Hate To Date You ➤ Jake

|| Damage Control

🩷༘⋆

Adore You -

༘˚⋆𐙚｡"You don't have to say you love me
You don't have to say nothing
You don't have to say you're mine"⋆𖦹.✧˚

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The moment we stepped into school, I knew I was doomed.

People were staring.

Not just the casual, passing glances you'd expect, but full-on gawking. Whispering. Pointing. Like Jake and I had just descended from the heavens, hand in hand, as if we were some royal couple.

I wanted to disappear.

Jake, of course, loved the attention. He walked like he owned the place, looking smug as ever, while I focused on not strangling him in front of our entire class.

I had barely taken three steps before a familiar voice screeched—

"SOOAH?!"

I turned just in time for Minji to sprint toward me, her face the definition of shock.

She skidded to a stop in front of me, eyes locked onto our interlocked hands like they had personally offended her.

"You're actually doing it?" she demanded.

I scowled. "What do you mean?"

She pointed dramatically. "This! The hand-holding! The—" She gestured at Jake, who grinned at her like he was enjoying this too much. "—whatever the hell this is?!"

I tried to yank my hand away, but Jake just tightened his grip.

"Babe, don't be shy," he said, smirking.

I nearly exploded.

Sunghoon, who had just arrived, snorted. "Wow. I can't believe you two are actually playing along."

"You thought I'd just give up and take the dare?" I asked.

"Yes," Minji and Sunghoon said in unison.

I rolled my eyes. "Well, I'm not losing. I refuse to let Jungwon win."

Sunghoon shook his head. "I don't know, Sooah. Seeing you hold Jake's hand like that? I think you already lost."

I elbowed him. "Shut up."

Jake chuckled. "You'll get used to it."

I sent him a glare so sharp it could kill a man. "I'd rather get hit by an amazon delivery truck."

Sunghoon clapped me on the shoulder. "Well, until that happens, enjoy being the most hated girl in school."

That was not an exaggeration.

Because the second we entered the cafeteria, every girl who had ever liked Jake turned to look at me like I had personally ruined their lives.

By lunch, I had already heard at least five different conspiracy theories about our relationship.

1. Jake lost a bet (which, ironically, was actually true).
2. Jake was pity-dating me.
3. I had blackmailed him.
4. I had paid him.
5. I was some kind of witch who had cast a spell on him.

Honestly? That last one was the most flattering.

"Wow," Sunghoon said, scrolling through his phone. "Someone made a poll on the school's anonymous forum about how long you two will last."

Minji perked up. "Ooh, what's winning?"

Sunghoon squinted at the screen. "Three days."

Minji nodded. "Sounds reasonable."

I groaned, slamming my head onto the cafeteria table. "I hate it here."

Minji patted my back, not even trying to hide her amusement. "Hey, look on the bright side. At least nobody's physically attacked you yet."

Sunghoon hummed. "Yeah. Yet."

I huffed, grabbing my chopsticks and focusing on my food. I needed fuel if I was going to survive this.

Unfortunately, before I could even take a bite—

The entire mood shifted.

I felt it before I saw it.

A chill ran down my spine, like someone was watching me with pure murderous intent.

I turned my head—

—and immediately wished I hadn't.

Jisoo.

Jake's rumored, maybe-not-so-rumored, ex-something.

Who was currently staring me down like she was planning my murder.

"Oh," Minji said, following my gaze. "Yeah, you're definitely on her hit list."

I slumped in my seat. "Fantastic."

"She's getting up," Sunghoon whispered.

I panicked. "Abort mission—"

Too late.

Jisoo was already walking toward us.

"Sooah."

Jisoo's voice was sweet. Too sweet. The kind of sweet that made my fight-or-flight instincts scream.

I forced a smile. "Jisoo. Hi."

She tilted her head, all fake innocence. "So... you and Jake?"

I resisted the urge to crawl under the table. "Uh. Yeah."

She hummed. "Interesting."

I had never feared a single word more in my life.

She leaned closer, eyes sharp. "You know, Jake and I have history."

I blinked. "You... do?"

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We've been close for a long time."

Translation: He's mine. Get lost.

"Wow," I said flatly. "That's crazy."

Jisoo studied me for a moment, then smiled again. "Well, I just wanted to say... I hope you two are really, truly happy."

She didn't mean that.

At all.

I barely held back a shiver. "Uh. Thanks?"

Jisoo patted my shoulder, then walked off.

I turned to Minji and Sunghoon, horrified. "I think she just put a curse on me."

Sunghoon snorted. "You're dead."

Minji sighed. "Rip Sooah. You were a real one."

I groaned. "I hate this bet."

And just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse—

A warm hand suddenly landed on my head.

I looked up.

Jake.

"What's up, babe?" he said, grinning down at me.

Jisoo whipped her head around.

Minji gasped.

Sunghoon looked like he was about to throw up.

And I?

I wanted to die.

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A/N: short chapter sorry sillybillys maybe i'll upload another one today too to make up for it :)