Being ambushed by parents ends up turning into a trend for Jimin when the following weekend Jessica decides to make a spontaneous trip to New York. Apparently, there's some banquet dinner Taecyeon is attending which Jessica's accompanying him to.

The invite was extended to Jimin as well, but those dinners are always super boring so she blew it off with an excuse about spending time with Minjeong instead since their schedules have been so busy.

What she didn't expect is for Jessica to make an unexpected pit stop at hers and Jaemin's place beforehand, hoping to at least say hi to the happy couple.

Problem is – half of said couple isn't here.

─

"Mom, we're just really busy with this assignment," Jimin tries – hoping that it would be enough to deter her mom for a while considering Minjeong isn't around. "It's really getting down to the wire, can't we see you tomorrow?"

"Yah Yu Jimin, I'm already on the way," Jessica replies in a huff. "It's only a quick visit and we'll be on our way."

"Can't you just like...skip it and continue on your way?"

"I haven't seen you since New Year's and I came all this way to see you– "

"You're not even here for me, you're here for Taecyeon."

Suddenly there's a pause and Jimin wonders if that little comment just got her into some hot water.

"Why don't you want to see your mother?" Jessica asks instead. "Are you hiding something from me? You and Jaemin aren't up to something again, are you? Roping in Minjeong?"

Jimin's eyes go big and it feels like she's just swallowed a handful of sand. Her heart rate's picking up and she's struggling to come up with an answer. She feels like she's got a hot spotlight on her; thank God her mom can't actually see her right now!

"We're not," Jimin finally says. "Like I said, Minjeong and I are just a little busy with this assignment...but I guess we can take a break for you."

"That's my girl," Jessica praises. "We'll be around in about twenty minutes."

Jimin gulps, "Great. See you then."

Once she hangs up, she grabs the nearest pillow and yells into it. The muffled screams have Jaemin running out of his room so fast that he clips the doorframe with his shoulder. A loud thud echoes throughout Jimin's room as Jaemin stumbles and looks around frantically.

"What? What's wrong?" He asks.

"We've got a Code Red," Jimin tells him.

His eyes drift down to her lap then back up as he starts to grimace, "Oh. Do you like...need things?"
Jimin scrunches her brow but then she realizes what he's talking about.

"No, not that Code Red," She explains. "Mom's on her way. I need to get Minjeong over here ASAP!"

"Oh shit!" Jaemin curses and takes off to the living to start tidying.

The last time Jessica came around for a surprise visit, she basically tore Jaemin a new one. Long story short, his version of clean isn't the same as Jessica's and they spent an entire afternoon together going through the various cleaning products that should be used around the house and what they should be used for.

Meanwhile, Jimin rushes to make the call. She just hopes that Minjeong won't give her a hard time for this, hopefully, she answers the damn phone!

"Hi?" Minjeong answers questioningly.

"Hey," Jimin replies.

"Did you butt dial me or something?"

"What? No."

"You just – you never call me."

"Yeah well...I don't have much time to explain, but I need you to come over like right now."

"Uhh, I'm kind of in the middle of something."

"Minjeong, please," Jimin begs. "My mom's on her way over and she's fully expecting you to be here too."

"Oh! Okay, yeah. Why didn't you lead with that?"

"Because I'm freaking out, that's why!"

"Okay, well don't freak out. It'll be fine. How much time do I have?"

"Not much."

"Great. Thanks for the warning."

Jimin rolls her eyes, "Look, it took me by surprise too."

"Alright well, find your cool. We can't have her suspecting anything's up."

Jimin nods, already feeling a little calmer. "Just hurry, okay?"

"I'm on my way now. Don't worry."

─

When Jessica comes knocking on Jimin's door, Jimin loses all cool once again because Minjeong's still nowhere in sight. Jimin's looking at Jaemin, but he has no idea what to do either. Maybe they can stall until she gets here, but how? Jessica would totally think something's up if they refuse to let her inside!

"Just let her in?" Jaemin whispers, "We can say Minjeong went to pick up our take-out?"

"And further confirm that I don't fucking cook here? No way."

"Well, what else can we do?"

"I don't kn–"

"Jimin?" Jessica calls out from the hall after another knock. "Hello?"

Jaemin's eyes go wide, "She can hear us."

"No shit, she knows I'm home."

"Okay, okay. I'm thinking, fuck! Why am I so stressed out?"

Jimin and Jaemin go back and forth trying to come up with some way to stall, but it's impossible under the pressure.

"I think we have to let her in," Jimin tells Jaemin in a grave tone.

Jaemin looks at her uneasily, "I think so too."

After checking her phone once more for an update from Minjeong– there isn't one – Jimin goes to let Jessica and Taecyeon in. They're both dressed to the nines, must be a fancy banquet dinner.

"Hi!" Jimin greets, attempting to mask her uneasiness.

She's quickly embraced in a motherly hug while Jaemin compliments his coach on his sick suit.

"How are you?" Jessica asks as she cups Jimin's cheek. "You're looking a little pale."

"Am I?" Jimin feels the nerves rattling within her. Where the hell is Minjeong?!

"Yes," Jessica looks her over. "You're not getting sick are you?"

Jimin swallows dryly, "Just tired."

"Because exams are coming up," Jaemin clarifies.

"That's right," Jimin nods. "Lots of studying to do if I want to ace them." Jessica nods, seemingly pleased by Jimin's work ethic.

"Yeah, plus she and Minjeong have been super busy with this assignment they're doing together," Jaemin adds. "It's a lot."

"Ah yes," Jessica looks around. "Where is Minjeong?"

Jimin clenches her jaw and looks to Jaemin. There's a guilty smile on his face as he secretly mouths out a sorry. Still though, she has to think on her feet.

"She's in the bathroom," Jimin replies. It's not her best work, but it was the first thing she thought of. Maybe they can work with it?

"Yeah, I think she had a bad salad for lunch," Jaemin tries again.

Jimin glares at him and mouths a shut up that goes unnoticed by Jessica and Taecyeon.

"Oh, that's unfortunate," Jessica frowns.

"Those salads are always a hit or miss," Taecyeon confirms. "I try to stay away from them."

"Don't listen to Jaemin. It's nothing like that," Jimin assures them. "Anyway, exam prep; super intense, long nights, tedious studying. I'm so ready for it to be over."

Jessica looks apologetically at her, "Don't work too hard, honey."

"That's not what you taught me," Jimin quips.

"I know," Jessica smiles. "I hope you're at least wearing your glasses when you're meant to. You know what all that reading can do to your eyes."

"I am..."

"And rest, you still need it," Jessica insists. "A tired mind won't retain a thing."

"That's exactly what I've been trying to tell her."

The four swivel around to find Minjeong coming out of Jimin's bedroom. Her cheeks are a little pink – probably from the run over – but she's in her usual cool and collected self as she saunters over.

Jimin's never felt so relieved to see the girl! Question is though, how the hell did she pull off such an entrance?

"Minjeong! Hi," Jessica greets happily. "Are you feeling okay?"

There's a glimpse of confusion as Minjeong looks to Jimin for an explanation.

"Mom, I told you she's not sick. She was only in the bedroom to finish up a call with her mom," Jimin lies.

"Yeah. That was my bad, Mama Jung," Jaemin speaks up.

"Right," Minjeong quickly catches on. "Just my daily phone call with mom. Sorry about that, we can get carried away."

"Oh don't be," Jessica smiles then glances to Jimin. "Where's my daily phone call?"

Jimin fights the eye roll, "I'm clearly not as great as Minjeong."

"Now that's a first," Minjeong smirks as she curls her arm around Jimin. "I think you're plenty great though."

Jimin finds herself blushing, "Thanks."

There's another pleased smile on Jessica's face as she admires the couple. It's a look Jimin has rarely seen when it comes to her past partners and it makes her chest fill with pride. Even months later, her and Minjeong still got it!

"Well, as promised this is only a quick visit," Jessica tells them. "We really need to get going now, but while I've got you here: when are you coming home for a visit?"

Jimin and Minjeong exchange a look. They weren't looking to make a visit for another few weeks, at least until after Spring Break. Free time is hard to come by now that they're getting closer to the end of the semester.

"You know Grandma would like to see you both again," Jessica adds.

Jimin's brows rise, "Would she now?"

"I think she's warming up to things," Jessica says vaguely but Jimin gets it. "Wouldn't hurt to come see her though. You know seeing pictures of you two together on social medias has become a highlight for her."

"Told you we're cute," Minjeong jokes as she hugs Jimin to her side.

"I should've known, she likes every single one of them," Jimin quips.

"She wants to spend time with you," Jessica explains and looks to Minjeong. "She wants to spend time with the both of you."

Jimin quirks a brow at that, "Really? Has something changed?"

Jessica only shrugs. "You'll have to ask her for yourself."

Jimin and Minjeong glance at each other, both suddenly curious about Grandma's change of heart.

"How about you come down for Spring Break?" Jessica suggests.

"Uhhh," Jimin stammers as she looks to Minjeong, "We're going to have to talk about it first. Minjeong might have to– "

"Spring Break is fine with me," Minjeong shrugs.

"I thought you were planning on going home?" Jimin lies – trying to get Minjeong to catch on. "Spend time with your family?"

The blonde only shakes her head, "Nope. I'd rather stay here with you."

Jimin feels herself deflate; usually, Spring Break is her time to finally let loose but she guesses there's not much else she could get up to since she's fake dating Minjeong. She might as well just use the time to reinforce that she's capable of being in a long-term relationship.

By then, her and Minjeong would be together for four months – that's the longest relationship yet! Surely, that'll have to mean something to her family.

"Well sure," Jimin sighs in defeat. "I can't imagine spending my Spring break any other way than by returning to Lima."

Jessica gives her a gleaming grin, "Perfect."

—

Once Jessica and Taecyeon head off to their banquet, Jimin and Minjeong collapse together on the couch. Jaemin hands them both a beer before cracking one open for himself and taking a seat opposite them.

"Way to sell it," Jaemin raises his bottle. "Great work! It was cool to see you two in action like that. I can see why everyone eats this shit up. You're pretty believable."

"Glad you enjoyed the show," Jimin quips.

"Looks like I came right on time too," Minjeong says.

"Yeah about that," Jimin looks to Minjeong. "How the hell did you get into my room?"

"The window?" Minjeong shrugs. "I'm surprised it wasn't locked."

Jimin's eyes go wide, "You climbed through the window?"

"Well yeah, how else would I have gotten in? Through the vent?" Minjeong jokes.

"Good thing we're on the first floor," Jaemin chuckles.

Minjeong nods and clinks her bottle with his. Meanwhile, Jimin just stares at the blonde with her jaw slack. Not only did she run over here, but she also went through the effort of climbing through the window too!

This girl is crazy.

Jimin doubts she would've gone to the same extent. No way she'd try getting her ass through a window, that's just too much. But still, she supposes some thanking is in order.

"Well, I appreciate you going through all that," Jimin says bashfully. "I didn't expect my mom to just pop up like that so...thanks for coming here so quickly."

There's a half-smirk on Minjeong's face and Jimin anticipates her poking fun at how Jimin's actually thanking her for something, but it doesn't come. Minjeong just continues smiling as she clinks her bottle with Jimin's.

"That's what fake girlfriends are for," She tells her.

─

Over the following days, Jimin and Minjeong often run into each other at the library. It's not Jimin's preferred place to study but it's hard for her to concentrate sometimes with Jaemin around.

Although Jimin and Minjeong are in the same place, they often sit separately.

Minjeong keeps to her lone table in the study area while Jimin sits somewhere in the upper level because she likes the view of the exit. It's kind of like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, that tunnel being the designated hour she makes herself study.

However, on one particular day, all of the tables in the upper level are occupied. Jimin finds herself scowling at the randoms before making her way down to the level beneath – where the study area is kept.

Like always, Minjeong's sitting alone near the back and Jimin finds herself walking over to her without a second thought. She wasn't planning on sharing the table with her, just maybe say hi and leave her be, but as Jimin approaches the table she finds something unexpected there:

Korean for Dummies

Intrigued, Jimin's eyes roam the table and find all sorts of similar books on the Korean language mixed in with Minjeong's actual coursework. Then Jimin takes a peek at Minjeong's laptop, trying to figure out what has her so consumed that she's yet to notice her standing there.

There's a little blue owl going over conjugations – Korean conjugations – and Jimin watches as Minjeong jots down notes as she mouths whatever words she hears through her headphones. Jimin's completely dumbfounded and pulls up a chair, the motion finally causes Minjeong to jolt and turn.

Brown eyes spark with surprise before the headphones quickly come off. The girl looks like she's just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, but Jimin can't help the fascination.

"Jimin!" Minjeong gasps. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"It's the library," She answers simply. "I'm here to study."

"Oh. Of cour– "

"Are you teaching yourself Korean?" Jimin interrupts.

Minjeong looks from her screen to the books on the table to Jimin. She seems a little timid as she minimizes the program on her laptop. Jimin wonders if she's going to attempt to lie, but there's too much evidence against her. There's no way she could convince Jimin that she's doing otherwise.

"Yeah," Minjeong admits with a nervous laugh. "I am."

Jimin quirks her brow, "What are you doing that for? Surely not for fun?"

Minjeong shrugs, "The shows on Netflix are great but I'm tired of reading subtitles."

"Really?" Jimin doesn't seem convinced. "That's like...a lot of work. Besides, I thought nerds like to read?"

Minjeong gives her an unimpressed look, "Well...I also figured that if I knew a little Korean then it'll give Grandma and I something to bond over. I remember your aunts mentioning this one show she likes so I've kind of been binging it."

"You've been binging kdramas?" Jimin asks in disbelief.

"Well yeah, the drama is addicting."

"Oh wow," Jimin sits back. "So you're serious about this?"

"Aren't you?" Minjeong replies.

"Yeah, but this is a new level."

"Don't you want to be as convincing as you can be?"

"There's convincing and then there's this," Jimin jokes. "Your over- achiever tendencies are showing again."

"You jealous?" Minjeong fires back. "I know how much you love it when your mom compares us."

"I'm not jealous," Jimin turns up her nose.

Minjeong smirks, "Just checking. After all, this whole thing was your idea."

"Technically it was Jaemin's."

"Whatever," Minjeong says. "I'm going to do all that I can to make this work because I'm committed. You continue doing...whatever it is that you do."

Jimin tenses her jaw at the jab. It reminds her of the game they played before– the constant one-upping of each other – and she wonders if they're still playing it.

She thinks about how she accidentally introduced herself to Minjeong's parents as her girlfriend. She remembers how Minjeong now has to keep up this façade with them too thanks to the slip-up. She thinks about who this Jake guy is and why Minjeong's parents were wondering where he went.

But most importantly, she thinks about how underwhelming she is as a girlfriend.

She's nothing like Minjeong; she isn't kind and sweet and she isn't someone people take home to meet their parents. Jimin's the girl that helps you get over your ex, she's the one college girls experiment with, she's down for one-night stands, down for no-strings-attached kind of hookups – she's not actual girlfriend material.

And oddly enough, she kind of feels bad that Minjeong's stuck with her for the time being. This fake relationship thing wasn't meant to go beyond convincing Jessica, but that's exactly what's happened now thanks to her big mouth.

"You really don't have to do this, you know," Jimin says after the guilt starts setting in.

"I want to," Minjeong tells her.

Jimin sighs; yet another reason why they're so different.

"Learning a language just to get Grandma to like you?" Jimin explains. "Don't you think that's kind of going overboard?"

"Not really. It's kind of fun."

"Fun?"

"Well yeah, I've always wanted to learn another language," Minjeong replies. "Why not start now? Plus I meant what I said about the subtitles thing. It would be so much easier not having to read."

Jimin chuckles as she shakes her head, "How do you find the time? I'm swamped with studying, assignments, and cheer practice. Here you are learning another language for fun."

"I kind of have a photographic memory."

Jimin rolls her eyes, "Of course you do."

"I'm joking," Minjeong smirks. "I have a bunch of techniques that help cut down on the amount of time you're actually studying so you don't spend all your time doing it. I could...teach you some if you want?"

Jimin lifts her chin, "I don't need a tutor."

"I didn't say you did," Minjeong laughs. "Why are you always so quick to be on the defense?"

Jimin crosses her arms and looks away, "I'm not."

"Uh-huh," Minjeong grins. "I've got a study session with Jaemin on Thursday. I think it's actually going to be at your place. We can not share study tips then if you want?"

Jimin lets the offer roll around in her head but she doesn't want to seem too eager. "I might be around, depends if practice lets out on time."

"Okay," Minjeong nods then looks at her laptop screen before glancing back at Jimin who has yet to move. "So are you sitting with me now or...?"

"Oh!" Jimin jolts to stand up. She gathers her bag from the ground and looks around for an empty table, but they're all occupied.

"I'm not kicking you out, you know," Minjeong tells her without looking away from the screen. "You can stay if you'd like."

Jimin looks around indecisively. She'd rather study alone, but that doesn't seem to be an option at the moment. She can't go home either with Jaemin around, so she guesses staying with Minjeong is the next best thing.

"Okay," Jimin replies. "I'll stay."

"I'll clear some space for you," Minjeong says.

Jimin moves to the opposite end of the table while Minjeong gathers her things in order for Jimin to have more room on the table for hers. They sit silently like that working on their respective things for a while, getting lost in their work.

Minjeong ends up leaving the table for a moment and Jimin barely notices until she's placing a coffee in front of her.

"Oh thanks," Jimin smiles at the unexpected gesture.

Minjeong doesn't say anything, just returns the smile as she sits back down.

Another moment later when Jimin gets peckish, she pulls out a bag of trail mix. She barely gives it a second thought when she places it between them so that Minjeong can have some too if she wants.

─

When Thursday comes around, Jimin ends up leaving cheer practice on time for once. She's quick to get out of there so that she can wash up and change out of her uniform before Minjeong arrives, but she finds that the blonde is already there by the time she gets home.

"What up, Jimin!" Jaemin calls out to her as he sits with Minjeong at their tiny dining table.

Minjeong looks up too, her eyes moving from their work to Jimin who lingers by the front door. There's a small smile that begins to curl her lips and Jimin finds herself returning it with her own little grin.

"Hi," She greets as she kicks off her tennis shoes. It was meant for Jaemin but it seems that it's directed at Minjeong.

"Hey," Minjeong replies.

"How was practice?" Jaemin asks, just now lifting his head from the work before him.

"Got bumped up to flyer," Jimin says casually although it's pretty exciting news. She comes around to the kitchen for a drink.

"No way!" Jaemin cheers, "That's so awesome!"

"What's a flyer?" Minjeong asks, looking between the two.

"The girls that do stunts in the air," Jimin answers.

"Oh," Minjeong's brows rise. "That's...isn't that kind of dangerous?"

"You worried about me?" Jimin teases as she comes around to sit on the stool next to them. She crosses her legs, her cheer skirt hugging her thighs tightly. "Didn't you say cheer was boring?"

Jaemin grins as he looks to Minjeong for a rebuttal, but the blonde looks stumped.

Actually, the blonde looks distracted.

When Jimin realizes that she's staring at her legs, it's like a personal victory for her. It was only a matter of time before the skirt wins!

Jaemin notices the distraction too and glances between his friends, a knowing smirk starting to form.

"Anyway," Jimin says as she finishes off her glass of water.

The sound of her voice breaks Minjeong from her trance, but brown eyes are dark with something Jimin's familiar with but has yet to see on her. It makes her smirk; she's missed having that kind of power over someone. It's the sexual magnetism, it never fails her.

"Might hit the shower now," Jimin adds before looking to Minjeong. "You going to be here much longer?"

Minjeong nods, "Yeah. I only got here a little before you did."

"Okay," Jimin can't help the flirtatious tone now that she knows she's got Minjeong wrapped around her finger. The teasing is the most fun she's had in a while. "Maybe you can show me some things once you're done with him?"

Minjeong gulps, "Yeah sure."

Jaemin notices what Jimin's doing and interrupts, "Uh...what's happening right now?"

"Can it, Jaemin," Jimin waves off although her smile remains devilish. "What's the point of having a fake girlfriend if I can't fake flirt with them too?"

Minjeong's face goes a little red as she finally snaps back to reality.

"You call that flirting?" Minjeong jokes.

"Fake flirting."

Minjeong shakes her head as she smirks, "I still don't understand how you pick up any girls."

"Judging by the look that's been on your face since I walked in, I think you do."

Jaemin looks back and forth between the two again like he's watching an intense tennis match.

"How about I order a pizza for later?" He suggests in an attempt to break up the bickering before it escalates.

"Sounds good," Jimin says without taking her eyes off Minjeong.

"Yeah," Minjeong nods. "Sounds awesome."

"Cool," Jaemin replies and looks to Jimin. "Go shower now. You're distracting everyone."

"She's not distracting me," Minjeong said pointedly.

Jimin quirks her brow and smirks, "Keep telling yourself that, Minjeong."

She lets her hips sway in that well-practiced way as she leaves the room. She doesn't have to look to know that Minjeong's yet to stop staring and she struggles to hold back the laughter as she gets ready for a shower.

─

Despite the teasing game she played earlier, Jimin sits in Jaemin's place at the tiny dining table across from Minjeong with a scowl on her face. This studying thing? She's had enough of it.

"This is pointless. Education is pointless. I'm gonna become a stripper instead," Jimin huffs.

"You'd probably make so much money!" Jaemin jokes from his place on the couch.

"Probably? Please," Jimin lifts her chin. "I'd make it rain every night!"

Jaemin laughs and throws his arm over the back of the couch to look at the pair.

"What do you think, Minjeong?" Jaemin presses with a smirk. "Think Jimin would make it rain?"

Jimin smirks too and looks to Minjeong for an answer.

"I think...I'm kind of hungry," Minjeong says. "How far away is the pizza?"

Jimin's smirk falls at the way Minjeong deflects the question. Since Jimin's return, Minjeong's been a little quieter. Jimin figured she was just stuck in study mode and that she'd loosen up eventually, but she's still waiting.

"I should probably head over now actually," Jaemin realizes after checking his phone.

"Take me with you," Jimin jokes. "I think my brain is turning to mush."

Minjeong sighs, "Don't be so dramatic."

"You know that's a struggle for me."

"True," Minjeong jokes. "Hey, if we finish this chapter tonight I'll let you use my pretty pens to take notes?"

"Tempting, but I don't need your pretty pens," Jimin says flatly. She rests back in her chair and stares at the ceiling. "What I need is alcohol and several orgasms. I clearly didn't think this fake dating thing through. I've never been so sexually deprived."

Jaemin goes to grab his keys, "And on that note – I'll be back in a few."

Meanwhile, Minjeong just snickers to herself but she isn't laughing with Jimin and it has the brunette frowning.

"What?" Jimin questions as Jaemin leaves.

Minjeong shakes her head, "It must be so hard for you to keep it in your pants for once."

"You have no idea. Who knew that the last time would be the last time. I sure didn't!"

Minjeong shakes her head again and goes back to her work. It makes Jimin feel a little on edge and straightens up in her chair.

"I'm obviously joking," Jimin adds and it makes Minjeong look up. "What's it to you if I wasn't though?"

"What are you talking about?" Minjeong asks.

"Your interest in my sex life."

Minjeong scoffs and looks back to her work, "I'd hardly call it an interest."

Jimin folds her arms across her chest, "So you're secretly some kind of prude?"

"It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

Minjeong sighs and looks up at her again, "Why are we even talking about this?"

Jimin notices the change in her tone and perks up. She abandons her work altogether in favor of leaning in.

"Because it's way more interesting?" Jimin presses. "I know you're trying to deflect, you might as well just answer. If not, I'll assume the reason it gets your panties all in a twist is because you're secretly jealous."

"I'm definitely not jealous."

"So it's the other option," Jimin says. "You're a prude."

"No!" Minjeong huffs. She softens when she realizes she raised her voice. There's a timidness to her when she explains, "I just, I guess I believe in developing the feelings part first before the physical happens."

Jimin softens too but for a different reason. It's more so confusion than anything else.

"Why?" She asks.

"Because with feelings it's better," Minjeong says simply.

"Are you kidding?" Jimin quips. "It's better when it doesn't involve feelings. I think it's better when it doesn't involve eye contact."

"Wow. Seriously?" Minjeong looks at her sympathetically. "That's the saddest thing I've ever heard. God, who hurt you?"

Jimin didn't expect her comment to strike a nerve. The memory of long brunette hair and a cunning smile sneaks its way past Jimin's defenses as she mutters, "One guess."

Minjeong looks at her curiously before something clicks, "Oh. The girl."

Jimin doesn't like where this is going and pushes away the overwhelming feelings that beg to bust through. She walls herself up, holds her chin high, and swallows back the lump.

"Yeah well," Jimin brushes off. "I think it's pretty unrealistic to go out there thinking every potential lay has to be relationship material first. Where's the fun in that?"

Minjeong continues to eye her like she's wounded and Jimin hates it.

"The fun part is getting to know someone first so when it does happen," Minjeong pauses as she bites her lip. "It's meaningful."

Jimin averts her eyes because staring into Minjeong's makes her feel far too exposed. Instead, she retreats in on herself to the place she's comfortable, she takes the attention off of her.

"Gross. Who knew you were such a hopeless romantic," Jimin jokes.

Minjeong sighs through a soft smile, "Call me old-fashioned I guess."

"Super old-fashioned," Jimin quips. "Like, are you telling me you've never had a steamy quickie with a random? Everybody's got one."

Minjeong looks away and as she smirks, "Of course I have. I'm not that innocent."

Jimin perks up, "Really? Miss Goodie Two Shoes getting down and dirty without before being properly courted? God, I want details..."

Minjeong snickers, "Not happening."

"What?" Jimin shifts in her seat excitedly. "Come on, what's a little girl talk between friends, or are you the type that doesn't kiss and tell because lame."

Minjeong looks up at her and smirks, "You saying we're friends?"

"Will it get you talking?"

Minjeong laughs, "We should get back to work now. You've derailed us for long enough."

"Come on, Minjeongie," Jimin coos jokingly. "We've been at it for hours. I'm burnt out, sober, and in dire need of sex."

"None of that is my problem."

"Sure it is," Jimin jokes. "The least you can do is tell me a couple of your kinky stories to get me through the night."

"No."

"Please?"

Minjeong gives her a look, but Jimin just bats her eyelashes. It makes Minjeong laugh and she softens once again.

"Actually, I might be able to help you out."

Jimin sits straighter, "It was only a matter of time..."

Minjeong rolls her eyes, "Get over yourself. Not every girl on campus wants you, including me."

Jimin laughs, "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Minjeong."

"Anyway," Minjeong continues, "I'm talking about a swanky party – a ball even."

"A ball, you say?" Jimin's interest is piqued.

"Totally."

"You've got my attention..."

"Well, there's going to be an open bar, free food, an excuse to dress up and let loose. That ticks off two out of three on your list."

Jimin quirks a brow, "And the catch?"

"No catch."

"There's gotta be a catch."

"Okay fine," Minjeong slumps. "It's the Brainiacs' Ball."

"The what?" Jimin deadpans.

"The Brainiacs' Ball," Minjeong clarifies. "It's open to all the academic decathlon clubs across the city, this year we're hosting. The team with the highest winning percentage is named and also the award for Most Brilliant Brainiac is given out. It's the biggest night for the club."

"Oh, hell no," Jimin chuckles. "There's not enough free alcohol in the world to get me to go to that. Count me out."

Minjeong starts to frown, "What? Why?"

Jimin shakes her head, "One of your matches was enough. I'm not going to a party where I have to be surrounded by all of you at once."

"It won't be that bad," Minjeong sighs. "It's a night for celebrating. No trivia unless you count the bad puns you might hear."

"I've seen the guys on your team," Jimin explains. "I can't be liable for the feelings I'd definitely hurt if I were to be around them. I'd be triggered by a pocket protector."

"But you'll mostly be with me," Minjeong tries.

"That doesn't really help your case."

Minjeong gives her a look, "Well, I kind of need you to go."

"You need me to go?"

"Well yeah, I don't want to be the only one there without a date," Minjeong reasons. "Plus wouldn't it be suspicious if you didn't go considering we're a thing?"

Jimin lets out a laugh, thinking that she's finally caught on. "So that it explains it," She says.

"Explains what?"

"The coffee the other day, sharing study tips, being here," Jimin goes on, "You've been setting yourself up to ask me to your dumb ball."

Minjeong tenses, "'First of all, it's not dumb."

"Sorry. I should've said nerdy," Jimin clarifies.

"I wasn't doing those things for this," Minjeong tells her. "I was... I did them to be nice. We don't always have to be at each other. It doesn't always have to be a competition."

Jimin shakes her head as she gets to thinking. She knows Minjeong's cunning too, she knows that she can play games so who's to say she wasn't playing this time?

"I'm not going," Jimin replies. "You can tell people I'm sick or something."

Minjeong lets out a bitter laugh, "Right. So this relationship thing only works when it's in your favor?"

Jimin frowns at the harshness of Minjeong's tone, something that doesn't feel right coming from the blonde.

"What are you talking about?" Jimin huffs. "That's not– "

"We always do what you want," Minjeong interrupts. "Whatever makes you look good but this one time I ask you for something and it's just a flat out no?"

Minjeong's face has gone a little red and Jimin's further surprised – she didn't think it was this big of a deal. She doesn't grasp why Minjeong's so worked up all of sudden. Why would she want someone there with her if they didn't want to be there in the first place?

"Look, it's better if I don't go because if one dork in clunky black glasses- wearing suspenders and a hideous bowtie crosses paths with me I won't be able to contain myself," Jimin argues. "I'll end up hurting someone's feelings and you said it yourself, it's a night for celebration."

Minjeong looks at her like she's hit a new low. Hell, maybe she just did.

"You're unbelievable," Minjeong huffs as she stands and starts gathering her things.

"What?" Jimin watches her with a sudden ache in her chest. "You're leaving?"

"Clearly," Minjeong mutters. "I can't be around you right now."

"All because I don't want to go?"

Minjeong shakes her head, another bitter laugh escaping her.

"No," She says gravely. "It's because you're the most selfish person I've ever met."

Jimin tenses at the way her words drip with disdain, but at the same time it puts her on the defense.

"Well sorry that I'm not like you," Jimin argues. "Sorry I can't just slip into character with ease and be your perfect fake girlfriend whenever you want. Sorry I'm not on all the time like you are."

Minjeong just stares at her for a moment, studying Jimin's face before she speaks again.

"Just when I think I've figured you out," Minjeong continues. "Just when I think you're actually a half-decent person and that maybe beneath this prickly exterior of yours, there's actually something – someone – deserving of...of a friend you go and prove to me that I'm wrong."

Jimin slumps back in her chair, dejected and defeated.

Even if Minjeong didn't physically hit her, those words sure did. She can't even speak as she watches Minjeong gather the last of her things and storm out. What's worse is that she swears she sees brown eyes tinging red just before she turns away.

Jimin slaps her hand at the table when the door slams shut behind Minjeong. She instantly feels the sting of wood on her open palm.

Why? Why does she always have to screw things up like this?

─

Jaemin comes through the door just a minute later, looking confused as well.

"So I just passed Minjeong in the hall," He says hesitantly.

"Yeah, she left."

Jaemin slowly closes the door behind him, "Why?"

"Because," Jimin lets out a long puff of air. She feels the lump forming again in her throat, strange and unwelcome. "Because I'm an idiot."

"Dude," His face falls. "Please tell me you didn't try to make a move on her. The games earlier were cute and all but–"

"No," Jimin quickly answers. "I didn't do that."

"Then what happened?" Jaemin asks. "She looked really upset."

Jimin presses her lips tightly together, she's almost ashamed to admit the truth.

"She wanted me to go to some ball with her," Jimin says dismissively. "I told her no."

"You told her no?" Jaemin quirks a brow.

"I can't."

"You can't?" Jaemin frowns. "After all the stuff she's done for you, you can't?"

"Look, I can see where I fucked up okay?" Jimin snaps. "I don't need you adding to it."

Jaemin shakes his head as he backs off. "You really are an idiot."

Jimin agrees but she doesn't tell him that.

"You know it's not a good idea," Jimin tries convincing him. "It'll be nothing but those academic decathlon nerds and not just the ones from Minjeong's team. It'll be like ten times that! They'll be from all over the city and you know how I am around the general public especially when I'm provoked. I could screw up and expose us both. It's too risky."

Jaemin doesn't say anything, just listens to her excuses.

"I can't do it," Jimin tells him with finality. "I can't. Minjeong might be pissed at me right now, but she'll see it's for the best. I'd just ruin her night because I don't know how to act anyway. She'll come around, she has to."

"Sure Jimin," Jaemin dismisses and goes to flip open the pizza box. "So...does this mean I can have her pizza too?"

Jimin just shakes her head, "Shut up."

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