After (Jikook version)

Chapter 75

Jungkook notices Jace the same time that I do and turns to look at me, then back at Jace, tensing immediately. For a second it seems like Jungkook might turn us around, but then Jace definitely spots us, and I know Jungkook won’t risk antagonizing him by backing away now. All around us, the party rages, but all I can focus on is Jace’s mischievous smile, which flat-out gives me the creeps. 

As we reach the top of the stairs, Jace gives an exaggerated look of surprise and says, “Didn’t think I’d see you two here, you know, since you couldn’t make it to the docks and all.” 

“Yeah, we were just coming here—” Jungkook begins. 

“Oh, I get why you were coming here.” Jace smiles and pats Jungkook on his shoulder. I cringe as his brown eyes move to me. “It’s definitely a pleasure to see you again, Jimin,” he says coolly. 

I glance at Jungkook, but he is too focused on Jace to notice. “Yeah, you, too,” I manage. 

“Well, good thing you didn’t come to the docks anyway. Cops came and broke up our party, so we moved it here.” 

Meaning that Jace’s slimy friends are here somewhere—more people Jungkook doesn’t like. I wish we had just stayed at my dorm. By the look in Jungkook’s eyes I can tell he wishes the same. 

“That sucks, man,” Jungkook says and then tries to continue on down the hall. 

Jace grabs Jungkook’s arm and says, “You two should come down and have a drink with us.” 

“Jimin doesn’t drink,” Jungkook huffs, annoyance clear in his voice. Unfortunately, that annoyance seems to encourage Jace even more. 

“Oh well. You should still come have some fun. I insist,” he says. 

Jungkook looks at me, and my eyes widen as I try to silently say, No! But then he nods at Jace. What the hell? 

“I’ll come down in a minute; let me get him . . . settled in,” Jungkook mumbles, then pulls me by my wrist to his room before Jace can say anything. Unlocking the door to his room, he hurries me inside and quickly closes the door. 

“I don’t want to go down there,” I tell him as he sets my bag down. 

“You’re not.” 

“And you are?” I ask him. 

“Yeah, just for a minute. I won’t be long.” He rubs the back of his neck with his hand. 

“Why didn’t you just tell him no?” I ask. For someone who claims he isn’t afraid of him, Jungkook seems to be very intimidated by Jace. 

“I already told you, he is hard to say no to,” he says. 

“Does he have something over you or something?” 

“What?” Jungkook’s face flushes. “No . . . he’s just a dick. And I don’t want any trouble. Especially not around you,” he says and steps forward to me. “I won’t be down there long, but I know him, and if I don’t go have a drink with him he will come back up here—and I don’t want him anywhere near you,” he says and kisses me on the cheek. 

“Okay,” I sigh. 

“I need you to stay in here, though. I know it’s not ideal, with the music bumping downstairs, but I can’t really think of a way out at this point.” 

“Okay,” I repeat. I don’t want to go down there anyway. I hate these parties, and I definitely don’t want to see Molly if she is here. 

“I mean it. Okay?” he demands in a soft voice.