More than Just a Friend | Jikook

Chapter 1: How Could Anyone Hate Park Jimin?

Jungkook

I stare out the glass doors of the hallway of my school, waiting for the time the kids who walk home will be dismissed. My eyes fall upon the analog clock, wondering if Jimin had a good day at middle school. Sadly, I'm in intermediate. Jimin is so grown up and smart while I can't even get my English done without his help. He's a genius, always helping me with my homework. I don't know what I would do without him.

The school bell rings and I quickly run out of the cursed school building where Jimin is waiting for me. Since the middle school starts and ends earlier, he takes the bus to my school and walks me home every day. He's better to me than my brother. Junghyun says I'm old enough to walk myself. But company is always welcome.

Jimin smiles. "Hi, Kookie. How was school?"

"I got scolded for going to the bathroom too much to stretch my legs."

He frowns, grabbing my hand. "Ah, testing week. I hated testing week when I was younger. We would have silent lunches and no recess to make sure we didn't 'talk about the test and cheat.' Now, I don't care as much because they don't give us recess anyway. But expecting you to just stare at a bright piece of paper all day isn't good."

Grinning, I nod in agreement. Jimin is so smart. I wish we were in the same grade.

Our fingers interlock and we start off in the direction of my house, Jimin usually staying at my place after school. Ever since the divorce, Jimin's mom has preferred him stay with us after school since he's been lonely without his father and little brother around.

So I make it my job to make sure Jimin is never lonely. For some reason, Jimin is never allowed to visit Mr. Park and Jihyun. It's weird. I can't even remember what they look like anymore. Every time I ask about it, Jimin is distant and dark, simply saying they hate him, so he can't see them.

How could anyone hate Park Jimin?

When we get closer to my house, we come up to a group of people from Jimin's school, all eyeing our interwoven hands with faces of disgust.

"Oh, so you're a pedo, Park? Makes sense. People like you usually are." A guy with cruel eyes snarls, adjusting his hat. "How old is he? Eight?"

"I'm ten." I glare.

"Close your eyes and let me lead you, Jungkook," Jimin says, his eyes glassy.

I do as he says, not flinching when he has me cover my ears with my favorite music playing through my music player, unable to hear or see anything from the outside world. Why Jimin does this, I don't know, but if it's Jimin, then there's no reason to worry. Jimin has always taken the best care of me.

He's my best friend.

Eventually, we come to a stop and Jimin removes my hands and headphones from my ears, laying his head on my shoulder.

"You can open your eyes now, Jungkook."

I open them and blink a bit, hugging Jimin.

"What happened?" I ask, hugging the middle schooler as silent sobs wrack his frame. "Why did they call you a pedophile?"

"Jungkook, please, I don't want to talk about it."

Understanding, I hug him tighter. "Do you want to cuddle in bed with me? I don't feel good either."

Jimin has always hated being taken care of. He's always ignored himself in favor of me, so I'm hoping if I make this about me too, he'll let me comfort him under the ruse of comforting me.

"Of course, Kookie. Anything to make you feel better." Jimin smiles, burying down his emotions, selfless as ever. He's perfect.

How could anyone hate Park Jimin?

Author's Note: Middle schoolers can be evil. Why do you think Jimin's parents divorced and he was split from Jihyun?

What do you think of the story so far?

Make sure to take care and love yourself as best as you can.

With lots of love,

-BBM