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Ch 16.☘︎ ݁˖

𓍼ོ𖡎📚𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔ᡣ𐭩
Jude's POV:

The morning sun did little to warm the cold pit in my stomach as I stood at the entrance of the college, debating whether I should just turn around and leave.

Yesterday’s incident still repeated on my mind and the last thing I wanted was to run into him again. I contemplated an excuse to skip classes altogether. Maybe I could fake an illness.

But no, here I was standing at the gates of inevitable doom, hoping by some miracle I wouldn’t bump into him. I squeezed my eyes shut as if that alone would grant me invisibility.

'Please, just one day of peace.' I prayed, wishing for the kind of quiet day where I could fade into the background, unnoticed and unbothered. But the universe had other plans.

"Good morning, bubblegum."

My heart dropped and my stomach flipped. I pressed my eyes tighter, silently cursing whatever cosmic forces had decided to toy with me today.

Slowly, bracing myself I opened my eyes.

And there it was—the sight that I dreaded. Instead of the usual open space of the college grounds, my gaze landed on a well-defined chest, perfectly clad in a white turtle neck shirt. The proximity was unnerving and I instinctively stepped back, flustered and panicked. My cheeks flushed as my eyes darted to the side, praying I wouldn’t have to look at him directly.

God, please save me!

He snorted at my obvious discomfort and before I could even think of an escape, his fingers gripped my chin gently, forcing my gaze up to meet his.

"Praying won’t help you. God’s on my side." His smirk deepened. His eyes darkened with amusement as he watched me squirm under his touch. I tried to pull my face away but his hold was firm.

"Taehyung." I whispered without thinking.

The moment his name slipped from my lips, his smile disappeared by an unreadable expression.

Without a word, he suddenly grabbed my hand, tugging me along as he led me inside the college. I stumbled at first caught off guard by the abruptness of his actions but I followed him.

Where is he taking me? I glanced around.

We stopped near his locker. The hallway was buzzing with students heading to their classes. I looked around nervously, noticing the curious glances thrown our way.

Great. Just what I never needed—more attention. My heart pounded in my chest. Why am I here? Why does it always have to be me?

"Everyone!" Taehyung’s voice boomed suddenly, commanding the attention of every single person nearby. The hallway fell silent as people turned to look at us. My stomach dropped even further in anxiety.