His Sanctuary [Jikook]

Chapter 29

3RD PERSON POV

"Class Dismissed."

The chaotic sounds of students dispersing brought Jimin back to his senses. Excited chatter filled the room as students gathered their belongings, their faces lighting up with smiles. Backpacks slung over shoulders, notebooks in hand, and they eagerly made their way out of the classroom. Laughter and joyful conversations echoed down the hallway as the students happily left class, looking forward to the adventures that awaited them outside those walls.

As everyone had exited, a lone figure remained seated, shoulders slumped, watching the emptying room with a heavy heart. The once lively atmosphere now felt somber as he realized he had been left behind alone, a wave of sadness washing over him. The silence enveloped him, contrasting sharply with the cheerful departure of their classmates, leaving Jimin feeling isolated and despondent. It was much better hearing the sounds of his classmate chattering in the lecture hall. Silence just made him feel more miserable.

He got up, packing his notebook back in his backpack. He dragged himself. Shoulders slumped as he walked across the hallway. The indistinct chattering from the students caused him to get a headache, but then again, his body was now always weak since he wasn't even eating normally. It's only been a week since he suffered that great loss, and he felt like it was better to go back to his studies and drown in them, that way he wouldn't think too much about his miserable life.

Nightmares - he got those every night. So he had to rely on sleeping pills to always knock him out like a light. One pill wasn't working. He always drank two after his dinner that he would poke and poke then claim to be full. It was a big thing that had happened, so he told his mother on the same day he came back from Jungkook's place. Of course, his mother wasn't too shocked. She had been having constant dreams about something related to such great loss. She just really sympathized with her son, even though she had never gone through something so painful, but she understood.

As most students were headed to their classes or out the gate, Jimin walked further away from the crowd, going towards the bushy area that only had a few benches, far from the lecture buildings. That space was never crowded, so he hoped to find some inner peace there. As he approached, the smell in the air started to smell like cigarettes, making Jimin cover his nose and walk forward. Passing by a big tree, he passed a familiar figure sitting down, leaning on the tree. A lit cigarette in his mouth as he huffed and puffed.

"So you smoke now?" The smaller asked, but he wasn't shocked. He knew how this guy was.

"Jimin? Wow, it's almost like I'm dreaming." Taehyung said, shocked to see his friend. The friend he hadn't seen in a while.

"Hmm, you haven't seen me since the day you told me to mind my own business with my gangster boyfriend." Jimin said, sitting down next to Taehyung, both of them leaning on the tree.

"And I still regret that shit, I just didn't know how to face you and apologize. Plus, my life has been a mess, problems everywhere." Taehyung said.

"Update me, it will be nice hearing someone else's problem instead of mine." Jimin said with a chuckle.

"Well, where do I start? I... I cheated on Hobi."

"WHAT!! YOU CHEATED!??" The smaller exclaimed.

"Go on and announce it to the whole school." Taehyung said, rolling his eyes. Jimin made an oops face and covered his mouth.

"No one is here anyway." He said dismissively.

"Yes, I cheated. I met some other guy who swept me off my feet, Jimin. He's so mysterious, handsome, kind, caring, and he makes me feel so good. I love him... so much. But the problem is, I love Hobi too. Hobi is like my first love. He's such a good guy, so handsome, loving, an open book, selfless. I don't wanna lose him, but I don't think Hobi is willing to put up with my bullshit." Taehyung sighed frustratedly as he spoke.