Stay l Taekook

-31-

"So, do you think he really never cared about me? Is that why it's so easy for him?" I asked Namjoon during lunch.

"No, I think it's not easy for him at all and his attitude says it all"

"Huh? Where did you get that? His attitude is what makes it look like he doesn't care. That and the fact that he said so" I say as I take a bite of my sandwich.

"He's pissed and shutting you out, right?" I nod my head. "You don't react like that to things that you don't care about. You don't get mad and hurt at things you don't care about"

"You also don't smash mirrors" 

"What?"

"I think he smashed a mirror in the boys restroom the other day. Right after I told him it may have been a mistake breaking up with him and he said he didn't care"

"Oh, he definitely cares"

"So what should I do?"

"I don't know, Taehyung. I wish I could help you out, man but I have no idea, this is all you" I pouted and looked down. I didn't blame Namjoon for not having all of the answers, even though part of me really wished he did.

Yoongi was eating lunch with Jimin, Hoseok and Jungkook and had refused to talk to him about me or try and find out how he was doing. On the other hand, the first thing I had noticed when I sat down this morning was the band aid that covered Jungkook's knuckles, now I was sure he had been the one to smash that mirror.

++++

The recess bell rang and I got up to go for a walk during the ten minutes break we had before our last class. I asked Namjoon if he wanted to join me but he decided to stay inside the classroom so I walked around aimlessly until I emerged into the garden. I was about to turn back when I saw someone sitting down on a bench, he seemed to be struggling to do something so I went over and offered to help.

"Oh, I didn't see it was you" I say when Jungkook turned his head to look at me. "I saw you were struggling, can I help?" I point to his left hand that was trying to place a bandage around his right hand.

"Yeah...Please" I smiled and sat down. I grabbed the tub of cream and applied it on his bruised knuckles.

"I know it's a dumb thing to say but you shouldn't have punched that mirror"

"You're right, it's a dumb thing to say" I chuckle when I hear his answer and put down the tub of cream to take the bandage instead. 

"What happened to the band-aid?"

"It kept on falling off...You don't have to help me you know"

"I know, I want to" I finished tightening the bandage and looked up. "All done"

"Thanks"

"No problem" I got up and walked back towards the classroom.

It was our first civil conversation ever since the breakup and I had to admit it was nice leaving him without feeling like my heart had just been stabbed.

Once inside, I wanted to go talk to Namjoon about what had just happened but the bell rang and the teacher came in. I cursed under my breath and went to sit back down. I looked behind me and found Jungkook already looking at me. I smile at him and against all odds, he returned my smile.

Fearing I'd ruin the moment, I focused back on my notebook and picked up my pen to write some of the things that were written on the board. After an hour the bell rang. I closed my notebook and stuffed it inside my bag, the final exams were next week which meant today was my last shot to really talk to Jungkook.

"Jungkook, can we talk?"

"Why are you doing this, Tae? Can't we just go our separate way and not hate each other? Every time you come back towards me, it hurts. So, please don't do it again" I stayed silent as I watched him swing his bag across his back and exit the room.

I let my head fall down as my body was shaken by uncontrollable sobs. In a second I found myself crouched down with both my hands covering my face. Even if I wanted to I couldn't seem to be able to stop. It took me a couple of moments to be take back control of my breathing and rise back up. I scanned the room to see if anyone had seen me, but no one was there. I grabbed some tissue out of my bag, dried my eyes and left the classroom.

Since today was the last day for music club, I decided to go and spend the rest of my day there. I opened the door and saw Taeyong with a group of other students going through the order of the songs for the play. Yoongi was sitting with Jimin, teaching him how to play guitar. Further in the back Hoseok was sitting with Soyeon on his lap going through some lyrics for a song I had never heard before. Was Jungkook here? I went to sit down and looked around, a raspy voice caught my attention as I looked to my left and saw Yuqi with Jungkook. She was holding up a piece of paper with the lyrics to an English song.

I tried to listen and recognized the song called Shallow. She would sing Lady Gaga's part as Jungkook sang Bradley's. Just like before, their voices melted together beautifully. Without even noticing, my body had shifted and was now facing them both. I batted my eyes and felt a single tear drop fall down my cheek. At that moment the song ended and Jungkook looked up, when his eyes fell on me, I jumped in my seat and looked in front of me.

I stayed like that for what felt like an eternity until I was sure Jungkook was busy with something else. When I saw him downstairs talking to Hoseok, I could finally relax. Namjoon had been sitting next to me for some time and I had told him about what happened between me and Jungkook today. I still asked him for advice even though I knew he didn't have anything for me. Eventually he got up and went to talk with Winter and Daniel.

At some point, Taeyong gave a speech as he thanked each and every student for their help with the play and for joining the club. Everyone was a little emotional since we knew it was his last year. Little by little, the students started exiting after going to thank Taeyong and the rest of the members. I watched as Sunoo left with Winter and Jungwon, Hoseok left with Yoongi, Jimin and Soyeon.

"Hey" I say when I come up to Taeyong and Namjoon. "I'm going to go, you can lock up today" I say and smile as I hand Taeyong the keys. "You've been an amazing club president, Taeyong, and I'm glad you never gave up on it" We hugged before I bid them goodbye and walked away.

I walked past Jungkook who took a step towards me before stopping and staying put. I pursed my lips and walked out of the room. I would only be seeing him during finals and for the play, but after that I would have to spend two months without seeing him and the thought alone made my heart sink.