Finals were growing near and Yoonah's situation has only grown foggier.

That night ended painfully slow for Yoonah. She spent the rest of those hours waiting on the rooftop, with the pink blanket wrapped tightly around her body; always a little too big for her size. The wind snapped in her face and eyes were pricked with unshed tears, and yet, she waited.

A naïve part of her hoped Jaemin would come back.

When the sun began to rise, Yoonah headed back to her lonely dorm with her heart set deep in her chest. Fingertips and cheeks painted red from the biting cold, and eyes filled with memories of the stars.

When she entered the dorm, the lights were already on and the curtains drawn. Yoonah blinked, glancing around the perimeter. The entire room was left a mess. Pillows and blankets from her bed were thrown across the floor. Her books were misplaced and all of her belongings were left in different places. Her feet drew her to her desk where her stomach plummeted. The ring box that held her parent's jewelry was left out. Yoonah always kept it safely tucked into her drawer. With shaky fingers, she opened the box and sighed a breath of relief to see the rings still there. Her eyes were drawn to her opened diary next. A few pages were ripped out.

She skimmed through it, trying to remember what could have been written on the stolen pages but her mind drew a blank.

"What the hell happened here?" A voice she recognized all to well spoke.

Yoonah flinched violently, torn abruptly from her thoughts before turning towards the door. There stood Jaemin in all his infuriating glory. He surely looked more put together than last night. With his uniform and tie wrapped snugly around his neck. The bags under his eyes were still noticeable, and he looked paler than usual. Paired with the crease between his brows as he glanced around the torn up room, he looked quite tired. Maybe a little concerned, too.

The brunette slapped her diary shut, goosebumps littering her arms at the sudden intrusion. She rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"My room got ransacked by a ruthless barbarian." She deadpanned.

Jaemin raises a brow. "For real?"

Ah, forever missing those social skills.

Yoonah shoots daggers towards the boy. "I'm sorry, was barbarian not an enticing enough term for you? Would you prefer beast? Brute? Troll? What the hell does it look like, you twat?"

The ash-haired holds his hands up in mock defense. "Okay, okay, I got it. Good morning to you too, miss sunshine."

Yoonah sighs deeply and rubs her face, fingers travelling upwards to run through her hair. "I haven't slept."

Jaemin pauses, glances around the room once more and steps inside slowly before closing the door behind him. They are incapsulated in silence now. The busy chattering of students getting ready and heading down the hallway for breakfast are no more and—finally, Yoonah can think.

"Do you know who did it?" Jaemin asks as he ambles through her room, slowly making his way into the tiny kitchenette. There wasn't much in it: a sink, a mini fridge, and a lone shelf stacked with plates and mugs.

"I have an idea."

He grabs two mugs from the shelf before opening a drawer underneath the sink, pulling out a bag of coffee grounds—Yoonah's favorite brand, actually.

The girl raises a brow. "How did you know where I keep my coffee?"

Jaemin shrugs. "Just a guess," his eyes narrow at the brand before he sends her a disappointed look. "Don't tell me you actually drink this every morning."

Yoonah scoffs. "I didn't know you were so picky over coffee brands."

"Of course I am. Coffee is the only thing that feeds my soul."

"Wow. Deep."

Jaemin purses his lips and nods before throwing the coffee grounds into the trash can. "Anyway, with your best interest in mind, I can't let you drink that ever again."

"Did you seriously just throw my coffee away? Do you know how expensive that is?" Yoonah wants to scream, and if it wasn't for her impeding exhaustion, she would have. Her room has just been ransacked, and now her favorite coffee has been thrown away carelessly. And it's only seven in the morning.

The ash haired smiles charmingly, and Yoonah feels her stomach swirl. "I'll buy you whatever drink you like, and coffee grounds to last you for years."

Yoonah crosses her arms and pretends to ponder over it for a second, although she already knows her answer. She taps her foot as Jaemin waits, ever so patiently. "I guess. But I want foam art on my latte."

"Deal. Now get ready so we can go get your coffee."

The girl huffs. "Don't tell me what to do." Still, she finds herself digging through her drawers to pull out her uniform before walking to the bathroom. Feeling his eyes on her, she turns around and cocks her head. "Are you gonna stay here and listen to me sing in the shower like a creep or...?"

Jaemin shakes his head firmly. "I thought I could check your room for any cameras, microphones, anything that could be susceptible. This isn't the first time Yongsan students have sabotaged or play dirty," he pauses, looking at his feet shyly. "I just want to make sure you're safe."

Yoonah's heart flutters at that as a soft smile graces her lips. As infuriating and confusing as Jaemin can be, it's obvious that he cares. Perhaps one of the first person in this school to actually try and protect her.

Plus, it did make her feel safer knowing that Jaemin was in her room. Perhaps it was odd. Most girls would feel bare, exposed, or vulnerable with a man in their room, but Jaemin has never made her feel uncomfortable in his presence. If anything, she never really wanted him to leave again.

Bad things seemed to happen when he left.

Nodding her head softly, she said, "Okay. I'll only be a few minutes."

"Take your time, princess."

━

By the time Yoonah got out of the bathroom, dressed and ready, Jaemin was sitting at her desk with a book in hand.

The Picture of Dorian Grey.

At the sound of her entering, Jaemin tilts his head and smirks. "Didn't take you for a classic literature kind of girl."

"I like a little bit of everything. Did you find any incriminating evidence while I was away, detective?"

"It seems that the perpetrator knows how to cover their tracks well," he clicks his tongue before placing a bookmark in the book—which, Yoonah isn't sure where he found—and stands up, dusting off his blazer. "But if this happens again, you come directly to me, got it?"

Yoonah swallows dry saliva and nods.

"Ready then?"

"For caffeine? Always."

"That's my girl."

A blush coats her cheeks like a tainted rose as she bashfully hangs her head. As Jaemin walks towards her door, she finds herself grasping the sleeve of his jacket, pulling him back. "Jaemin?"

The boy stares at her hand, a seemingly conflicting look adorning his pretty features. "Yes?"

Finally, she gains the courage to look up. "About the—the um, the dating rumor—"

A small chuckle escapes the others lip, and then Jaemin is wrapping Yoonah's hand around his bicep and leading her to the door, exposing them to those damned preying eyes.

The girl is left breathless as he guides them through the crowding hallways. Students are filing from their dorms, dressed similarly to them with books in hand. Jaws drop and whispers spread as the two rush through the halls. Yoonah's heart is pounding straight through her chest and her hand feels incredibly warm in Jaemin's. The ash-haired looks back at her with the biggest smile on his face, and correct her if she's conceited, but this is the most alive he's looked in months.

When they burst out of the school and are greeted by dewy grass and foggy skies, Jaemin breaks out in laughter and nearly doubles over.

"God, that was great." He chuckles, chest heaving as he catches his breath. A few ashen strands fall in front of his crinkled eyes, and his lips spread in the most heavenly image that Yoonah has ever been blessed enough to see.

"Your smile is pretty." She blurts, eyes widening at her lack of filter--Yoonah has never exactly been a meek girl, always the type to say what's on her mind which seems to be what gets her in the most trouble in this cursed school, but she always had the common sense to not say such senseless things like complimenting a boy.

Jaemin pauses and his expression turns into one of neutrality and god, he looks even prettier now.

"What?" He asks, almost breathlessly.

Curse me. I'm stupid, so-- "I said your smile is pretty."

It seems like the Gods above seem to particularly find Yoonah's embarrassment entertaining because a blush coats his cheeks as he tucks one of the stray strands back into place, the softest of smiles grace Jaemin's lips.

And call her whipped because she'd do anything to see that damned smile again.

After a split second of having nothing better to say, Jaemin nods to the gates of the school. "Let's go before security catches us. The coffee shop is around the block."

Yoonah nods.

━

The coffee shop is a tiny bazaar behind a local bookstore. Exposed red brick covers the majority of the exterior, covered in moss and strands of ivy, purple and white morning glory's greet them as they push back the door, a small bell signifying their entrance.

The interior is quaint and quiet, only one old couple sitting in the corner, sipping on their warm coffees with a content smile on their faces. The shop is decorated with soft light, and plants hang from the wood beams and any shelves or corner space. Soft jazz music plays in the background.

When they reach the counter, Yoonah gapes at the menu. Dozens of options ranging from espressos, iced coffees, lattes, to pastries of all forms and sizes. Her stomach growls excitedly.

"How am I supposed to choose?" Yoonah wonders.

Jaemin shakes his head and waves his hand. "Don't worry about it, I know exactly what you'll like."

The girl raises a suspicious brow. "Yeah, because you know me oh so well." She mocks.

"Are you really gonna question my taste? I'm an expert when it comes to coffee."

"Just say you're a caffeine addict and leave."

Before Jaemin can come up with a snarky reply, a girl asks for their order. Jaemin smiles, and an unreasonable part of Yoonah feels unsettled that someone else gets to experience his charm with such little work. Yeah, whatever, call her crazy but it took her three months to get that smile directed towards her. Not fair.

He ends up ordering himself an iced Americano with four extra shots of expresso ("You know you're gonna kill yourself one day with that, right?"

"I'm here for a good time, not a long time."

"Ridiculous." ), a hazelnut latte with bunny foam art--specially requested by Jaemin--and two chocolate chip muffins for the both of them. He nonchalantly slides the bigger muffin towards her, taking the smaller one for himself. Yoonah's not quite sure who this man is, but it certainly is not the one she saw last night.

Once again, his personality takes a 360. What is real and what is not, and what is the reasoning behind his major personality switches? Is it natural or forced? A personality disorder? Yoonah had a strong urge to dig inside his brain, tug and pull in a few places; see if she can find the switch.

At Jaemin's expectant gaze, Yoonah rolls her eyes and brings the mug to her lips, taking her first sip into caffeine madness.

She nearly sighs, savoring the taste of bitter-sweetness on her tongue.

"Well?"

Yoonah turns her head, hiding her smile. "I could have made it at home." She shrugs. Just to wipe that smug look off of his face.

Jaemin slams his fists down on the table and stares at her with playful, crazed eyes. "Oh, come on! I even got you bunny art!"

The girl covers her mouth as she chuckles at the other's ridiculousness and hyper-activity. She senses that she likes this side of Jaemin--the humorous, and as relaxed as he can be. She still notices how his eyes flit across the room, scanning every dark corner and exit as if he expects to be attack and wants to assure a clean escape but, Yoonah supposes, if she were raised in an environment like this, she'd be the same.

A conceited part of her wants to believe that it's her who makes Jaemin feel this open and free. At least enough to show his pretty smile.

But, of course that simply couldn't be.

Once her laughter calms down, she asks, "Why the bunny art?"

Jaemin pauses, seeming to think of his answer thoroughly. "You remind me of one."

The brunette scoffs, displeased with the answer. It was so dull, and Yoonah hardly resembles a rabbit.

"You know," Jaemin fumbles with the wrapper of his muffin before looking back up, eyes shining with earnest. "A fox and a bunny are unlikely friends."

Yoonah raises a brow. "Sure. Foxes are deceitful and untrustworthy. Bunnies are weak, timid, soft."

"Everything a fox is not."

But they can be.

"Right." Yoonah narrows her eyes and takes another careful sip of her latte, opting not to speak. There wasn't much to say, after all.

This was a warning on it's own.

━

Later, Yoonah found herself in front of the school's theater once again.

Before she left the cafe, she found the courage to discuss their fake dating scandal with Jaemin, and run over some general rules. There is no way in hell she is going pretend to date a boy without any precautions--over her dead body.

The rules were simple.

One. They may only hold hands and hug in public, perhaps a kiss on the cheek in dire situations. Yoonah certainly will never allow Jaemin to take her first kiss from her, not in this kind of situation.

Two. Encourage the rumors. Yoonah needs as much credit as she can get, and the only way to the top is with Jaemin by her side.

Three. No feelings involved. They are nothing behind closed doors.

Simple as that.

Now, it was time for her first meeting since joining the choir and she was a jumble of nerves. Incredibly anxious for numerous reasons, but also excited. This was just another chance to get on people's good sides because as much as Jaemin is helping her, he's made it obvious that his kindness can only go so far. Their conversation in the coffee shop said enough.

She pushes through those steel doors and is greeted by an angelic voice. One so unique that it isn't hard to put a name to.

Lee Donghyuck.

He's centered in the stage, belting his heart out to a foreign song she doesn't recognize. It sounds beautiful, nonetheless. Donghyuck is quick to notice her after he finishes the song, receiving applause from the rest of the choir and bows before hopping off the stage.

"Well, haven't you been busy since the last time I saw you?"

"I haven't the slightest clue what you mean."

Chenle suddenly appears right beside the sun kissed boy, a knowing smile on his lips. "The news with Jaemin."

Yoonah blushes. "Oh. Right. That."

"That," Donghyuck taunts. "You know, that makes her Jaemin's first girlfriend. I'm surprised Jeno approved of that." He chuckles, mainly towards Chenle.

With furrowed brows, she asks, "Why wouldn't he approve?"

Donghyuck hesitates. "Jeno is," he pauses, drawling out his words. "Let's just say he's very protective of Jaemin."

Ah, because that's not intimidating at all. Why hasn't he said anything at all about this situation?

"And we care about him too, so if you hurt him--"

"Trust me, if anything happens, I'm sure it will be the other way around." She interrupts them, not really in the mood to be interrogated about her fake relationship. "Well," she cracks her fingers. "I'm here. When do we start?"

"Ah, ah," Donghyuck shakes a finger obnoxiously in front of her face. "You're new to the club, so team building exercises today."

"You're serious?"

The dark haired doesn't bother to answer, instead heads back to the stage and signals her to follow him. Most of what she assumes is the choir are sitting in a circle on top of the stage, a murder mystery board game in the middle of them.

Donghyuck makes a quick introduction. "This is Yoonah. Yoonah, this is choir."

"That was so incredibly detailed and well thought out." Yoonah mocks. A needy voice in the back of her head warns her to watch her mouth, or she may risk not having a tongue if she mouths off the wrong person.

Donghyuck settles down and pats the spot next to him. "I know," he plays along. "Introductions aren't necessary. I promise you will gather everything you need to know from this one game."

Yoonah squints, getting a closer look at the title. "Clue?"

"We take this game very seriously." Chenle says, eyes wide as if this is the most intense game in his entire life.

Yeah, because the looming thought of constant death is much less intimidating than the idea of loosing a game.

After spreading out the cards, picking their characters of choice, and going over the rules, one of the most intense games of their lives begin.

(Note the blearing sarcasm).

━

"I suspect it was Yoonah in the stables with a candlestick!"

"My character's name is Mrs. Peach, get it right! And how the hell would I murder someone with a candlestick?"

"Honestly, that's a compliment."

━

"Stop peaking!"

"As if I want to look at your grimy cards anyway."

━

"Donghyuck, I swear to God if you threaten to whack someone with your weapon one more time--"

━

"You're fucking cheating! Cheater!"

A hand to the heart. A loud gasp. "How dare you assume such a thing!"

"I saw you try to look in the case files!"

"It's called thinking ahead!"

━

"If one of you call me a cheater one more time I swear I will stab all of you! And trust me, I have a large enough collection of knives to do it!"

"Let's not got hasty now."

"You're psychotic, Chenle."

"Maybe you should contact your therapist again."

"Shut up! I'm winning!"

━

After an hour of screaming matches, fighting the urge to strangle one another and parched throats, the game was finally solved. The murderer no longer remained a mystery.

"I fucking told you all that it was Chenle!" Jungwon, one of the boys sitting next to her, slammed his cards down in frustration.

Seungmin threw his hands up in the air. "How were we supposed to know?"

"I told you!"

Chenle was looking rather smug.

Yoonah couldn't deny, the game was rather fun. And intense. Plus, she reached her goal. She got to know many more students and learned some of their habits, ticks. All to be used for future use.

When Donghyuck stands, he offers his hand to Yoonah's and pulls her up.

"I must admit, you fit in quite nicely."

"Never doubt me again." She winks playfully. There is no denying that she feels much more at ease after this 'team-building' exercise, even if she initially thought it was incredibly ridiculous. "Maybe next time you can actually give me singing lessons. I promise to let you fully judge." She chuckles.

Before Donghyuck can respond, the choir doors open dramatically. "Seo Yoonah, I swear if you don't hurry the fuck up, I will throttle you--" Sookie, in all her glory, pauses mid sentence. She looks like a deer in headlights. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt."

She attempts to hide behind the door, but Donghyuck stops her. A look of intrigue takes over his features. "You're Kim Soomin, right?"

"Sookie, please."

Donghyuck nods. "Your performance last year was, phenomenal. I didn't know you could fight like that."

The brunette smiles, a part of herself breaking through the cracks. "Yeah, well, thanks."

"Maybe you could teach me a few things. You know, do me a favor."

Sookie raises a brow, her smile turning into one of amusement rather than bashfulness. "And why would I do that?"

"Out of the kindness of your heart?"

"Bold of you to assume I have one."

Donghyuck bursts out into laughter. "I think I have a rather good judge of character."

"Don't let me prove you wrong."

"I dare you."

"Fine. You want to learn something, lover boy? You're going to regret it later."

Donghyuck smiles, leaning forward teasingly. "Can't wait," he sing-songs. "Catch you later, Yoonah."

━

As soon as the door closes behind them, Yoonah's jaw gapes and she grasps tightly onto Sookie's arms who is furiously blushing.

"What the hell was that? Who are you?" She nearly squeals. "Did you actually just fucking flirt with Lee Donghyuck?"

Sookie nods, seeming to still be spacing out over whatever the fuck just happened. "I guess I did."

"Every day I grow more and more surprised by your character."

"Me too."

Well, Yoonah thinks, this seems to be the beginning for both of us.

this chap was a little more
crack filled than i intended,
but im in a good mood so.
less angst for y'all (for once)

their relationship is developing
y'all eeeee

also my word count is literally
being obliterated every time i
write. i cant contain myself

hope you enjoyed! leave a vote
& comment <3