sɪɴᴄᴇ ʜɪɢʜsᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ☑

38. Not Enough

Jimin arrived at home and his heart sank further into his stomach when he found his parents in the living room, silently discussing things. Their eyes met and Jimin strode towards them while hearing his heart ringing in his ears. "I don't want to be the one to say I told you so, but I did, Jimin," Mr. Park's eyes had disappointment in them. "Jungkook was nothing but a distraction to you and you fell prey to his cunningness."

"He isn't like that, father." Jimin looked down, mumbling slowly. Mrs. Park was aware of the relationship between the two so she wanted to say something, but she kept quiet as she needed to discuss it separately with her husband first and it wasn't a good time.

"You are still defending him. I'd run in the other direction, Jimin. I don't have expectations from you anymore." The man walked away slowly, causing Jimin's unshed tears to pour down his eyes. Mrs. Park stepped towards her son to hold him, but Jimin turned away and ran to his room.

Closing the door behind, he plunked on the floor and clutched his head with both hands.

Meanwhile, Jungkook's home had a completely contrasting environment with cheery lights, good food, and the gathering of a few close friends and family. Jungkook couldn't be happy entirely after his conversation with Jimin earlier. He smiled for the cameras when people clicked with him, but only on the outside.

Getting over with everything and finally going into his room, Jungkook checked to see no texts from Jimin. They talked or texted around this time every day before falling asleep. He was now sure that Jimin wasn't okay and this feeling made him feel sick to his stomach. With anxiety blinding him, he called Jimin only to be cut off. When he attempted again, Jimin's phone was now turned off.

The night seemed the longest to the boy now who couldn't sleep and ran to the bathroom to throw up in the middle of it.

**

The feelings on the first day of senior high weren't how Jungkook imagined them to be. Instead of being enthusiastic and proud, Jungkook was rather dim and guilty now. He knew that Jimin wasn't going to pick him up so he asked his father and was half an hour early for the class.

No one has arrived yet, but gradually, the class began to fill. The congratulatory remarks made Jungkook feel guiltier now, even though he shouldn't, as his head cocked at the door with every silhouette entering through the door. It was Jimin at last who entered the class with a pale face.

Jungkook's heart busted at the sight as he lurked to talk to the boy. "Hyung, congratulations!" The boy tried to express with a bright smile that he managed to carve on his lips.

"For what?" Jimin replied rather wryly as he plopped his backpack over to his desk and sat down without looking at Jungkook.

Jungkook knew now. The doubt he had was now converted into the assurance that Jimin was mad because he had gotten the highest marks. "Y-you scored second," the boy stood behind Jimin's desk, speaking guiltily.

"So what?" Jimin asked without turning around. "I am not satisfied."

The words caused Jungkook's stomach to feel funny. As if on cue, the teacher entered the classroom and Jungkook had to retreat his steps. The new class layout was different than the last one. Jungkook had placed his bag on the last bench and Jimin had sat two rows from the front. Jungkook's eyes were moist as he walked back and sat down with a sigh to calm his nerves, but nothing brought comfort to him.

As class commenced, he only prayed that the teacher wouldn't ask him anything because even though he tried so hard to concentrate on the words, they slipped right past his ears. "I am not satisfied." They kept suspending throughout the air and dripping the venomous tone of hatred.