After (Jikook version)

Chapter 26

I try to study when I get back to my room but can't seem to focus. After staring at my notes for a couple of hours but not having really read anything,I decide a shower might help. When they're crowded, the coed bathrooms still make me uncomfortable, but no one ever messes with me, so I'm getting used to them.

The hot water feels amazing and loosens up my tense muscles. I should be relieved and happy that Jungkook and I have reached some sort of truce, but now anger and annoyance have been replaced by nervousness and confusion. I've agreed to spend time with Jungkook tomorrow, doing something "fun," and I am terrified. I just hope it goes well; I don't expect to become best friends with him, but I need us to get to a place where we don't scream at each other every time we talk.

The shower feels so good I stay in there for a while, and when I get back to my room, Hoseok's already come and left. I find a note from him saying V is taking him off campus for dinner. I like Taehyung; he seems really nice despite his overuse of eyeliner. If V and Hosoek continue to see each other then maybe when Seulgi comes to visit we could all go do something together. Who am I kidding? Seulgi wouldn't want to hang out with people like them, but I'm aware enough to admit that up until three weeks ago I never would have, either.

I end up calling Seulgi before bed; we haven't talked all day. She's so polite, she asks about my day as soon as she picks up. I tell her it was good; I should tell her that Jungkook and I are going to hang out tomorrow, but I don't. She tells me that her soccer team beat Seattle High by a landslide, even though Seattle's really good. And I'm happy for her, because she seems really happy to have played so well.

The next day goes by way too fast. Jin and I walk into Literature class, and Jungkook is already in his seat. "Are you ready for our date tonight?" he asks and my mouth falls open.Seokjin's does, too. I don't know what I feel more conflicted about: Jungkook saying it like that, or how it will affect how Jin sees me. Day one of our quest to become friends is not going well so far.

"It's not a date," I say to him, then turn to Jin and roll my eyes and nonchalantly say, "We're hanging out as friends," while ignoring Jungkook. 

"Same thing," Jungkook replies.I avoid him for the rest of the class . . . which is easy since he doesn't really try to talk to me after that.

After class, as Jin starts putting his stuff into his backpack, he looks at Jungkook, then quietly says to me, "Be careful tonight." 

"Oh, we're just trying to get along since my roommate is his good friend," I reply, hoping Jungkook doesn't hear me.

"I know, you're really a great friend. I'm just not sure Jungkook deserves your kindness," he says, purposefully loud, and I look up at him. 

"Don't you have something else to do besides bad-mouth me? Get lost, man," Jungkook snaps from behind me. 

Jin frowns and looks at me again. "Just remember what I said." He walks away, and I worry about how much I've maybe upset him.

"Hey, you don't have to be cruel to him—you guys are practically brothers," I say. 

Jungkook's eyes go wide. "What did you just say?" he growls.

"You know, your dad and his mom?" Was Jin lying? Or was I not supposed to mention this. Seokjin said not to bring up Jungkook's relationship with his dad, but I didn't think he meant the whole thing.

 "That is none of your business." Jungkook looks angrily at the door where Jin disappeared. "I don't know why the asshole even told you that. I'm going to have to shut him up, it seems."

"You leave him alone, Jungkook. He didn't even want to tell me, but I got it out of him." The idea of Jungkook hurting Jin makes me sick. I need to change the subject. "So where are we going today?" I ask, and he glares at me.