Twisted - JJK

ch eight

I walked across the sprawling campus, the sun casting a bright glow over the university's lawn and buildings. My friends, Elle and Florence, were flanked on either side of me, their laughter dragging me out of my thoughts. Despite the lively atmosphere, I felt an unsettling weight in my chest. I couldn't stop thinking about what I found last night or Jungkook's unannounced presence. Last night, it felt like I had all the pieces, but now, I don't have that confident feeling.

"Clem, how is event planning? The homecoming ball is going to be amazing" Elle asked, her voice bright with excitement as they passed by a bulletin board covered in flyers.

"Good," I replied absently, my mind racing with thoughts about the unsolved murders that somehow fall with major events in my life. "Ya, good," I replied again unconsciously.

Florence looked up at Elle. "Are you okay? You seem a little off," Flo gently said. Her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Ya, planning is going well," I said. "Who are you going with," I asked, trying to change the subject. I couldn't tell them. What if I put them in danger?

"I hope Namjoon asks me," Flo said, her voice filled with hope. Elle gagged.

"Micheal Pinewood asked me this morning over text," Elle said, almost disgusted. "I said yes, but I would rather just go alone. Clem?" Elle and Flo looked up at me, waiting for my response.

"Well, Jungkook asked me last night at my house, but I declined. Taehyung asked me during our lunch date yesterday," I said, glancing at my friends as we walked along the tree-lined path toward the library.

Elle stopped in her tracks, a playful smile fading from her face. "What?" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of confusion and intrigue.

"I can't believe Jungkook thought he had a chance with you. Look at you. Look at him. Taehyung is way better," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I slightly blushed at the compliment but also didn't want to start any drama between Jungkook, since he's friends with Taehyung and Namjoon. "It's not like that," I replied. "If he asked me first, I would have said yes to Jungkook." My mind raced back to last night: Jungkook's smile, my favorite flowers, and his cute bunny smile.

"Do you like him," Elle pressed, leaning closer. "Why would you even say yes to him, unless you like him?" This was the first time she was this opposed on guys I talk to. I stayed silent. "You like him?"

"It's complicated," I said. "It takes courage to ask someone to a dance, so of course, I would say yes. And my feelings for Jungkook is unknown. I don't know him well enough. Out of the two times we've hung out, he has a 50% success rate."

Florence, who had been quiet until now, chimed in. "Elle, he was actually really nice to Clem at the fair."

Elle crossed her arms. "Whatever. I just get bad vibes from him. He just doesn't seem like a decent guy." As we resumed walking, there was a wave of tension and frustration between Elle and me. She's always been vocal about the people I hang out with, but this was different. It was like she knew something about Jungkook that I didn't.