Hate To Date You ➤ Jake

|| The Game We Are Playing

˚.🎀༘⋆

The Scientist -

✮⋆˙"I was just guessing at numbers and figures Pulling the puzzles apartQuestions of science, science and progress"⟡ ݁₊ .

✮✮✮

I was losing.

That much became obvious by the next day, when I found myself overthinking every little thing Jake Sim did.

The way he stretched in class, running a hand through his hair like some K-drama male lead. The way his sleeves were always rolled up just enough to show off his arms. The way his eyes crinkled when he smirked—which was often, because I was apparently giving him way too many reasons to do it.

Most of all, the way he had whispered in my ear yesterday.

I should not still be thinking about that.

And yet, every time I replayed it in my head, I felt the exact same thing—a mix of frustration, anticipation, and something else I wasn't ready to name yet.

I had started this game thinking I was in control.

But Jake?

He was turning the tables.

And I hated that it was working.

Lunch rolled around, and I found myself walking toward our usual table.

Jake was already there, lazily leaning back in his chair, talking to Heeseung and Jungwon. When he spotted me, his smirk was immediate.

"Hey, princess."

I had two choices: ignore him and admit defeat—or keep playing.

Obviously, I picked the second option.

I slid into the seat across from him and tilted my head. "Miss me already?"

His smirk deepened. "Maybe."

Heeseung made a choking sound.

I ignored him, resting my chin on my palm. "You should be careful, Sim. Getting attached isn't part of the deal."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Who said I was the one getting attached?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but then—

"Jake!"

A familiar voice called out from behind me.

I turned just as her voice registered.

Nayeon.

Another one of Jake's exes.

The girl who had been his on-and-off girlfriend before this whole fake-dating mess.