Passion Meets Fear | JiMina

T W E N T Y

Hands in his pocket, Jimin walked privily through the tight and hectic hallway. He focused his sight on the exit which stood only a few meters away, his eyes avoiding every possible movement from a multitude of students mostly blocking his way. Beads of sweat ran along his jaw, his face reddening from how terrifyingly awkward the situation was.

He knew a lot of people were eyeing him, observing him from wherever they were standing. Sometimes he visualized them laughing at him, and it seemed real enough to convince himself that they really were, in fact, ridiculing him. He felt strange as usual, always sensing various of emotional nuances attacking him at the same time; the urge to break down, lash out, faint and whatnot.

This whole thing when compared to the past was the weirdest, yet the realest contrast he ever thought about. Back then, he walked on these halls with ease and confidence, his chin always held up high with steadiness and class. Students looked at him because they looked up at him, respected and feared him simultaneously. They knew him as not just a popular guy, but also a student of immense discipline and talent. Looking at himself now, he was the complete opposite. People were looking at him because they expected better and not this, not this version of him.

But still, he was a little proud that this version of himself finally regained the ability to ignore others' judgmental glares and rebuking whispers. Within time, he reached the exit, stepping out of the building. His original intention to have a lone ride back to his house was cut short when Taehyung loudly called for him from behind. He turned around just as Taehyung swung his arm around his shoulders, eliciting a wince from him.

"Man, careful there," Jimin told him, his voice steadfast. He guessed to himself that Taehyung was going to talk about what happened earlier in the studio, so instinctively, he needed him to tone his excitement down.

"I cannot express how glad I am with what you did earlier," Taehyung said in an admiring manner, then clutched unto his best friend's arm, shaking it with enthusiasm. "That literally was so cool."

Jimin sighed. "Tae, no, it wasn't 'cool' or anything," he protested, and he was serious. But the guy kept budging him, continuing on making compliments that were supposed to be genuinely flattering but they just made it worse, unfortunately.

"Seriously though—"

"Seriously, stop." This time he made his voice clearer and louder. Taehyung, in reaction to this, stopped dead in his tracks looking confused. Jimin groaned then nudged him by the elbow. "Look, there was nothing cool about it. Nothing interesting about someone who can't dance standing up against someone who can, and it hurts me right here"—he pointed at his chest—"hurts my pride and everything I've worked hard for."

Taehyung, after much reluctance, apologized before shutting his mouth shut for good.

They were right next to the school's cafeteria. Yes, it had a building of its own and rightly deserved so because unlike most schools' prep-meals, theirs were actually proven to be freshly made (the ingredients included, keep note). Furthermore, the executive chef was an actual chef and not just some 'cook' who can sauté a few a spices and make remotely decent, sloppy sandwiches. The building was established near the school gates, where everyone regardless of levels, degrees or majors were free to roam. It had a miscellany of captivating graffiti as its exterior design; now, the funny thing about the whole situation was that right after Jimin asserted everything he had to say, they both landed their eyes on the cafeteria's outdoor banner, "DON'T SWEAT, STOP HURTING AND EAT YOUR WORRIES AWAY."

Neither of them said anything for a moment, both keenly staring at every word on the poster. Jimin found it extremely hilarious how coincidental, despite how annoying and ridiculing, it was. Taehyung, on the other hand, was internally laughing at Jimin for getting hit so hard by a single banner. Slowly, they moved their heads to face each other and when they did, all it took was a single, awkward blink of Jimin's eyes before the two of them crumbled into fits of laughter. Taehyung held unto Jimin's frame for support, enjoying every single moment of that humorously irritating coincidence.