"I want you to be my dancer."

There was a powerfulness in the way he spoke; a kind of domineering strength that loomed over me and made me feel smaller than I was. Everything about him - his dauntless eyes, his confident posture, his deep tone - made refusing him seem like a move too dangerous to make.

But would it be more dangerous than accepting his offer?

My breaths grew shallow, palms beginning to sweat as I strained to keep my face impassive. The chance that he used the same term as the writer by mere coincidence was low, but I supposed it was possible. Still, the fact that he was known to avoid people but had taken some sort of interest in me was strange, to say the least.

"What would being your dancer entail?" I questioned, voice coming out mild yet stable.

He scanned my face, then his gaze fell over my body. I searched for any sign of lust in his eyes and found it there, only it didn't seem exactly sexual. So then what is his desire towards me?

"Private lessons with me. I'll make you a better dancer so you can perform my routines," he stated firmly.

Fear snapped its hungry jaws as it tried to latch on to me, but I wouldn't let it. My determination to solve the mystery and put a stop to it was greater than the terror that wished to consume me.

For all I knew, Hoseok was the writer, and his proposal could simply have been the next move in his twisted game of chess. The stare he was giving me was as sharp as ever, filled to the brim with calculation and a certain...craving.

Though I knew accepting his deal meant entering myself into his game, I felt that giving in to cowardice would be the same as forfeiting. If he wanted to play, so be it.

"Deal."

I had every intention of winning.

~

Jimin had invited me to hang out with him and the other guys again that night. To my surprise, we didn't meet at the opera house. Instead, I was directed to find them in one of the common rooms of the largest male dorm building.

I was the last to arrive, halting their conversation as I walked into the space. Ignoring their gazes, I quickly took in my surroundings. A deep gray painted the walls and the floor was made of cherry wood. Three black couches circled a dark table, Yoongi and Taehyung sitting on one, Jimin and Namjoon on the middle one, and Jungkook and Jin on the last. In front of them was the centerpiece of the room: a stone-framed fireplace. The light scent of smoke met my nostrils as the orange flames danced and waved, an occasional crackle or pop sounding from them.

"So is this where all of you dorm?" I asked as I moved to one of the couches, taking a seat between Jimin and Namjoon.

"Me, Jin, and Namjoon do. This building is for upperclassmen," Yoongi started explaining.

"Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung are in the dorms on the other side of campus," Namjoon finished for him.

"Me and Jungkook are roommates, actually," Jimin said, earning a surprised look from me.

"I didn't know that. Is that how you two met?"

Jungkook found my eyes as he answered, "No, we met in one of our classes. But we requested to dorm together this year."

I nodded in understanding, the new information leaving me the slightest bit unsettled. They were friends and it was normal for them to room together, but up until then, I had seen tension in their interactions more than harmony. Recalling the way Jungkook had glared at Jimin's hand as it held mine that first night, as well as how he'd rushed to help me get back on the stage before Jimin could, it was difficult to imagine them happily sharing a room.

"So you guys down to play a game?" Jin asked from the couch to my right, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. He glanced at each of us with anticipation brewing in his eyes.

I wasn't surprised that he would be the instigator as he was always the most outgoing and sociable person in any group. It was one of the qualities that had most attracted me to him.

"You and your games," Yoongi muttered, running a pale hand through his red hair. He leaned back and sprawled his arm along the top of the couch, crossing one leg over the other. "What do you have in mind?"

"Paranoia," Jin answered.

Jimin groaned from beside me, "Not that again."

"Why not? It's a good way for some of us to get to know each other better," Jungkook said smoothly, unknowingly piquing my interest. Hoseok may have been at the top of my suspect list, but I had no intention of letting my guard down with the rest of them. I still needed to learn more, observe more. All bases had to be covered.

"How do you play?" I asked, looking at Jin.

With a satisfied grin, he answered, "Basically, each person takes a turn whispering a question in someone's ear. The person who gets asked the question has to answer with the name of someone sitting in this room. Nobody else knows what the question was, and we flip a coin to decide if the question is revealed or not. Heads, everyone gets to know what it was. Tails, it remains a secret. The only other rule is that you can't answer with the name of the person who asked you the question."

"I think I got it," I said, letting the rules sink in. It sounded interesting enough, though I wasn't sure if I would gain any useful information from the game.

"So, should we play?" Jin asked again, waiting for the others to chime in.

"Sure," Namjoon spoke from beside me.

"I guess there's nothing better to do," Yoongi said.

Taehyung shrugged, "Let's do it."

Jimin groaned. "Alright."

"Who wants to start?" Namjoon asked.

"I'll go." Jungkook straightened up, turning to whisper into Jin's ear.

The rest of us watched as Jin paused, eyes taking in each of us thoughtfully.

"Jimin," he finally said. Then he dug out a coin from his pocket and tossed it in the air, catching it in his palm.

Jungkook peered over at Jin's open hand. "Heads."

"Jungkook asked me who I'm most jealous of right now," Jin revealed, his gaze briefly catching mine before moving to Jimin.

"Why would you be jealous of me?" Jimin questioned in bewilderment.

"Explaining why isn't part of the game," Jin replied swiftly. He stood and made his way over to Yoongi, whispering his question.

Yoongi's sharp eyes found mine before Jin had even finished. "Jangmi," he answered easily, and I couldn't miss the look of surprise that washed over Jin's face.

My stomach flipped in sync with the coin.

"Tails."

My heart thumped. What was the question?

"Alright, Yoongi, ask Taehyung," Jungkook instructed, pressing for the game to move forward.

Yoongi followed his direction, asking his question to Taehyung.

"Hmm, Namjoon," Taehyung answered.

The coin flipped, landing on heads.

"I asked who he thinks is the smartest," Yoongi explained.

"You're not wrong," Namjoon chuckled.

Taehyung just shrugged, "I don't know any of you very well yet, but you just seem like you're the most thoughtful. Aside from Yoongi anyway."

"Me next," Jimin said, gesturing for Taehyung to come to him. I watched as the curly-haired man walked over to us, bending down to whisper in Jimin's ear.

"What kind of a question is that?" he muttered before adding, "Seokjin, I guess."

Jin flipped the coin again. Tails.

"Damn," Jin cursed beneath his breath.

Taehyung returned to his seat as Jimin leaned towards me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and hovering his lips right near my ear.

"Who do you find the most attractive?" he whispered, and I detected the teasing playfulness in his tone. He knew I couldn't choose him as an answer. He knew I had a great chance of embarrassing myself, and he loved to push me out of my comfort zone so long as he was the one doing it.

Maintaining a straight face, I begrudgingly spoke the truth, "Jungkook."

I took a slow breath as Jungkook's gaze fell on me, full of curiosity and a hint of cockiness. It was like he already knew what the question had been.

"Heads," Jin announced.

"He asked who I find most attractive," I answered quickly, breaking my gaze away from Jungkook's. I was positive my cheeks were hotter than the flames of the fire.

"Flattered," I heard his voice say, but still I refused to look up at him.

"My turn," Namjoon said in his husky tone. I turned to him, leaning towards his ear. He was too tall, and when he realized I couldn't quite reach him, he leaned down to make it easier for me.

"Who do you dislike the most?" I asked the question, knowing full well that it wasn't exactly an honorable one. Still, I was interested in learning more about the group's dynamics.

Namjoon let a faint breath of amusement escape his lips at my question. He straightened up and said, "Jungkook."

"Twice in a row? I feel special," Jungkook teased. My gaze raised to him instinctively, and I could tell that he was pleased it had.

"Tails," Jin stated.

Namjoon got up and went to Jungkook, asking his hushed question.

"Jin," the younger answered after a bit of pondering.

"Heads."

"I asked who's most likely to stalk their ex," Namjoon laughed in amusement, moving to sit back down next to me.

My breath hitched at his words. Blood pulsed harder in my veins as I glanced up at Jin. He was already staring back at me, his eyes blazing with intensity. He turned to Jungkook.

"Why would you pick me for that?" he snapped, making Jungkook laugh and put his hands up in surrender.

"It's not a big deal, I just think you have the hardest time moving on out of all of us," Jungkook explained.

"Fuck you." Jin stood up, throwing the coin down against the table. He swiftly exited the room, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

"The hell is his problem? It was his idea to play in the first place," Namjoon said, baffled.

Jungkook scoffed, "I have no idea."

I resisted the urge to chase after him. It's not your job anymore, Jangmi. It hasn't been for a year.

"Jangmi is his ex, right? He was probably embarrassed since she was sitting right in front of him," Taehyung offered his guess, making the others quiet.

"I'm going to talk to him," I announced, body already in motion before my brain could even attempt to talk me out of it again. My feet carried me after him, turning down the hall and catching up quickly.

"Jin!" I called out, but he continued to storm off. Huffing in annoyance, I ran up to him and grabbed his shoulder, making him turn to face me. "What the hell? What's up with you?"

His jaw ticked as he bit down, refusing to meet my eyes.

"It was just a game," I lowered my voice, "Jungkook didn't mean anything by it. Why are you so upset?"

As I watched what seemed to be a million thoughts swarm through his head, only one stood out in my own. He doesn't want you to think of him as a stalker.

"You know why." He finally held my gaze, looking furious and in pain.

"What do you mean?" I asked hesitantly, throat tightening with my rising fear. Did he... know about the notes?

He scanned my face carefully, and I felt my heart clench. We hadn't looked at each other - really looked at each other - until that moment. I saw the grief in his eyes for the love we'd put to rest. I felt the rush of memories, feelings between us roll in like black clouds above us. It was like an invisible rainstorm came down, pelting us with the bittersweet ache of what we once had.

"She never told you," he whispered, nearly to himself.

"Never told me what?" I questioned. I didn't know what he was referring to, but I was all too sure of the she.

He shook his head but refused to answer. Instead, he slowly raised his hand to cup my cheek. I was stunned at first, too surprised to react. His familiar warmth was tempting, lulling me into the sweetness of his touch like a butterfly to nectar.

No.

I broke free of the daze-like state he put me in, drawing away from his palm. I stepped back, trying not to let his hurt expression get to me.

"I'm turning in for the night. Just tell the others I'm not feeling well," he said, turning to leave.

"Jin..."

But he was already walking away, quickly turning down the nearest corner and disappearing from sight.

I was left shaken and confused. Jin was once someone I knew deeply. I understood him, I was aware of the person he was. But looking at him that night felt like looking at the memory of who he used to be. Something about him had changed. Though he'd tried putting on a front, I caught on to the anger that he seemed to have buried within him.

With a sigh, I turned to start heading back to the others. My mind was running through the different options of what I could tell them when suddenly-

"Ah!" I yelped in surprise as I collided into someone who was turning the same corner as me. I stumbled back, and their hands automatically came to grip my shoulders, stabilizing me.

"Clumsy for a dancer." His rich tone held even more depth to it when he stood in such close proximity to me. My eyes trailed up from his chest, past his crimson mask, then his amber irises were holding me captive.

"Sorry," I breathed, taking a step back.

He watched me carefully as time stretched on slowly. Then finally, he spoke, "Don't be. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't be late."

Then he disappeared into one of the nearby rooms, and I closed my eyes, trying to remind myself why I had accepted his offer.

Tomorrow would be my first private lesson with him.

• • •

A/N: Finally got to update!

Was the whole "college students play a game" cliché? Perhaps. Do I regret writing it? Nope!

I wonder if this chapter changed any of your minds about who the writer may be?  I definitely enjoyed seeing all of your theories and I am so excited to continue throwing out hints and, of course, some red herrings ;)

Who's excited for the next chapter?

Love you all! Stay safe and healthy ♡

-Hoseokiiss

April 2, 2020