"Hey Youngji," Hara called out as she ran to approach her friend, who had just came out of the Performing Arts Club office. Hara was holding onto their lunch boxes, and with a wide smile, she grabbed Youngji by the arm and started walking with her.

"Where are you headed to?" Youngji asked, "You seem so happy today."

Hara's smile grew wider, "I just feel so proud that you're social circle is getting bigger," she said, "Remember when you would always ask me to go with you to the cafeteria or to the comfort room just because you don't know anyone from our class? You are the cutest."

Youngji lowered her head after hearing Hara's words. She can still remember how their first day in high school went: they were always together and she was not letting go of Hara's hand back then. They were inseparable.

"By the way, Ji," Hara held out Youngji's lunchbox in front of her, "I brought your lunch. I hope I can get to eat with you--"

"Hey, Heo Youngji!"

Someone called out from behind. Hara and Youngji quickly turned to look, and saw Jackson Wang with a serious look on his face. He was holding a lunchbox too.

"It's time for lunch,"  he spoke as he approached the two, "And I bought you food today."

Hara's smile quickly changed into a frown at the sight of Jackson, "I'm sorry, but I believe Youngji's going to eat with me today," she sputtered.

Youngji pursed her lips as she felt Hara's grip on her arm getting tighter. She already knew what it meant: Hara was trying to send a message to choose her instead of Jackson. Youngji quickly turned to look at Jackson, "Um, Jackson Wang, you see--"

"Hara can eat with us for today," Jackson grinned, "Don't worry about it."

Both Youngji and Hara were surprised with what they heard. Jackson Wang inviting Hara for lunch? It was unusual for someone like him.

"Are you sick?" Youngji tilted her head. Hara also wore a confused look on her face.

Jackson hesitantly nodded. He was not even sure with what he was saying anymore. He was only following what Yugyeom had told him a few minutes before they left the training room.

"First things first, you need to be friends with Youngji noona's friends... or at least be nice to them."

Yugyeom's voice echoed in his head like his conscience.

"Is it true? He's going to let me eat with you guys?" Hara asked Youngji giddily, to which the latter responded with a smile.

"Yes, yes, you can eat with us!" Jackson reiterated, although there was a hint of annoyance in his voice. With that, Hara quickly ran and pulled Youngji with her, and the two headed towards the cafeteria.

"Hey, I said you'll eat with us, not only with Heo Youngji!" Jackson called out as he ran to catch up with Hara and Youngji.

-

"Here," Hara spoke as she opened Youngji's lunchbox and placed it in front of her. She then opened her own lunchbox, and immediately placed some pork cutlets on Youngji's lunchbox, "I know you like my pork cutlets, so I made lots of it so we can share," Hara had a satisfied smile on her face, quite proud of her cooking.

"Thank you, Hara," Youngji smiled back, before taking her chopsticks and eating Hara's pork cutlets.

Hara leaned closer to watch Youngji eat. She was waiting for what her friend has to say.

"How was it?" Hara whispered.

Youngji turned to look at her and was still full of food. A few second passed before she completely swallowed her food, and with a wide grin, she spoke, "You're still the best cook, Hara!"

Hara's eyes widened after hearing her friend's compliment, "Really?!" her eyes lit up as she clasped her hands in front of her, "I'm really happy to know that! Please eat more," Hara quickly placed more cutlets on Youngji's lunchbox.

"Geez, why don't you two date already?!" Jackson scoffed. He sat in front of the two, and he couldn't help but cringe as he watched the two eat, "Are all girls like that? Cooking food for friends, then giving them more food if they compliment your cooking?"

Hara rolled her eyes, "As expected, you boys don't understand a single thing about the rules of friendship."

"Guys, please," Youngji quickly interrupted the word war brewing between the two, "Let's make this lunch peaceful. Let's be peaceful," she forced a smile before continuing with her food. Hara let out a sigh before starting to eat.

Meanwhile, Jackson was only starting to open his lunchbox, when he remembered another thing Yugyeom told him to do:

"Treat her like a princess. You know, buy her food, unexpected gifts, or carry her bag for her."

"Heo Youngji," Jackson called as he placed his lunchbox in front of her, "I bought you food. I know you work a lot for the props team, so here," he opened the lunchbox, and inside was a complete meal with rice balls, vegetable salad, and meatloaf slices.

"Uh," Youngji was dumbfounded at the sight of his food, "I don't remember asking you to buy--"

"It's my initiative," Jackson forced a smile, "So please, eat."

Youngji creased her forehead as her sight shifted from the food to Jackson and back to the food again, "Th--thanks."

Jackson leaned closer towards her, resting his elbows on the table. He was anticipating for Youngji to eat.

Then there was Hara, giving Jackson a piercing look, "Are you sure that food is clean?!"

"Pfft. Of course," Jackson snapped with an immodest smile on his face.

Youngji took a piece of the meatloaf, examined it carefully, before slowly opening to eat it.

The whole world almost stopped for Jackson, as he closely observed Youngji as she ate, "How was it?" he asked after seeing that Youngji had already swallowed her food.

Youngji only responded with a nod as she took another slice of the meatloaf, followed by some shredded cabbage from the salad, and then Hara's cutlets.

In short, Youngji seemed like she hasn't eaten for five days with the way she ate lunch.

"Ah," Hara sighed as she watched Youngji eat without pausing for a moment to drink water or even breathe, "Have you eaten breakfast before going to school?" she asked.

"Yeah, ay gueth thow," Youngji mumbled; was already full with food.

"Yeah, she ate breakfast with me," Jackson interrupted with a smug look on his face, as if letting Hara know that he was with Youngji that morning would bring world peace. Hara's eyes widened after hearing Jackson's statement.

"What do you mean you ate breakfast with Youngji?!"

Jackson grinned, "I'm not gonna tell you," he mocked.

Hara quickly turned to look at her friend with a hopeless look on her face, "Ji, what is this moron talking about?!"

"Hey, don't call me that!" Jackson retorted, "I already allowed you to join us for lunch, and this is how you'll repay me?"

Youngji held Hara's hand and consoled her, "Don't jump into conclusions, Hara. Gayoon unnie is his fan, so I guess she just invited him over for breakfast this morning," she smiled before continuing to eat.

"Well, well, if that's the case," Hara pouted, "You should know where you belong, Jackson Wang. Tell me, are you using Gayoon unnie to make a move on Youngji?"

"What?! No, of course not!" Jackson laughed nervously. And lying about it made him feel quite bad. Indeed, he was guilty of taking advantage of Gayoon's kindness to get to see Youngji everyday, even at home.

"Stop asking such questions, Hara," Youngji smiled, "Who would even like someone like me?"

"I will."

The three quickly turned to look where the voice came from, and saw Mark Tuan standing beside their table, "I knew you guys would also be here," he smiled.

"Ma--Mark! What brings you here?!" Jackson was surprised to see his friend. Mark noticed his reaction so he went to sit beside him.

"Ah, I was looking for Youngji," Mark answered, "We need to finish setting up posters all over the campus. Oh, and about what Youngji said earlier, sheesh, don't think too negatively," he smiled, "You're such a likeable person."

Youngji felt her cheeks become warmer, "Really?"

Mark nodded. Hara tried controlling her squeals. And Jackson rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"Shouldn't you be doing club stuff right now?" Jackson asked so that he can divert their conversation. A voice inside his head was already telling him to do something about Mark and Youngji.

"Um, yeah," Mark answered, unaware of Jackson's annoyance, "I'm just waiting for Youngji to finish eating so we can start putting up posters for the events," he rested his elbows on the table and shifted his eyes towards Youngji, "You're going to help me, right?"

Youngji was flustered, "Ah, of course! I'll just finish eating--"

"No need to rush. Take your time!" Mark chuckled, and his gentle voice was enough to make Youngji's heart beat faster. She held her chopsticks tighter as she slowly ate her food without glancing at Mark; she was quite sure that he was watching her and it would be awkward to make eye contact with him.

Jackson bit his lip with the sudden arrival of his friend. Everything was already going smoothly, he thought to himself. But Mark half-ruined everything.

Mark turned to look at Hara, who was seated beside Youngji, "Ah, you're Goo Hara, right? 4-B's class president?"

Hara responded with a nod, "Our class is willing to help you out for the school festival preparations," she beamed before taking Mark's hand for a shake, "So please take good care of our Youngji, and I can assure you the loyalty of our section!"

Jackson couldn't help but roll his eyes after hearing what Hara had said. She has been the annoying type of friend; always doing things in favor of Mark just because Youngji likes him.

"That--That's good to hear," Mark grinned, "And of course, Youngji is in good hands," he added, before turning to look at Youngji, "Am I right, Youngji?"

Youngji was startled, "Oh, um. Yes, of course," she chuckled nervously.

"Youngji is already done with her food!" Hara interrupted, and took the lunchbox and chopsticks away from her friend, "You need to go now, Mark's waiting for you!"

"Um, okay," a confused Youngji slowly stood up, followed by Mark.

"We'll be going now," Mark smiled at Hara and Jackson, "Thanks for your time."

Youngji lowered her head as she followed Mark on his way out of the cafeteria. But even before she could take her third step, she felt someone pull her from behind.

"Hey Heo Youngji."

Youngji turned to look behind her, and saw Jackson behind her, holding her arm. He had a serious look on his face, and Youngji could feel that he was quite annoyed.

"Is there something wrong?" Mark asked, but Jackson just kept staring at Youngji.

"Wh--what is it?" Youngji asked, and she was already feeling uneasy with the way Jackson was looking at her. She knew something was up; he was not just teasing her.

"I'll wait for you outside, after school, peasant," Jackson whispered, before letting go of her arm. Youngji nodded, before turning her back against him and starting to walk again.

Mark noticed the baffled expression Youngji wore as they walked.

"What happened?" he asked.

Youngji shook her head, "Um, it's nothing," she forced a smile. It made her uncomfortable to lie to Mark, but there was a side of her saying not to tell him about it.

But as they walked, Youngji couldn't help but wonder about what Jackson had said earlier. What was he trying to tell her? Something was different with the way he spoke the words, and even the way he said 'peasant' was unusual.

When they went to school together, he was still the annoying, hyperactive Jackson Wang she knew. But during lunch he suddenly became a thoughtful, mysterious senior student who seemed willing to bring her lunch every day.

"What is he up to right now?" Youngji thought to herself.

___

Let's talk! ask.fm & twitter

Hello again! How is everyone doing? I know I've been saying this on every chapter, but I srsly want to thank each and everyone of you for the continuous support on this fic. I was actually worried about this Jackji fic because we all know Roommate has already ended, which means no more Wang-Heo interaction. ;_; But you guys still read this fic, and subscribers keep on coming every week. Thank you so much. At least I know that I am not alone in the Jackji ship. We're all in this together YEAH!

Special shoutout to Bunny503, kimeunsoo, TanMoon, and HeoDaNi for the upvotes. You guys are truly awesome~

Thirteenth chapter done; what are your thoughts? ;)