.

Thanks for the cover babes thvfiqz