Love, Affairs, and Hardships | PJM

4.

No One's POV:

Jimin and Taehyung entered the bustling cafeteria, making their way to their usual table. With most of their older friends having graduated from high school, both of them were the ones who were left.

As they enjoyed their meal, their conversation covered various topics. However, their peace was soon disrupted when a girl approached and confidently occupied the seat next to Taehyung. Jimin couldn't deny her attractiveness, but his heart belonged to someone else, and he knew Taehyung wouldn't like it if he found out about Jimin's feelings for his sister.

Despite the occasional attempts by girls to flirt with Jimin, they soon learned that the man was off-limits. He had made it clear that his affections were reserved for one person, and that was Eunji.

While Taehyung flirted with the girl playfully, Jimin cautiously observed the cafeteria. His gaze inevitably found Eunji, and a warm smile crept onto his face. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach as he admired her infectious laughter.

Jimin watched as Eunji raised her hand, and he furrowed his brow in curiosity. When she exchanged a high-five with a guy who clearly wasn't Jungkook, a wave of unease washed over him. He blinked in disbelief.

Wasn't it normal for a guy and a girl to share a high-five? Jimin reasoned with himself. He silently scolded himself for being so possessive. But as he continued to watch, his unease deepened.

Eunji and the guy playfully intertwined their fingers, causing Jimin's heart to race. His protective instincts kicked in, and he couldn't stand it any longer. He leaped from his chair with lightning speed.

Jimin hadn't been allowed to get too close to Eunji without Taehyung's supervision, and now this random guy was boldly holding her hand? His jealousy and insecurity flared up, and he couldn't help but act.

Carrying his food tray, Jimin strode over to Eunji's table and plunked himself right between her and the mysterious guy. He didn't care if it seemed irrational or possessive; he simply couldn't bear seeing someone else so close to the girl he loved.

"Calm down, Jimin," he scolded himself internally, attempting to mask his emotions. After all, couldn't a guy be a little jealous when it came to matters of the heart?

•••

As another chair was pulled out, someone boldly seated themselves between Eunji and Chan. Eunji couldn't believe her eyes when she looked at the person who had dared to intrude on their table.

Her gaze settled on a visibly irritated Jimin, and then she turned to Jungkook, who was sporting an even wider smirk. She was about to voice her confusion when the newcomer spoke.

"I was bored. Tae's flirting with some random girl. I hope you guys don't mind if I sit here," Jimin said.

Eunji's cheeks flushed as soon as she heard his voice. It had the same effect on her every time – it made her heart flutter uncontrollably. She couldn't help but stare at him in disbelief, finding it hard to process that Jimin was now sitting right next to her. The butterflies in her stomach went into overdrive.

Jungkook, sensing Eunji's reaction, stifled a laugh and patted Chan sympathetically on the back. Chan had an expression of mild disappointment as he noticed Eunji's constant glances toward Jimin.

As Jimin and Eunji became engrossed in their conversation, Chan couldn't help but feel somewhat left out. They seemed so lost in each other's company that they forgot about everything else around them.

Jimin suddenly felt someone's hand on his shoulder, and he casually shrugged it off. When the hand returned, with more force this time, he glanced back with an annoyed expression. "People say pugs look ugly, but I think they're cu-" Eunji's voice trailed off as she noticed Taehyung's hand on Jimin's shoulder, his expression dark and menacing.

Jimin turned around to see Taehyung, who was glaring at him with an intensity that sent shivers down his back. Taehyung explained, "You left me with that girl; she bored me to death." He tightened his grip on Jimin's shoulder.

Jimin defended himself, saying, "You were flirting with that girl, and I was bored, so I joined Eunji, Jungkook, and this weirdo." He pointed at Chan, which caused Jungkook to wheeze with laughter and Chan to glare at Jimin.

Chan retorted sarcastically, "Wait, I didn't know you were in your senior year; I thought you were still in middle school. I was wondering why a middle schooler was wearing our uniform until I saw your friend," Jungkook and Taehyung cackled at his response, while Eunji directed a glare at the two.

Jimin added his own comment with a smirk, "Aren't you supposed to be in an eye doctor's clinic, considering you're so blind that you couldn't notice my uniform?"

Jungkook and Taehyung high-fived each other, thoroughly enjoying the playful banter. But their amusement came to a halt when Eunji intervened, slamming her hands on the table, her frustration evident.

"Can you both shut up?" Eunji snapped, causing Taehyung, Jungkook, Jimin, and Chan to gulp in unison. They all fell silent as Eunji continued to glare at them.

"You guys are impossible," she scolded, her irritation palpable. She got up from her seat, and Jungkook quickly followed suit, sensing the brewing storm.

Jimin and Taehyung exchanged uneasy glances, aware that they had inadvertently irritated Eunji. Meanwhile, Chan remained bewildered by the entire situation. Jimin explained, "She values her peace more than anything, and we were bickering right next to her." Chan nodded in understanding, making an "Oh" sound.