It was summer.
As I turned my head back, I saw a smiling face—Jeon Jungkook. He grinned brightly, shaking a carton of chocolate milk in his hand. A deep sigh escaped my lips.
I hated being the center of attention, and this situation, where everyone’s eyes were on me, was unbearable. Two people who couldn’t be more different, standing together in the same space—was that why everyone found it so strange? The fact that Jeon Jungkook, the most popular guy in school, had approached someone first seemed to shock everyone.
"I wasn’t joking when I said that."
"Neither was I. I really want to be friends with you."
"Sigh… I don’t need chocolate milk, so take it and go back to your class. Our homeroom teacher is coming soon, so don’t make this more uncomfortable."
Maybe it was because of my serious tone, but he simply told me to pay attention in class and left the chocolate milk on my desk anyway before walking out.
After he left, the classroom grew increasingly noisy. I put on my earphones and resumed my online lecture. The murmurs around me mixed with the voice of the lecturer, but none of it registered in my head. I forced my eyes onto my book, trying to focus.
Thankfully, the situation settled when our homeroom teacher arrived. But my situation with Jeon Jungkook? That was far from over. If anything, things had only gotten more complicated.
The straight-A student and top of the school, who had barged into my life out of nowhere, had managed to completely mess with my head from our very first meeting.
"Oh? Hye-won! What a coincidence!"
Damn it.
Due to a sudden schedule change, we had PE class with another class today. But why did it have to be Jeon Jungkook’s class?
I could already feel the eyes of multiple students on me. And then, just as I was hoping to stay unnoticed, he called out to me, making the situation even worse.
The gym teacher soon arrived, tossing a ball toward us and ordering us to play dodgeball. Thankfully, the attention on me and Jungkook faded for a moment.
I wasn’t particularly into sports, but at the start of the semester, our PE teacher had promised extra credit for students who participated diligently in all activities. That meant there was no way I could sit out, even if it meant playing dodgeball with Jeon Jungkook.
"Alright, there’s too many people, so we’ll play in pairs! Once you’ve got a partner, line up over here."
I hated these kinds of activities.
Having to pair up with someone? The worst.
I always preferred doing things alone. But what worried me even more was the fact that no one would want to pair up with me.
It had happened plenty of times before—when everyone picked their own partners, I was always left with whoever was also unchosen.
I decided to just wait in silence, hoping someone would pair up naturally.
But before I knew it, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me somewhere.
"Let’s do our best together!"
"I don’t want to be your partner. I’ll just pair up with whoever’s left, so go find someone else."
"Hmm… I’d love to, but I’m pretty sure we’re the only two left."
I looked around.
Damn it.
He was right. All the pairs had already been formed.
Jungkook smirked, shaking our still interlocked hands slightly.
"Come on, let’s do our best!"
I immediately let go of his hand and nodded begrudgingly.
In the end, we won the match, making it all the way to the final round.
Afterwards, I was resting in the shade, trying to enjoy some quiet time.
But, of course, he showed up again.
"Wow… Hye-won, I thought you were just good at studying, but you’re actually great at sports too! I don’t usually lose, but you were amazing."
"I don’t need your compliments. Come with me for a second. Go change, then meet me on the rooftop."