🤎✨LOVE IN SEOUL✨🤎 ( UNDER EDITING )

19

"Kookie, do you mind taking the trash out front? The garbage collector will be coming soon," Mrs. Jeon said, poking her head into Jungkook's room.

Jungkook sat up on his bed, forcing a weak smile onto his face. "Okay."

Mrs. Jeon's eyes narrowed, her expression concerned. "What are you even doing in here? Watch TV or something... or go to Taehyung's. I think I'll be locked up in my room for a while, I have tons of work and I have to submit on Monday."

Jungkook shrugged, his eyes avoiding his mom's. "I'm good, just tired."

Mrs. Jeon slid into Jungkook's room, her eyes scanning her son's face. "You always say that, is there something you aren't telling me?" she asked gently.

Jungkook looked down, his shoulders sagging. "Nothing, Mom."

Mrs. Jeon's gaze lingered on her son's face, her expression softening. "You've been awfully quiet these days, and after school, you just stay in your room until I call you for dinner... Besides, you look like you've lost some weight."

Jungkook's eyes darted up, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice. "I haven't lost any weight, Mom, you're just imagining things."

Mrs. Jeon's eyes searched her son's face, her voice gentle but probing. "Did you and Tae fight?"

Jungkook's eyes widened, and he leaped out of bed, his face flushed. "I'LL GO AND TAKE OUT THE TRASH!" he yelled, bolting out of the room before his mom could ask any more questions.

As Jungkook approached the kitchen, a deep sigh escaped his lips. This past week had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness. He missed Taehyung, his best friend, his confidant. But Taehyung was acting like he didn't exist, and their interactions had been reduced to awkward, casual encounters.

Jungkook felt like he was living a double life. Around Jimin and Eun Ji, he could pretend to be his usual self, but once he was alone, the facade crumbled. After school, the weight of his emotions crushed him, and all he wanted to do was curl up and get lost in his thoughts.

He had been skipping breakfast and barely eating at school, only mustering up an appetite when his mom came home from work and cooked dinner. He didn't want her to worry, and he had been trying to put on a brave face. But now, with his mom's comment about losing weight still fresh in his mind, Jungkook realized that he hadn't been fooling anyone – not even himself.

With a heavy heart, Jungkook grabbed the trash and headed to the backyard, where the oversized garbage bag waited. He tossed the smaller bag inside and wheeled the bin out to the front yard, the mundane task a welcome distraction from his swirling thoughts.

"Jungkook?" a voice called out, and Jungkook's head snapped towards the sound. "Hyung?" he replied, his eyes locking onto the familiar figure approaching him.

Namjoon flashed a warm smile, his perfect dimples making an appearance. "I was just taking a stroll," he beamed.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "Under this hot sun? Yeah, only you would do that." he teased. Namjoon chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Well, I was hoping to see you around," Namjoon admitted, his gaze holding Jungkook's.

Jungkook pointed at himself, feigning surprise, "Me?" He knew exactly why Namjoon was looking for him, but he played along.

"Let's walk," Namjoon suggested, nodding towards the nearby park. "We can stop there and catch some shade." Jungkook hesitated, glancing back at his home, hoping his mom would magically appear and rescue him. But Namjoon's expectant gaze kept him rooted. He nodded, and they set off together.