Taekook and the ECLIPSE

2 | Sorry

"Speaking of college applications, Taehyung," Jaewoo said, his tone even more sullen — he tried to avoid addressing Taehyung directly, and when he had to, it exacerbated his bad mood. "Kook and I were just talking about next year. Have you decided where you're going to school?"

Taehyung smiled up at Jaewoo and his voice was friendly. "Not yet. I've received a few acceptance letters, but I'm still weighing my options."

"Where have you been accepted?" Jaewoo pressed.

"Syracuse . . . Harvard . . . Dartmouth . . . and I just got accepted to the University of Alaska Southeast today." Taehyung turned his face slightly to the side so that he could wink at me. I stifled a giggle.

"Harvard? Dartmouth?" Jaewoo mumbled, unable to conceal his awe. "Well that's pretty . . . that's something. Yeah, but the University of Alaska . . . you wouldn't really consider that when you could go Ivy League. I mean, your father would want you to . . ."

"Namjoon's always fine with whatever I choose to do," Taehyung told him serenely.

"Hmph."

"Guess what, Taehyung?" I asked in a bright voice, playing along.

"What, Kook?"

I pointed to the thick envelope on the counter. "I just got my acceptance to the University of Alaska!"

"Congratulations!" He grinned. "What a coincidence."

Jaewoo's eyes narrowed and he glared back and forth between the two of us. "Fine," he muttered after a minute. "I'm going to go watch the game, Kook. Nine-thirty."

That was his usual parting command.

"Er, Dad? Remember the very recent discussion about my freedom . . . ?"