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s4mcore · 8 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — O11 | shared silences

The calculus classroom buzzed with the low hum of murmured conversations, the usual shuffle of books and calculators creating a familiar pre-class rhythm. Jake dropped into the seat next to Y/N, his pen already spinning between his fingers as he glanced over with a grin.

“Morning, scholar,” he greeted her, his voice warm and playful. “Ready to school me in derivatives again?”

Y/N returned his smile, though it felt a bit stiff around the edges. “I don’t know… I think you’re starting to catch up, Jake,” she replied, her voice trying for her usual tone. “Maybe you’ll be the one schooling me soon.”

Jake snorted, rolling his eyes as he straightened in his chair. “Now that,” he whispered dramatically, “is what I’d call wishful thinking. At this rate, I’m one bad test away from the ‘Least Likely to Derive Anything’ award.”

A genuine laugh slipped through her lips despite the lingering haze of yesterday’s memories. Jake had that effect—a way of coaxing smiles and laughter out of her, even when she felt preoccupied.

Ms. Park strode to the front and began filling the board with what seemed like the longest calculus problem known to humankind.

Jake leaned in close. “So… what are the odds this equation actually summons some kind of math demon? Because it’s looking intense.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, but the smile stayed on her face. “It’s not that bad. It’s just… like a puzzle. Don’t you like puzzles?”

“Puzzles that have like, ten pieces? Sure. This?” He waved a hand at the board, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. “This is some calculus dark magic.”

As Ms. Park continued with her lecture, Jake’s gaze drifted to Y/N’s notebook. He squinted as she neatly worked through the problem, her pencil gliding effortlessly across the paper. “You make it look so easy,” he murmured, eyes fixed on her work. “Meanwhile, I’m over here trying to remember which symbol means what.”

Y/N felt a small smile tug at her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Maybe if you showed up on time and actually paid attention, you’d catch on quicker,” she replied, trying to keep her tone light.

“Ouch.” Jake clutched his chest as if wounded. “Straight to the heart, Y/N. And here I was thinking I’d finally unlocked the secret of calculus.”

“What, winging it?”

“Exactly,” he said with a grin, crossing his arms. “See, that’s why I’m basically a math prodigy in disguise. Just give me a few more weeks to reveal my true potential.”

Y/N let out a small laugh, sharing a quick, amused glance with him, and for that moment, she almost felt normal again. But even as she laughed along, a dull ache in her chest reminded her that something was different today. She felt herself slipping back, the memory of yesterday tugging at her mind, each smile and joke with Jake laced with a pang of guilt. He had texted her, concerned, and she had lied to him without a second thought, hoping to keep everything simple.

As Ms. Park continued filling the board with notes, Y/N’s thoughts wandered. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d let him down somehow, even though he didn’t know it. She tried to refocus, gripping her pencil and forcing herself to copy the equation on the board, but her mind kept straying back.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Jake watching her, his expression faintly concerned. “You good?” he asked, nudging her gently, his voice quieter now.

She blinked, turning back to him, and nodded quickly. “Yeah,” she said, forcing a smile. “Just… tired. Long night.”

He gave her a sympathetic look, and she felt the weight of her words. Here he was, always so open, so easygoing, and here she was, caught up in her own tangled thoughts, her own hesitation. She glanced back at her notebook, her handwriting faltering slightly, a mix of emotions bubbling beneath the surface.

She wanted to talk to him, to tell him everything, but she kept herself quiet, afraid to disrupt the lightness he brought, afraid of what he’d think if he knew.

“Well, if you need to borrow my impressive calculus genius at any point, just say the word,” he offered with a playful wink, not pushing any further. “I mean, I know it’s intimidating, but don’t be shy.”

She snorted, shaking her head as she returned her focus to chalkboard, but his words eased something in her, letting her settle into the moment a little more. Jake threw in more comments throughout class, each one an attempt to keep her engaged.

“If this lesson gets any more abstract, I might just… dis-integrate,” he whispered, waggling his eyebrows. “Get it? Because it’s like… I’m falling apart.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, her smile finally reaching her eyes. “Jake, with puns like that, I think you’re better suited to English class.”

“Don’t tempt me. I’d be halfway out the door if I didn’t have to crack the math code to stay on the team.”

He tossed her a grin, and for a second, it felt like everything was as simple as it used to be. But as Ms. Park delved into more equations and her friends whispered and laughed nearby, Y/N’s mind drifted back, almost unconsciously, to yesterday.

After what felt like an eternity to Y/N, Ms. Park wrapped up the lesson, and the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Y/N packed up quickly, her fingers moving with a quiet urgency as she shoved her notebook into her bag. She wanted to slip out fast, to have a moment alone to clear her head.

“Hey, we’re still on for the library, right?” Jake’s voice broke into her thoughts, his tone casual but a little hopeful.

Y/N paused, looking up and giving a quick nod. “Yeah, sure. I’ll see you there,” she replied, the words almost automatic as she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out the door.

Jake watched her go, his eyebrows knitting together as he tried to brush off the uneasy feeling settling in his chest. Y/N was one of the most reliable, predictable people he knew—always the first to finish her notes and keep everything neat and tidy. She never rushed out, not like this.

He stared at the door for a moment, still processing the slight tension in her voice, the way her eyes had darted away from his when she answered. Normally, she’d linger a few minutes with him after class, teasing him about his latest attempt to "ace" calculus or checking over his notes to make sure he hadn’t mixed up half the formulas.

Jake shrugged it off at first, telling himself it was just an off day for her. Everyone had them. But the look in her eyes hadn’t just been exhaustion—it was something quieter, and the more he thought about it, the less he could ignore the feeling creeping over him.

At lunch, Y/N sat quietly as her friends laughed and chatted, her gaze distant as she picked at her food. Usually, lunch with her friends was one of the highlights of her day, the moment she could relax, unwind, and enjoy their company. But today, it was hard to focus, her mind replaying the events of yesterday on a loop.

Sensing her distraction, Minjeong glanced over, reaching across the table to nudge her. “Hey, earth to Y/N. You okay? You’ve been somewhere else all day.”

Y/N hesitated, glancing around the table. Her friends’ faces were filled with curiosity and concern, and she knew she couldn’t brush it off any longer. She took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak.

“It’s… about Hyunjin,” she began, her voice barely audible. She saw her friends exchange knowing glances, their expressions shifting as they leaned in closer.

“Hyunjin?” Minji asked gently, her eyes softening. “What happened?”

Y/N swallowed, feeling the weight of her words settle in her chest. “We… we ran into each other yesterday, and…” She paused, her fingers tracing patterns on the edge of her tray as she tried to find the right words. “We kissed.”

Y/N’s friends stared at her in stunned silence, the cafeteria’s noisy hum fading into the background as her words sank in.

Minjeong was the first to break the silence, her voice sharp with disbelief. “Hyunjin actually did that? He had the nerve to kiss you?”

“Hold on,” Karina added, looking just as skeptical. “He didn’t think for a second that maybe, just maybe, you’d still be hurt after everything? What the hell was he thinking?”

Y/N winced, her friends’ words hitting harder than she expected, their reactions mirroring the anger and frustration she had been pushing down. She hadn’t thought much about how they might respond, but now, seeing their outrage on her behalf, she felt relieved. In a way, it was like they were giving voice to all the things she hadn’t been able to say herself, each word validating the confusion that had been weighing on her.

Minji crossed her arms, her brows knitting together. “So, he just did that? Out of nowhere? That’s so messed up. Did he even apologize for everything that happened between you two?”

Y/N shook her head, her eyes dropping to her lunch tray. “Not exactly. He said… he said he was sorry, but it was more like he just wanted me to hear him out, not like he really wanted to fix anything.”

Karina let out a frustrated sigh, stabbing her salad with her fork. “Unbelievable. So he brings up all that old stuff, doesn’t even really apologize, and then just decides it’s a good time to kiss you? What an asshole.”

“Maybe he thought he could just charm his way back in,” Minjeong muttered, shaking her head. “It’s classic. He’s used to getting what he wants, and he probably thought he could just… I don’t know, sweep you off your feet again.”

The anger in her friends’ voices was almost comforting, grounding Y/N’s own swirling emotions. But beneath the outrage, she could see the worry in their eyes, the way their expressions softened every time they looked at her.

Minji, her tone gentler now, leaned a little closer. “Y/N, you don’t have to deal with this alone, you know? I can’t believe he did that. After everything you went through…”

Y/N managed a small smile, grateful for their concern. “I know. And honestly, I thought I was over it. I didn’t expect it to shake me up this much.”

Karina’s face softened, and she placed a hand on Y/N’s arm. “Hey, of course it’s messing with your head. Anyone would feel the same way. You went through so much with him… it makes sense you’d feel something when he shows up out of the blue like this.”

Y/N took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just… it’s confusing. I thought I’d moved on, and then… when he kissed me, all those old memories just rushed back. Like I was right there all over again.”

Minjeong’s face softened, her earlier anger fading to something more understanding. “That’s normal. It’s hard when someone who meant a lot to you just shows up like that, reopening wounds. But it doesn’t mean you haven’t moved on.”

Karina nodded in agreement, her expression gentle. “Just because it stirred up old feelings doesn’t mean you’re still tied to him. It’s probably more about the memories, you know? The past is messy. It doesn’t just disappear when you want it to.”

Y/N glanced around the table, her friends’ support calming the chaotic emotions whirling inside her. “I’m glad you guys are here. I didn’t know how to handle it on my own.”

Minji reached out, patting her hand gently. “Of course we’re here. You don’t have to deal with this alone.”

Karina shot her a warm smile. “And if you ever need someone to punch him for you, you know where to find us. Just say the word, and we’re all there.”

“Yeah,” Minjeong chuckled, her tone softening further. “But also, if you think you need to talk to him again… if you need some kind of closure, or whatever, that’s okay, too. We’ve got your back no matter what.”

Y/N looked around at her friends, the tension in her chest easing slightly. Their encouragement made her feel a little stronger, a little less alone.

The day had almost lulled Jake into a comfortable rhythm. The weight he’d felt at the start of it—the odd feeling of something being amiss—had slowly dissipated as he let the game take over, each pitch, each catch a reminder of why he loved baseball so much. It was a small reprieve, a break from the thoughts he couldn’t quite untangle.

Out on the field, his teammates’ laughter rang in the air as they ran through drills. The feel of the sun on his back and the familiar sound of cleats on the dirt felt grounding, and for a while, Jake allowed himself to forget about the confusion that had been building since his conversation with Y/N that morning.

During the break, Heeseung ambled over, giving him a curious look. "Man, you’re too quiet today. What’s on your mind?”

Jake shrugged, glancing around. “Just… busy day, I guess,” he said, trying to sound casual. He glanced toward Hyunjin, who was off to the side, staring off into the distance. Jake watched him, feeling a strange knot form in his stomach. Something was off, but he wasn’t sure what it was.

“Sure,” Heeseung drawled, following Jake’s gaze. “You both look like someone ran over your dog or something. Everything alright with you and Hyunjin?”

Jake’s brows furrowed. “Why would it have anything to do with Hyunjin?” He said it quickly, defensively almost, before he could stop himself.

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, smirking. “I don’t know. You tell me.” He gestured toward Hyunjin. “But hey, maybe he’s just off because he didn’t get enough sleep. Or…” He shot Jake a sidelong glance. “... maybe it’s girl trouble.”

Jake rolled his eyes, giving him a light shove. “Relax, man. You and your theories.” But his gaze lingered on Hyunjin, a quiet frustration bubbling under the surface. Why did he care if something was wrong with Hyunjin?

Sunghoon joined them, squinting toward the bleachers as he set down his bat. “Oh, hey—speaking of girl trouble, look who’s here.”

Jake followed his gaze, and his chest tightened when he spotted Y/N standing near the edge of the field. Her posture was straight, her expression unreadable as her eyes scanned the players. She hadn’t glanced in his direction, not even for a moment. Instead, her gaze locked onto someone else. Jake’s eyes trailed from her to Hyunjin, and a weight settled in his chest that he couldn’t ignore.

“Looks like Y/N’s here for someone,” Sunghoon teased, nudging Jake with a grin. “Bet you thought you were her favorite baseball player.”

Jake forced a laugh, but it felt hollow even to his own ears. He shrugged, trying to brush it off, but the ache inside him sharpened unexpectedly. “Maybe she’s scouting new talent,” he joked weakly, his eyes darting away as he pretended to be interested in adjusting his glove.

He turned back to the field, focusing on the steady rhythm of the drills, trying to shake off the gnawing feeling that clawed at him. The loud, familiar sound of bats connecting with balls and the thud of gloves catching them should have been grounding, but instead, his mind kept slipping back to Y/N. Her absence from his peripheral vision, the way her attention was fully captured by Hyunjin, made something inside him sink.

There was no anger, no fiery jealousy—just a deep, sinking sense of defeat. It felt like standing on the sideline, watching someone else step into a moment you’d wished could be yours.

Jake tried to refocus, telling himself that he was making too much of it, that maybe she was just tying up loose ends. But even the rational thoughts couldn’t quiet the nagging disappointment simmering inside him. He longed to be the person she came to, the one she trusted with whatever weighed on her mind. But that clearly wasn’t the case.

Each minute seemed to crawl, every pitch and swing feeling routine and detached. No matter how hard he tried to stay focused, his attention kept shifting back to where Y/N stood.

Practice wrapped up sooner than he expected, the echo of Coach Kim's whistle signaling the end. Heeseung and Sunghoon exchanged glances, noticing Jake’s distracted expression as they walked off the field.

“Don’t look so glum,” Heeseung said, his voice teasing as he clapped Jake on the shoulder. “You keep sulking like that, and your fan club’s gonna ask for a refund.”

Jake forced a chuckle, the sound brittle and insincere. “I’m fine,” he replied, though the words tasted hollow, more for their reassurance than his own.

Sunghoon laughed, clearly entertained. “Hey, don’t sweat it, Jake. You know Y/N; she’s probably just here for some friendly catch-up. Besides…” He flashed him a grin. “Who could really replace you?”

They shared a laugh, but as the other players trickled off, Jake lingered, his eyes drifting back to the spot where Y/N and Hyunjin had stood. Now, only the faint rustle of the trees and the distant calls of his teammates remained. She was already gone, and so was any hope of clarity he might have found.

He stood there for a moment longer, his gaze dropping to the grass as the feeling of disappointment settled heavily in his chest. For the first time in a long while, Jake felt utterly defeated.

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side note well this took a super long time to write... ive been saur busy with exams and stuff its insane omg >_< little angst plot building here i love it sm ( this series isn't ending anytime soon )

꒰ synopsis ꒱ sim jaeyun, west shore high’s star athlete and notorious flirt, doesn’t know what possessed him to sit next to y/n, one of the school’s top students. but when jake finds himself falling hard for the first time, he’s determined to prove to y/n that even a so called f-boy can love — and love deeply.

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo @nxzz-skz @danielleism @breadlover01 @haechsworld @tlnyjoong @simpjay

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s4mcore · 8 months ago

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apparently the post editor does this thing where u cant tag more than 5 ppl? 😀 im gonna throw hands

#tumblr better fix this fast #and i thought i was shadowbanned bro omg #s4mcore — ☁️

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s4mcore · 8 months ago

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✦ do not copy, repost or translate any of my works. reblogs and likes are appreciated ✦ all my works are fictional and written solely for the purpose of entertainment. all characters and people mentioned do not represent anyone irl

LOADING . . . for now i only write for enhypen members and may or may not write for other artists in the future. updates might be a little slow :(

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001 — MAKE A WISH sim jaeyun

꒰ sypnosis ꒱ sim jaeyun, west shore high’s star athlete and notorious flirt, doesn’t know what possessed him to sit next to y/n, one of the school’s top students. but when jake finds himself falling hard for the first time, he’s determined to prove to y/n that even a so called f-boy can love — and love deeply

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s4mcore · 9 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — O1O | all too well

The walk home felt strange, weighed down by memories Y/N hadn’t let herself revisit in a long time. She’d spent so much energy pushing them down, locking away every thought of Hyunjin from back when they were something more, and now all those moments came rushing back, unbidden and sharp.

Seeing him today—the way he’d looked at her, the way he kissed her—had pulled open the box she’d so carefully kept shut. She hated how vividly everything resurfaced: the start of their relationship, those easy afternoons, and, eventually, the sting of how it had all ended.

She’d been fine not thinking about it, or at least she’d convinced herself she was. But now, every memory from that time felt closer than ever, insisting she face what she hadn’t dealt with before.

Y/N was hunched over her notes in history, trying to make sense of a particularly dense paragraph, when she felt someone lean over her shoulder.

“Hey,” came a low voice from behind. She turned to find Hyunjin, his pencil dangling between his fingers, and a mildly exasperated look on his face.

“Do you actually understand any of this?” he asked, tapping his own empty notebook. “Because my brain checked out about five minutes ago.”

Y/N blinked, half-surprised. She’d known of Hyunjin—everyone did—but this was the first time he’d spoken directly to her. She hesitated, then gave a small nod, showing him her notes. “Kind of, yeah. We’re just breaking down the main points here.” She pointed to her summary in the margin, trying to ignore the way his attention followed her movements.

“Ah,” he said, a smile creeping onto his face. “So that’s what I’m missing—someone who actually knows what they’re doing.” He let out a quiet laugh. “Mind if I, uh… borrow your notes to catch up?”

She slid her notebook toward him with a small smile. “Sure,” she said, watching as he scanned the page, nodding occasionally.

“Thanks,” he said, glancing up with a grin. “You’re a lifesaver.”

It was just a small exchange—a passing moment in the middle of a class. But from that day on, things changed between them. Y/N would catch him smiling at her in the halls, and he seemed to make a point of sitting beside her in history, tossing lighthearted comments her way that always made her laugh.

Over time, their conversations grew longer, stretching beyond class to passing moments in the halls and brief chats at lunch. Hyunjin had a way of bringing a lightness to even the most stressful days, his humor pulling her out of her shell in a way she didn’t realize she needed.

After history class, Y/N was heading to her locker when she heard quick footsteps catching up behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Hyunjin, casually falling into step beside her with a relaxed smile.

“Hey,” he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets as they walked. “Got any plans after school?”

She paused, a little thrown by the sudden question. “Um, not really. Why?”

Hyunjin shrugged, leaning against the lockers as she spun in her combination. “There’s this café near the baseball field. Thought we could grab a coffee or something. As a thank you, you know, for keeping me from completely failing history.”

Y/N looked over, raising a brow. “Pretty sure I’m just helping you pass,” she said, half-smiling.

He laughed, running a hand through his hair. “Then I definitely owe you. So… what do you say?”

She hadn’t expected him to ask, but the way he did, like it was the most natural thing, made her answer come out just as easily. “Alright,” she said, shutting her locker. “Sure.”

“Cool,” he replied, looking genuinely pleased. “Meet you out front?”

With a nod, she closed her locker and gave him a small smile before he turned and headed down the hall. As she watched him go, she couldn’t help feeling a tiny spark of anticipation flutter in her chest.

From that afternoon on, their lives slowly became intertwined.

Their first time at the café was full of laughter. Hyunjin teased her about her “serious” look whenever she studied, while she scolded him for barely making it through history class without her help. He had a way of making her laugh with the smallest comments, and as she listened to him recount his day with exaggerated detail, she realized she was already looking forward to seeing him again.

After his baseball game, Hyunjin jogged over to the bleachers where Y/N had been waiting, his face flushed and his baseball cap turned backward. His friends called out to him as they packed up, but his gaze stayed on her, a soft smile already lighting up his face.

“Didn’t think you’d actually wait for me,” he teased, the smugness in his tone softened by the warmth in his eyes.

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t keep herself from smiling back. “I might’ve had better things to do.”

“Yeah?” he grinned, falling into step beside her as they strolled toward the edge of the field. “Well, now you’re stuck with me. Hope it’s worth it.”

They reached the edge of the field, the low sun casting long shadows across the empty bleachers. Hyunjin sat beside her, close enough that his knee brushed against hers, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. There was just the soft breeze, the distant laughter of his teammates, and the quiet that felt almost too perfect to break.

After a few moments, Hyunjin turned toward her, his expression softer than she’d ever seen, and he reached over, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “You know,” he murmured, his voice playful but gentle, “you look different when you’re… just here. Relaxed.”

Y/N felt her cheeks warm at his words. “I think that’s a compliment?” she laughed, her voice softer than she’d expected.

“It is,” he replied, his hand lingering a little longer before dropping. Then, his gaze dropped to her lips, and she felt her heart skip. Slowly, he leaned in, his eyes searching hers for permission. She didn’t pull away.

The first brush of his lips was soft, almost hesitant, but as she leaned in too, their kiss deepened, his hand coming up to cradle her face as if she were something delicate. His thumb brushed over her cheek, and she felt a warmth flood her that left her breathless. The rest of the world seemed to disappear, leaving only the gentle press of his lips against hers and the steady rhythm of his breathing.

When they finally pulled back, his forehead rested gently against hers, and he let out a quiet laugh, almost like he couldn’t believe this was real.

Y/N felt a small smile tug at her lips, but before she could say anything, her gaze dropped to his mouth again, and she found herself leaning in, closing the space between them. This time, her kiss was bolder, more certain, and he responded immediately, his hand slipping to the back of her neck as he pulled her closer. His lips moved against hers with a warmth that sent a thrill through her, and for a moment, it was just the two of them, sharing this unspoken promise.

When they finally parted, he stayed close, his forehead resting against hers as they caught their breath. His fingers traced gentle circles at the base of her neck, his voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe we should make a habit of this.”

Y/N laughed, her hand still resting lightly on his arm. “Not sure that’s the best way to study history.”

He chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers. “Then maybe I’ll need a different excuse to see you.”

It wasn’t long before little pieces of Hyunjin became a part of her everyday life.

He’d leave notes in her locker, some with teasing messages and others with sweet compliments that made her blush in the middle of class. She’d open her locker to find a slip of paper with his messy handwriting:

You looked really cute in class today.

He’d walk her to her next class, their hands entwined as they strolled through the crowded hallways, unfazed by the stares they sometimes received. And whenever he noticed the stress etched on her face, he’d surprise her with a coffee, handing it to her with a grin.

“You’re a disaster without caffeine,” he’d joke, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead as she rolled her eyes.

Late at night, they’d stay on the phone for hours, talking about anything and everything. He’d tell her about the pressure he felt to perform well on the baseball field, and she’d vent about the stress she felt trying to stay at the top of her class. Those quiet moments made her feel closer to him than she ever had to anyone else.

Hyunjin had a way of knowing when she needed him. On especially hard days, he’d show up with her favorite snack or make a joke just to see her smile. He’d brush a stray strand of hair from her face, murmuring how beautiful she looked, even when she didn’t feel it.

For a while, Y/N thought they’d found something genuine. It had its ups and downs, sure, but it felt easy most of the time, like they fit in a way she hadn’t expected. And that, for her, was more than enough.

It was subtle at first. Little things that felt off. She began noticing moments that didn’t quite make sense—comments from his friends that sounded strange, lingering looks that hinted at something unsaid. The more she tried to ignore it, the harder it became. A feeling of unease settled in her chest, growing with each passing day.

After baseball practice wrapped up, Hyunjin jogged over to the bleachers, his usual grin lighting up his face as he approached. He dropped his bag and sat beside her, a familiar spark in his eyes.

“You should’ve seen practice today,” he began, his voice bright. “Coach finally let me try that new play—nailed it on the first try.” He laughed, leaning in for a quick kiss, but Y/N pulled back slightly, her eyes trained on him.

He paused, the easy smile slipping from his face as he studied her. “Hey, everything okay?”

She looked down, her fingers twisting together. The question weighed heavy on her, a doubt she hadn’t wanted to believe. She took a shaky breath, and the words slipped out before she could hold them back.

“Was I just a bet?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Hyunjin’s face paled, his expression faltering as her words sank in. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came. Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy.

“What?” he finally murmured, his voice barely audible.

Y/N felt a lump form in her throat, her fingers curling into fists as she fought to keep her voice steady. “Did you start dating me because of a bet? Was I just… part of some game to you?”

Hyunjin’s gaze dropped to the ground, his jaw clenching. He struggled to find the words, but with every second that passed, the silence told her everything she needed to know. Finally, his voice broke the quiet, low and tense.

“It wasn’t… I didn’t think it would turn into all this,” he admitted, his voice tight. “I didn't mean to hurt you—” He trailed off, swallowing hard as he looked away, shame pooling in his eyes. “I didn’t think you’d ever find out.”

A bitter laugh escaped her, raw and unguarded. She shook her head, feeling the weight of anger and betrayal twist in her chest. “So it’s true. You made me think this was real. That I mattered to you.”

Hyunjin took a step forward, reaching out as if to comfort her, but she recoiled, refusing his touch. She wasn’t sure what hurt more—the fact that he’d lied to her or that he’d stood here hoping she’d never know.

“I swear, Y/N,” he said, his voice wavering, “You do matter to me. You matter more to me than you think.” He looked down, a flicker of desperation in his eyes as he ran a hand through his hair. “I just thought… maybe it would be better if I kept it from you.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, thick with pain. “You didn’t think you’d lose anything, did you? As long as I didn’t find out, you could keep me around, make me think I could trust you.”

He let out a breath, his face crumpling as he looked away, unable to meet her gaze. “Y/N, I’m sorry,” he muttered, the words barely audible. “I never wanted to mess this up.”

Tears filled her eyes as she took in his apology, the one she had waited to hear for so long. But hearing it now, with the truth laid bare between them, only made it sting worse. “It doesn’t change anything,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You still lied to me, Hyunjin. You made me feel like I mattered, like you were someone I could trust.”

He looked at her, his regret clear, and opened his mouth as if to argue but then stopped, defeated, his shoulders slumping as he absorbed the impact of her words. He knew there was nothing he could say to fix this.

Taking a shaky breath, she fought the urge to reach for him, to let herself fall back into something familiar. But she knew it wouldn’t heal the hurt that had settled deep inside her chest. She swallowed, her voice barely audible as she looked at him, searching his face one last time for something she hadn’t found there.

“I can’t do this,” she said softly, each word cutting deeper than the last.

Without another word, she turned and walked away, her footsteps heavy, each one echoing the ache in her heart. Hyunjin didn’t follow, didn’t call after her. He simply stood there, watching her leave, weighed down by a guilt he knew he’d carry long after she was gone.

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side note this chapter took me so long to write omg... regardless >_< hyunjin x y/n backstory is crazy i love it sm and all too well is js the perfect song for this imo... on another note, i might take a couple weeks to publish new chapters as well :( ive been rlly busy w studies and stuff so pls bear w me :")

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo @nxzz-skz @danielleism @breadlover01 @haechsworld @tlnyjoong @simpjay

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s4mcore · 9 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — OO9 | where's my crown that's my bling

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side note another filler chapter but its js so funny to me for some reason >_< also I'm still sick :( and i wanted to post another chapter so this was the best i could do </3

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo @nxzz-skz @danielleism @breadlover01 @haechsworld @tlnyjoong @simpjay

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s4mcore · 9 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — OO8 | echoes of the past

“Y/N.”

Her entire body tensed at the sound of her name, a voice she hadn’t heard in what felt like forever, yet still recognized instantly. Slowly, she turned around, her heart sinking as her eyes landed on Hyunjin standing a few feet away.

He looked the same, yet different—something else softened his usual confident demeanor. Hesitation, maybe. Regret.

Y/N stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat. She wasn’t sure why she had stopped when he called her name, but something in his voice had made her pause. Maybe it was the guilt in his tone or the look in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before.

She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t want to hear whatever he had to say. But her feet wouldn’t move, and before she knew it, Hyunjin was standing just inches away.

“Y/N, please… just hear me out,” he said, his voice low, almost pleading.

Y/N clenched her fists, her mind swirling with memories she had tried so hard to bury. The hurt, the betrayal—it all came rushing back, and she could feel the tears threatening to surface.

“Why?” she asked, her voice shaky but sharp. “Why should I listen to anything you have to say?”

Hyunjin sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. But… it wasn’t just a bet for me. Not after we started seeing each other.”

Y/N’s chest tightened, disbelief washing over her. She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that were starting to build. “Then why didn’t you tell me? Why did you let me think it was all some stupid game to you? I really fucking liked you, Hyunjin!”

“I was scared, Y/N,” Hyunjin admitted, his voice breaking slightly. “I didn’t know how to explain myself. I knew I was wrong. I didn’t deserve you, but by the time I realized that… it was too late.”

Y/N shook her head, stepping back as the first tear slipped down her cheek. “I trusted you,” she whispered. “How could you do this? How could you lie to me, make me feel like I meant something when all along, it was a lie?”

Hyunjin’s face fell, and for a moment, he looked as though he was carrying the weight of all his regrets. He stepped forward, his voice softer, more vulnerable than Y/N had ever heard it. “It wasn’t a lie. Not for me. I didn’t mean for things to start that way, but… Y/N, I fell for you.”

Y/N’s breath hitched at his words. She had imagined hearing him say that a hundred times before, but now that it was happening, she didn’t know how to react. The anger, the hurt—it was all still there, clawing at her insides. But mixed in with that was the part of her that had once cared for him, the part of her that had been shattered when she found out the truth.

“I don’t believe you,” Y/N whispered, shaking her head as more tears slid down her cheeks. “How could I? You let me walk away. You never tried to fix it.”

Hyunjin’s gaze softened, and for a moment, there was something raw in his eyes. “Because I thought you deserved better. I thought… after what I did, there was no way I could make it right. But I need you to know—”

Before Y/N could pull away, Hyunjin leaned in. His movement was slow, hesitant, as if he wasn’t entirely sure if he should. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, and Y/N saw something in his gaze she hadn’t expected—regret, longing. His hand reached up, gently brushing a tear from her cheek, his touch light and familiar. Before she could react, he closed the distance between them.

His lips pressed against hers with an intensity that caught Y/N completely off guard.

Her first instinct was to push him away, her heart screaming at her to stop. Her hands came up, pressing lightly against his chest, ready to shove him back. But as her fingers curled into the fabric of his jersey, she hesitated.

The kiss felt familiar—so painfully familiar. It was full of the memories they had once shared, the moments when Hyunjin had been the one to make her feel seen, understood. The late-night talks, the whispered confessions, the times when it had just been the two of them against the world. It wasn’t just a kiss—it was a reminder of everything she thought they had.

Her mind spun, a rush of emotions she thought she had buried deep inside swirling back to the surface. The kiss wasn’t just about now—it was about then. The way his lips moved against hers felt like stepping into an old rhythm, one she had known so well.

This is how it used to feel, Y/N thought. Back when she believed in him without question. Hyunjin’s kiss had been her anchor, the one thing she could rely on when the world felt too heavy. And now, it felt like she was slipping back into that comfort, even though everything had changed.

Hyunjin’s kiss wasn’t gentle—it was desperate, as though he was trying to pour every unsaid word into the kiss. His hand cupped her face, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw as he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer. She could feel the weight of his regret in every movement, the way his lips lingered on hers as though he was trying to hold on to something he knew he had lost.

Slowly, almost unconsciously, Y/N began to relax into the kiss. Her hands loosened from the tight grip she had on his jersey, resting lightly against his chest.

But as quickly as those feelings washed over her, something began to shift. Beneath the surface, something wasn’t right. This wasn’t the same. She wasn’t the same.

Her mind flicked to Jake—his soft smiles, the way he made her laugh without even trying. With him, everything was different—lighter, without the heavy weight of history. The spark between them wasn’t tainted by betrayal.

And that’s when Y/N realized—this kiss, though full of memories, was just that. A memory. A part of her past that she had held onto for too long.

Her heart raced, but not in the way it once did. The fire, the passion she had once felt with Hyunjin—it wasn’t there anymore. Instead, all that remained was the shadow of what they used to be.

Suddenly, reality crashed back into Y/N like a cold wave, snapping her out of the haze of emotion. She pulled back sharply, her breath hitching as she broke the kiss. Her chest heaved, her heart racing, and as she took a step back, her hand flew to her lips, trembling.

“I—I can’t,” Y/N stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. The rush of emotions, the confusion—it was all too much. Her heart felt like it was being pulled in a hundred different directions, and she couldn’t think straight. The kiss had stirred up so many old wounds, and it only made her realize how far she had come since then—how different she was now.

Hyunjin stood there, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths as he watched her, his eyes wide with regret. His hand, still raised from where it had cupped her face, slowly dropped to his side. He didn’t say anything, didn’t try to stop her this time. His face was etched with guilt, but he knew he had already lost her long before this kiss.

“This doesn’t change anything,” Y/N said, her voice firmer now, though the tears still clung to her lashes. “It doesn’t make the pain go away.”

“I know,” Hyunjin whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He took a step back, his face shadowed by the regret that clung to him. “I’m sorry.”

Y/N’s heart felt heavy, but she knew this was the moment she had needed. The kiss had reminded her of who Hyunjin had been to her, and who he wasn’t anymore. “I’m not the same person I was back then,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute.

Hyunjin didn’t argue. He didn’t try to explain himself further. He just nodded, his shoulders slumping as he accepted her words.

Without another word, Y/N turned and walked away, her footsteps shaky but determined.

She wiped the last of the tears from her face, her breath uneven as she quickened her pace. Y/N needed space—space to think, to process everything that had resurfaced. The kiss hadn’t fixed anything. If anything, it had only made it clearer that some things were better left in the past.

The late evening sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the baseball field as Jake leaned against the fence, scrolling through his phone absently. His practice had ended a while ago, and most of his teammates had already left, but instead of following them, he found himself hanging back, waiting for Y/N.

He wasn’t sure why he was still here. Maybe it was the way their conversations had started to feel different, or the way her laugh seemed to linger in his mind long after they’d parted ways. Whatever it was, he couldn’t bring himself to leave just yet.

Across the field, Heeseung was tossing his gear into his bag, glancing over at Jake with a smirk tugging at his lips. "Yo, Sim, you coming?" he called out, his voice casual but laced with something more—something teasing.

Jake glanced up, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. "Nah," he replied, pocketing his phone. "I’ll catch up with you guys later."

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Sure, sure. You’re just hanging out by the fence for no reason, right?"

Sunghoon jogged up beside Heeseung, catching the tail end of the conversation. "What’s this? Jake’s waiting around again?" he teased, giving Jake a playful shove as he passed. "Let me guess—Y/N?"

Jake rolled his eyes, a faint flush creeping up his neck. "It’s not like that," he muttered, but his voice lacked conviction.

Jay and Sunoo caught on quickly, jogging over to join the group, both grinning as they exchanged glances. "Not like what?" Jay asked, leaning in with mock curiosity. "You’ve been waiting here for a good ten minutes, man. Something you wanna share?"

Jake huffed, shoving his hands into his pockets, trying to play it off. "She went to grab a drink, that’s all. I’m just—"

"—just making sure she doesn’t get lost on the way back from the vending machine, right?" Sunoo finished for him, his grin widening. "Sounds totally innocent to me."

"Totally," Heeseung chimed in, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "But don’t keep her waiting too long, Sim. Girls hate that." He winked, clearly enjoying the teasing, before heading off with the others.

Jake shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His friends were relentless, but there was no denying that part of him had been waiting for Y/N—more than just out of politeness.

Ten minutes had passed, and though it wasn’t unusual for Y/N to run into someone she knew, the delay felt… off. Jake pulled out his phone again, staring at the screen for a moment before typing out a quick message.

You okay? You didn’t come back. I waited for a bit, but I had to head home.

He hesitated before hitting send, wondering if he was being too forward. Maybe she had gotten distracted talking to someone—and hadn’t realized how much time had passed. But even as he tried to brush off the feeling, a small flicker of unease gnawed at him.

He stared at the screen, half-expecting her to reply right away. When no response came through, Jake’s stomach tightened. He tucked his phone back into his pocket, deciding to give her a little more time. He leaned against the fence again, glancing toward the vending machine—even though it wasn't visible from the field, but there was still no sign of her.

Jake ran a hand through his hair, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He could hear the faint laughter of his teammates in the distance, their voices fading as they headed toward the parking lot. He knew he should go, that waiting around was probably pointless, but something held him in place.

Why does it matter so much? he thought, half frustrated with himself. He wasn’t even sure what he wanted out of all this—out of whatever was happening between him and Y/N. It wasn’t something he had put into words, but the feeling was there, unspoken and undeniable.

Unable to stand the stillness any longer, Jake pushed off the fence and started walking, the sound of his cleats crunching against the gravel breaking the silence. He told himself not to overthink it—Y/N was fine. She probably just lost track of time. No big deal.

But as he headed toward the parking lot, his phone still silent in his pocket, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something had shifted.

As Y/N walked away from Hyunjin, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, the kiss stirring memories she hadn’t anticipated. The flood of feelings she thought she had left behind resurfaced, hitting her harder than she wanted to admit. It wasn’t just the kiss; it was everything it represented—the trust that had been broken, the hurt that had never truly healed.

She swiped at her eyes, hoping to erase any evidence of the tears that had slipped out. Her chest felt tight, heavy with a confusing mix of relief and regret. She was relieved to finally know, deep down, that the chapter with Hyunjin was over. But regret lingered, too, for the memories of what they once were, and for the fact that part of her had let the kiss happen.

The thought of Jake crept into her mind, unbidden but persistent. What if he saw? The idea sent a cold shiver down her spine. She quickened her pace, the guilt wrapping itself tighter around her. The last thing Jake deserved was to be tangled up in this mess.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, and she glanced down to see Jake’s name lighting up the screen.

You okay? You didn’t come back. I waited for a bit, but I had to head home.

Y/N’s heart clenched. There was no anger in his words, just concern. He was worried about her, as always. He hadn’t pressed for details, hadn’t questioned her—just checked in. That was Jake. He never pushed; he just cared. And now, standing here, reading his message, the guilt weighed even heavier.

She stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as her mind raced. She wasn’t ready to tell him the truth, wasn’t ready to admit that she had kissed Hyunjin, even if it hadn’t meant what it once would have. But lying to Jake felt wrong, too. Everything about it felt wrong.

After a moment of hesitation, she typed out the simplest excuse she could manage:

Sorry! I ran into Minji and ended up leaving with her. Didn’t mean to make you wait :(

She hit send before she could second-guess herself, but the lie settled uneasily in her chest.

His reply came almost immediately. Y/N felt a lump form in her throat as she read his message. Jake was always so thoughtful, so kind. He didn’t question her excuse, didn’t pry. He just made sure she was okay. And here she was, keeping things from him, unsure of how to move forward. She could almost picture him waiting for her, frowning in that soft, concerned way he did when he wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth.

As she tucked her phone back into her pocket, Y/N let out a long, shaky breath. Her thoughts were still racing, her chest still tight. The kiss with Hyunjin had brought back memories—old wounds she thought had healed. But it had also given her clarity. The feelings she’d once had for him? They were gone. And while part of her felt sad to acknowledge that, another part felt a strange sense of peace.

But then there was Jake.

Her heart ached at the thought of him—of what they had been building, slowly, carefully. What they had felt real, solid in a way that her past with Hyunjin never had. But that certainty also terrified her. Because if things with Jake became more, if she allowed herself to fall, there would be no turning back. And the thought of risking that—of risking him—was scarier than she wanted to admit.

Y/N wiped the last of her tears, her resolve hardening. She needed to figure this out—not just for herself, but for Jake. Tomorrow, she’d have to face him, and she wasn’t sure how to do that without the weight of today’s lie pulling her down. But for now, she needed time—time to sort through the confusion, to finally let go of the past, and to make sense of what she wanted from the future.

With a deep breath, she quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing in the quiet, her mind a storm of emotions she couldn’t yet untangle.

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side note hyunjin x y/n is finally out there no more breadcrumbing u guys :") took me kinda long to finally post this chapter cuz ive been sick for 2 weeks. and now im finally bedridden :D lets hope the next chapters don't take this long

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo @nxzz-skz @danielleism @breadlover01 @haechsworld @tlnyjoong @simpjay

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s4mcore · 10 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — OO7 | between the lines

The library had been unusually quiet that afternoon, with only the faint sounds of pages turning and the scratch of pens on paper filling the space. Y/N was deep in concentration, her head bent over her notebook as she finished another calculus problem. Jake, on the other hand, wasn’t as focused. His eyes kept drifting toward her, his mind wandering away from derivatives and limits.

Lately, he had started to notice things—little things—about her. Like the way she absentmindedly twirled her pen between her fingers when she was thinking, or how her brow furrowed in that cute way whenever she was deep in thought. It made his heart race a little faster, and it was getting harder to concentrate.

Jake cleared his throat, trying to shake the nervousness that had been building all afternoon. “You know, we’ve been at this for hours,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I think we deserve a break.”

Y/N glanced up, raising an eyebrow. “A break?”

“Yeah,” Jake said, his voice a little too quick, the words tumbling out before he could stop himself. “How about… uh, ice cream? There’s that place right outside school. Um, my treat.”

He could feel his face heating up as he spoke, mentally kicking himself for sounding so awkward. He wasn’t usually this nervous around Y/N, but something about the idea of sharing ice cream with her made him feel like a middle schooler asking someone to the dance for the first time.

Y/N paused for a moment, her lips curling into a small, amused smile. Jake was almost never nervous, and the sight of him fumbling over his words struck her as oddly cute, though she wasn’t about to say it out loud. “Ice cream sounds nice,” she finally said, her tone casual, though the little smile still lingered on her lips. “But only if you promise not to cry about calculus the whole time.”

Jake let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Deal,” he said, standing up and grabbing his bag, trying to play it cool. But his heart was still racing as he led the way out of the library.

The late afternoon sun bathed the small ice cream shop in a soft, golden light as Jake and Y/N sat down at one of the outdoor tables. The shop was just outside the school, and though it was usually busy, today it felt quieter, more private. It was just the two of them, their ice cream cones in hand.

Jake took a bite of his ice cream, trying to think of something clever to say, but his mind was still buzzing with nerves. He glanced at Y/N, watching as she absentmindedly licked her cone, her eyes flicking up to meet his for a second before drifting away again. There was something about the moment, hanging in the air between them—that made Jake feel like everything had changed.

"Alright, serious question," Y/N began, breaking the comfortable silence between them. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Books or movies? And don’t say both, you’ve gotta pick one."

Jake chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Is this a trick question? You’re trying to set me up, aren’t you?"

Y/N grinned, her voice playful. "Maybe. But no pressure—just your entire sense of taste and judgment hanging in the balance."

He took a thoughtful bite of his ice cream, eyes narrowing in mock contemplation. "Okay, if I had to choose, I’d say... movies. Specifically, the Harry Potter ones."

Y/N gasped dramatically, nearly dropping her cone. "No way! The movies? Really? The books are so much better. You miss out on all the details, the subtle character arcs, the—"

"The mountains of extra info?" Jake interrupted with a teasing grin. "Like, do I really need to know what every single character is wearing in every scene?"

She rolled her eyes, clearly enjoying the debate. "Those 'details' are what make the story rich. The movies just can’t capture that. Plus, they leave so much out. Like Peeves! Where’s Peeves?"

Jake shrugged, fighting back a smile. "I’m sorry, but the movies gave me visuals. The Quidditch scenes? Epic. The battle at Hogwarts? Come on, you can’t tell me that wasn’t cooler than you imagined."

Y/N leaned back in her chair, shaking her head. "Cooler, sure. But more emotional? Nope. The books made everything feel deeper, more personal. The movies just rush through the story like they’re on a deadline."

He shot her a mock-serious look. "Look, the movies let me see magic happen, okay? I’m a simple guy. I see magic, I’m happy."

She laughed at that, and for a second, the banter dissolved into shared smiles. Y/N took another lick of her ice cream, her eyes sparkling in the afternoon sun as she turned back to Jake. "You’re impossible."

"And you’re a book purist," he shot back, grinning.

"Is that supposed to be an insult?" she teased.

"No," Jake replied, still smiling. "Just a fact."

At one point, Y/N was so engrossed in their conversation that she didn’t notice a small smear of ice cream on the corner of her lips. Jake saw it immediately, his heart skipping a beat.

Without thinking too much about it, he leaned forward, his thumb gently brushing the ice cream from the corner of her mouth. His hand lingered there, just for a moment, his fingers barely grazing her skin as their eyes met.

The world seemed to slow down as they locked eyes. Jake’s breath hitched, his heart pounding in his chest. He hadn’t meant for the moment to feel so intimate, but now that they were here, so close, it felt like everything else had faded away.

“You, uh… missed a spot,” Jake said softly, his voice quieter than usual.

Y/N’s heart fluttered in her chest, her cheeks warming under his gaze. The way his hand lingered near her lips, the way he looked at her—really looked at her—made her pulse quicken. She could feel the tension between them, thick and charged, but she wasn’t sure what to do with it.

“Thanks,” Y/N said, her voice barely above a whisper. She offered a small smile, though the weight of the moment was impossible to ignore.

Jake pulled his hand back, chuckling awkwardly as he tried to shake off the sudden tension. “No problem. I’m just looking out for you,” he said, though his heart was still racing from the way their eyes had met.

For a few more minutes, they sat there, eating their ice cream and talking, though the conversation felt different now. There was something between them, something neither of them was quite ready to address. But the lingering touch, the stolen glance—they were enough to make Y/N’s heart race in a way she hadn’t expected.

Jake, still riding the high of the moment, hesitated before asking his next question. He knew Hyunjin would be at practice, and he didn’t want to make things awkward for Y/N, especially since now he knew about their history. But he also didn’t want to let the moment slip away without spending more time with her.

“So,” Jake said, a little hesitantly, “I’ve got baseball practice soon. You wanna… come watch? I mean, if you’re not busy.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, surprised by the invitation. “Baseball practice?”

Jake scratched the back of his neck, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, it’s not that exciting, but it could be fun. You could make fun of me when I mess up.”

He was trying to sound casual, but the truth was, he wanted her there. He wanted her to see him in his element, to share this part of his life with her. Even though the thought of Hyunjin being there made him nervous, the idea of Y/N watching him on the field felt… right.

Y/N shrugged, not giving it too much thought. “Sure, why not? It could be fun.”

Jake grinned, relieved. “Awesome. Let’s go.”

The baseball field was alive with activity by the time Jake and Y/N arrived. The players were warming up, tossing balls back and forth, stretching out under the afternoon sun. Jake jogged over to join his teammates, leaving Y/N to find a spot on the bleachers.

As she sat down, Y/N watched Jake from afar. She hadn’t realized just how much baseball meant to him until now. The way he moved, the easy camaraderie he shared with his teammates, the focused determination in his eyes—it was clear how passionate he was about the game.

Y/N found herself smiling as she watched him, her heart warming at the sight of Jake so engrossed in something he loved. There was a confidence in him here, a side of him she didn’t often see during their study sessions. She liked seeing this part of him.

For the next hour, Y/N watched the practice, occasionally laughing when Jake would make a face after a missed swing or toss. But more than that, she noticed how serious he was when it mattered—how he put everything into every play, every throw. It was the same intensity he brought to everything he cared about.

As the baseball practice wound down, Jake jogged over to Y/N, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He was still catching his breath, but there was a satisfied grin on his face.

“So,” he panted, “what’d you think? Not too embarrassing, right?”

Y/N smiled, amused by his eagerness. “Not bad, Sim. A little rusty on that catch, though.”

Jake chuckled, rolling his eyes in mock defeat. “I knew you’d bring that up.”

Y/N was about to respond when she realized how thirsty she was after sitting in the sun for so long. Her eyes flickered to the vending machine near the edge of the field.

“Actually,” she said, standing up and brushing off her jeans, “I’m going to grab something to drink real quick."

Jake nodded, his hands resting on his hips as he caught his breath. “Yeah, sure. Take your time.”

“Thanks,” Y/N said, shooting him a small smile before heading off toward the vending machine. She didn’t think much of it as she walked away, her mind still replaying moments from the game and the playful banter between her and Jake.

As Y/N walked off toward the vending machine, Jake watched her for a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips. He hadn’t realized how much he enjoyed spending time with her until now. There was something about the way she could make even the simplest moments—like sitting through baseball practice or sharing ice cream—feel different. More… meaningful.

Jake had spent time with plenty of people before, but Y/N was different. She made him feel calm, like he didn’t have to put up the usual front. He could just be himself around her, and it didn’t feel awkward or forced. He liked that about her. Maybe more than he was willing to admit.

Just as Jake turned back toward the field, he found himself surrounded by a few of his teammates, grins plastered across their faces.

“Well, would you look at that,” Heeseung teased, smirking as he crossed his arms. “Another girl at practice, Jake? You never change, do you?”

Jake rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t quite hide the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It’s not like that, Heeseung.”

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Oh yeah? Then why’s she sitting out here like your biggest supporter?”

“She’s just a friend,” Jake insisted, a little too quickly. “We study together.”

“Right,” Sunghoon drawled, shooting a glance at the bleachers where Y/N had been sitting earlier. “Because we all bring our ‘study buddies’ to practice.”

Jay snickered, giving Jake a playful shove. “Classic. You’ve got a pattern, Sim—bring her to practice and then act like it’s no big deal”

“Seriously, guys,” Jake replied, though he felt his face flush under their teasing. “We’re just friends.”

The guys exchanged knowing looks, clearly not buying it. Jungwon added, “Come on, man. You can’t seriously expect us to believe you’re not into her. You were practically drooling over her when you thought we weren’t looking.”

Jake ran a hand through his hair, trying to play it cool. “You’re all ridiculous,” he muttered, though his heart raced at their words.

Sunghoon nudged him again, leaning in with a teasing smirk. “Just admit it, bro. You like her.”

Jake paused for a second, glancing briefly in the direction Y/N had gone before shaking his head. “It’s not like that,” he said, his voice quieter this time. “We just... study.”

The guys exchanged amused glances but didn’t push it any further. Heeseung, always the one to pick up on when to back off, gave Jake a light pat on the shoulder. “Alright, alright. Whatever you say, man.”

Y/N made her way toward the vending machine, the soft hum of the baseball field growing quieter as she stepped further away from the bleachers. The sun was lower now, casting long shadows across the field, and the gentle breeze offered some relief from the lingering heat.

As she approached the vending machine, Y/N fished some change out of her pocket, her thoughts still on the game—and on Jake. She wasn’t sure when things had started to shift between them, but she couldn’t deny that the moments they shared felt different now. More meaningful.

She inserted the coins, pressing the button for a cold soda, when she heard a familiar voice from behind her.

“Y/N.”

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side note they're getting closer yippie !! a little longer than I expected it to be yet it feels a bit rushed >_< next chapter is gonna be crazy btw

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo @nxzz-skz @danielleism @breadlover01 @haechsworld @tlnyjoong @simpjay

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s4mcore · 10 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — OO6 | block him !

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side note filler chapter :") this fic isn't gonna be as smau as I thought it was gonna be... ALSO I saw the cracking up joke on a tumblr smau and found it so funny but I forgot what fic it was from :(

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo @nxzz-skz @danielleism @breadlover01 @haechsworld @tlnyjoong @simpjay

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s4mcore · 10 months ago

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writing the hyunjin x y/n backstory rn and lowkey forgetting this is a jake fic 😂🫵

#it shouldve been hyunjin #sorry jake ily #s4mcore — ☁️

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s4mcore · 10 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — OO5 | a thing of the past

It had been a week since Jake had opened up to Y/N about his parents, and things between them had shifted — subtly, but noticeably. Their study sessions had become more frequent, and though they still mostly focused on calculus, there was an obvious understanding between them. They were closer now, but neither had acknowledged it out loud.

Y/N sat at their usual table in the library, her notebook spread open in front of her. She glanced at the clock, expecting Jake to show up any minute. He hadn’t missed a session all week, and though he still joked around and made light of things, Y/N could tell he was a little more… grounded lately.

Just as she thought that, Jake sauntered in, his baseball cap turned backward, looking more like his usual self. He spotted her immediately and grinned.

“You look serious,” Jake teased, dropping into the seat across from her. “Studying already?”

“Some of us actually have to try,” Y/N replied, her pen hovering over her notebook. “You know, since we don’t all rely on last-minute cramming.”

Jake laughed, leaning back in his chair. “What can I say? It’s worked so far.”

Y/N gave him a pointed look. “It’s not going to work on the next test, trust me. I saw the questions. You’re gonna need more than charm to pass.”

Jake smirked, folding his arms behind his head. “Good thing I’ve got the best tutor in school, then.”

Y/N shook her head, trying not to laugh. “You’re lucky I don’t charge for this.”

They spent the next half hour working through the calculus problems. Every now and then, Jake would crack a joke or ask for help on a problem, but he kept glancing at his phone, fidgeting like he was waiting for something.

After a while, he set his pencil down and cleared his throat. “Hey, so… weird question.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, looking up from her notes. “What?”

Jake scratched the back of his neck, a little sheepish. “I was thinking… you know, in case I need to, like, cancel a session last minute or something, maybe I should get your number?”

Y/N blinked, her lips twitching into a smirk. “Cancel a session? You’re seriously planning that far ahead?”

“Uh… yeah,” Jake mumbled, clearly flustered. “I mean, you never know. Maybe I’ll get stuck at practice or something.”

Y/N shook her head, amused at how he was trying to play it cool. “Uh-huh. Right. Sure, Jake.”

He let out a chuckle, trying to mask the awkwardness. “Look, I’m just being practical. It’s called planning ahead.”

Y/N sighed, rolling her eyes, but she slid her phone across the table. “Fine. Put your number in.”

Jake perked up instantly, grabbing her phone and quickly typing in his number. As he handed it back, their fingers brushed lightly, and even though it was just a brief contact, it was enough to make something flicker in Jake’s chest. Y/N chuckled as she looked at the little wave emoji Jake had sent to himself through her phone to save her number.

As Jake watched Y/N take her phone back, he found himself feeling that strange nervousness again — something that didn’t usually happen to him. He’d been around plenty of girls before, but none of them had made him feel like this.

Y/n was just… real. And that’s what was starting to mess with his head.

Every little thing she did — the way she focused on her work, the way she teased him without holding back, the way her hair fell over her shoulder as she focused on the numbers — had been getting under his skin lately. But in a good way. He wasn’t sure what to do with that feeling, but he couldn’t deny it was there.

They continued working, but Jake couldn’t help sneaking glances at her now and then. At one point, Y/N reached across the table to grab her calculator, and her knee accidentally bumped into his under the table.

“Sorry,” she muttered, barely glancing up as she grabbed her calculator.

Jake’s brain, on the other hand, went into overdrive for a split second, that simple contact sending a jolt of awareness through him. It was nothing — just a brief touch — but suddenly, he couldn’t stop noticing how close they were sitting.

“Maybe I should move my legs out of your way,” Jake said, grinning, trying to hide how that moment had rattled him a bit.

Y/N rolled her eyes, smirking. “Maybe you should stop taking up half the table.”

“I can’t help it,” Jake shot back, leaning forward, their faces now just a little closer. “I’m a big guy. Lots of legroom needed.”

“Right,” Y/N replied dryly, though the corners of her mouth twitched into a smile.

As she focused back on the problems, Jake leaned slightly in her direction, pretending to look at her work. Their knees brushed again under the table — this time longer, more deliberate — though neither of them moved away.

Y/N glanced sideways at him, narrowing her eyes playfully. “You okay there? Need more space?”

Jake shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “I’m fine where I am.”

Their eyes met for a split second, and something unspoken hung in the air between them. It was a brief moment, but it felt… different. Neither of them said anything, but Jake could feel the shift.

The moment passed, and Y/N eventually broke the silence with a teasing smile. “Alright, stop distracting me. We’ve still got three more problems to go.”

Jake laughed, the tension easing. “I’m the one distracting you?”

“Definitely,” Y/N quipped, scribbling down more notes.

They continued working in comfortable silence, but the subtle touches and glances lingered in the background. As the session wore on, Jake found himself more aware of her than he’d ever been before.

For the first time in a long time, he didn’t mind the distraction.

As the clock hit the hour mark, they began packing up their things, the easy banter continuing between them.

“Same time tomorrow?” Jake asked, stuffing his notebook into his bag.

“Yeah, unless you decide to bail on me, of course,” Y/N teased, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

Jake chuckled, leaning against the table as he watched her. “I wouldn’t dare.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. There was a brief pause as they stood there, close enough that Jake could see the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Thanks for today. You’re seriously saving my ass.”

Y/N looked at him, “Just don’t forget it when you ace the test.”

Jake grinned, stepping back slightly, but that lingering feeling — that quiet, growing tension — didn’t fade as they walked out of the library together.

“You’re actually getting better at this,” Y/N said with a smirk as they approached the spot where they’d part ways. “I mean, you’re not quite calculus genius-level yet, but… progress.”

Jake grinned, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Wow, is that a compliment?”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Y/N teased, shaking her head. “See you tomorrow?”

Jake nodded. “Yeah, see ya.”

With a final smile, Y/N turned and headed off. Jake watched her for a moment longer, a quiet warmth settling between them.

Just as Y/N disappeared around the corner, Jake heard his name being called from across the quad. He looked up to see Heeseung, Jay, and Niki heading toward him, all grinning like they were up to something.

“Yo, Jake!” Heeseung called, slapping Jake on the back as they caught up to him. “Where’ve you been, man? Skipping out on us to hang out with your ‘tutor’ again?”

Jay smirked, nudging Niki with his elbow. “Looks like our boy’s gone soft.”

Jake rolled his eyes, shoving his hands into his pockets. “We’re just studying, alright? It’s not a big deal.”

“Sure,” Niki said, raising an eyebrow. “But I don’t see you getting all chummy with anyone else in calculus.”

Jake shook his head, but he couldn’t quite hide the smile tugging at his lips. “It’s not like that.”

Heeseung grinned, clearly ready to keep teasing, but before he could say anything else, they noticed someone approaching from the other direction.

Hyunjin was walking toward them, looking as laid-back as ever, his baseball bag slung over his shoulder. He had the usual cool, composed air that always seemed to surround him, like nothing fazed him.

He gave them a nod in greeting. “What’s up, guys?”

“Yo, Hyunjin!” Heeseung said, still grinning. “Just catching Jake here being head over heels for his calculus partner. You remember Y/N, right?”

The mention of Y/N seemed casual, like it wasn’t meant to stir anything up. But Jake noticed a flicker in Hyunjin’s expression—something brief that quickly disappeared behind his easy-going smile.

“Yeah, I remember,” Hyunjin said, his tone light and smooth. He shrugged, playing it off like it was no big deal. “She’s smart. Always was. Jake’s lucky to have her help.”

Niki, not sensing any tension, chimed in. “Yeah, they’ve been spending a lot of time together. You know, studying and stuff.”

Hyunjin’s smile didn’t falter. “Good for them,” he said, his voice calm and casual. “I’m sure she’s making a big difference for him.”

Jay, always the one to push things a little further, leaned against the nearby bench and glanced at Hyunjin. “Man, that reminds me… Didn’t you and Y/N date for a while? That whole thing with the bet? That was wild.”

The mention of the bet was so casual that it almost didn’t register as significant—until Jake saw Hyunjin’s expression shift, just for a moment. His smile faltered ever so slightly, and he paused before replying.

But when he spoke, Hyunjin’s tone was cool, unaffected, like he was brushing off an old memory. “Yeah, we dated for a bit. It wasn’t that serious, though.”

Niki, still oblivious to any tension, chuckled. “Man, that bet was kind of messed up, though.”

Hyunjin shrugged again, trying to keep his cool. “Yeah, well, it was dumb. Didn’t really mean much in the end.”

There it was again—the attempt to sound indifferent, like the whole thing didn’t bother him. But Jake could see the cracks in Hyunjin’s carefree act. He wasn’t rattled, exactly, but there was definitely something more going on beneath the surface.

Heeseung, picking up on the slight tension but not pushing it, grinned and clapped Jake on the shoulder. “Well, at least Jake’s in good hands. Y/N knows her stuff.”

Jay smirked. “Yeah, Jake’s not dumb enough to make the same mistakes, right?”

Jake chuckled, though his mind was still half on Hyunjin’s reaction. “Yeah, I’m just trying to pass calculus, guys.”

Hyunjin, sensing the conversation was winding down, adjusted his bag strap and nodded toward the field. “I’ve got practice. Catch you guys later.”

“Later, man,” Heeseung called after him as Hyunjin walked away, his casual demeanor intact.

Once he was out of earshot, Jay turned back to Jake, raising an eyebrow. “So, you didn’t know about the whole bet thing, huh?”

Jake shook his head, frowning slightly. “No, I didn’t.”

Niki shrugged, leaning back against the bench. “Yeah, Hyunjin and Y/N dated for like two months. It started as a bet, but… I don’t know, man. Hyunjin didn’t seem to care that much. Though, he never really talked about it after they broke up.”

Jake stood there, processing everything. The whole situation with Y/N and Hyunjin felt more tangled than he had expected. And now, knowing that it hadn’t been as simple as a meaningless bet—knowing that Hyunjin had likely started to care more than he wanted to admit—it made Jake wonder how Y/N had felt about it all.

There was something about the way Hyunjin had brushed it off, like he was trying to forget it, that stuck with Jake. And now, knowing what had happened, Jake felt even more protective of Y/N, like he didn’t want her to get caught up in something like that again.

But he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story—more that Y/N hadn’t told him, and more that Hyunjin wasn’t willing to admit.

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side note hyunjin backstory ?? pookie wasn't trying to be the bad guy yall :"( also pretend jake isn't 5'7....

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo @nxzz-skz @danielleism @breadlover01 @haechsworld @tlnyjoong

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s4mcore · 10 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — OO4 | when words aren't enough

The classroom was silent, broken only by the sound of pens scratching on paper and the occasional cough as Ms. Park droned on about derivatives and their functions. Y/N sat at her desk, her focus split between her notebook and the empty seat beside her. It had been two days since Jake had shown up for class, and she found herself wondering where he’d been. Normally, he’d walk in with his usual lazy grin, late as always, but with a lightness that made everything seem easy for him.

Today, though, his chair sat empty. Again.

Ms. Park continued explaining the chain rule, her chalk squeaking across the board. Y/N tried to focus, but her eyes kept drifting to the door. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone — not even herself, really — but she had gotten used to him sitting next to her. His absence felt… strange.

Just as Ms. Park turned to the class with a new equation, the door creaked open.

Jake walked in, his hair slightly messy, like he hadn’t bothered to fix it. His usual cocky swagger was missing. Instead, he looked… off. Tired, maybe. He mumbled an apology to Ms. Park and slid into his seat next to Y/N without a word.

Y/N looked at him for a moment, noticing the faint shadows under his eyes. He didn’t say anything at first, just pulled out his crumpled notebook and half-heartedly jotted down some notes. His energy was way lower than usual, and it gnawed at her in a way she hadn’t expected.

For the first half of the class, Jake remained unusually quiet. He scribbled in his notebook but didn’t really seem to be paying attention. Every now and then, Y/N caught him zoning out, staring blankly at the board like he wasn’t even present.

But halfway through, his usual personality began to resurface.

Jake leaned over to her, whispering, “If I ever meet the person who invented calculus, I swear, we’re throwing hands.”

Y/N stifled a laugh, shaking her head. “I think they’re long gone. Good luck with that.”

“I’ll find a way,” Jake smirked, his eyes glinting with a bit of his usual charm. “If you help me with this next problem, I’ll let you in on the plan.”

Y/N shot him a sideways glance. “Bribery? Really?”

“Hey, you said you wouldn’t do my work for me. A guy’s gotta try something, right?” He leaned back, giving her that classic Jake grin that, for a moment, made everything seem normal again.

“You’re hopeless,” she muttered, though she couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips.

Y/N smiled, glad that the weight hanging over him seemed to lift, even if only for a moment. By the end of the class, Jake was back to cracking quiet jokes and nudging her when he needed help with the notes.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Y/N packed up her things, casting a quick glance at Jake. He slung his bag over his shoulder, looking more like his usual self, though she could still see the tiredness in his eyes.

“Hey,” Jake said, his voice softer than usual. “We still on for tutoring later?”

Y/N nodded, a little surprised at how normal things seemed again. “Yeah, same time?”

“Actually…” Jake rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve got practice. Missed a couple days, so I’ve gotta stay late. But if you want, you could drop by and watch until I’m done. Then we can head to the library after.”

Y/N blinked, a little surprised. “Watch your practice?”

Jake shrugged, giving her an easy smile. “Yeah, why not? Could be fun. You don’t have anything better to do, right?”

She hesitated. Going to his practice felt… different. A little more personal than just tutoring in the library. But there was something in the way he asked — like he wasn’t ready to be alone yet — that made her reconsider. “I’ll think about it,” she said, trying to play it cool.

Jake’s grin widened. “Cool. See you later then.”

After her last class, Y/N found herself at the edge of the baseball field, watching as Jake and his teammates ran drills. She hadn’t planned on coming, but something about the way Jake had invited her made it hard to say no. He seemed off earlier, and though he hadn’t said anything, she felt like something was bothering him.

From the sidelines, she watched as Jake sprinted across the field, his focus entirely on the game. He was good — really good, actually. There was something effortless about the way he played, like being on the field was second nature to him. And for a while, it seemed like whatever had been bothering him earlier was gone. He was laughing with his teammates, shouting across the field, and moving with an ease she hadn’t seen in class.

But every now and then, Y/N caught him looking off into the distance between plays, like something was weighing on him.

When practice finally wrapped up, Jake spotted her by the bleachers and jogged over, his usual grin back on his face. “You came.”

Y/N shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. “Didn’t have anything better to do.”

Jake laughed, running a hand through his hair. “Glad to know I’m a last resort.”

Y/N chuckled. “Hey, you said it, not me.”

He grinned, grabbing his bag from the ground. “Ready to hit the library?”

Y/N nodded, but as they started walking toward the parking lot, something nagged at her. He’d seemed more like himself on the field.

The smile on his face didn’t quite match the tiredness in his eyes.

The library was quiet as they settled into their usual table, pulling out notebooks and pens. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the room in a soft, golden glow. They worked in silence for a while, the only sounds were the occasional turn of a page or the soft scratch of pens on paper.

Y/N could feel the tension still clinging to Jake. He wasn’t making his usual sarcastic comments or jokes, just focusing on the work in front of him. She glanced up from her notes, watching him for a moment before deciding to say something.

She tapped her pen on the table lightly and leaned over, lowering her voice just enough to catch his attention. “You know, if you keep being this quiet, I’m going to start thinking someone kidnapped the real Jake and sent his clone to class.”

Jake blinked, looking up from his notebook, a small, amused smile appeared on his face. “A clone, huh? Guess I’m not pulling off the charm like I thought.”

Y/N smirked. “Nope. You’re losing your touch.”

He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Good to know. I’ll work on that.”

There was a moment of comfortable silence before Jake’s expression softened, his playful demeanor slipping slightly. “Just… there's a lot on my mind, you know?”

Y/N’s teasing smile faded, replaced with genuine concern. “Yeah, I noticed. You’re not yourself today.”

Jake sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Yeah, it’s… just stuff at home.”

Y/N didn’t push him, just waited, offering him space if he wanted to share. She figured if he was ready, he’d open up on his own terms.

“My parents,” Jake said after a pause, his voice softer now. “They’re getting a divorce.”

Y/N blinked, the confession catching her off guard. “Oh… I’m really sorry, Jake.”

Jake ran a hand through his hair, his fingers pulling at the strands in frustration. “I knew it was coming. They’ve talked about it for years, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. One day they’re arguing like they always do, and the next, they’re telling me it’s over.”

Y/N’s heart ached for him. She hadn’t expected him to open up like this, but now that he had, she could see how much it was affecting him. “That sounds really hard. Even if you knew it was coming, it’s still a lot to deal with.”

Jake nodded, letting out a bitter laugh. “Yeah. I thought I’d be fine with it, but it’s different when it actually happens. Like, I thought I’d be relieved, you know? No more fighting. But it’s just… I don’t know, it feels weird. Like everything’s falling apart.”

Y/N watched him carefully, her concern deepening. “You don’t have to carry all of that by yourself,” she said softly. “It’s okay to let people in, to let them help.”

Jake looked at her, something vulnerable in his eyes. “I don’t usually talk about this stuff. I guess I didn’t know how to bring it up.”

“You don’t have to explain,” Y/N replied gently. “Sometimes, you just need someone to listen.”

Jake gave her a small, grateful smile. “Thanks. I mean it. I don’t really know what I’m doing right now.”

Y/N reached across the table, her hand lightly touching his. “It’s okay. No one does.”

Jake glanced down at her hand before gently squeezing it, offering a small, grateful smile. "I’m glad you’re here." He chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "For a calculus genius, you’re surprisingly good at this whole emotional support thing."

Y/N laughed softly, pulling her hand back. “I try.”

They worked in comfortable silence after that, but the air between them felt different now. There was an unspoken understanding, a quiet comfort in knowing that they didn’t have to fill every moment with words.

After finishing up in the library, the two of them headed out into the cool night air, the library lights flickering behind them. The air was crisp, and the quiet streets seemed to wrap them in a sense of calm as they walked together.

Jake shoved his hands into his pockets, the vulnerability from earlier still lingering, though the weight seemed to have lifted a little. Y/N walked beside him, feeling a little closer to him than before — like they were no longer just study partners, but something more.

As they approached the point where they’d usually part ways, Jake slowed his steps, glancing over at her with a small, grateful smile. “Thanks for… y’know, listening. It’s been kind of rough lately, and talking about it helps.”

Y/N smiled softly, her heart warming at his words. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m glad you told me.”

For a moment, they just stood there, the quiet settling around them. Y/N hesitated, but then, without overthinking it, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. It wasn’t anything grand — just a simple, soft hug, the kind that said more than words could. It felt right.

Jake tensed for a second, clearly surprised, but then he relaxed into the hug, his arms coming up to gently hold her in return. His chin rested lightly against her hair, and for a brief moment, everything felt easy. Comfortable. Y/N could feel the unspoken connection growing between them.

“Thanks,” Jake murmured softly into her hair, his voice quieter now, like he didn’t want to break the moment.

Y/N smiled against his shoulder before slowly pulling back, her eyes meeting his. “Anytime.”

Jake’s gaze softened, and he gave her a small, genuine smile — not his usual teasing one, but something real. “See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” Y/N replied, still feeling the warmth of the moment. “See you tomorrow.”

As Y/N walked away, she felt a warmth spreading through her, something different from the casual connection they’d had before. Something deeper.

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side note they're getting closer yippie !! i lowk feel like this chapter seems rushed >_< next chapter is gonna be crazy btw

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo @nxzz-skz @danielleism @breadlover01

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s4mcore · 10 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — OO3 | tutoring or flirting ?

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side note first gc chapter ! the struggle of making an smau is real :") ps: notice how y/n types with proper punctuation and upper case ? i think it adds to her personality lol ( and yes, hyunjin is her ex ) ALSO !! js so yall don't get confused, the divider bw the screenshots indicated a time skip ^_^

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334 @getoxo

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s4mcore · 10 months ago

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MAKE A WISH — OO2 | more than meets the eye

The calculus classroom was filled with energy — well, as much energy as a room full of students trying to survive AP math could muster. Y/N, however, was in her zone, her pen gliding effortlessly across her notebook as she tackled another equation. For her, calculus felt like piecing together a puzzle: systematic, logical, and predictable.

Then, as if on cue, Jake walked in — five minutes late, of course — with his signature lazy grin and a baseball cap turned backward. He plopped down in the seat next to Y/N, earning a disapproving glance from Ms. Park, who merely raised an eyebrow but chose not to comment. Clearly, she’d given up on scolding him for tardiness.

Y/N, on the other hand, sighed quietly. She didn’t even bother looking up. "Surprised you made it."

Jake leaned over, lowering his voice. “Told you, I’m turning over a new leaf. Actually came here to learn.”

She finally turned her head to him, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. “You? Learn?”

The brunette laughed, pulling out his crumpled notebook. “Don’t act so surprised.”

Ms. Park’s voice broke through their whispered exchange, “Alright class, we’re working on derivatives today. Everyone, follow along.”

As the lesson began, Y/N stayed focused, jotting down notes at lightning speed. She could feel Jake next to her, clearly trying to keep up, though his confusion was pretty obvious.

About halfway through the lesson, Jake leaned over again, whispering, “Hey…what’s the deal with this chain rule thing?”

Y/N rolled her eyes but bit back a smile. “Seriously? You’re going to need more than just luck for this.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve got you, right?” He grinned, his voice low enough that Ms. Park wouldn’t hear.

Y/N shook her head but turned her notebook toward him, scribbling a quick breakdown of the steps. “It’s not that complicated. Just follow this rule here…”

As she explained, Jake watched her carefully, actually paying attention for once. She expected him to crack a joke, but he was quiet, focused.

“Okay, okay,” Jake muttered, tapping his pen against his notebook. “I think I get it. You’re a good teacher.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Y/N replied, though her voice was more playful than annoyed.

Jake sat slumped in the locker room after practice, still catching his breath. His mind was half on the game and half on the conversation he’d just had with Coach Kim, who had pulled him aside right before the team hit the showers.

“You’re not getting through this season if your grades don’t improve, Jaeyun,” Coach had said, arms crossed like he wasn’t messing around. “You barely scraped by last semester. I don’t care how good you are on the field. You need to pass calculus if you want to stay on this team.”

Jake had nodded, not really knowing what else to say. He knew his grades were slipping, but he’d figured he could pull it together last minute like he always did. But seeing the serious look in Coach’s eyes, Jake realized that wasn’t going to cut it this time.

“I’ll step it up,” Jake had promised, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll figure it out.”

“Better,” Coach had replied. “I’m not losing you this season, but you gotta help yourself. Word of advice? Go to the academic club after school. They’ve got tutoring for students who need the extra help. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll get you back on track.”

Later, Jake was still sitting on the bench in the locker room, scrolling through his phone, when his friends walked in, all hyped from the day's practice. Heeseung, his best friend and fellow outfielder, dropped onto the bench next to him, wiping sweat from his forehead.

“Yo, Jake! We’re hitting up Jay’s for pizza. You coming?” Heeseung asked, tossing his duffle bag over his shoulder.

Sunghoon chimed in, “Yeah, man, we need our team captain. Plus, if you’re there, the girls from cheer might stop by. I’m just saying.”

Jake grinned, tempted for a moment. Normally, that would be an automatic yes. Pizza, hanging out with the guys, and a possible run-in with some of the cheerleaders? Sounded like a perfect after-practice plan.

But then he remembered Coach Kim’s words. And calculus. And, weirdly enough, Y/N’s face popped into his mind. He could already picture her sitting in the library, laser-focused, working through equations like they were nothing.

“I, uh… can’t tonight, guys,” Jake said, shoving his phone into his bag. “I’ve got something I need to take care of.”

Heeseung looked confused, pausing mid-step. “What? Seriously? What's more important than pizza with the team?"

Jake hesitated for a second, then shrugged. “Coach said my grades need to improve or I’m benched. I’m heading to the academic club to catch up.”

Sunghoon snorted. “You? In the academic club? Dude, come on. You’re gonna study after practice?"

Jake shot him a look. “Since Coach said I’m off the team if I don’t pass calc. I’m not risking the season over a few missed problems.”

Heeseung blinked, clearly surprised. “Wait, you’re serious? You’re actually going to that nerd club?”

“Yup,” Jake said, standing up and slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Gotta do what I gotta do.”

Sunghoon groaned dramatically. “You’re ditching us for math? That’s a new low, Sim.”

Jake laughed but didn’t back down. “You guys can handle pizza without me. I’ll catch you later.”

As his friends headed out, still joking about Jake trading pizza for math problems, the brunette found himself walking toward the library instead. It felt weird, saying no to his usual routine, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was something he needed to do — for the team, sure, but also because he couldn’t keep coasting like this forever.

By the time Jake reached the academic club, he felt a little out of place. It wasn’t like the locker room, where he knew everyone and everything was familiar. Here, students were huddled over books and notebooks, deep in conversation about subjects he’d barely paid attention to all year.

He spotted Y/N across the room, already settled into a table with her notebook open, completely absorbed in her work. Part of him wanted to bail right there — this wasn’t exactly his scene. But he’d made a promise to Coach, and even though it wasn’t his usual style, he wasn’t about to break it.

Taking a deep breath, Jake walked over to her and casually dropped his bag on the table. “Hey, look who it is.”

Y/N looked up, her expression somewhere between surprise and mild amusement. “I could say the same. What are you doing here?”

Jake shrugged, looking uncharacteristically serious for once. “Coach said I needed to improve my grades if I want to stay on the team, so here I am.” He gestured around the library, as if it were the most natural place for him to be.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to believe him. “And you thought the academic club was the place to start?”

“Why not?” Jake flashed his usual grin, but it seemed less cocky this time. “You’re here, so I figured it can’t be that bad.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the flicker of amusement. “You seriously think you’re going to study? I thought you only used a textbook as a doorstop.”

“Wow,” Jake chuckled, pretending to be hurt. “I’m trying to turn things around here, Y/N. Give me a break.”

“Guess I’ll be joining you.” Jake said, pulling out a chair and sitting down without waiting for a response. “Alright," he muttered, more to himself than her, flipping to the right page in his calculus textbook. “Let’s see what this math stuff is all about.”

Y/N blinked, momentarily thrown off. “You’re serious?”

“Completely,” Jake said, though the playful glint in his eyes was still there. “Show me what I missed in class.”

For the next hour, Y/N guided Jake through the calculus problems he’d struggled with in class. She leaned over the table, pointing at his notebook, explaining each step with the kind of patience she hadn’t expected herself to have.

“Okay, so for this derivative, you need to use the chain rule,” she said, circling the equation on his page. “It’s pretty straightforward once you know when to apply it.”

Jake leaned in, squinting at the messy scribbles on his paper. “Right… chain rule. Got it. But, uh… remind me how that works again?”

Y/N sighed softly but bit back a smile. “You’ve gotta start with the outer function and work your way in. Like peeling layers of an onion.”

Jake raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “Onions? You’re really using onions as a metaphor?”

Y/N smirked, folding her arms. “Hey, it works. Or should I use a baseball metaphor for you?”

Jake laughed, tapping his pen against the table. “Okay, okay. Outer layer first, got it.”

As she continued breaking down the equation, Jake stayed quiet, following her movements carefully. He wasn’t just pretending to pay attention — he was actually taking in every word, nodding here and there as it started to make sense.

“So that’s why you multiply by the derivative of the inside function,” she said, finishing her explanation. “That’s the key step you were missing earlier.”

Jake paused, staring at the page. He furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment, and then… “Wait, I think I got it.”

He quickly scratched out the next problem on his own, his hand moving slower than Y/N’s but still getting the steps right. He looked up, an eyebrow raised. “Is this… right?”

Y/N leaned in, her eyes scanning his work. To her surprise, it was. “Yeah. That’s actually correct. Nice job.”

Jake grinned, that lazy, confident smile back in full force. “See? I told you I’d figure it out. I’m practically a math genius now.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, but the truth was, she was a little impressed. “Okay, Einstein. Don’t get ahead of yourself. We still have more problems to work through.”

Jake chuckled but didn’t protest. Instead, he shifted in his chair, clearly more engaged now. As they moved on to the next equation, Y/N found herself explaining things without the usual frustration she felt with other people. Normally, tutoring someone through calculus meant repeating the same steps over and over. But Jake was different. Sure, he asked questions — a lot of questions — but they weren’t stupid ones. He was trying.

“You know,” Jake said after they finished another problem, “this isn’t as terrible as I thought. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’d rather be anywhere else. But still.”

Y/N glanced up, amused. “High praise coming from you.”

He smirked, tossing his pen onto his notebook. “What can I say? You’re a good teacher. Or maybe I’m just a great student.”

She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Definitely the first one.”

They moved onto the next question, the rhythm between them feeling surprisingly natural now.

“So, you seriously get this stuff? Like, it just makes sense to you?” Jake asked at one point, as Y/N breezed through another explanation.

She shrugged, leaning back in her chair. “I don’t know, I guess. I’ve always liked how numbers work. They’re predictable. You just have to follow the rules and they fit together.”

Jake stared at her for a moment, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You like the rules, huh? That checks out.”

Y/N narrowed her eyes but smirked. “Well, someone has to. It’s definitely not you.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Fair point. But seriously, how are you so good at this? Like, doesn’t it get boring?”

Y/N thought for a second, surprised that he actually wanted to know. “Not really. It’s kind of like solving a puzzle. The pieces are all there, you just have to figure out how to put them together. It’s satisfying when it clicks.”

Jake nodded, his gaze softening for a split second. “Guess I never thought about it like that. I usually just stare at it until my brain gives up.”

Y/N chuckled. “That explains a lot.”

They continued working, and while Jake still made a sarcastic comment here or there, Y/N could tell that he was genuinely trying to wrap his head around the concepts. He’d tap his pen on the table whenever he got stuck, but instead of brushing it off, he’d ask her to explain it again. And each time, she could see pieces starting to click for him.

As they wrapped up, Y/N leaned back, stretching her arms. “Okay, not bad. You’re not totally hopeless.”

Jake grinned, leaning forward slightly. “See? I told you."

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t get too comfortable. There’s still a test coming up.”

“Oh, I’m not worried. With you as my secret weapon, I’ll ace it.” His grin softened, and for a moment, Y/N couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.

They packed up their things, and as Jake headed toward the exit, he paused, glancing back at her. “Same time next week?”

Y/N gave him a sideways glance, unsure whether to take him seriously or not. But something in the way he asked — like he actually wanted to be there — made her nod.

“Sure. Why not?”

And just like that, Y/N realized maybe she had been wrong about him. Maybe Sim Jaeyun wasn’t just the laid-back, flirtatious jock she’d always assumed.

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side note long ass chapter :") it was supposed to be a little longer but i had to cut stuff out so that'll go in the next chapter

make a wish ? TAGLIST ( open ) @dreamiestay @xeee334

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