[ilove_joon]

Jimin's POV

The next day at school, I'm inexplicably in the arms of the Straights in the morning. We're gathered in the hall in a circle, half an hour early for school.

It seems like Hoseok is avoiding me. I'm not really sure why anymore. I thought everything was fine after the football match, but I don't know what's wrong. No matter, he seems to keep his hands full with Youngjae, judging by the fact that they like to makeout in the halls very excessively whenever us Straights come by.

"So anyway, here's the tea," Jackson says to our group.

What the fuck? Since when does he say that? I specifically remember him telling me never to use that word during conversations because it was "gay".

I snap away my thoughts and return to reality to listen to the tea Jackson wants to spill. I can sense everyone else can tell something is quite off about him. No one says anything; they just shift uncomfortably and eye Jackson, concerned.

"I saw Kim Yugyeom and Park Jinyoung from our year making out in the guy's bathroom. I literally pushed their stall open and tore them apart, saying, 'God dammit, this is a public restroom!' Then I threw them out and took a shit," Jackson tells us, full of pride.

Everyone around me is laughing, and I have no choice but to join them. Anger surges in my veins. I really don't like hearing the Straights talk about my friends like this all the time, but I have to do what it takes to please them. I want— no, I need them to like me. Otherwise, I don't stand a chance at being friends with any of them. I have to suck it up and deal with it.

"Ew, I can't even imagine TWO DUDES, kissing!" Lisa pipes.

"Babe, you'd probably find that hot," Jungkook responds, flicking her forehead.

"Right, Tae?" he asks him, pulling his arm.

"Yup! She would," Taehyung laughs, slapping Jungkook's ass.

"NO WAY! Why, do you like lesbians kissing?"

"I can handle watching that. As long as they're both hot," Taehyung speaks up. Jennie slaps his chest and gives him a look.

"Did you call them gross faggots like they really are? I've seen that Yugyeom guy around before... I thought he was a Straight and almost became friends with him," BamBam tells Jackson.

"No, I'm trying not to use that word so much... I don't want my Jiminie getting upset," he chuckles, squishing one of my cheeks.

As much as I appreciate Jackson for trying, it still doesn't make up for him talking like this, bragging like this, around his friends just to make himself look cool.

"Haha, shut the fuck up, you can never stop saying that word," Namjoon says, pushing him.

"I can! For Jimin's happiness."

"Would you call Jin a faggot?" I don't know why but the questions just slips out of my mouth.

I'm tired of hearing that word from everyone. Just hearing Namjoon talk about how Jackson has no hope just made me want to put him on the spot for everyone. Plus, I really want to know. Him asking me about Jin made me curious.

"Y-Yeah, of course... But maybe not to his face. I don't want to see his makeup smear. And I don't want to know what it's like to upset a gay," Namjoon manages to answer.

He barely avoids the backlash of the group. His stuttering didn't help his case, but Jackson and his cronies let it slide because of the "makeup" excuse. I know this isn't his real answer. He was basically admitting it to me with his eyes. Namjoon is not one to be upfront about his "hatred" on LGs.

"That's right. So don't say I can't stop when when you can't even stop," Jackson smirks. Then his arm snakes around me.

"Actually, I wanna say something else. Jimin, I'm sooo glad you're dating Rosé now. Definitely an upgrade from being a confused bisexual single guy," he squeezes my shoulders and everyone around me cheers.

I blush and spot Rosé within our circle, who is also blushing. She's looking at the ground with uncertainty and Lisa's rubbing circles on her back supportively.

"Y-Yeah..." I mumble.

"That makes you officially straight, right?" Jackson asks, expectantly.

I stand, unable to move nor answer. Does it? I mean I still get this giddy feeling when I talk to Yoongi, even though I feel good whenever I have my moments with Rosé. Everyone is staring at me once again, ready to judge me and my answer, whether it turns out good or bad.

"I—" Everyone leans in. In the split second I pause to take a breath, God is on my side and the bell rings. I untangle myself from Jackson's firm grasp and run, screaming, "Sorry, gotta get to class!"

I barely get off the hook. I didn't know what I was going to say. Maybe I would've said "I don't know" or "I'm not sure yet", but that would've resulted in everyone protesting at me and Rosé maybe feeling bad.

That's the last thing I want. For either of us.