𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 | ᴋᴏᴏᴋᴠ

Envy

The entire hall was as silent as it possibly could be, everyone was minding their own business. Every student was doing the duo projects that was given to them by the professor, Taehyung also wished he could do the same. Maybe he could, if he minded his own business and not bother about the girl who was sitting across him.

Choi Eunjin, 19 year old new student in their university. She had already proved herself to be one of the best students here. She was a girl who was  so beautiful, so pretty, so put together. A girl who was liked and loved by everyone around her. She had an endearing smile on her face while she did almost nothing but just write her part of her lyrics project. Thankfully she was minding her own business so he could mind her business too.

She was so beautiful, so kind, definitely not as judgemental as he was towards her.... He was ashamed of this behaviour of his but he couldn't stop. He never really liked her. He could only blame it on his envious nature but for some reason whenever he was around her, he felt so attacked. He knew it wasn't because of her looks but he could never point out what it really was. He hated it. He also hated the fact that he couldn't like someone like her.

Whenever she was around, he only felt anxious that it made him feel like he was about to throw up. That's why no matter how much she attempted to get closer to him, he always managed to excuse himself away from her..... Till today. Well, he was mentally prepared for this, they were classmates so obviously someday they would eventually get here.

" I feel like if we had more time, I could have worded it better, don't you think so Taehyung? " He heard her voice, snapping him out of his little imaginary personal bubble. " Yes. " He managed to mumble out in the least awkward tone he could master at that moment. " Oh God, look at your eyes!! Purple contacts look extremely good on you, no wonder why you wear them all the time. " She let out with a gasp when she noticed his purple eyes.

" O- oh... Yeah... Thanks. " He replied with a forced smile, body shaking ever so slightly in anxiety. He figured she probably only saw his eyes from afar so now when she was seeing his eyes up close, she was kind of mind blown for some reason. " You are welcome, also... I did your part of the project Tae so you don't have to. You look sick so... I thought this would help..... " She mumbled out with another smile.

And like that, the remaining liveliness that was left on his face just got drained. He looked sick? But... He wasn't feeling sick at all. Also, Tae....? Wasn't she getting way too comfortable with him?, he was only left to wonder all of that in his head. He just sat there quietly, in unhelpful awkwardness that buried him deeper in his headspace till the professor finally dismissed them.

He managed to grab his bag and slowly walk out of the room, leaving all the project submitting-work for Eunjin. He stood outside of the hall like he usually did so he could leave with the professor, who would leave after all the students were gone. " Woah, the wording is beautiful. You and Kim did this? Good job! " Taehyung could only tsk at the professor's comment because of the lack his contribution to the lyrics.

" Thank you so much Mr. Jeon. We are glad to know that you liked it. Both of us tried our best. " He heard Eunjin, really well in fact. Why was she giving him credits when he just sat there for the entire class. She didn't have to be so nice... She didn't have to be so kind when every part of his insides could only scream in panic around her. She was too nice, he hated that she was too nice.

He saw her finally leave after the professor dismissed him too. " Why did you walk out of classroom before everyone else Tae, don't you know I leave after everyone is gone? Are you in hurry to leave today? " Jungkook whispered out while catching up to the latter who had already started walking. He managed to only shake his head as no while they made their way to the garage.

" What happened? " He heard Jungkook ask while he stared at his shoes while walking. " You don't seem okay Tae..... Is it because I paired you with Eunjin for today's projec- " The vampire stopped when he saw Taehyung snap his head to glare at him. It wasn't intimidating, just blank. " Do you think I fear her or something?! " Taehyung asked while laughing as if Jungkook told him the silliest joke ever.

" ....I know you don't like her but she isn't as bad as you think. I can promise you that.  " " I know she is bad at all. If she was, she would be able to befriend you so fast hyung. That's how I know she is a nice person.... " The younger said with his usual calm but warm tone. The older could only sigh in defeat as they approached the car.

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The car ride was silent which wasn't a part of their routine. " So what do you want for dinner Tae? Do you want to have takeout or do you want me to cook something for you. " Jungkook asked as an attempt to make Taehyung speak. " Hyung... Today is Thursday... " The younger chuckled. The car fell dead silent once again.

" You are still going to be home before dinner. So just tell me what you want. " The older said while focusing at the road. " Cook something for me then. I would like Japchae... but ramen made by you also sounds so good.......... ....Nah I would like Japchae for tonight. " The younger replied, this time sounding a bit more like his usual self.

" Okay, I will make it for you.... Also... Do you want me to drop you at their place or will you go home with me and then go to their place? " The older asked, he wanted to ask more... He always did want to ask more about them but he had to also keep his promise, for the sake of Taehyung at least.

" Seojoon hyung told me that he is going to pick me up from our place around 6, so I still have some time to be with you. " Taehyung said while he stared outside. It was still snowing in korea, maybe less than it did when the season started but not any less beautiful... or cruel. It was still as cruel as he remembered it to be.

Whenever his hands touched the freezing cold glass windows of the car, he felt like he was that 6 year old kid again. The freezing coldness of the glass contrasted so well with the heated car... He leaned against the window and closed his eyes. Taehyung still felt like the kid in the snow. Maybe a bit more grown... And warm outside.

The kid who could barely breath or even see in cold with nothing to keep in warm as he walked through the winter market of Busan. The kid whose heart was as cold as his hands because entire family was killed the night before. The kid who was wanted by no one. Nor helped by anyne. The kid who would have been dead by freezing in the cold if that day a family didn't come to give him the warmth he needed so bad....

The kid, for whom Jungkook had to lose his family.