Y/n

The next few days follow by slowly. Nothing happens. Jimin isn't allowed to come over until two days after he left abruptly, and even then, his curfew was shortened. He has to return home at five now.

It doesn't make sense to you because he said it was a family emergency. So why did he get in trouble? It also doesn't make sense because you've never heard of a foreign exchange student's host family grounding him before. It just doesn't click in your mind.

School is a bitch. Gavin texts you sometimes but not to ask how you are or what you're doing. He texts you asking if you're busy and if you can spare a few minutes between classes. You usually find a way to refuse, but he caught on and today, he's going to find you anyway.

It's only sixth period. English. You'll see him in Spanish next period, but he still wants alone time. You don't. You're almost afraid to follow him because you know what he's going to want to talk about.

You've told him time and time again that you don't like him.

And time and time again, he ignores you.

You even told him once that you like someone else- you don't say it's Jimin though, even if it's obvious. You don't know how things with Jimin are going to happen and you certainly don't want Gavin hating him because of you.

When if they don't like each other anyway.

Your thoughts almost put you to sleep but the bell rings to end class. Jimin walks this way to get to Spanish, maybe he'll find you before Gavin does and you'll have an excuse to escape.

But that doesn't happen. Gavin is already at the door when you reach it.

"Y/n! There you are. Come on. Let's go somewhere else," he says. He grabs your wrist before you can answer and starts down the hallway.

"Wait," you say. "We could be late for class."

"We're only going to talk for a few minutes. Plus, we'll be near the classroom anyway. Just in case we happen to be late."

You swallow and follow Gavin with uncertainty. You have no excuses now. You look around you for any sight of someone familiar. No one. Then you look behind you and there's Jimin way back there, talking to someone while he walks.

Jimin doesn't see you though. You don't know why, but you have a really bad feeling about following Gavin. You really don't want to.

But there's nothing you can say, and boldly refusing might make him think you're a little weird. Or afraid. You don't want to seem afraid when there's no reason to be.

Gavin pulls you into a spot inset into the wall where the bathrooms are and goes into the corner.

You stop when he stops and lets go of your wrist. You look at him silently. Expectantly. Gavin clears his throat.

"You said you'd give me a chance right?"

You sigh. "Gavin-"

"Because I want to take you on a date. This Saturday? So you can get to know me."

You really don't have a lot of excuses, but this is not something you can say yes to.

"I can't," you say. "I really can't."

Gavin hums. "Okay then a different time?"

You blink. He really didn't think you could refuse. "No," you say firmly. You're allowed to be a little mad now. He's been pushy ever since Monday and you're tired of it. He needs to stop and listen to you. "Not 'I can't' because I'm busy. I can't, because I don't want to. I'm going on a date with someone already."

Gavin blinks and his face goes slack for a moment.

"Who?" He asks. A frown sets itself onto your face. "Why does it matter? I didn't say I would give you a chance, you just didn't let me say no. I didn't say I liked you. I didn't say anything. I really can't. Won't."

Gavin takes a moment to respond.

"It's Jimin isn't it?"

You open your mouth in incredulity. "Did you not hear me? I said it doesn't matter. I won't be going out with you okay? I just want to be friends."

Gavin doesn't listen. Jesus Christ.

"I wouldn't suggest doing that," he warns. "There's something off about him. He's hiding something. I know it."

"So what? He's not allowed to have a private life? I never said it was him anyway?"

"Who else would it be? He doesn't know better."

"Oh. So now I'm just undesirable. Thanks. I'm leaving."

You turn to leave and Gavin grabs your wrist. "Y/n, please. Listen. Jimin is hiding something. Something dark. I know it."

You glare at him. "Let go of me Gavin."

"I don't want you going out with him. He could hurt you."

You stop trying to free your wrist and scoff. Is he serious? Gavin stares at you hopefully with a persistent look in his eyes.

You stare at him in silence.

"Have I got your attention now?" Gavin asks, after the silence stretches on. "Now. I need to find out what he's hiding so he doesn't-"

You slap Gavin. He lets go of you and brings his hand up to his cheek in disbelief. "Mind your own business," you say curtly, and you turn your head and walk away.

Spanish isn't too far ahead. You hurry into class before you can hear Gavin follow you. When you walk into the room, it's only half full of students. You really didn't take that long.

You pause at the door. You don't want to sit next to Gavin. The seat next to Jimin where Brook usually sits is empty. She can sit somewhere else for today. You think.

You walk toward the seat and drop your backpack. It thuds against the ground and you flinch. Oops. Autumn and Jimin watch you with confusion as you sigh frustratedly and sit down.

Brook knows you have problems with Gavin. She'll understand.

Jimin and Autumn look at you with raised eyebrows. "Is... everything okay?" Jimin asks. Autumn closes her mouth and purses her lips. Gavin walks into the room and you nod your head toward him. "No," you grumble, as they look over. "It's not."

Gavin avoids your eyes. His cheek is bright red. Maybe you slapped him too hard... No, you didn't. It was justified. He got what he deserved for not letting go of you.

Autumn looks at you with a smirk on her face. "I see," she says. "What now?" You snort and look away. Jimin's eyes follow Gavin until he is seated in his normal spot.

Soon, Brook walks in and notices the seat change. You give her an apologetic look and gesture toward Gavin with your head. She nods in immediate understanding and sits in your usual spot. She's one of those people that just gets it. Gets everything. What would the world be like if there weren't chill people like her?

"Just for a little bit," you say. "Sorry."

She smiles. "It's fine. I get it."

Gavin looks a little wounded by your exchange but doesn't speak. What can he say anyway? He was wrong to grab you and insult Jimin behind his back.

You stare at your desk until Jimin nudges you with his foot. "Autumn's trying to get your attention," he says. You look up. Autumn picks up her phone. Ah. She wants to know what's happening.

You look at your phone and text her the details. Jimin looks at you when you finish. "Are you okay?"

You nod. "Yeah," you sigh. "I'm tired though."

Jimin lets you nap on the table for the rest of class and nudges you when there's something you have to do, and covers you when the teacher is looking. Then he walks you to your next class because you're sleepy and can barely walk in a straight line.

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?"

You adjust your backpack straps on your shoulders. "Gavin won't leave me alone. I've told him to stop, but he won't stop."

"Is he after something?"

"He's after me."

Jimin nods. "But he's too late," you add. "And he's really getting on my nerves for asking me- he wants me to 'give him a chance' and date him."

Jimin purses his lips. "And you won't do it?"

You stop in your tracks and stare at him. What part of-

"No?" You say, eyebrow raised. "Of course not. You and I have plans. Are you worried about that?"

Jimin stops and stares at you too, for a moment. "Sorry," he mumbles. "I just- I grew up having a hard time making friends and keeping them. I get anxious with stuff like that."

That was unexpected, and Jimin just became ten thousand times more adorable. He bites his lip. "Hey," you say. "There's nothing to worry about okay?" You smile reassuringly. "I'm not going to leave you like that."

You hug Jimin out of impulse. "See you after school," you say, then you run into your history class.

Goooooood morning, good afternoon, and good night! Thank you for reading this chapter. What do you think about Gavin?