The contract with Death! M.YG× Reader

Chapter 8: 25 Days until-

It was a relief to escape from American Government class for lunch. Mr. Monroe's long-winded lecture on the house of representatives had my head aching, and it was a miracle I hadn't fallen asleep again. I dropped my things off at my locker and went back to the library. This time I didn't have homework to finish, but I was hoping Archer would be tucked away in that hidden corner and I could attempt to talk to him again.

I felt very much like a stalker, creeping around trying to find Archer, figuring out his schedule so I knew where he would be. I did a quick walk-through of the library, peering through the shelves, but I caught no glimpse of Yoongi or his permanent frown anywhere. Maybe today he actually decided to get lunch and eat in the cafeteria like every other junior at school.

I went down to the cafeteria, slipped into the food line, and bought a salad and some french fries, then stood at the top of the steps by the senior lounge to try and scour the place for Yoongi. Chae wasn't at school today—she'd texted me last night to tell me she was spending the day showing her grandparents from Milwaukee around the city—so I was a free agent for lunch.

I let out a squeak of excitement when I finally found him.

Yoongi was sitting alone in the back of the cafeteria at a small table, a book opened in front of him. I maneuvered my way through the tables toward Yoongi's and sat down in the seat across from him, popped the top on my salad container and speared some lettuce and a tomato with a fork, like this was normal and Yoongi and I ate lunch together every day.

The surprised look on Yoongi's face quickly gave way to an annoyed one as he stared at me over the top of his book. "What are you doing?" he demanded.

"Eating lunch," I said. "What does it look like?"

He actually had the audacity to wave his hands at me in a shooing gesture.

I dropped my fork into my salad and narrowed my eyes at him. "I can sit wherever I want, you know."

Yoongi picked up his book again and flipped it open, obviously signaling that our conversation was over.

I reached out without thinking and snatched the book from his hands. "What're you reading?" I flipped through the pages, holding the book away from him as he immediately tried to grab it back.

"Romeo and Juliet?" I said in surprise, looking back at him. "You're reading Romeo and Juliet? I didn't peg you for a Shakespeare kind of guy."

"You don't know anything about me, Hadley," Yoongi snapped. I was shocked to see a light blush flooding his cheeks. He was embarrassed by Romeo and Juliet? "And I have to annotate it for AP Lit. Give it back."

I returned my attention to the page in front of me, where Romeo and Juliet have their first kiss during the party at the Capulet's manor. Untidy handwriting was scrawled in the margin above a quote by Romeo.

Romeo is an idiot. He's blinded by
infatuation with a girl he doesn't even know.

He doesn't realize that love will be his
downfall. It would be better in the long run for him if he didn't even bother with Juliet. Love never ends well for anyone.

I didn't know what to think after reading that.

I wasn't a fan of the sappy love story myself, but it seemed like Yoongi really hated it. I wondered if he had some pessimistic, convoluted idea about love or if he really just had little patience for Shakespeare.

I gave him back the book and he shoved it into his backpack, still managing to give me a murderous glare as he did so.

"Are you normally this obnoxious, or are you just putting on a show for my benefit?" he asked.

"I'm not trying to be obnoxious," I protested. "I'm just trying to get to know you. I mean, look at what we have in common so far: we both hate Shakespeare, we both like steak fries. Imagine what else we could have in common if we just hung out."

"So compelling," Yoongi said sarcastically.

"But it's a place to start," I pointed out.

He examined me with a hard look in his eyes for several moments. I could practically see the cogs whirring in his brain.

Please just give us a shot, I thought.

It felt as if eons passed before he actually said something. His voice was clipped and firm as he carefully weighed his words. "All right. Fine. Only to prove we have nothing more in common. And then you'll give up whatever weird social experiment you're doing and leave me alone."

"Fine?" I repeated. I didn't process the latter part about making me give up. "Really?"

A slight smirk curled at Yoongi's mouth as he leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. "Unless you don't want to anymore. Personally, I'm hoping that's the case."

"No, no, that's not it!" I said quickly. "I just . . . I'm surprised, that's all. That you actually agreed."

"Agreed is a strong word," Yoongi said coolly. "Meet me outside the front doors after the final bell. And hurry up. I'm not waiting around for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the bell rang. He was on his feet in a second, swinging his backpack over his shoulder, and I immediately followed suit.

"So," I said. "I'll see you after school, then."

He gave me a slightly confusing look, his head tilted to the side, and said, "Right. Whatever."

He walked off and quickly disappeared into the throng of students filing from the cafeteria. Seemed like I had a very uncomfortable afternoon to look forward to.

"Y/n,y/n,y/n" I muttered, massaging my temples. "What have you gotten yourself into?"