Chapter 10: Old Rhythms, New Cracks
Wonie's POV
Things between Jungkook and I weren't weird anymore. But that didn't mean they were normal either.
We were talking again — not like before — but enough to remind me of the boy I once knew.
It started with tiny moments.
He'd wave at me when we crossed the courtyard.
He'd message memes at 2 AM, and I'd laugh quietly under my blanket.
Little things. Easy things. Friend things.
And yet… my heart still tripped over itself whenever he looked at me with those same eyes. The ones I used to dream about.
Midweek – At the campus cafe
"You need to stop eating only bagels," Jungkook said, raising an eyebrow at my tray.
I bit into my cinnamon swirl bagel defiantly. "Carbs are love. Carbs are life."
He chuckled, sipping his iced coffee. "You're a menace."
"You're just jealous because my bagel's prettier than your protein bar."
We bickered like kids. But somewhere between teasing and eye-rolls, I felt the ache settle in again.
This shouldn't feel this familiar. This shouldn't feel… safe.
And yet.
Later – Library Study Table
Jungkook sat across from me, furiously typing something for his econ class.
His hair was messy, sleeves rolled up, lip between his teeth.
God, he looked stupidly good when he was focused.
I quickly looked down at my notes.
Nope. We're just friends now.
Just. Friends.
The college hosted a small themed party — something about neon and 90s vibes.
Grace wore glitter all over her face and had braided pigtails. Maya had glowstick earrings. Liam wore a bucket hat and yelled, "YOLO!" at everyone who passed. I wore a black crop top, ripped jeans, and the slightest winged eyeliner.
It was fun. Loud. Light-hearted.
Liam and Grace were obnoxiously in love. Maya tried (and failed) to hit on the Jungkook wasn't there — yet.
Part of me was disappointed.
Part of me was relieved.
We were playing some ridiculous game involving dance-offs when Maya screamed, "OH MY GOD, LOOK WHO JUST WALKED IN!"
Everyone turned.
And there he was.
Jungkook.
In a black shirt. Silver chain. Denim jacket.
And holding hands with… her.
The girl from the group date.
Hair curled. Wearing cherry lip gloss. Looking like a Pinterest board.
I froze mid-sip.
They weren't just there together. They were clearly a thing now.
She leaned in, whispered something, and he smiled — not politely. Not awkwardly. Genuinely.
I blinked.
Everything around me was loud. But inside, I only heard one sentence: He moved on.
I forced a smile, grabbed another drink, and joined Maya at the snack table.
She leaned closer. "You okay?"
"Yep," I lied smoothly. "I mean, it's not like we ever dated."
Which was technically true.
But hearts don't always wait for official titles to break.
From across the room, I saw Jungkook glance toward me.
I looked away.
He was happy.
And I?
I was pretending it didn't matter.