Written In The Pages (RM) CH2

Written in the Pages (RM) CH2

Today when I enter the classroom, something unusual happens.

"Hey Y/N!" Namjoon says once I walk in.

Are we this close yet? I've never even talked to him before aside from yesterday...

I smile and give a small wave before sitting down at my desk. I couldn't focus during the remainder of class, my thoughts always returning to him. Why is he trying to be friends with me? He already is popular, I blend into the background. 

Eventually the bell rings and students are rushing out the door to lunch. I stand and pause to sort out my supplies in my backpack. I hear footsteps entering the classroom and mumbling, but disregard it.

"Come on, you can do it!" A voice whispers, "Just ask her!"

"Okay okay,"

Suddenly I feel like someone is looking at me. I slowly look up and almost jump when I find him in front of me. 

"H-hi Namjoon" I say under my breath. 

"Hey!" He says a little nervously, "We were wondering if you wanted to have lunch with us"

"...us?" I ask.

"Oh! I didn't introduce myself. I'm Jimin" A slightly shorter boy says as he walks out from behind Namjoon, "You must be Y/N then, right?"

"Yeah... wait, how do you know my name?"

"Namjoon told m-"

"Haha, why wouldn't he know you? This is a small school after all" Namjoon interrupts while slightly kicking the boy behind him.

"So, what do you say? Are you busy?" Namjoon asks.

"N-No..." I admit, still wondering why on Earth they, some of the most popular people at this school, want to have lunch with me.

𝄆 𝄞 𝄇

We arrive at the busy cafeteria, loud and busy with people walking over to meet their friends, talking and calling out to each other. Suddenly a hand waves us over to a table, and I follow the two boys in front of me. 

When we get to the table, we're greeted by five others. Namjoon motions for me to sit down in-between him and Jimin. Though I know who all of them are, I still feel awkward sitting here. Eyes watch me from around the room, because everyone else can see how I don't belong at this table. They are too popular for me. 

"This is Y/N, everyone" Namjoon thankfully saves me from having to introduce myself. 

"We know who she is! I'm Jungkook though" Yells out the boy sitting across from me. 

They continue going around the table introducing themselves. I try to stay calm and greet each person. I try to make eye contact with them but eventually fail, looking down at the floor. 

Once they were done introducing themselves to me, the conversation moved on to other things. I was too flustered to make out what they were saying until something caught my attention.

"What? We have to learn the choreography for it already?" Namjoon starts complaining, "I only just finished learning the last one"

"What choreography?" I asked curiously.

"W-well," He stutters out, "I'm training to be a K-POP idol... We're all in a group actually"

"Really? That's so cool." I reply, "I could never do that. I'm terrible at dancing"

"So is he" Jimin responds with a laugh.

"Hey! I'm not that bad..." He retorts. 

We all laugh and they continue talking about their choreographies and practices. Eventually the bell rings again, signaling for us to go to our next class. 

"It was really nice meeting you today, Y/N!" Taehyung says to me as he disappears into the crowd. 

I wave goodbye to all of them, until only me and Namjoon are left. I look up at him only to find that he's already looking at me. A slight blush forms on my face as he begins to speak.

"Uhm, I had a lot of fun today. Want to have lunch with us again tomorrow?" He asks me.

"Sure" I say. 

Despite the fun I had, the same question still plagues my thoughts. I have to ask him. 

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Mhm" he hums. 

"Why do you want to talk to me?"

Seeds of Hope (JHOPE) CH3 - What?!

I lean back in my chair and sigh as my chapter finally publishes. Two chapters done already! I close my Wattpad tab, get up and leave my apartment.

Exiting the building, I walk the crowded cement for a while before choosing a place to eat lunch. I walk up to the counter and order.

"Hello and welcome! What can I get for you today?" The cashier says.

"Hi! I would like a large fry and a medium drink, please."

"Coming right up!" She grabs a cup and hands it to me, "Here is your cup, go ahead and fill it up over there!"

She motions towards the soda fountain. I thank her and leave to fill up my cup. 

I gawk at all the options. I'm used to only water and coffee, but look at all the choices! Making my decision I reach for the Sprite dispenser, but another hand brushes against mine at the same time.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" I apologize, jumping out of the way.

"No no no it was my mistake! Please, you go first!" A voice all too familiar to me says.

"You first, I didn't realize how long I had been standing there. It must have been annoying," I say with a laugh as I lift my gaze.

"Wait... J-HOPE?" unknowingly I drop my cup. J-Hope had been standing there this whole time and I didn't even realize? His hand had even touched mine!

I bend down and pick up my cup whilst trying to hide my blushing face.

"Oh, you know me?" He stutters back to me.

"Y-yeah! I'm Army!" As if this situation couldn't get any more awkward, it had to be with my idol.

"Y-you're..." I pause, gathering up the courage to say what I'm about to say. "You're actually my bias."

"That's so cool!" He says enthusiastically, "I didn't think I had any fans, haha."

I can tell he's looking at me, but still I attempt to hide my face.

He starts to speak again, more nervous this time, "If that's the case, would you like to have lunch with me?"

✿

After we both receive our food, we pick a table and sit down.

"As you probably know already, I'm J-hope. You can just call me Hoseok, or oppa." He tells me, "Anyways, I realize I never asked you for your name!"

"O-oh!" I reply, still shocked at my current situation. "My name- I'm Stacy. Stacy Waters..."

"Stacy... I like it!" He says.

"Thank you!"

"That's not a Korean name though, where are you from?" He asks.

"I'm from the States" I answer. "But my eomma is Korean, so we moved here to be closer to her family."

"Oh really? Your Korean is really good though!"

"Haha, thanks. My eomma taught me a bit."

✿

We continue to talk as we eat our food. Even though we don't have a lot in common, we still enjoyed a nice conversation. I feel like we're good at opposite things, like how he's good at dancing and I have terrible rhythm. He's also a very hopeful person (like his name), whereas I tend to lean towards the more negative side of things. Despite this I felt like we got along great, if anything better because we're so different.

We talked long after we had both finished our food. Eventually, it was time to go.

"Wait..." Hoseok stopped as he searched the backpack he was carrying.

He pulled out a pen and started writing something on his receipt. After he finished he held it close to him and continued.

"I-I had a really good time today. It isn't often I get to talk to people outside the company." He took a deep breath before speaking again, "This is my phone number. I'd like to meet again... only if you want to, that is..."

"I'd love to." I took the paper from him and gently folded it before putting it in my back pocket.

He smiled at me, "Cool! Er- Thank you! Uh... See you again soon?"

I laughed at his awkwardness.

"Definitely."

Written in the Pages (RM) CH1

 𝄆𝄞 Late January, 2013 𝄇

I wrap my scarf loosely around my neck and step out of the house. I stare down at the familiar path of bricks under my feet as I walk to school. The sky is the same shade of gray and despite the brisk wind, there are no leaves on the trees to be rustled.

When I get to school, I sit down at the back of the room and pull out my book to read. My classmates bicker around me but I don't look up, lest I be reminded of my own loneliness. I shut my book tightly once the bell rings, noticing someone sitting only a few desks in front of me. It was Namjoon. I had liked him since around November but learned better than to get my hopes up. He wouldn't even be friends with someone like me. It's not that he was necessarily popular, but he did have some friends. I rarely spoke, so he most likely didn't know my name.

Lessons began and I tried to keep myself from staring. It isn't like anyone would really notice though, as I am in the back corner. It's better if I don't encourage myself and just suppress these feelings like I always have.

Soon enough my classes are over and I'm walking back home. As I go, I notice two girls around my age chatting with each other. They're laughing and seem to be having such a good time, I can't help but feel envious. I haven't had a best friend like that in such a long time. I only start to feel worse listening to what they're saying.

"I know! Taehyung really is so hot... if only he'd notice me!"

"Yeah, but have you seen his friend? What was his name..."

"Namjoon?"

"Yes! He's in one of my classes, I want to get to know him"

"You should!"

"But what do I say?"

"Don't worry about it! I'm sure he likes you back anyway"

"I hope so"

I keep my head down and continue walking. Still, their words get to me. They were both so pretty...oh course he'd go for someone more like them. I'm confident in who I am. Really. It's just that Namjoon is nothing like me. He has plenty of friends and admirers, all of them do. He is going to date someone in his social circle, like them.

Once I get home I grab some banana milk from the fridge and sit down at my desk. Pulling out a pen, I work on my manuscript.

𝄆𝄞 Namjoon POV𝄇

"What's her name?"

I turned to my friend Hoseok and smiled.

"y/n"

"Wait... how long have you had a crush on her?"

"Since spring last year, around April"

"It's almost been a whole year!" Jungkook whined, "why are you only telling us this now?"

"I was nervous! I haven't even talked to her..."

I looked up at my friends who were shocked by my confession. Finally, Jimin spoke up:

"You need to make a plan soon if you ever want her to notice you. You're both graduating this year, remember?"

"I know, but what do I even say to her? She's just so... so perfect. I don't want to ruin any chance I have by saying something stupid"

"Well, you've liked her for this long. Do you know of anything she likes?" Taehyung questioned.

"Hmmm, she's really intelligent. She also really likes books, every time I see her she's reading one. Would that work? Should I try talking to her about that?"

They seemed to approve of that. After talking for a bit longer, I went home and made a plan. Tomorrow I will try talking to her before class starts.

𝄆 𝄞 𝄇

The next day I got up earlier. I walked to class and didn't get distracted talking to people. I was determined. I didn't realize until I settled down in my seat that there were still over fifteen minutes before homeroom would start.

After waiting for only a few minutes, she walked in. She took my breath away, though she was just wearing our school uniform. I started fiddling with my hands under my desk, the nerves getting to me. Slowly I stood from the desk and approached her.

"Um... hi" I mumbled.

She glanced up from her book and immediately her eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Did I upset her?

"I just uh.... Wanted to know what book you're reading?"

"Oh." She hesitated, "it's just... something I found in the library. It's in a series actually"

"Nice. Sounds good"

She nodded and looked back down to the pages.

"...maybe I'll check it out"

With that I returned to my seat, hoping it wasn't too obvious how flustered I was. That was my first time actually talking to her! It was so awkward though... Does she not like me? Was something I said wrong? She seemed so indifferent.

𝄆𝄞 Y/N POV𝄇

I stared down at my book but unable to focus at all. What was that? Did my crush actually just talk to me? What is happening?

I sigh to myself. He probably just likes reading too, and wanted to know what book it was. I'm sure it's nothing personal, he doesn't even know my name. Still, a part of me feels excited, like maybe I have a chance.

Written in the Pages (RM) CH6

𝄆 Jungkook POV 𝄇

"Guys! Guys!" I huff.

"Woah, where'd you go man?" Hoseok questions.

"And why are you breathing so hard?" Taehyung jokes.

"I.. Y/N..."

Namjoon jumps up, "Y/N? What happened with Y/N?"

"She went to the bathroom, and I followed her, and, and those girls," I heave, "they were trash talking us and then they started bullying Y/N, she must have been hiding from them, and then they left and she was crying and-"

"I'm going to find her" Namjoon growls.

Suddenly, she strides up to the table. Grabbing her stuff, she bows to us, "thank you for lunch. I have to go now." Her eyes are puffy and her face is red from obvious crying.

"No, no no no." Namjoon pulls her to face him, "you don't look okay. We heard what happened. We-"

"It's fine. I'll see you around." She starts to walk away.

"Hyung, maybe-"

He bolts after her. They both exit the cafeteria. I turn to the rest of the boys, their faces showing equally confused expressions.

𝄆 Y/N POV 𝄇

I run into the library, the only place where I know I can be alone. Except I'm not. As I approach my favorite table in the back, Namjoon is still trailing behind me.

"I said it's fine."

"It's not fine" he says, "I don't know what they said, but I know they hurt you. And I never want to see anyone hurt you."

"Why do you care?" I sneer, "You guys aren't actually friends with me. I'm just your charity case. You don't want me around."

"Don't say that!" He cries, "I care because I lo-"

"Save me the pain." I whimper, "save me the pain of knowing you'll never feel to me how I feel about you."

As if on cue, the bell rings.

"I have to go, Namjoon. Just forget about it. I'll work on forgetting my feelings, and we can all just move on."

𝄆 Namjoon POV 𝄇

She walks back to her class. I stay frozen in the library, orange sun painting the shelves.

"But I don't want to move on."

Written in the Pages (RM) CH7

𝄆 Namjoon POV 𝄇

"So she must like you back! What else would she mean by 'feelings'?"

"You don't get it," I grumble, "she isn't interested in me anymore. She doesn't want to hear from me."

"How oblivious can you be?" Yoongi jokes, "they must have said something that made her think we don't want her around. She's clearly just insecure, so why don't you show her how much she means to you?"

I ponder that for a moment, "how would I do that?"

"We should write a song for her!" Jimin pipes up.

𝄆 𝄞 𝄇

𝄆 Y/N POV 𝄇

It's been a week since I've heard from Namjoon. It may sound ridiculous, but part of me had hoped he would continue to try and talk to me. I guess he gave up, just like that.

I walk home slowly, feet trudging against the cobblestones I once skipped on. Along the way, I see the two girls from earlier chattering. they walk in the opposite direction, snickering at a glance of me.

I pull my hood over my head and try to walk faster. eventually, I arrive back home. The silence pulls me in, no one to laugh at me now. I don't understand, things were so much less complicated before Namjoon. Yet somehow, I still feel the thrills. Him talking to me gives me enough energy to do anything.

Then I remember the words from earlier. "They must be doing it as a joke, they would never sit with someone like her on purpose." And my heart sinks again.  I'm tired of this. I'm tired of trying to figure out if he likes me as more than a friend just to be hit with the rejection of a punchline. I'm tired. I'm tired of trying to prove myself to people who don't care.

I need to love myself. Not the version others see. I need to focus on myself, and I can't do that if I'm trying to swim in pools too deep for me. Trying to date someone I can never have.

Trying to find myself in people who aren't me.

a knock on the door pulls me from my monologue. I open it without checking the peekhole.

"Y/N, thank god you answered. I need to talk to you. I know you don't want to listen to me, but please just hear me out. please" Namjoon begs from the doorway.

"How do you know where I live?"

"I.. I followed you home, I'm sorry, can I please come in?"

"You followed me home?" I demanded.

"Yes I,.. look I know this sounds bad but please just give me a chance. I can explain everything."

Sighing in defeat, I pull the door open wider and let him in. Leading him to the couch, he speaks before I can even ask.

"Okay. So, when you left that day at lunch, Jungkook had followed you to make sure you were okay. He filled me in on what they said and everything and I just want you to know  that I truly do care about you. We all do. And I wouldn't pretend to be friends with someone as a joke, the only person who would do that is someone like those two girls who I rejected. I need you to know all this before I continue."

"Okay, well, thank you for saying that Namjoon." I force a smile, "but continue with what?"

"What I've been hiding from you for the past week," He replies. He takes his phone from his pocket, pulling up an app and pressing play. Suddenly, a song begins to play.

He softly starts to sing, "Just one day, if I can be with you

Just one day, if I can hold your hands

Just one day, if I can be with you

Just one day

If only we can be together"

The music fades out. He brushes his hand next to mine on the couch, slowly intertwining his fingers with mine. I let him.

"Y/N, I have been pining after you for so long. If you don't feel the same, I understand... but I wanted you to know. Since last spring, I've been admiring you. Your hair, your smile, the way you talk and the words you choose, how you treat people with kindness, your quiet demeanor, everything. I'm obsessed with everything about you. And..."

He pauses and I can feel his hands sweat from nerves as he fidgets.

"I'm in love with you."

Hidden Behind a Smile (JIN) CH5 - The Message

(SEOKJIN POV)

I walk into the shop, immediately noticing Y/N slumped over at the register. I walk over.

"Hey! How'd the fan meet go?"

"Ugh," she groans, "I totally embarrassed myself in front of Jin. Again. Last night was a whirlwind of emotions."

"Really? What happened?" I ask.

"So, the other members all went fine, but when I saw Jin I like, stopped breathing?" She chuckles, "He was so gorgeous, you wouldn't even understand, J. He was wearing this red shirt, anyways! So when I got to him, I was so focused on him that I wasn't looking where I was going and totally tripped in front of everyone."

"Oh no!" I said, grinning like a fool beneath my mask that she thought I was so attractive she tripped.

"He was super nice about it though! We joked for a bit and then he signed my album. He was even more amazing than I thought he'd be..." She trails off.

"Is that it?" I question. Surely she noticed my note, right?

"Yep! That's all." She smiles, "It was great though! Thank you so much for the tickets."

"Did you read what he-, what the members wrote to you?" I'm completely fishing at this point. Saturday is tomorrow! I need her to read it if my plan is to work!

"No, I figured they just write their signature or something"

"Really? Well I heard that they write little notes on the photo books. I've seen screenshots of people who's idols even asked them out or gave the fan their phone number! Hey, maybe Jin asked you out!" I tease.

"Oh please, why would Jin like me? He could have any girl."

But I want you...

"Just sayin'. It's worth checking, right?"

"I guess." She mumbles, "Stop getting my hopes up though! I'm just happy that I was able to meet him at all. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get back to work."

I sigh and leave the shop. What if she doesn't read it in time? What if she's disappointed and doesn't show up? What if she realizes it's me and doesn't like me at all anymore?

———————

(YOUR POV)

I clock out of my shift and walk home. On the way, I think about what J had said.

What was that about? Was he trying to tell me something? He seemed so serious about reading the messages...

I brush it off as I walk through my door. After putting my stuff away, I sit down at my desk where I left the album yesterday. Opening up the photo book, I begin reading what they wrote. I laugh and smile reading through them. Memories from yesterday fill my mind and I gush at the amazing experience.

After reading all the others, I flip to Jin's page. Before I begin, I think back to what J said. What if he did ask me out?

"Don't be silly, Y/N. That sort of thing only happens in fan fiction."  Say out loud. I start to read the page.

Dear Y/N,

Thank you so much for listening to our music and coming to the signing today! Your support means the word to us. I'd like to see you again. Wanna meet at Lotte World this Saturday at 10:00 am?

I'll be waiting for you,

Your Jinnie

If it wasn't on the desk, I would have dropped the book. Jin, THE Jin, wants to meet ME? A random girl who couldn't even afford the tickets to the fan sign? Some worker at a convenience store? Me? He wants to meet me at Lotte World?

"Wait, Friday, Saturday, tomorrow.." I mumble to myself, "TOMORROW IS THE DAY I'M SUPPOSED TO MEET HIM?" I practically scream.

I rush to my closet and flip through the clothes.

"No, no, no, not good enough!!" I yell.

I crumble to the floor. Not because I can't find something to wear, but because the reality of the situation hit me.

"If anything he just thought I was cute, and when he gets to know me he'll find out I'm a total weirdo with 7,000 pictures of him on my phone." Right as I say that, my phone buzzes. I'm relieved to find that J had messaged me.

J: I know you're off your shift by now. Did your sweetheart leave you a message? 😉

Me: J.., This is crazy

J: What? Did he actually?

Me: He asked me to meet him at Lotte World tomorrow..

J: Oh wow! It looks like your crush finally noticed :) congrats!

Me: No!! This is a problem! He's gonna meet me and think I'm insane!

J: And why would he think that?

Me: I can't believe I'm telling this to you...

Me: I have like- a million photos of him,

Me: He's my phone lock screen,

Me: I didn't even buy the ticket myself,

J: I don't see why he wouldn't like you because of THAT

Me: I'm friends with this weird guy named J,

J: Hey! You take that back! I'm the only reason you get to go on a date with Jin tomorrow 😡

Me: You're just jealous because you wish it was you on a date with me ;)

J: Nope. A date with Jin, though, I am jealous of that.

I laugh and set my phone down on my bed. J always has a weird ability of making me feel better. I decide to go to bed to be sure that I'm well rested before my date tomorrow.