Best of Me

Chapter 7: New Friends

Walking onto campus, he ducked his head and raised his hood so that no one would stop him and wandered into his first class. He all but fell into his chair and sighed as he rubbed his face. He felt a little ridiculous in the outfit, but it made Minjun happy.

Glancing around the room, he was pleased to see that he was a little early and took out his phone to look through the news and create a reminder to go grocery shopping this weekend. Minjun was eating all the snacks, and bills needed to be paid by Sunday.

This class was one of the more easier ones- a basic science class that everyone has to take. Jeongguk pulled out of his textbook and notebook just as a deep husky voice broke through his quiet.

"Hey, Jeongguk," the voice greeted. Jeongguk looked up through his fringe and saw that it was Taehyung. Probably the only person that he talks to, although even that's rare. He was older than him by a year, making him a second year, and a different major.

This was the only class they shared.

The older man looked good today. His hair was dyed a dark chocolate brown, longer in the back and fluffed up. His smile was bright, eyes lined in kohl and he wore blue colored contacts. He wore a odd coral colored shirt, tucked into some loose ripped jeans and expensive shoes.

Kim Taehyung, photography major, and also known for being one of the most eccentric and beautiful on the school grounds. He was relatively known, even for a college, and he was also known for being really kind, but a little odd.

Jeongguk gave a nervous smile, feeling his anxiety rush through his system. And I wonder where Minjun gets it from... get it together! You're a dad. You can talk to a person normally. He cursed his inner dialogue as Taehyung plopped next to him.

"Um, uh, hi?"

Taehyung offered a bright smile, and Jeongguk felt his hands turn clammy when suddenly the other boy's nose scrunched and he leaned forward, smelling Jeongguk. Eyes large and mouth agape.

"Why do you smell like baby powder?" the other questioned. Jeongguk felt his entire body tense up at the question. He forgot his cologne after he took off Minjun's diaper! He wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. "I noticed it before, but I didn't think anything of it."

"Uh, I, uh, baby sit?" he muttered.

"Oh really? I love kids so much! You're so lucky," Taehyung answered, beaming brightly as he took out his phone and pulled up a picture of him holding a little baby girl- younger than Minjun it appeared. "That is my baby sister when she was one and half."

"She's beautiful," Jeongguk said, and genuinely meant it. She looked healthy for her age, and that made him smile when he saw the love in the other's eyes as he kissed her cheek. It was a sweet picture.

Realizing who he was talking to, he cleared his throat and looked away as the nervousness returned, though the fact Taehyung seemed to like kids calmed him down a little. "Did you... need something, Taehyung sunbae-nim?"

Taehyung frowned. "Call me hyung, or just Tae. I don't like formalities." He cocked his head to the side as he examined Jeongguk's facial features before he sighed. "Do I... make you uncomfortable? I'm sorry. I can go? I know I'm overbearing and loud."

"Wait, no," Jeongguk called, realizing that Taehyung grabbed his bag to move. He grabbed his wrist and stopped him, then blushed and let go. Taehyung stayed still, eyes large. "I'm sorry. It's not you... just most people leave me alone and... I'm not use to people talking to me?"

Taehyung made an 'O' shape with his mouth before he sat down and gave a somewhat shy smile. "Sorry- I just assumed we're friends, and I saw you sitting here so I just... wanted someone to talk to. You seem cool."