english teacher - Kim Taehyung

epilogue

***

After the day I last saw Taehyung, everyone was gossiping about the teacher and student relationship. I became the talk of the town, not that I really cared. My dad twisted it to make it seem as if Taehyung had brainwashed me into being in a relationship with him. That caused a lot of pity to be sent my way that I didn't want or need. One time, when I couldn't take all the pity and lies, I cried all night to Jimin, finally actually telling someone that I was gay. I also said sorry to Jimin so many times that night for my actions of not being a good friend to him. Jimin being the angel he was, forgave me and told me to not be ashamed of who I loved. I happily took his words and that's exactly what I did.

I started to study at school harder than ever. All my teachers were impressed with me and I ended the year with good marks. Even my father was happy about my grades now soaring instead of taking a nosedive. Not that I cared, he had made me still go to conversion therapy.

Once my second year was over, my father made me see multiple therapists to try and "make me normal". I, of course, did not agree with that and made sure I didn't talk the whole time. Over the course of the summer before my last year of high school and when I turned 18, my parents gave up on me and disowned me. I haven't talked to them since.

When I got kicked out of the house with a bag of some of my belongings a week before my 3rd year started, I went to the only place I could think of. I went to Jimin's house. I showed up on their doorstep soaking wet from the rain. Jimin's dads both took care of me immediately and took pity on my situation. Mr Min and Mr Jung both treated me wonderfully, it made me feel like I was actually loved and cared for as a son. I finally got to see what I had been missing all these years.

For the year I stayed with them, I made sure to get a job so I could help them out with all they had done for me. Mr Min and Mr Jung had both tried to stop me from getting a job so I could help them with the bills, but I eventually convinced them saying I needed money for college.

Jimin had the job of being an assistant dance instructor at a local dance studio. I had been shocked at him being a dancer and that he hadn't told me all these years, but I guess we all have our own secrets.

I had trouble at first looking for a job until I found a sign looking for English tutors. I happily took the job and started teaching a language I had been badly failing just over a year ago to younger students. It made me feel grateful to Taehyung, for everything he had done for me.

But Taehyung, not a day went by without me thinking about him. I only had one picture with him and that was the day at the zoo. I kept the picture close to me always, it was the last thing of him I had, and for some reason, I held on, not even knowing where he was now or if he even thought of me. It pained me to think about him forgetting about me and everything we had, but I had to eventually move on, right?

After I graduated high school, it took some time to figure out what I wanted to do. It wasn't until Mr Min reminded me that I was an English tutor before and that if I really enjoyed it, I could become an English teacher. I had given it some thought, wanting to make sure that I would make this decision without the influence of Taehyung. In the end, I couldn't tell if his influence was still in me or not, but I ended up majoring in English. The only sad thing was, the college that accepted me was halfway across the country, making me leave Mr Min, Mr Jung, and Jimin behind for a bit. I would visit them on holidays of course, but it wasn't the same as being there with them always. I would get homesick easily in the beginning, that was until I found friends at college.

College had been going smoothly so far, I was getting good grades in English and was even playing some sports here and there. Since I was getting good grades in class, my teachers had told me to think about travelling to teach English. I was still thinking about it since graduation was a good while away still.