Twenty-Five

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"Can you help me buy my present for Lee Ara's birthday?" Jeon Jungkook's question penetrates your ear and you wished you heard him wrong with all the bustling sound going on the street but his voice was crystal clear.

And you want to curse at him because honestly, you were offended and hurt. How can he come to you and ask you for help after everything? How can he be so insensitive? But you also remembered that you told him that you aren't affected by it anymore, that its just a simple crush when in reality, it isn't. And one thing you know about boys is they are clueless.

They don't read between the lines. What you say to them is what they believe in. They don't see through you nor are they a mind-reader. They don't doubt your words and they don't make it a big deal.

You look up at Taehyung who stood beside you and looking at you, eyebrows raised.

If in another circumstance, maybe you'd help him with anything, right away, but the circumstance now isn't something you could say yes to. You like him, you adore him so much but liking him isn't a consent to anything that can lead to abuse. And you're sure as hell that you aren't a masochist and that you know better and that is to get away from everything that might hurt you.

"Jeon Jungkook, I'm sorry but Im busy right now." You said, you tried so hard to make your voice sound apologetic and casual.

"O-oh. But it doesn't have to be right now? We can meet on saturday? When you're free." He said, pursuading you. Like a desperate man.

Desperate for help with choosing the right gift for his girl. His girl. And yet here he is asking you if you can meet on saturday after just declining him. It's true, you have no plans on saturday but you are not one to tell him that because that would only give him more will to ask for your help. You figured he will not accept your answer and will just keep on persuading you, or worst hunt you in school, if you don't give him enough reason why you can't help him.

You sighed, you saw Taehyung's eyes getting worried because you probably look problematic right now. "Are you okay?" Taehyung tried to whisper.

But Jeon Jungkook seemed to hear it amidst the busy street as your background. "Are you with someone right now?" He asks.

You looked at Taehyung smiled at him, trying to assure him that you're alright. "Yeah."

"Date?" He asked, he let silence occupy the both of you as he let you speak but you didn't respond with everything that's going inside your head.

You tried to process everything. Why was he asking if you are in a date right now? And what about your answer? What will you tell him? And why does he even care with your business? He could've said sorry for disturbing you with the knowledge that you are with someone right now but he didn't, instead he asked if its a date. A freaking date.

"Our bus is here, Y/n." Kim Taehyung said as he stretch his neck trying to see the bus that's coming our way better.

You bit your lip, "I'm really sorry, Jeon Jungkook but I can't. I really can't. I already have plans on saturday with someone." You told him even though your Saturday was free.

"How about Sunday?" He tried to slip it and to slip in your schedule and it only makes it harder for you.

"I can't, Jeon Jungkook. I can't." You said before stepping in the bus before Kim Taehyung and disconnecting the call.

Taehyung sat beside you, next to the aisle. "You were talking to your friend?" He asked.

You nodded as you glance away and stare at the window. "Your relationship with him seems problematic." Taehyung mumbled.

Everything became problematic since you had feelings for that boy. It was your fault, not his nor Lee Ara's. If only you did not develop any feelings for Jeon Jungkook, but what's the point now? You already fell for it. Its time to own up to your feelings and this is a part of it. Staying away from Jeon Jungkook.

A pastel yellow note hang on the glass window as Taehyung stick it to your side. Your eyes feasting on it with curiousity, wondering what Taehyung would want to say to you through the note again.

'Smile for me, please. :('

-T

Your brows furrowed as you glance at him by your side. Taehyung had this soft smile plastered on his face, his eyes the same as his smile. Maybe he felt how much you felt so down right now that he can't help but to make you smile so the atmosphere would be lighter.

You smiled at him tightly, but you saw no humor in his eyes. Like he wasn't convinced by the show you're trying to put up. Now, you're ready to redirect to another topic.

You pulled the note from the window, "Why do you carry a bunch of this in your bag?" You asked him.

"Because I tend to forget things a lot, so I write them and stick them to get them stucked in my head." He explained but his eyes were still so careful, like he's trying to read you but can't seem to get through to what your eyes are trying to cover.

You nodded and let out an awkward laugh before pointing at the window when you realize that its your stop. Taehyung step down the bus with you, he still walked you home but unlike yesterday, you didn't fish for a conversation, instead you let the silence stretch between you.

Somehow, the silence gave you comfort and relieved the feeling of feeling down even just for a bit. And maybe, Taehyung felt it too because when you were already infront of your house, all he did was smile at you like he was assuring that everything will be alright before he left.

After that phone call, everything pass by so fast. The saturday and sunday he was talking about flew by like the wind. You spent your hours tiring your mind if he ever bought a gift for her, and how ridiculous that you're concerned if he bought a gift for his girlfriend or not. Everytime you'd think about this, your mind would have a second thought but you have to stick on your ground and tell yourself to knock out of it.

You shouldn't think about him anymore. You shouldn't because he isn't the same Jungkook anymore. Jungkook has a girl who has every right to have Jungkook in her mind. And that's not you.

"This dude is even better than that Jungkook. I like him." You snapped out of your thoughts when you heart Jimin's laugh with all his heart.

Taehyung had his boxy smile flashing in your table. He probably told Jimin another story of his adventures in Australia. How he adjusted in that country and made fun of himself just so he could get away from awkward situations.

But you saw how Taehyung's brows furrowed a bit when he heard what Jimin exclaimed.

Kim Taehyung's been joining you for lunch a couple of days ago and Jimin was more than thrilled when he saw you with a boy again. Of course, he welcomed Taehyung warmly. He had been so fond of the cute boy ever since while Wendy's cool with him and sometimes would joke a bit with him.

"I'll just tag along with you then." Kim Taehyung pouts as he tug on your sleeve.

You glance at the whole, nobody was there anymore. Then you looked at the boy who had his eyes pleading at you to take him in for lunch.

"But you'll probably feel left out if I take you with me?" You asked in concern, thinking about Wendy and Jimin.

"It's okay! I'm with you, so it's okay!" He exclaimed.

You bit your lip. Well, Taehyung's pretty good with talking to new people. They'd probably think he's cute if they see him act like this. Plus, everyone would treat him well because of his father. And oh! Wendy, he knows Wendy so you think it's alright to introduce him to them.

So in the end, you nodded at Taehyung and you walked together to the cafeteria.

"I'd act good so your friends will like me and would like to hang with me too." He mumbled as he flash you a smile.

You looked at him, remembering the conversation with him when he first walked you home. He said the kids were scared of him and avoided him, so who did he hang out with before? Or did he have anyone to hang out with?

He was probably lonely all these time. He was probably eating all alone. Or he'd take a lunch out without anyone to spend his time with. You felt guilty, maybe you should've introduced him sooner to your friends.

You saw Jimin beaming at Wendy who was glaring at him. Jun wasn't on your table but a tray was placed beside Wendy's so you assumed that he was there before.

"I told you not to talk to him like that!" You heard Wendy's raising pitch.

"You don't have a say to what I do. My lips are mine, and you certainly won't control it."

"Oh! Curse your big lips! I can't believe girls like to suck on that." Wendy made a fake vomitting sound.

"Oh, you're just angry your boyfriend doesn't have a lips as plump as mine." Jimin scoff as he rolled his eyes at Wendy.

"What is it about lips and sucking?" Taehyung whispered on your side as you both halt beside the table.

Both of your friends glance at you then back to each other, ready to resume their rebuttal but stopped when they realized you were with someone.

"Who the hell is this?" Jimin's voice was laced with playfulness as he smiled at the boy beside you, his eyebrows shot up.

"Uh... just ignore what they were arguing about. That's normal." I whispered back before I turn to Jimin.

"Kim Taehyung? Kim Taehyung the wild kid from Australia?" Wendy asked, a sign of recognition can be seen in her eyes as she stood up from her seat.

"Wendy the blonde, what's up!" Taehyung chuckled as he raise his hand to high five Wendy.

Wendy chuckled but when her eyes went to Jimin, she immediately glared. You shook your head and saw how Jimin smiled widely at Wendy.

"You aren't as wild as before, right? Damn, I don't think its a great idea to run around and stand on the tables here." Wendy said that Taehyung chuckled at and shook his head.

"I won't anymore. That was ages ago, forget about it Wendy the blonde." Taehyung slapped Wendy's arm.

Kim Taehyung had stopped grinning at Wendy when he saw Jimin across him. His face turned seriously and he immediately bowed.

"Hi, I'm Kim Taehyung, nice to meet you!" He said as he stood up straight, he had Jimin blinking in shock.

He grins at Jimin, your heart soften. He looked so much like a kid, seeking for a friend. Jimin smiled slowly before he pat Taehyung's shoulder.

"Nice to meet you, dude. Are you Y/n's boyfriend, now?" He asked.

You saw Taehyung became so flustered, he stood there looking at Jimin blankly while you slap Jimin's arm awkwardly. "Stop it. He's a friend." You hissed.

Jimin broke off to a laugh, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But seriously, can you be her boyfriend instead?" He said that made you slap your forehead.

Nothing goes right with Jimin.

Taehyung just grinned at him and chuckled with eyes on you. At first encounter, Jimin knew Taehyung was the Admin's son and Taehyung was so happy that Jimin only found it cool and didn't avoid him. After that, Jimin would always invite Taehyung to our table when he sees it, or Taehyung would just tag along with me willingly. The second lunch they spent together they changed numbers and was already talking about video games.

You were glad that Taehyung had new friends and people he could hang out with anytime because surely, Jimin would be more willing to hang with him around. You're just a bit worried that Jimin might influence Taehyung with his wild escapades.

"Can we go to the pastry shop, Y/n?" He asked in the middle of your lunch with Jimin right now.

"After school?" You asked and you saw Jimin's curious eyes.

"You hang around after school? Isn't fair, Tae." Jimin commented while Wendy ate her salad.

"We go home together so we kinda hang around after school." He said as he look up at the ceiling, thinking if he said it right.

"You go home together?" Jimin seemed to be shocked, "Are you courting her or something?"

You nudge Jimin who sat beside you and across Taehyung. "We live near each other." You explained which Taehyung nodded too.

"Oh, that's too bad. My way's opposite from yours. And Wendy would probably waste her time flirting with her boyfriend." He rolled his eyes.

So after school, you did go to the pastry shop he was talking about that day when Jungkook called you. The pastry shop was decorated cutely with its color palette of pastel pink, gray and white and some glittery things.

You told Taehyung that he can order for you since he knows what's this shop is best at. He goes back to your table with various pastries in his tray. You tilted your head when you saw him grin at you.

"Are you sure we can finish all of that?" You look at him after he place it on the table.

"Yes, and we'll have a sore throat tomorrow." He grinned like it was a good thing.

"You're crazy." You laughed and he only nodded to it and started indulging the pastries.

"Slow down on your intake." You tried to remind him but he only shook his head.

You put down the cheesecake to get your phone and take a picture of Taehyung's face. He stopped chewing when he saw what you were doing, his eyes huge and you giggled.

After seeing you giggle, he broke into a smile and did some funny face. You only laughed more when you saw how much food he stuffed his face with. But your laughters died when someone started calling you.

His name flashes on your screen and Taehyung stopped making funny faces. Its been almost two weeks since he called and now he's at it again. When's Lee Ara's birthday anyway? Is it not done yet?

You accepted the call because you didn't want to be rude even though you didn't want to talk to Jungkook right now that you're having fun because you're pretty sure you'd kill the mood. You swallowed the remnants of the cheesecake in your mouth.

You put your phone beside your ear and just waited for him to speak. Your eyes still on Taehyung who ate in silence now, giving you the privacy you needed.

"Y/n." You heard Jungkook's voice shake and you instantly sat up straight.

"What is it?" You almost whispered, trying to feel him through his voice.

Everything was silent and you can only hear his heavy breaths. A dreading five second of silence went through until he finally spoke.

"I don't know what to do." Jeon Jungkook's voice breaks and you swore you felt something inside you broke too.

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