30 minutes later...

The moment we step into the gym, the atmosphere shifts. The low, neon lights flicker in shades of blue and pink, casting an almost surreal glow over everything.

The music isn't loud, not overwhelming, a deep bass that pulses through the floor beneath my boots. It's a typical high school gym transformed into an unlikely venue for game night, with makeshift tables covered in board games and scattered snacks.

Jungkook leads the way, his posture slightly tense as he scans the crowd. I stay close behind him, taking in the group of people scattered around, some clustered near the snack table, others chatting in smaller groups.

"Over here," Jungkook murmurs, guiding me toward a group of three guys near the far side of the gym. He calls out to them, and they turn toward us, flashing friendly grins.

I recognize Noah immediately; his easy smile makes me feel a little more at ease. His tattoos that Jungkook told me about. Leo's right next to him, his usual laid-back vibe clear in the way he leans against the wall with his arms crossed.

And then there's the third guy, whose name I'm still getting used to, Timothy, with his messy hair and the easygoing smirk on his face.

"Yo," Jungkook greets them, a small smile tugging at his lips, though it's obvious he's still trying to keep a little distance from me. "This is y/n."

Noah's smile widens, and he steps forward first, bowing to me. "Nice to meet you, y/n. I've heard a lot about you." His voice is warm, and there's something reassuring about the way he speaks, like he's genuinely glad to see me here. "Jungkook's been a bit of a mess, but now I see why."

I laugh softly, shaking his hand. "I'm sure he's exaggerating," I say, glancing at Jungkook.

Leo chuckles and pats Jungkook on the back. "No kidding. He never stops talking about you," he adds, grinning at me. "He's a softie for you."

Jungkook shoots Leo a look, but it's all playful. I can't help but smile at the banter, the way Noah and Leo make it so easy for me to blend into their group.

Timothy gives me a wave, his smile a little more reserved but still friendly. "Glad you could make it," he says with a slight nod. "I'm pretty sure Jungkook would have cried if you didn't," Noah never ceases teasing, not giving him a break.

"Bro," Jungkook sighs, ruffling his hair nervously. "I've only been here for a minute. Can you chill?"

I glance at him, who's fidgeting with his sleeves, avoiding eye contact. I can't help but feel a flutter of warmth at the thought of him being so obsessed with me.

Noah notices and grins. "Fine, I'll stop."

Jungkook seems to relax a little at Noah's words, though I can still feel his proximity, the way he's standing just a bit too close, his body a constant, silent presence beside mine.

I try to focus on the conversation, on how the guys are making me feel more welcome, but I can't shake the feeling that Jungkook's hand keeps brushing against me more than necessary. We both agreed we would avoid physical contact in here.

As the conversation continues, Noah keeps things light, ensuring that I'm included in the jokes and teasing. His easygoing nature makes it all feel like one big, friendly gathering. Leo and Timothy jump in with more casual comments, and despite myself, I find myself laughing along, feeling a little more at ease.

But eventually, I can't stay by their side any longer.

"Jungkook," I murmur, leaning close enough to his ear that my breath brushes against his skin. He shifts slightly, his attention drawn to me instantly. I catch the flicker of curiosity in his eyes, and I feel a small spark of warmth from the way he reacts to me, like he's always tuned in to my presence.

"Do you know where the bathroom is? I drank too much coffee earlier," I say softly, keeping my voice light so as not to interrupt the flow of their conversation.

He tilts his head, his gaze flicking toward me, and hums in response as he scans the room. "Yeah, look over there," he gestures with a subtle motion of his hand, his arm just barely brushing against mine. He points to a sign on the far wall, behind me. "You see it?"

I follow his finger, my eyes tracking the direction of his hand. After a beat, I spot the sign above a door. I nod, making sure I'm clear on where it is. "Got it. I'll be back in a few minutes," I say, then offer him a small smile before stepping back.

'JUNGKOOK'S P.O.V.'

As I watch her walk away, I lick my lips, trying to shake off the tightness in my chest before turning back to my friends. They're already smirking, clearly enjoying how much they'd embarrassed me in front of her.

"Bro," Noah starts, his eyebrows shooting up as if he's making some groundbreaking observation. "I was right when I said she's a mommy."

"Shut up, dumbfuck," I click my tongue, glaring at him. The words rub me the wrong way, and my annoyance flares instantly.

"What? I didn't mean it in a creepy way," he defends, raising his hands in mock surrender. "She's just...yeah," he trails off, shrugging, as though the rest of his thought isn't worth saying aloud.

"She's his girlfriend. Don't be a bitch," Leo cuts in, always having my back when Noah pushes too far.

"I know. I'm not thirsting over her or anything," Noah says, his tone softer this time. "But you can't deny she's got...something. Like, this aura. I can't even explain it, but yeah, I see why you're whipped," he adds, shaking his head with a crooked grin.

"I'll give you that," Leo says, chuckling. "She's got presence, for sure."

"Anyway," I interrupt, desperate to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Have you guys seen Diego yet?"

Timothy sighs heavily, his expression instantly souring. "Unfortunately, yeah. He's with a group of his friends. My brother said Diego knows y/n's here tonight...with you."

I feel the heat rising up my neck at his words, irritation simmering just under the surface. My chest tightens at the thought of her interacting with Diego, especially right in front of me. "Does he know I'm her boyfriend?" I ask, keeping my tone steady, though my frustration is evident.

"He doesn't," Timothy replies, shaking his head. His hands are stuffed deep in his pockets as he speaks. "From what my brother overheard, he thinks she's dating some older guy."

The tension in my shoulders eases slightly, though it doesn't disappear entirely.

"She's coming back," Noah suddenly warns, his voice low but sharp enough to snap me out of my thoughts.

Instinctively, I turn my head, my eyes scanning the gym until I spot her weaving through the crowd. The way she carries herself, so calm and self-assured, makes something in my chest tighten again, though this time it's different. It's softer.

I smile at her as she makes her way back to me, and as soon as she is back, my eyes are on her. I don't even think; I just reach for her, my fingers wrapping around her wrist before she can fully settle back into place. With a subtle tug, I pull her closer, my hand lingering longer than it should.

"Are you good?" I ask, my voice lower than necessary, but I don't care.

She blinks up at me, a little surprised at first, but then a small smile tugs at her lips. She doesn't pull away. I should probably let go, but my thumb brushes against the soft skin of her wrist, and the warmth of her makes it impossible.

"I thought you were supposed to be discreet," Noah snickers, crossing his arms.

I click my tongue, but I don't immediately let go. I'm aware of how close we are, the way she's just standing there, looking at me like she knows exactly what's going through my head.

Reluctantly, I loosen my grip, dragging my fingers against her skin before finally letting her go.

Noah, still grinning, claps his hands. "Alright, enough of Jungkook acting like a clingy puppy. We're playing a game."

As he walks away to lead the way, we all follow him, y/n and I staying behind. She tilts her head towards me as if trying to catch my attention and smiles in the most comforting way. "Stop pouting," she cups my face, noticing for sure how this obligated distance makes me feel.

I gaze into her eyes and show a softer look to not worry her. She tenderly takes her hand away from my skin when Noah slows down and stops at a table near the center of the gym, surrounded by a mess of other groups playing different games.

He picks out some competitive card game that I don't care about, but Y/N seems interested, so I go along with it.

The game is fast-paced, exactly the kind that keeps everyone engaged. Noah and Leo sit in front of us, Timothy next to us, and y/n next to me. I make sure to stay close, just enough that our knees brush under the table.

Her scent hits me, something stirs in my chest, and I can't pull away. I don't even want to.

I should pull back, create some space, but the moment feels too perfect. The guys are already starting to talk, but I can barely hear them over the pounding of my heart. It's only when Noah's voice cuts through the haze that I remember we're starting the game.

"Alright, let's do this," Noah says, grinning like he knows he's about to win. "Are we ready to get destroyed?"

Leo cracks his knuckles. "Only if you can handle it." His lazy drawl doesn't fool anyone; Leo's always sharp when it comes to these games. His relaxed demeanor hides a competitiveness that surfaces when it counts.

Timothy's voice adds to the mix, dry and unimpressed. "Yeah, right. Leo's the one who always loses."

The back-and-forth between them is easy. Effortless. And, for a brief moment, I envy that ease. I envy how they're all so comfortable around her. How she's already fitting in without trying.

I'm not sure why it bothers me. She's just laughing, responding to their banter with a lightness that feels so natural, like she's been part of the group for years. It's exactly what I wanted for her, but it doesn't make the tightness in my chest any easier to bear.

"Do you want to go first?" Noah's asking, turning to y/n, his smile wide and playful.

She gives him a look. "Only if you're okay with losing."

They all laugh at her response. It's contagious, and I find myself grinning despite the irritation trying to claw at me.

The cards are dealt, and the game starts with an energy that pulls me in, despite myself.

1 hour later...

The game night is in full swing, and the tension that usually accompanies these types of events has almost entirely faded from my shoulders. I lean back in my chair, the group's laughter surrounding me, and try to forget about the world outside the gym for a while.

Noah, Leo, and Timothy are all in high spirits, as always, and I'm getting caught up in the rhythm of the game. It's a simple one, a mix of strategy and luck, but it doesn't matter. The sound of dice clattering against the table, the easy teasing from Leo, and Noah's lighthearted banter fill the space between us.

I glance at y/n, seated beside me, focused intently on the game board. She's biting her lip, a small frown of concentration pulling at her features, and I can't help but smile. It's rare to see her this into something, but it's a side of her that makes me feel more at ease, somehow. She's not in work mode, not worrying about anything, just here with me, enjoying the moment.

Every now and then, she'd laugh at something one of the guys says, and I notice how her eyes light up when she does. Her attention shifts between the board and me, but it's not too much, just enough to make me feel like I'm still part of the group.

"Hey, y/n, are you going to play or just watch?" Noah teases, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

She grins and taps her cards on the table before making her move. "I'm not here to lose."

"You've just jinxed yourself," Leo says.

"Maybe," she replies, shrugging, unbothered by their teasing.

I watch her, feeling a quiet sense of pride. She's holding her own just fine, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the usual rowdy energy of the guys. I'm content, for now.

Time passes quickly as we continue the game, the room full of friendly banter and the occasional loud outburst when someone pulls off a particularly impressive move.

I glance at y/n again, and this time I catch her gaze for just a moment. It's brief, but she smiles at me, her expression softening. My chest tightens, and I suppress a grin. The game is fun, but there's something about being near her that makes everything else feel like background noise.

Then, I see him. Diego.

He steps towards us, his usual confident swagger cutting through the crowd, and I can't help but watch as he looks at y/n.

"He's here," I mumble, and the feeling in my chest turns from a tight knot into something colder.

Leo's posture stiffens too, his gaze hardening as he glances toward him. I don't miss the subtle exchange of glances between him and Noah, their unspoken dislike of Diego hanging in the air, palpable and almost suffocating.

Diego strides over confidently, not even glancing at anyone else but Y/N. He doesn't seem to care that we're all here, that I'm sitting beside her. His gaze lingers, his smile sharp and inviting.

"Diego," y/n greets him, her voice as warm and steady as ever. She doesn't seem startled, and I can't help but notice how calm she is, how easy she makes it look. He doesn't waste any time, leaning in just slightly, as if there's no one else in the room but the two of them.

I feel my grip on the dice tighten, my jaw clenching instinctively. He's looking at her like she's the only person who matters in this entire gym, and it drives something cold through me. His smile is too easy, too smug, and I can't stop the irritation building in my chest.

She smiles back at him, unfazed, her voice warm and light. "Hey, Diego."

Noah, Leo, and Timothy don't say anything, no greeting, no attempt to hide their discomfort. The tension hangs between us, and I can almost feel them bracing for something to happen. None of us can seem to tear our eyes away from Diego, though. His presence here is a challenge we didn't ask for.

"You look amazing tonight," Diego adds smoothly, his gaze scanning her for a beat longer than necessary. There's something in the way he's talking to her, too casual, too familiar, and I can't look away.

I feel a muscle in my jaw twitch. I don't want to be bothered. I don't want him to get under my skin, but he is. He absolutely is.

She smiles back, polite as always. "Thanks, Diego. You're looking good too," she replies, her voice steady.

Noah, Leo, and Timothy exchange a few quick glances. I can see it in their faces; they're not exactly thrilled to see Diego. They know how much I hate it when he gets close to y/n, and they're just waiting, hoping I won't lose my cool.

He looks over at the table, taking in the board game in progress. "Mind if I join in?" His tone is easygoing and casual, but there's something in the way his eyes linger on her that I don't like.

For a second, y/n hesitates. She's always the kind of person who's polite and accommodating, not wanting to make anyone feel left out. "Sure," she says, after a moment, her voice smooth.

Diego doesn't wait for a second invitation. He pulls out a chair and slides into it, settling in comfortably. "I'll team up with you, y/n," he announces. The way he angles himself toward her, his body language wide open, doesn't escape me.

"I'm glad you came," he says with a teasing smile, leaning a little closer. His voice is low, but he makes sure it's only for her ears.

"Honestly, I'm glad I could too. It's pretty fun," she nods her head, trying to keep things light as we continue playing.

I can't shake the irritation that's building inside me. It's not just Diego sitting there; it's the fact that he's so damn comfortable around her. So familiar. It's the way he's leaning in a little too close, the way his knee brushes against hers as if it's nothing.

"So, who's winning?" His arms fold over the table, his gaze drifting down to her lips unnecessarily, annoyingly.

"Jungkook," she glances at me, shifting the attention towards me for a brief moment.

Diego barely acknowledges it. He doesn't care. His focus stays on her as she plays her next card, and then, too casually, he leans over, peeking at her deck like he has every right to.

I shift in my seat, pressing forward slightly, elbowing Y/N's arm as I drop my next card. Not because I need the space. Just because I need him to stop getting so damn close to her.

"You're a bitch, bro," Noah complains when Leo attacks his hand with a winning move.

Leo grins. "I know."

"Of course, you do," Noah mutters, sighing dramatically as he scans his own cards for a counterplay.

Just when I thought Diego might finally shut up and focus on the game, he tilts his head toward y/n again, stealing more of her attention. "When this game is over, could I have a private talk with you about Liliana?"

She nods and makes eye contact with him, giving him much more attention than he deserves. "Sure. It's nothing serious, right?"

He gives her that signature charming smile, the one I'm sure he's used a hundred times before, the one that probably works on every other girl. "No, don't worry."

"Who's Liliana?" Noah asks, sounding indifferent but clearly trying to gauge the situation.

"My little sister," Diego replies smoothly, his whole demeanor softening. He's acting different now—warmerer, gentler, and it's so damn calculated. No wonder y/n doesn't fully believe me when I tell her what he's really like. If this is all she ever sees of him, of course, she'd think I'm overreacting.

"How old is she?" Noah asks, his tone almost forced as the tension lingers unspoken between us all.

"She's five. Still a baby to me," Diego says, his voice carrying a carefully measured fondness.

Noah hums, offering nothing more, but Diego disregards it entirely. Instead, his attention shifts back to y/n, his focus narrowing in on her. "You're going to win," he murmurs to her, his eyes lingering on her beautiful ones I only ever want to see on me.

She shakes her head, staring at her cards. "There's no way I will. I always lose. I'm too unlucky."

"It's not about luck," Diego replies softly, "it's about strategy and skill. And I know you're very good at that."

Her brows raise, showing skepticism but not outright rejecting the compliment. "You think so?"

'Yeah, look," he points to one of her cards, his fingers brushing against her hand. "Play this card next round."

She hesitates only for a second before nodding. As Noah places his card down, Diego drags his chair closer, tightening the proximity between them. His knee presses against her leg, his arm settling casually on the back of her chair. It's subtle, too subtle, but deliberate.

He is invading her personal space.

She plays the card he suggested, and I grab one without thinking.

"If I lose, I'm blaming you," she says playfully, completely unaware she's giving him exactly what he wants.

Diego smirks, his voice dipping lower. "Hm. I know you won't lose, but if you do, I'll make it up to you. I'll treat you to your favorite food or coffee."

I barely have time to process the shift in his tone before Noah speaks up, his patience wearing thin. "She's taken," he says, his voice casual but laced with warning. "Why do you wanna take her on a date?"

Diego shrugs, feigning innocence. "I never said it was a date."

Noah clicks his tongue, shaking his head. "I don't know, man. Sounded a little too suggestive to me," his irritation is creeping through, jaw clenching slightly as if he's feeling the same quiet rage boiling inside me. "Well. Even if it was. You're not her man, so it's none of your business."

Noah's demeanor shifts, amusement fading entirely. "You should still show her some respect by acknowledging her man and not stepping over boundaries," he says, voice sharper now.

"Guys," y/n interferes, her voice cutting through the tension. "Calm down. Let's just focus on the game. He knows I wouldn't go on a date with him anyway," she adds, shutting down the argument before it escalates.

Diego, unfazed, leans back in his seat. His smirk lingers, but his eyes flick to hers, filled with something unreadable. "What if you didn't have a boyfriend?" he presses, his voice lower, smoother. "Would you?"

She exhales and shakes her head. "No, you're a baby to me."

His smirk twitches, his expression darkening just slightly before he recovers. "I'm not a baby," he murmurs, just above a whisper. "I'm old enough to know what I want. Still young enough to make it exciting."

He looks at her with a knowing smile, his eyes lingering on hers as if he's daring her to disagree. It's clear he sees his age as an asset, not a liability.

She chuckles, brushing it off as a joke.

The conversation fizzles into an awkward silence until y/n casually drops her last card onto the table. "Well, I won."

"Wow, what a cheater," Noah teases, his tone light, trying to ease the thick atmosphere hanging over the table.

"What do you mean, cheater? I played fair and square," Y/N defends, leaning back in her chair, stretching slightly.

"I saw you slide a card into your pocket. Quit playing," he accuses with a grin, already gathering the scattered deck as the game comes to an end.

She chuckles, shaking her head. "You're just a sore loser."

Noah clicks his tongue, amused. "Check her pockets, Jungkook," he throws at me, knowing damn well I'm the only one who could get away with something like that, but I don't. "No, she's just too good."

"What a simp," he teases, tapping the stack of cards against the table with a scoff.

"Well, you guys can play another round without me. I'll be back in a few minutes," she announces, standing up as Diego does.

I know his little sister is just an excuse. He doesn't need to talk to her privately; he just wants to get her alone. Away from us. Away from me.

"We'll wait for you," I tell her, hoping she understands what I really mean. Hoping she catches the slight edge in my voice, the silent request not to stay too long with him.

She looks at me, her gaze softening, her lips curving into that pretty, reassuring smile. And even though I want to believe it, want to let it ease the tightness in my chest, I can't shake the uneasy feeling as I watch her walk away with him.