BTS: I Think I Love You

Chapter 13

I walk into class on time this  time around. All eyes are on me as I walk towards me seat in the back. I look towards my seat and stop. I can't make my feet move, my body frozen in place. Tom sits in his seat, a smirk on his face. I don't know why this is so hard for me all of a sudden. I just know that I don't want to sit with him, I can't sit with him.

"Is everything alright?"

I noticeably flinch, my back stiff as I turn towards my teacher. I nod as convincingly as I can, my eyes crinkling in my effort to appear normal.

"Yeah, I am f-fine."

My voice wavers slightly as I speak, giving away how nervous I am. The teacher continues to read at her desk, leaving me standing between the many desks. The look drops and I gulp, my hands shaking. I turn towards my desk once more, only to have someone grab onto the back of my shirt. I turn around and find myself staring into Jungkook's eyes.

"Are you ok Z?"

For the first time since I started attending this school, I want help. I want someone to save me, even if it is only for a class period. My walls come tumbling down and I allow my real emotions to shine through. Something about Jungkook makes me want to trust him. I know that this can only cause me heartache and misery, but I have no other choice. I shake my head slightly, aware of the fact that Tom is probably watching us right now. I don't want Jungkook to get hurt by him again.

"Why don't you sit here for today?"

He gestures to the empty seat beside him, a smile on his face. I glance at Tom from the corner of my eye, panicking slightly when I see him get up from his chair. I plop down beside the grinning boy, my back straight and rigid. Please don't come over here. Please don't come over here.

"Why is she here?" V asks with a sneer.

I look down at the desk in front of me as he glares at me, my confidence from the other day nowhere in sight.

"Lay off V hyung, she's only sitting here for today. Besides, why are you being so rude to her? She hasn't done anything to you."

My eyes widen as I stare at Jungkook in shock. Did he really just stick up for me? No one has ever done that for me before. And it was to one of his friends too. I wonder why Jungkook is being so nice to me because I honestly don't deserve it. Why stick up for someone who doesn't even try to do so for herself? V glares at me once more, not even bothering to answer his friend. He has already taken on the emotions of hate that all the other students have for me.

"Hey guys, whats up?"

I stop breathing, my eyes wide with fear. I knew that my wishing would go unnoticed. Tom puts his hand on my shoulder, making me flinch slightly in fear. Jungkook notices and narrows his eyes at the offender's hand. I try and put a relaxed expression on my face so that he doesn't get suspicious, but he can see right through me.

"Nothing much, just talking."

Jin steps in to the conversation, probably sensing the tension between all of us. He smiles at Tom, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes, most likely still upset over how Tom and his friends beat Jungkook up a couple days ago. Tom smirks at us, bringing his arms around me to hug me from behind. He rests his head on my shoulder with his head facing my neck, his breath hitting it with every dispelled breath. I cringe inwardly, his touch making me feel horrid. I close my eyes and will myself to not push him off of me. That would get me in some serious trouble.

"Why don't we go back to our seats Z?"

My breathing speeds up as he tightens his grip on me. That is a warning. I have no choice but to go back with him or else I will get hurt again. I start to stand, but my hand is grabbed and I am forced back down.

"She is staying here" Jhope says. I look at him in surprise. Why would he be defending me? I have done nothing but supposedly get his friend beat up and push him and Jin into a bathroom stall. I don't understand why he would even want me to stay with them.

"What did you say horse-face?" Tom says, getting dangerously close to him. I stand from my seat as he grabs a hold of Jhope's shirt and grab hold of his jacket in my shaking hands. He turns towards me and lifts his hand as if he is about to hit me. I flinch, but he doesn't hit me like I thought he would. He brings his hand to my face instead, stroking my cheek.

"I'll go back with you, just-just leave them alone."

He steps towards me and leans down to whisper in my ear.

"Is that an order?"

He glares down at me and I can feel myself shrink down under his stare.

"Please?"

I lean closer to him so that no one can here me as I whisper, "Please? I'll do anything you ask."

I look at the boys as I walk back to my original seat. Only Jungkook, Jhope, and Jin look the least bit concerned for me. I sit down and look straight in front of me, too scared to look at Tom. I am too scared to look, afraid that I will start crying if I do. Why am I here? Why didn't I just stay with Jungkook and his friends?

Because I didn't want them to get hurt. I didn't want them to get hurt because of me. If I had stayed, Tom would have caused a scene. He would have done something to hurt them, and I don't want that to happen. They are the first people to actually care about my feelings. There is no way I can let them sacrifice their safety just for the sake of mine.