"This is why I told you you're embarrassing," Seohyun sighed the next day. I should have told her sooner, because it would have helped to talk about it, but I really was too embarrassed to explain that my ridiculous merman theory had been disproved, or that Hoseok was actually the person who had saved me.
That week, school was almost completely normal; the usual boring weekly assembly, lectures from each teacher about how we should study harder since exams were drawing closer, and of course, the school's usual hype about the upcoming swimming tournament.
The part that wasn't normal was that I had managed to avoid Hoseok for an entire week, until at last Mr Kim ruined it for me.
"Y/N, do you mind finding Hoseok and taking this to him? I can't find him anywhere, but you'll probably find him training. I have to print out these notes, so I can't do it now," he said, handing me a white envelope. Before I could protest, Mr Kim had sprinted off towards the printing room, and I was left alone with my anxiety. With my heart pounding in my chest and threatening to pop out, I made my way towards the pool.
It was the main training session for everyone on the team, so every swimmer was present, including Jimin and Taehyung. I caught Hoseok just climbing out of the water at that moment, and I shut my eyes closed at the sight of his abs. It didn't help that he was dripping with water either, and had chosen that specific moment to pull off his swimming cap and ruffle his hair. And so, eyes still shut, I decided to spin around and head back, but Hoseok had already seen me.
"Look who it is. You here to spy on the shirtless guys again, Y/N?" Hoseok enquired, and I could feel his smirk on my back. A roar of laughter followed, as well as a scolding from the coach who urged the other swimmers to focus. He then ordered Hoseok and I to discuss whatever we needed to outside, instead of causing a ruckus during training. Grumpily, I made my way outside and Hoseok followed suit.
"Are you finally here to see me after ignoring me all week?" Hoseok asked, his smirk still evident. I wasn't in the mood to make any smart comments, so I handed the envelope to him without a word and turned around to leave. I was only a metre away when I heard him curse loudly.
"What a vibrant vocabulary you have," I said, my sarcastic nature assuming its original position again. Hoseok was biting his lip, a worried expression on his face. Curious, I walked up to him.
"Are you in trouble?" I asked, my tone innocent yet mocking. Hoseok didn't even bother to retort; he just stood there looking tense.
"What's wrong?" I pressed, searching his expression for hints. Hoseok only sighed and then looked at me with a pained expression.
"It's my grades. The school has a policy that all athletes must maintain a minimum B average to be able to participate in sport events during school hours. I have a tournament next month, first thing in the morning!" Hoseok complained, and I frowned.
"Wait, what grades? You've only been here like a week!" I exclaimed, making Hoseok shake his head impatiently.
"It's obviously records from my previous school. Most of my subjects are okay, but my math mark is...awful!" he droned, wearing a cheerless expression. It was poor timing, but before I could help it, a tiny giggle escaped my mouth and I had to bite my lip to stop it from erupting. Hoseok wore a bleak expression.
"I shouldn't have expected any comfort or help from you. What use is your good grades if you're too cocky to even help anyone else?" he shot, before turning around to head back towards the changing rooms. My eyes widened in horror and I chased after him, determined to get on his good side.
"Whoa whoa whoa!" I shouted, blocking his path. He looked so chagrined that I felt even more guilty than I was already feeling.
"Who says I get good grades? That's only in math, honestly. I'm not too great at anything else. And of course, I can help you!" I blurted, before I could think it through. Hoseok inspected me with peering eyes, before speaking again.
"What's the catch?" he asked, folding his arms. I shrugged.
"Well, I guess there's no catch because I owe you for saving my life," I said simply, attempting a smile. Hoseok looked hesitant.
"You really think you can help me?" he asked, and I suddenly felt sanguine about my capabilities in assisting him.
"Of course I can. You got this!" I said, pumping my fist into the air. Hoseok's face broke into a wide smile, showing every one of his teeth, bright and shining. And then I felt a warm tingling sensation in my stomach. Reflexively, I placed my hand on my tummy.
"Are you okay?" Hoseok frowned, and I chuckled lightly.
"Yes! Just a bit hungry, I think. I haven't had lunch," I reported, avoiding his gaze, because his stare seemed to be making the tingling sensation worse. Then he bent down to my eye level, his face extremely close to mine, once again donning his signature smirk.
"Y/N," he said softly, and I looked up at him innocently, trying my best to hide my emotions.
"Am I making you nervous?" he asked, and I jumped a few steps back, breaking into nervous laughter.
"What? Me? Nervous? Pshhhht, no, never. I'll see you after school for the math thing. I have to go now. I'm late for class. Bye!" I babbled, before taking off in a sprint.
Smooth, I thought to myself. Late for class? It's lunch now!
***
I waited alongside Hoseok's locker for about ten minutes after the bell had rung, tapping my foot irascibly. He arrived with a crowd of boys around him, laughing loudly. I rolled my eyes. How does one get so popular within a week?
Taehyung caught sight of me and threw Hoseok a teasing grin, followed by a wink. A second later, every boy around him was whistling teasingly and nudging Hoseok to come closer to me. I sighed in exasperation as they all walked away, stealing glances behind them.
"What's with them?" I asked, trying my best to stay composed. I was looking straight ahead, refusing to look into his eyes again.
"They're just teasing," Hoseok laughed. "I am, after all, standing with the most popular girl in school," he explained, but I shook my head lightly.
"I'm not popular," I announced, "So uh, you want to come to my place?" I asked, still avoiding his gaze. It was at that unfortunate moment that a rowdy duo came rushing into the hallway, accidentally bumping into me as they scurried past us.
Losing my balance, I stumbled forward, causing Hoseok to fall with me.
My eyes grew wide as I realised that I was sprawled across his chest, on the floor.
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Author's Note: Thank you for 260 reads! ❤All your votes and love are really appreciated!❤
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Underwater (Jung Hoseok x Reader) J.HS
Fanfiction#SerendipityAwards Your school has a new star swimmer: Jung Hoseok, someone who looks awfully familiar. Is there a reason you think you know him?
