Deceptive Beginnings

Monday

The shrill blare of your alarm yanks you out of sleep, echoing sharply from somewhere across the room. With a groggy whine, you fling a pillow in its direction—only to notice the noise is coming from your phone. You groan and peel yourself out of bed, checking your phone after turning off the alarm. The time blinks back at you mercilessly. Your first day back at university, after almost a week, you'll be late if you don't hurry.

Muttering a quick curse under your breath, you throw down your phone and grab some clothes from your closet: a red and black plaid skirt, fishnets, a random band tee you stole from Taehyung, and your well-worn, thrifted combat boots, a staple of yours. You quickly throw on some simple makeup with heavy and smudged black eyeliner and brush your hair with your fingers before grabbing your phone and bag and practically running out the door.

You barely make it to school on time, breathing a sigh of relief as you glance down at your phone: 8:00 a.m., Monday, October 4th. "I have about 15 minutes before my first class," you mutter.

Before you can tuck your phone into your bag, you feel it vibrate. You smile as you see 'Yoon Man' flash across the screen. You answer, unable to resist teasing him a little. "Well, good morning to you, too," you say, knowing exactly how much he despises being up this early.

A low, annoyed groan filters through the line. "Don't start," Yoongi mutters, his voice thick with irritation. He pauses, sighing heavily. "Just calling to remind you we've got practice today."

"As if I'd forget." You scoff, feigning offense as you fall into step, strolling down the hallway. Yoongi chuckles softly on the other end before you hear the 'beep beep beep' of your call being cut short. He unknowingly helped calm your nerves about being back at school.

"Hey, you!" A voice sharply calls out behind you. Before you have time to turn around and react, you feel a firm grip on your wrist pulling you down the hall.

As you glance up, you spot the back of a boy's head—his longer, wavy hair gathered into a loose ponytail. You barely have time to process it before being pulled into the bathroom. He slams the door shut, locking it behind him with a quick, decisive click.

You look up, and there he is—Jeon Jungkook. You've never formally met him, but his reputation precedes him, shadowed by countless rumors. He grins at you, a sparkle in his eyes that you can't quite read and an air of casual ease that somehow makes him even more infuriating. "What the hell is wrong with you?" you snap, narrowing your eyes as you rub the soreness from your wrist, still stinging from his grip.

He smirks, clearly enjoying your irritation, and leans in, his voice dropping to a smooth, playful tone. "I need you to do something for me." His head tilts as he studies you, flashing a lopsided smile that's a touch too practiced, a hint too fake—and it sends a chill down your spine despite the easy charm in his gaze.

You look him up and down, finally getting a good look at him before crossing your arms across your chest. "And the way you want to ask me this is by locking me in the bathroom?" You raise an eyebrow, your voice thick with irritation.

He lets out a low, frustrated groan. "I just need you to listen to me for a minute, okay?" He sounds as if he's trying to keep his usual smooth charm intact. He steps closer, his playful smile fading just enough to reveal a flicker of annoyance beneath it.

As he moves closer, it's impossible not to notice just how handsome he is. He has big, round, doe-like eyes that are a beautiful shade of brown. His nose is flat at the tip, and his fake smile is charming, even if it does creep you out a little. "I never said I wasn't listening." You reply, trying to mask your unease.

You feel the cold bathroom door against your back as Jungkook steps closer, his hands sliding to rest on either side of your shoulders. He takes a deep breath, his gaze locking with yours. "I need you to do me this favor." He looks deep into your eyes, making you even more uncomfortable about the situation.