Here's a five-hundred-word teaser for next chapter:

During class . . .

“Sleepyhead, I have a music thing tonight so I need to leave maybe after half of my shift, you better not be late.”

You turn to him, noticing how he’s always skipping classes lately, for compositions though so you nod your head. “Sure.”

He’s bringing out a pad, copying lecture from you as he casually talks about Jungkook and his absence, “I’m missing Kook already. He probably can’t use his phone until after competition. That kid doesn’t even hit any of us a message at all.”

At the mention of the boy, your world ceases to move then suddenly your phone lights up and as you check it, it’s from Jungkook.

[Little Kookie] Now I know what I want as a reward

***

Offering you chocolate and another suggestion of fun things to do after class, Taehyung is surely hyped up to have you all to himself, knowing that the maknae’s gone for quite a long time.

“I’m busy, Tae.” You dash to your locker, grabbing some books before heading to the library. You start flipping through some pages but still the boy looks at you with his round eyes, silently pleading like a puppy.

You hate how he gets under your skin with his cute little gestures. Huffing, you contend, “I’ve got to study and beside Namjoon needs me. He’ll be mad if I arrive late.”

***

Wiping a sweat forming on your temple, you plop down a chair after that challenging shift. “Wow, I gotta commend you, Joonie. That was—”

“I had to cancel my important business because you didn’t stick to your words,” Namjoon cuts you off with a stern look. “This is your cafe in the first place, and I’ve been constantly having a hard time managing it without you. Jimin and I are really trying our best!”

***

Namjoon shares something to you and you’re about to congratulate him when he cuts you off with questions after questions, “But the problem is, I can’t help out with the chapter thesis for quite a while? Can you manage? Will it be okay? Are you gonna be okay? I’m sure Hoseok would help you out.”

Right now, you’re just too speechless to react but with him bringing up Hoseok, you malfunction in a wink, eyes drifting to the floor.

***

He doesn’t seem quite pleased with the lack of attention you give him. He’s been repeatedly asking you to hang out and been rejected as much in reply. “I messed up big time and I need your help,” Taehyung in his puppy eyes confesses.

“Well, guess what? You’re not getting any,” you huff before turning your back on him, heading towards your door.

But all of a sudden, he gives out three little words that make you freeze in place.

***

The stress has taken its toll on you and your grades, and that damned thesis isn’t helping. Suddenly, Hoseok knocks on your door and you let him in.

“Thanks for letting me off the hook,” you utter, sad and blue.

He just smiles at you but when he replies with a “Who said I’m letting you off the hook?”