╰┈➤ ❝ [ Threw out our cloaks and our daggers because it's morning now ]❞

ONE LIST AND FOUR RULES. Sounds simple right? Just follow through them and nothing can go wrong.

1- No Falling In Love
2- No kisses (hugs, holding hands, and kisses in the cheek are aloud)
3- Deal down the arguing
4- Hangout together more often to make everything more believable

This were the set of rules they had come to agree on. Promising to follow them through the span of their fake dating journey. It had been easier said than done for both Kim Ji-an and Han Seo-jun, in two different ways. Their open display of affection was causing everyone at school to lose their wits, as if they were witnessing the most unbelievable moment bound to go down in history—and maybe they were. While Kim Ji-an's hand held onto Han Seo-jun's much larger one, the two walked down the school hallway much like they had done a few weeks prior.

Now that the news of the pair's recent relationship unfolded, all students followed them with their eyes, gawking at their joined hands and the casualness on how they stood beside each other. Kim Ji-an couldn't blame them, if four years ago you had told her she'll be holding hands with Seo-jun and acting as a couple she would've laughed in your face because of the stupidity of the situation.

Four years ago their friendship had taken a turn for the worse. They could not stand being in the presence of the other for more than a few minutes before a huge argument broke out and careless words were thrown around for everyone to hear.

Flashback 2017
One week and three days after Christmas

Pencil in hand Kim Ji-an silently worked on her project. The day before the teacher had assigned them a group project and had allowed them to work on it during class. Ji-an had, of course, chosen her boyfriend Lee Su-ho as her partner knowing no better person to work with if she wanted not only a passing grade but the best score of the class. Not that she wasn't capable of doing it on her own, but two minds worked better than one. Sadly, Lee Su-ho was absent for the day, sick at the moment from having been outside for too long on New Years, which Ji-an couldn't help but feel guilty for knowing she had been the one to insist on staying outdoors until the fireworks dwindled.

As the girl concentrated on her work she wasn't able to tone out the voices of her classmates coming from the desks beside hers.

"Seo-jun come on you need to help us! Without you we won't be able to do the project! Don't leave us stranded like that!" It was Cho-rong speaking, his voice pleading as he insisted for his friend to take charge over the assignment.

From her seat, Ji-an couldn't help but roll her eyes, the hand clutching the pencil tightening until her knuckles turned white from the pressure she was applying. Without any care or ever lifting her gaze from what she was writing on the cardboard, she spoke out loud, "Isn't that what he's best at doing?"

Her words hadn't been any louder than a whisper but Han Seo-jun had heard it causing him to turn to look at the girl beside him. "What did you just say?"

Slamming down the pencil Ji-an turned to face him, "I think you heard me loud and clear."

Ji-an knew it was not the place or time to be having this conversation, but she was tired. After everything that had happened, all her sadness had faded away and all she could feel was resentment towards the world and towards Seo-jun for the things he had said to her.

The intense eye contact the two held caused a palpable tension to arise, both being too prideful to look away. This was the first few words they were directing to each other since that night and the pair underneath their emotions knew it was best to drop the conversation there, but they were in too deep to care and stop themselves.

"Mind your own business and stop poking into mine." Han Seo-jun said his words holding an edge to them.

"Right!" The girl laughed but the sound lacked any hint of happiness. "My bad, I'm not like you. I forgot I can't just flat out ignore people whenever I want to."

Cho-rong's eyes widened at her words and now the rest of the classroom had stopped what they were doing to shift their attention to the pair. No one had seen them act this way before. Sure there were times when they had petty arguments but the presence of them was a normal thing on any friendship. Whatever was going on right now was not normal. Amused smiles lacked on their faces and the playful glints that would usually shine in their eyes was completely gone.

Removing her gaze from Seo-jun's, Ji-an turned to look at Cho-rong and Se-yeon who were both seating around Seo-jun. "You two should be more careful around him. When you least expect it he might just stab you in the back."

Se-yeon stared at the girl in disbelief his gaze shifting back and forth between the pair before attempting to diffuse the situation knowing the teacher could come back at any moment and get his two friends in trouble. "Ji-an what do you mean? We should calm down-"

"You just don't know when to shut your mouth do you? Always an attention seeker." Seo-jun knew that had been a low blow by the way Ji-an's eyes had widened but it was too late to backdown now. His objective was to make her hate him and for his luck he seemed to be amazing at it.

The words had affected the girl more than she would've liked to let on. Ever since she was young her older brother had been the center of attention, the pretty boy and mama's favorite child. Kim Ji-an like any other young girl in that circumstance did anything to get her mother to notice her and receive her approval—but with every failed attempt two specific words persisted.

Stop being an attention seeker, Ji-an!

Han Seo-jun knew this better than anyone else the girl going to him countless of times to express her heartbreak regarding her mother's words and in that moment he used to console her with his hugs and his words. But now his words instead of being a lullaby for her pain, it was like a match to her fire. Thoughtlessly Kim Ji-an stood from her seat and raising her dominant hand she struck it against Seo-jun's cheek his head snapping to the side with the motion.

Several gasps broke through the classroom but Ji-an ignored them as she spoke to Seo-jun in a low voice while he cradled his cheek with his hand, his face still turned to the side as he stared down at the ground shamefully. "You're unbelievable. I can't believe I ever considered you my best friend, let alone family."

End of flashback

When the couple reached the classroom their presence caught the attention of the students already there but the two ignored it as Han Seo-jun went to take a seat while Kim Ji-an went to talk to Soo-ah and Soo-Jin. While she talked with them, through her peripheral vision Ji-an could see Lee Su-ho seating in his corresponding seat, his full attention set on her, so the girl did her absolute best to not look in his direction in hopes of preventing any eye contact. She wasn't certain if kissing Seo-jun had convinced him. Ji-an could only pray it did because if not all of this would've been for nothing.

"Do you have any plans for today after school?" Soo-ah asked, making Ji-an nod.

"Yeah! Remember I told you about the modeling agency reaching out to me? Well they want me to go today to interview me." A smile took over her face as she spoke, the thought of going back to what she loves doing filling her with joy. Only a month had passed since she came back to Seoul and had stopped working. The initial plan had been to settle down with everything before resuming work even if it wasn't the busiest job out there.

Back in Miami the job had became almost a full time gig for her as she had the advantage of not having to go to school but here in Korea she only works when she's called in every few days to do a photoshoot.

Soo-ah immediately lighten by the news. "I forgot about that! I'm happy you listened to me and didn't wait too long. I can't have my best friend wasting her beauty like that."

Regardless of the eye roll Ji-an did, there was a smile on the girl's face. "You don't even know if they'll hire me."

"You're gorgeous. Of course they're going to hire you." Soo-Jin said giving her friend a pointed look as if daring her to say otherwise, and Soo-ah nodded enthusiastically to show her agreement.

"I hope so..." Ji-an said before trailing off as her gaze shifted to Seo-jun who had approached them and placed a bottle of iced coffee on the desk. "What is this?"

"What do you think-" remembering their talk about being nicer to each other in public Seo-jun stopped himself and cleared his throat, "I mean, I know you like iced coffee so here you have it."

Taking the bottle in hand the girl examined it before offering Seo-jun a smile. "Thank you! I'm not much of a fan of bottled ice coffee but I appreciate it."

Seo-jun nodded and patted her head before making his way back to his seat, taking a mental note to ask for her coffee order next time. Looking at the other side of the room he caught Su-ho's gaze and the two stared daggers at each other, internally wishing for the other to disintegrate. 

↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷

At lunch Kim Ji-an sat at her usual spot with Soo-ah, Soo-jin, Jug-yeong, and Tae-hoon. In the middle of their conversation, a tray was placed on the empty spot beside Ji-an. It was Seo-jun, who offered her a smirk as he sat beside her just like he had done weeks before when he fought with Su-ho in front of the whole cafeteria.

As usual Ji-an's natural reaction was to scowl at the boy. "What are you doing here?"

Giving her a fake look of concern for the harshness in her words the boy responded, "You're now my girlfriend, sweetheart. I want to seat with you." There was a chorus of awes through the cafeteria more specifically from the table in front of theirs where Seo-jun's friends sat at.

Realizing the clear mistake she had done she attempted to fix her slip up, "Sorry, I snapped. I'm just very stressed with class."

Seo-jun nodded as if to show understanding over her lie. He fought off the smirk that wanted to take over his lips as he saw Soo-ah and Soo-jin offering them encouraging looks. Both Jug-yeong and Tae-hoon weren't aware of the truth so they couldn't make mistakes like this. If they wanted to fool the whole school they had to start by making sure they didn't commit any mistakes in front of their close  friends first. Even if it meant they could only act the way they really wanted to when they're alone.

Observing her tray and the contents in it Ji-an sighed, seeing they had given her least favorite dish. With her chopsticks she started eating the pieces of tonkatsu, which was the only thing she liked out of everything else. Once she was done eating, she leaned back against the chair a small pout on her lips.

"I'm still hungry."

"You're always hungry, Ji-an." Soo-jin said taking a sip of her drink.

Seo-jun turned to Ji-an pointing at her still full tray, confused. "You barely ate anything."

"That's because I don't like this other stuff. I only ate the good part."

Examining the food Seo-jun knew she was telling the truth knowing Ji-an wasn't much of a fan of the other items. Pushing his tray closer towards Ji-an, Seo-jun took his pieces of tonkatsu and placed them of Ji-an's tray. "Here, you can have mine."

Ji-an immediately straighten up, "Really?"

"Yeah, and you know what," leaning back in his chair Seo-jun turned to the table were his friends were and clapped his hands, "Boys! Bring her tonkatsu."

The group chorused back his demand and quickly followed his instructions. Minutes later they returned and Ji-an's jaw dropped when Cho-rong along with two other boys stood before her with two trays full of tonkatsu. She had no idea how they had gotten such amount but she wasn't complaining.

"This is all for me?" Wiping her invisible tear she turned to Seo-jun with a genuine smile. "Ugh! Thank you so much!"

Leaning forward she kissed his cheek before turning her attention to the food, unaware of the pink hush that took over Seo-jun's face, him trying his best to act as if that had been a normal occurrence that hadn't affected him in the slightest.

Soo-ah and Soo-jin stared with raised eyebrows while Cho-rong smiled in delight. "I'll bring as many trays of tonkatsu as I have to if it means getting to witness that again."

↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷

Distracted by something on her phone, Kim Ji-an didn't notice the object placed on her science table until she settled down and placed her phone away. Confused, she looked at the cup of iced coffee before taking it in her hands and examining it. Turning to the other people sitting at the table, she asked, "Do any of you guys know who put this here?"

Her classmates shook their heads and others shrugged as they reassumed with their work. Ji-an frowned and in closer inspection she noticed that the order printed on the receipt was the exact same order she liked for her iced coffee. It was something too specific to have been a coincidence. She scanned her brain trying to figure out who else knew her coffee order. There wasn't anyone that she remembered knowing her order. In fact she never told anyone-

Wait.

Lee Su-ho. Lee Su-ho had asked about what her order was a few days ago. This had to be him. Perhaps he heard when she mentioned not being a fan of bottled iced coffee earlier in the morning. The girl turned around on her seat to look at the table where Su-ho sits. He was writing on his notebook, not paying attention to whatever Jug-yeong was telling him. Turning back around Ji-an smiled and took a sip of the drink before humming in delight at the cold feeling of the beverage going down her throat.

Unbeknownst to Ji-an, the second she faced forward again Su-ho raised his head to look in her direction. He had to fight off a smile of satisfaction at seeing her sipping the coffee with a smile adorning her face.

When Lee Su-ho had asked about her iced coffee order it had initially been because he wanted to use it as a form of an apology gift for having left her stranded to help Jug-yeong, but the more he thought about it the more he knew it wouldn't be enough, so he ended up never doing it. Then in the morning he couldn't help but feel irritated at the fact that Seo-jun wasn't aware of the fact that Ji-an doesn't like bottled iced coffee, in fact she hates it.

So, without overthinking it too much he bought her the drink. He didn't care if she didn't know it was him that left it there, even if the possibility of it was low. Ji-an is a smart girl and Su-ho knew this, he was sure she had caught on with the clues. Nonetheless, he was just glad that he was able to pull a smile on her face.

↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷

The last thing Ji-an expected to see when she went into the girl's bathroom with Jug-yeong, was witnessing Go-woon getting bullied by three girls. One of them grabbing Go-woon's hair, and pushing her inside the bathroom stall. While Kim Ji-an felt her blood boil at the sight, Jug-yeong grabbed a bucket full of dirty water that had been left beside the bathroom door and quickly splashed the contents over the three bullies.

Shrieking the girl that had previously been assaulting Go-woon yelled at the two, "What on earth?!"

"I was only washing that foul mouth of yours." Jug-yeong spoke, causing Ji-an to look at her in surprise. She had never seen her act like that before. "Who are you to say that about her? Who cares if you're pretty on the outside, when you're rotten on the inside?"

"A junior?" The girl walked forward getting closer to Jug-yeong who remained frozen. "Who do you think you are sticking your nose in our business?"

Noticing Jug-yeong was at a loss of words Kim Ji-an saw this as her opportunity to step in, knowing she couldn't stand around and not do anything about the situation. Stepping in front of Jug-yeong, Ji-an narrowed her eyes at the girl. "When your so called business involves bullying my sister you best believe I'm going to stick my nose in it. What? You think because you're older than us you get to do whatever you want?"

Ji-an had moved closer as she spoke coming almost chest to chest with the other girl. Trying to get away, the girl attempted to push Ji-an away from her but Ji-an was faster and before the girl was able to do anything, Ji-an grabbed a fistful of the girl's hair making sure to pull on it with a good amount of pressure to cause pain. The girl let out a yelp of pain while her friends moved back from the scene in worry of ending in the same predicament.

"Let go of me!" Despite her words Ji-an only pulled harder as Jug-yeong and Go-woon watched with wide eyes.

"Not so tough anymore, huh? It doesn't feel good when you're on the receiving end, does it? I suggest, you and your little friends stop acting like a pair of brats with no life, and start working on getting rid of that superiority complex you seem to have. Being pretty doesn't give you the privilege to step over whoever you want just because you feel like it. If I find out you pulled another stunt like this you best believe this won't be the only thing I'll do. Understood?"

The girl quickly nodded and Ji-an looked up at the other two, silently asking them the same thing which they also agreed on with fearful nods. Letting go of the girl's hair, Ji-an stepped back turning to approach Go-woon, but the younger girl darted out of the bathroom before she was able to. Worried, Jug-yeong and Ji-an quickly followed after her, but when they looked out the hallway it seemed like Go-woon had disappeared, so they both agreed on separating in hopes of finding her faster.

Ji-an scanned the empty classrooms trying to see if Go-woon was in them but to no vail. The more she looked the more worried she started to feel as a series of thoughts clouded her mind. She hoped Jug-yeong had succeeded on the search, not really liking the thought of Go-woon being left alone after what happened. After searching through the whole school the last resort was checking the school's rooftop.

A sigh of relief escape Ji-an when she saw both Jug-yeong and Go-woon talking there. She didn't want to interrupt so she waited until they were done, her heart painfully squeezing in her chest as she listened to what Go-woon was saying. Ji-an couldn't help but feel like a horrible friend for not having been there for Go-woon. She had been so focused on her own drama that she failed to see the signs. She should have insisted more when she noticed something was off the last time she talked in person with Go-woon.

Once Jug-yeong left, Ji-an approached Go-woon and without hesitation she pulled the younger girl into a hug. Stroking her hair in soft motions, Ji-an talked in a quiet voice, "I'm here. I'm here. I'm sorry, I wasn't before. I should've noticed but I didn't. I'm so sorry, Go-woon."

Through her tears Go-woon shook her head. "That's not true. You did noticed something was wrong, I just didn't have the guts to tell you. It's embarrassing."

"Hey, don't say that!" Pulling away Ji-an took Go-woo's face in her hands, wiping the tears that fell down her cheeks. "It's not embarrassing, okay? I heard what you told Jug-yeong about her not understanding because she's pretty and I know you probably think the same about me and you're right. I can't relate to what you're going through because I've never lived it myself, but that doesn't mean I can't be here for you."

"Don't let what those girl's were saying get to you. You're pretty both inside and out. They're doing all of this because they see you as a threat, because you're a thousand times more talented than them and they know that. As confident as you might see them they're insecure and they're trying to project those insecurities on you. So, don't let them have that kind of power, okay?"

Go-woon nodded and pulled Ji-an into an embrace once again. "Thank you so much. I really missed you."

"And I missed you too."

——————— ↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ—————

—Joy

I think I'm incapable of writing a chapter without some sort of angst. I'm sorry.

The flashback happens right after chapter 8 which if you guys don't remember, was a chapter I wrote completely focused on the time when they were all friends and Seo-jun realized he had feelings for Ji-an and blah blah. Which explains why I was so specific with the date of the flashback in this chapter. (in case you guys were wondering)

So, to clear things up for anyone who forgot, Ji-an and Seo-jun stopped being friends way before Se-yeon's death and Ji-an's and Su-ho's break up.

And guess what guys? I found a way to show you the edits I had made a few months ago for the book through here without having to post them in TikTok where nobody sees them. So, here is two of them! In each chapter, I'll leave an edit. I have a few. 🤭

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

What do you think? Personally, I kinda ate ngl. And those aren't even the best ones.