STOIC [Jikook]

1

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The classroom is unusually quiet.

Jungkook adjusts his hoodie, steps inside, and scans the room. It is empty. Did he walk into the wrong classroom? To be sure, he steps outside and checks again. Yes, this is his classroom. But where is everyone? Not that he particularly desires everyone's presence, but curiosity gets the better of him. Perhaps he has simply arrived early. That must be it.

"Oh, my God! I really hope that he's in our class. He's so cute," Jungkook overhears someone talking.

They are chattering about someone new. A new student? Most likely someone popular. He sighs and rests his head on the desk. Humans are so peculiar. Why do they get so excited to see another human? He never feels a flutter of excitement when he sees another human... Or is it just him?

"I heard from someone that he is very popular. Can you believe it?!" someone exclaims, followed by the high-pitched squeals of girls. Jungkook regrets not bringing his headphones.

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Mr Kim, their home room teacher strides into the classroom, and the excited chatter dwindles to a hush. With a tap of his pen on the desk, he commands attention.

"Listen up, everyone," Mr. Kim announces, his voice cutting through the quiet. "We've got a new addition to our class today."

Jimin enters the room, instantly drawing gasps from his classmates. Suppressing an eye roll, he wonders why everyone is so worked up. This wasn't what he signed up for when he moved here. He had been perfectly content back in Busan, but his parents had other plans. Seoul High School was their idea. They wanted him to see how everything worked here.

Mr Kim nods in Jimin's direction. "Why don't you introduce yourself?"

Putting on a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes, Jimin addresses the class. "Hello, I'm Jimin. Nice to meet you all," he says, scanning the room. His gaze lands on someone sprawled across the back desk. Are they asleep? Or just lounging?

Before he can dwell on it, Mr Kim gestures. "Jimin, feel free to take any seat."

"Thank you," Jimin mumbles, navigating through the staring eyes of the girls. Disgusting. He loathes when people stare at him like he's just a piece of meat.

He settles beside the guy from the back, intending to make a friendly greeting. Instead, he's met with a dismissive mutter: "Fuck off."

"Rude," Jimin mumbles under his breath. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty," he quips, not one to back down.

The guy finally glances up, revealing his striking features to Jimin.

Jimin's eyes are immediately drawn to his thin lips, each curve delicately forming a cupid's bow, with a plump lower lip that seems almost inviting. His round nose sits perfectly in the center of his face, adding a touch of innocence to his otherwise handsome features. But it's his eyes that truly captivate Jimin—the prettiest doe eyes he's ever seen, with a depth that seems to hold the entire stars of the universe.

As Jimin continues to observe, he can't help but feel a flutter of something unfamiliar stirring within him. Despite the irritation, Jimin can't help but admire.

"And who might you be?" the guy asks, annoyance lacing his voice.

"Jimin."

"Jimin?"

"Yes."

"Why's Jimin sitting here? Couldn't Jimin find another spot?" The guy rolls his eyes.

Jimin raises an eyebrow. "Got a problem with my company, Dove?" he teases, noting the revealing flush creeping up the guy's cheeks.

"Shut it," the guy retorts, loud enough to draw Mr Kim's attention.

"Jeon Jungkook, keep it down," Mr Kim reprimands, casting a warning glance.

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Jungkook sighs when he hears Mr Kim's voice. He's not thrilled about this new student. Why did he choose to sit beside Jungkook when there were plenty of other empty seats? Plus, Jungkook isn't a fan of his overpowering cologne. It's far too strong, and his sensitive nose can't handle it. He knows all the girls will bad mouth about him now that Jimin's chosen to sit nearby. It's going to be a long day.

"Jeon Jungkook? You've got a pretty name," Jimin remarks, a hint of mischief in the way he says.

Jungkook shoots Jimin a glare. "Should I move, or are you going to move?"

"Ouch!" Jimin feigns hurt, rubbing his chest playfully. "Don't you want to sit near me, Dove?"

"I'm not a Dove!" Jungkook protests. Why does this guy keep calling him that?

"Cute," Jimin mumbles to himself. "Let's see... How about you move, Dove?"

Dove. Dove. Dove. The words echo in Jungkook's mind like a persistent melody.

Jungkook considers moving, his gaze flickering to the other students scattered around the classroom. He knows all too well that no one else will extend an invitation to sit beside them. They've all cast him aside, labelling him as the odd one out, the loner who prefers the company of his thoughts. They've never taken the time to engage him in conversation. Likewise, they are content to pass judgment from afar with disdainful glances and whispered gossip.

He's always been shy. Not a big fan of social interaction. He didn't particularly enjoy having conversations. It's easier this way, to keep to himself and avoid the careful examination of others. After all, he's learned the hard way that everyone leaves eventually. Friends, acquaintances, even family—they all drift away, their promises fading into nothingness like smoke in the wind.

There's a part of Jungkook that longs for connection, for someone who sees beyond the walls he'd built and understands the depths of his silent suffering. But he knows better than to hope for such things. In a world where everyone leaves, he's fine with himself.

"So, are you going to sit with me?" Jimin's smug smile catches Jungkook's attention, pulling him back from the brink of his simmering frustration. Jungkook's fingers itch with the urge to ball into fists, but he knows better than to let his anger get the best of him. Detention is the last thing he needs.

As Jungkook turns to face Jimin, he can't help but be struck by the sight before him. Despite his annoyance, he finds himself momentarily captivated by the other boy's presence.

Jimin's jawline could cut glass, each angle carved with precision and purpose. His eyes, framed by a curtain of dark lashes, sparkle with an undeniable allure, drawing Jungkook in like a moth to a flame. But it's his plump lips that Jungkook can't tear his gaze away from.

God! Why are they so plump— Jungkook's thoughts falter as he struggles to find the right words to articulate the sudden surge of attraction coursing through him. He's never been one to dwell on appearances, but there's something undeniably magnetic about Jimin that he can't quite shake.

Clearing his throat, Jungkook tears his gaze away from Jimin's lips, forcing himself to focus on something else. With a subtle nod, he offers Jimin a tentative response, "I... uh... yeah," Jungkook mumbles, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at his awkwardness.

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🐣: Thank you for reading XD