"I never craved attention until I tasted yours." —Sevn Ray

**

SOMETIMES the world is just unfair, Jisoo thought as she tiptoed to reach the book at the uppermost row of the bookshelf. She was almost jumping just to grab it when a hand suddenly took it. Her eyes followed the person who interrupted her.

"Why are you always struggling to reach for things whenever I see you?" Jinyoung said with a smile while holding the book in his hand. He tilted his head and stared at her in amusement.

"Here," Jisoo looked at his extended arm, offering the book to her.

"Ah, hehe," Jisoo scratched head before awkwardly taking it, "I guess it's the cons of being cute in size," she said which made him chuckle.

"Not just your height, though," he said, hands in his pocket. Jinyoung never removed his stares from her.

"Hm?" she blinked at him innocently.

He caught her eyes and told her firmly, "I think you're cute when you smile."

Jisoo was taken aback for a second until she laughed, "Well thank you for giving me another reason to keep my smile," she answered.

Jinyoung didn't answer but his eyes remained looking just on her as she scanned the book in her hands, flipping through its pages in silence. The sun rays escaping the big windows in the library illuminated her like a spotlight.

She looked beautiful and peaceful in that moment.

"Ah! I found the reference I needed," Jisoo suddenly said, snapping him back to reality.

She tapped his shoulder, his eyes followed her movement, "Hey, thanks for the help, Jinyoung!"

His gaze went back to her, "You know my name?" he asked.

"I called you by your name last time, too," she responded, baffled.

"Ah yes, I presume you did," he laughed shamefully and combed his hair, "How'd you know me, anyway?"

"Well, you're Jinyoung. You're popular around the university, ya know," she said with hand gestures and laughed softly, "I see you around too, so I know your name," he nodded silently, trying to formulate another sentence but failing.

"Jisoo," she then said and offered her hand to him. He looked at it and to her face again.

"My name is Jisoo, just in case you haven't heard of me yet," she smiled warmly at him, Jinyoung couldn't help but to smile back.

"Jisoo," he repeated and accepted her hand. His hold lasted for a second longer. Until a voice intruded their small bubble.

"Sooya? Have you found the—" Nayeon instantly stopped after seeing the two of them.

"Oh," her eyes traveled to their hands.

"Sorry," Jisoo noticed her gaze so she let go and faced her friend.

"Ah! By the way, this is Nayeon, my friend! We're searching for references to use in our group activity," Jisoo enthusiastically said and pulled Nayeon beside her, Jinyoung nodded politely to her.

"Uhm... Bona's complaining already," Nayeon laughed nervously while looking at Jisoo, "She said she wanna finish it to go have a bite now."

Jisoo smiled, "Hm! Okay!" she looked at Jinyoung again, bidding goodbye, "We'll go first."

However, after just one step, he grabbed her arm right away, "Wait," he said.

"Yes?" she looked over her shoulder, a little confused.

"I... Uh—" Jinyoung gulped. His mind went blank and his hand moved on its own.

Shit, why did I stop her? He cursed under his breath.

"Is... Is that..." his eyes traveled to her hand holding the book, finding a good excuse. "Is that The Social Contract by Rousseau? Jean-Jacques Rousseau, right?" he fumbled with his words.

"Yup! Why? You need this book?" Jisoo said, gesturing to it.

Jinyoung's eyes looked around and he stood straight, "Yeah, you see... A paper... Yes, we, apparently, need to pass a five page review about that book, coincidentally. Also, I'm actually failing in writing it so... I... I, you know... Need that?" he said, sounding hesitant but she didn't notice it.

"Sure, I think we can finish using this today, I'll lend it to you," Jisoo said softly, "Ah, I may know a thing or two about book reviews, I could help you if you need to," she added.

"Really? Great!" he sounded a little too happy so he coughed to hide it, "I mean, thank you. That would be really... Helpful."

Jisoo laughed, "No worries, I'll see you around, then?"

"Yeah, see you around Jisoo," he said with a wide smile and waved at her as the two friends walked to the other side of the library. He remained standing there, just looking at the place she just left.

A thud sound of a book got his attention. He looked at it and saw Jackson putting down his book loudly—obviously doing it on purpose. The teasing smile on his face further proves that he is there to pester him.

Oh, how he hates that smirk.

"Since when is it a requirement for engineering students to have a review paper in a political book? Weird, yeah?" he placed his head on his hand and looked at him sideways.

"Not you again," Jinyoung sighed exasperatedly, "Jackson go get a life," he rolled his eyes at his friend.

"Oooh," he said and stood from his seat going near to him. He put his arms over Jinyoung's shoulder and pulled him closer, "Well bro, get a girl," he said in a teasing tone. Jackson wiggled his eyebrow at him.

Jinyoung elbowed him harshly but his friend only laughed it off.

"Geez man, what has gotten into you?" Jackson faced him, his hands on the back of his head, enjoying what he was seeing, "Smells like something the gang needs to know."

"No you won't," Jinyoung glared at him but Jackson was quick on his phone.

"Yo, JB! I've got news for you! I saw Jinyoung here—" he was cut off when Jinyoung grabbed his phone and hit him with an encyclopedia on the head.

On the other hand, Nayeon and Jisoo walked to their table at the other end of the library, far from the bookshelves.

"You're friends with Jinyoung?" she asked.

"I guess so? He just helped me get the book since I cannot reach it and last time helped me in cleaning so yeah, maybe we're friends," Jisoo answered nonchalantly.

"Why?" she looked at Nayeon.

The latter averted her eyes from her, "Ah, nothing. I just have a few classes with him so I was kinda curious."

Jisoo hummed in agreement and they reached their place, quietly taking seats.

"What took you girls so loooong? Two of our groupmates just left, they said they have next classes already," Bona whispered when they settled.

"I just know they are lying," she added, arms crossed over her chest.

"Bona..." Jisoo said softly while shaking her head, "Maybe they do have next classes."

"Yeah," she raised a brow and grabbed the book Jisoo brought, "So, what is this book that took you almost 20 minutes to find?"

"Classic political book," Jisoo answered and put out her pen, "We need to jot down all information needed there, Jinyoung said he'll need that book too. Let's finish this!"

"Wait," Bona stopped her and went closer, a little shocked, "Jinyoung? As in THE Jinyoung?"

"Yeah," Nayeon was the one who answered,"That Jinyoung," she said affirmatively.

"Ooooh, how's he now?" she asked, "No bruises anymore? Sad, the fight almost ruined his pretty face."

"It's been weeks, his face is good as new," Nayeon said while flipping through the pages of their other reference.

Weeks, huh? Oh, that reminds me...

Jisoo looked up from writing in her notebook to her friends, "How long was Taehyung suspended again?"

"Him?" Nayeon glanced at her sideways, "One week. Why?"

"Jisoo is crushing on him," Bona laughed a little louder, "I'll tell this to Lisa, she'd go nuts. She's like a mom to Jisoo," she said while giving her a smirk.

"What? No!" Jisoo hissed and glared at her softly.

"Then why do you ask?" Bona pressed onto the issue again.

"I saw him a few times when I was at work. I remembered not seeing him attending his classes so I just thought of it," she reasoned out.

Kinda true though, she inwardly said to herself.

"Well, I'm sure he's purposely ditching it," Nayeon shrugged and went back to reading. She kicked Bona below the table to tell her to read too. The latter pouted but abided.

Jisoo silently nodded and bowed to her notebook again. However, she brought out her phone from her pocket below the table and opened it.

—

THE POORLY illuminated living room of his house is eerily quiet with just the sound of his television. Taehyung is sitting on his couch, hugging a large blanket draped over his head to his body as he eats another cup of noodles.

His eyebags are evident and none of what he is watching are understood. He didn't have a nice sleep last night again.

Suddenly, he was brought back to reality when his phone vibrated beside him.

From: Unknown Number
Taehyungiiiieeee~ (つ°ヮ°)つ
I heard your suspension is lifted already, you can go to school now! */winks

His brows immediately furrowed. There she goes...

To: Unknown Number
Blabbermouth

From: Unknown Number
ಠ_ಠ

He smirked and plopped down on the couch while holding his phone over his face, the blanket falling off on the floor but he did not bother.

I bet she's puffing her cheeks and pouting right now, he rolled his eyes as he waited for another message. He just simply knows that she would send one more.

And she did.

From: Unknown Number
Sooooo as I was saying ಠ_ಠ
Why don't you go back to campus now? We have a group activity too, I am your groupmate. ヽ(ヅ)ノ Fortunately, our prof was on leave so it was moved, you can still join!!!
Let us practice~~ ヾ(＾∇＾)

To: Unknown Number
NO SHIT, REALLY?

From: Unknown Number
YES!!! (ｷ▼⊿▼)ﾉ
Yayyyyy! You'll join already? (≧▽≦)

To: Unknown Number
Lol no

Taehyung smirked. Oh, to annoy her.

From: Unknown Number
Bully! ಠ╭╮ಠ
Go back to campus already!!! We'd see each other more everyday (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞
Isn't that greeeeaattt Taehyungiiiiee ('∇ﾉ｀*)ノ

He choked on his breath and coughed, making him sit straight from lying down.

See each other everyday?

To: Unknown Number
Now why would I want to see you
Don't wanna see you
Makes me want to stay inside the house more
Shut up, I'm not going back

"Who wants to see who?" he scoffed, "Definitely not me. She'll just gonna annoy me for the whole day," he added, talking to himself.

From: Unknown Number
Well we'll have to talk about that later at lunch ಠ_ಠ
Anyway, brb I'd see you later, oki? Oki????! Oki!

"Tch," he combed his messy hair and looked at the time, 10:47 AM. Two hours more.

He grabbed the cup and drank straight from the soup of the noodles, "Who died and made her the boss?" he said under his breath. Taehyung rolled his eyes before going back to watching TV.

"I'm not going."

—

"FUCKING stupid," he couldn't help but to curse loudly, "The hell am I doing here?" he asked his self disappointedly as he stood across the convenience store.

He can see Jisoo smiling from the glass windows. She was on her phone while mannint the counter. Taehyung did not notice but he already crossed the road and entered the store inconspicuously.

"Stop smiling, you look creepy," he suddenly said when he was in front of the counter. Jisoo was shocked and jumped on her feet.

"You startled me!" she held her chest and exhaled, "And what about my smile? Someone told me it's cute," she stuck her tongue out at him childishly.

Taehyung pushed her forehead with his finger softly, "It's because you are gullible, stupidiot."

Jisoo pouted and put down her phone. She grabbed the lunch bag and placed it in front of him, "Here. Just eat your meal, maybe you'll digest some manners if you do."

"I'm sure I still won't," he smirked and took the lunch bag. She trailed behind him as they went to the usual spot beside the window.

Jisoo was arranging his food on the table as they sat across from each other. A sudden text made her pause and she instantly checked her phone. He observed her as she smiled on her phone while typing.

"I just told you to stop smiling," he said to get her attention.

"I can't help it," she dismissively said, still looking at her screen.

He glared at her and grabbed the utensils noisily. He dipped a spoonful of rice while his eyes never left her. She is still focused on what she is doing while he is eating.

When he could not help it, he spoke again, "You know you are not paid to just use your phone here, right?"

"There's no customers around," Jisoo answered, not looking.

"Me," he said irritatedly and pushed her phone down, "I need customer service."

"What? You didn't even buy something!" Jisoo laughed at him, finally giving him attention.

"Then go get me some soda," he spitefully said while getting bills from his pocket and pushing it to her on the table.

"Hmm, okay!" she said and took the money. She jumped to her feet and left.

A minute later, her phone once again beeped. His eyes wandered to it. Taehyung was tempted to look at it.

Why do I care? Huh, she just probably texts her mom or girl friends anyway.

His fingers tapped on the table for seconds as his eyes shifted from it and in front of him.

Ah fuck, he cursed under his breath and leaned forward.

Just when he was about to see the screen, Jisoo arrived, "Here is your soda sir," she laughed. Taehyung sat properly right away, acting naturally to which she did not notice. Thankfully.

Jisoo sat again and opened her phone. She went back to typing something, not speaking. His eyes remained at her even as he opened his soda.

"You've been glued to your phone today," he tried to sound casual and gave her a sideward glance while drinking.

"Ah! One of our schoolmates asked for my help with his paper. So I'm helping him right now," she said and finally put down her cellphone. She flipped it on its back and faced Taehyung.

His eyebrow raised, "His? Him?" he asked, to which she nodded in response. He squinted his eyes at her, "Why? Are you getting paid for that?"

"Nope," Jisoo shook her head.

"Then stop doing that," Taehyung scoffed at her.

"It's called helping for a reason, ya know," her brows furrowed at him as she held her face.

"So you're all smiley just because you are helping that scumbag? Stupid," he bitterly uttered.

"I'm glad I am of help, that's it," she answered calmly and pinched a vegetable from his lunch, eating it.

"And will you stop making insulting nicknames for everyone?" she reprimanded and looked at him while chewing.

"Whatever," he rolled his eyes and ate angrily. Jisoo just stared at him until she remembered something.

"Oh, speaking of school stuff Taehyungie..." she started, "Will you attend your classes now?"

"Nah," he said before swallowing his food, "I wanna drop out."

"What? Don't!" her forehead creased and she glared at him, "Why would you do that?"

Taehyung lifted his head from eating and glanced at her, "What will a diploma change in my life?" he clicked his tongue, "Nothing. It's just a waste of time. I don't even know why I went to college."

"Come on, it's a sense of fulfillment!" she told him.

"I don't care," he went back to eating and ignored her.

"You are so stubborn," she said while puffing her cheeks. Her brows furrowed as she stared accusingly at him.

He leaned on his back and crossed his arms over his chest, "You are worse than me," he retorted firmly.

Jisoo pointed to herself like he said an unbelievable thing, her mouth agape as she was speechless for a moment. She sighed deeply and leaned a little forward. She intertwined her fingers and straightened her posture, looking formal in front of him.

"Listen, you need to pass college! Don't you want to find a proper job? Don't you want to make your family proud? Make yourself proud?" Jisoo lectured him like a mom.

"Do you want an honest answer?" he said in a monotonous tone, "No. I'm done with everything. I don't fucking care, I can drop dead any time soon."

"Don't say that!" she exclaimed, mortified of his bluntness.

"I just did," he shrugged.

Jisoo's eyes widened and pinched the bridge of her nose. She suddenly stood up so his eyes followed her. She moved to sit beside him. Taehyung just looked at her, waiting for what she was up to again.

She faced him but he didn't budge, "Go to school, go to school, go to school," Jisoo started poking him on the arm.

"What the fuck?" he was perturbed and he held her finger.

"I won't stop bugging you until you say yes," she was persistent and ignored him before poking his cheek now, "Go to school, go to school, go to school, go to—"

"Stop being annoying!" he complained, worn out. He tried to dodge her but she wouldn't stop.

"No!" Jisoo was hard headed. She stood and put her one knee on the chair while her hand on the table with a loud sound, her eyes were blazing.

Why the hell is she so serious right now?

Jisoo slowly leaned to him, his eyes widened and his heart thumped, "Damn, what's gotten into you—"

Jisoo cut him when she held his face, "Taehyungie," she said seriously and caught his eyes.

"You. Are. Going. Back. To. School," she uttered, emphasizing each word, "Do you hear me?" she repeated softly and went an inch closer.

"Please?" Jisoo smiled lovingly at him which made Taehyung gulp.

His world stopped and all he heard was the abnormal beating of his heart. He was lost in her sparkling orbs. The proximity of her face took his breath away. He was in awe and his brain stopped functioning. It took him a minute to recover.

Taehyung pushed her face with his big hand. She finally moved back and he faced the other side as he adjusted his collar. He found it hard to breathe.

"Fine. Just... Just shut up, will you?" he cannot look at her directly.

"Yes! I won! No taking it back!" Jisoo giggled as she pumped her fist in the air, "I'll wait for you in the university, okay?" she said and smiled at him.

He was dumbfounded by the sight of her and cannot utter an insult or even a word for a moment.

A person suddenly entered, the clanking of the door chime broke their eye contact, "Wait, I'll just attend to the customer," she stood up and left.

Did I just fucking agreed? He asked himself.

Taehyung's eyes traveled to Jisoo who is now back behind the counter. She felt his gazes and their eyes met. Jisoo smiled at him so he averted his stare in panic. He shifted his eyes outside the glass window, to the empty road outside. He covered his mouth as he feel the heat crawling in his face. Taehyung closed his eyes in frustration.

This is bad news, I'm fucked up.

—

THE NEXT DAY, Jisoo just finished her first class and met up with Lisa and Rosé, "Will you have lunch with us later, Lisa?" she asked.

"I'm not sure, might have a practice with the dance troop until lunch, but I'd text you," Lisa answered.

"Aw!" Rosé touched her shoulder when a rushing student bumped her, "Not even a sorry? Hey!" she said but the girl just ignored her and went to join the crowd not far from them.

"Wait, what's the fuss?" she suddenly thought after noticing the horde of students waiting near the school gates.

"Is that Bona?" Jisoo suddenly squinted her eyes trying to identify if it's their friend she was seeing. Rosé shrugged and just motioned that they just go to see it for themselves.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Lisa tapped Bona who was busy peering over the crowd. She craned her neck to look at the event too, but failed, "What is happening?"

"I don't know! Just heard from my classmates that there are handsome guys arriving! Everyone's gushing about them so I went to see," she guffawed, earning a look of disbelief from Lisa.

"Bitch," Rosé pulled Bona's hair jokingly while the latter was still busy competing with the crowd of students.

"I wonder, who are they? Celebrity?" Jisoo attempted to tiptoe and have a look too out of curiosity.

"Nah, just some famous students from the other school transferred," Nayeon suddenly appeared and they all turned to look at her.

"Way to go, our news anchor!" Bona joked and gave her a thumbs up. Nayeon just rolled her eyes at her.

"Huh? Who?" Rosé asked for more information.

Just in time, three men passed by on their way. One was towering over the two other guys, he had broad shoulders and a large build. The other, almost just as tall, was wearing a sweatshirt and a camera around his neck. The third guy is a bit shorter than the other two but he was cheery and his outfit more flashy.

Nayeon jerked her hand towards the three guys who just passed by and then she named them, "Namjoon Kim, Jimin Park and Jungkook Jeon."