best worst match ➵ park jongseong

chapter 1

Chapter One: "Rivals on the Edge"

Min Aeri's POV

---

The gym hums with chatter, but I tune it out, my mind on only one thing: the Hanseong scholarship. It's what I've been aiming for since my first year, and now, in my senior year, I'm on the cusp of getting it. There's only one obstacle-Park Jongseong. Or Jay, as everyone calls him.

He's standing on the stage, flashing his stupid, blinding smile. He's always been that way, effortlessly charming, and apparently, effortlessly smart, too. I hate that he's my competition, hate that his name is always spoken in the same breath as mine. His charisma draws people to him like moths to a flame, while I'm the one who's holed up in the library, studying my way to the top. It's not like he even cares about the scholarship. Or the competition.

The principal's voice cuts through my thoughts.

"Each finalist will be paired with another candidate for the community project portion of the scholarship selection process."

Wait, paired?

A wave of tension ripples through the crowd, and I glance over at Miso, my best friend, who raises her eyebrows in surprise. The principal continues, oblivious to the collective shock in the room.

"Each pair will design a proposal for the town's Community Improvement Initiative, and your individual contributions will be evaluated by the scholarship committee."

This is the kind of thing I can do in my sleep, if I'm paired with someone competent. But knowing my luck...

"Min Aeri and Park Jongseong."

The name drops like a bomb, and I stiffen, my heart sinking. Across the room, Jay's eyes find mine, and he smirks like he's just won a prize.

Beside me, Miso tries to hold back a laugh. "Of all people," she whispers, grinning. "This is going to be amazing."

"You've got to be kidding," I hiss back. The universe really seems to enjoy making my life difficult.

As the meeting wraps up, people disperse in clusters, most of them laughing or chatting. Jay walks over with his signature swagger, hands in his pockets, head tilted slightly like he's about to say something clever.

"Guess you're stuck with me," he says, flashing that insufferable smile.

"I hate this already," I reply, keeping my expression as flat as possible.

Jay just laughs, a light, unbothered sound that makes my blood boil. I turn away before he can see how annoyed I am, already planning out how to keep this partnership as short and painless as possible.

---

Saturday Morning: Community Center

I'm there at 8:45 a.m., fifteen minutes early. The community center smells faintly of old carpet and disinfectant, and I take a seat, pulling out my notepad. I want to be prepared for everything we'll need to do. We're assigned to revitalize the community center's neglected library space, which honestly sounds perfect to me-lots of shelves to organize and a clear, structured task.

9:15. Still no Jay.

Classic.

He strolls in at 9:30, hands shoved in his hoodie pockets, looking like he just rolled out of bed. As he walks toward me, he waves to some kids playing basketball in the court nearby. They all wave back enthusiastically, like he's a celebrity or something. I watch, unimpressed, as he finally makes his way over, that easy, lazy smile on his face.

"You're late," I say, doing my best not to sound irritated.

"Fashionably," he replies, raising an eyebrow. "Anyway, you look like you've already done enough planning for the both of us."

He gestures at my notepad, which I have filled with an entire list of tasks. I ignore his jab, pulling the notepad closer to me.

"Here's what I was thinking," I start, showing him my list, "if we tackle the hardest tasks today, we'll be able to-"

"How about we just dive in and see where it takes us?" Jay interrupts, grabbing a rag and bucket without so much as a glance at my carefully planned schedule. He winks. "Where's your sense of adventure, Aeri?"

I want to scream. Instead, I grit my teeth, grabbing a dust cloth and following him into the library.

---

For the next hour, we work in relative silence, wiping down shelves, dusting old books, and scrubbing the walls. Occasionally, I catch him glancing my way, that usual teasing look gone. It's...unsettling. Just as I'm beginning to relax into the rhythm of our work, Jay speaks up.

"So, tell me, Aeri. Why are you really gunning for this scholarship?" His tone is casual, but the question catches me off guard.

I hesitate, wondering if he's trying to throw me off balance. "Why do you care?"

He shrugs, continuing to dust. "Just curious. I mean, you act like it's life or death."

I bristle. "Some of us actually have to work for things, Jay. Not everyone has everything handed to them."

His face goes still, and for the first time, I think I see something real, a crack in his confident facade. But then, just as quickly, his expression shifts back, that easy, guarded look returning.

"You think you know me?" he says, his voice low.

For a moment, I feel a flicker of guilt, like maybe I struck a nerve. But then he's back to his usual self, shooting me a grin that somehow makes my stomach twist, and not in an entirely unpleasant way.

I hate that. I hate that he's affecting me even a little bit.

---

Later That Day

By late afternoon, we're both covered in dust, but we've actually made some progress. Jay's carrying a stack of old, heavy books, and despite his annoyingly laid-back attitude, he's strong and coordinated, making quick work of the heavy lifting. He catches me watching and raises an eyebrow.

"Like what you see?" he teases.

I roll my eyes. "In your dreams."

He grins, putting down the books with ease. "You know, this is actually kind of...fun."

I shoot him a skeptical look. "Right, fun. Like a root canal."

But then he does something that throws me completely. He grabs one of the heavier toolboxes before I can, carrying it out with a lighthearted, "See you tomorrow, partner."

It's such a small thing, barely worth noting. But as I watch him leave, I can't shake this strange feeling. There's something under that charm and confidence, something I'm almost curious about. I remind myself that he's my competition, but the thought lingers, bothering me more than it should.

On the walk home, I go over our interactions, replaying the way his face changed when I accused him of having things handed to him. There was something real there. Something he's trying hard to hide.

"Ugh," I mutter, trying to shake the thought. This is the last thing I need-getting distracted by Park Jongseong.

But the memory of his smile lingers, taunting me.

End of Chapter One