BSM: Adventures of Kim Soomin

Bullied | 14

Soomin 14 | Jungkook 16 | Tae & Jimin 18 | Namjoon & Hoseok 20 | Yoongi 22 | Jin 23

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"Time for lunch!" The chime of the school bell echoed through the halls, signaling the end of the first four periods. Soomin carefully placed her books into her locker at the back of the classroom. Waiting patiently for her friend Areum, who was fumbling around in her locker, trying to find her lunch tickets.

"Are you serious? It's finally lunch, and you're still keeping us in class?" Bora huffed, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder. Her stomach grumbled audibly, and she shot Bora an exasperated look.

"Just give me a second," Areum groaned, rummaging through the clutter in her locker. A heavy book tumbled out and landed with a thud on the floor. "I know I put them somewhere in here..."

Soomin, who was the calmest one between the three of them offered her a snack out of her locker but Bora cut her off, her tone dripping with melodramatic frustration. "It's fine I'm dying already... Mr. Park nearly put me in a coma with all that endless talk about the Joseon dynasty. Seriously, who needs to know all that? It's not like I'm planning to become a historian or—"

"Found them!" Areum interrupted triumphantly, waving the crumpled tickets in the air. She shot Bora a knowing grin, well aware that her friend's complaints were largely due to hunger. "We can go!"

"Thank goodness," Bora muttered, her irritation melting away now that food was within reach.

"Let's get this cranky head some food before she starts gnawing on one of our fingers," Areum teased, linking arms with Bora and giving her a playful tug off the bench. The three of them burst into laughter as they headed out of the classroom, with Areum playfully bumping into Bora, who retaliated by flicking Areum's arm.

The trio moved through the crowded hallway with the ease of best friends who knew each other's rhythms well. Soomin, the quietest of the group, often found herself in the role of mediator between Bora and Areum's lighthearted bickering. Areum and Bora might squabble like siblings often, but their bond was unbreakable, and Soomin's calming presence was the glue that held them together.

As they approached the cafeteria, the familiar clatter of trays and hum of conversation grew louder. Soomin's stomach growled softly, a reminder that she'd skipped breakfast that morning.

If Jimin had been here now, he would've scolded her for leaving the house with nothing but a glass of milk. But with their oldest brother now living in the dorms, the morning routine had become more chaotic. Jungkook was indifferent to breakfast, Taehyung was usually too absorbed in his phone to notice, and Jimin, despite his efforts to act like the responsible older brother, couldn't keep track of both his younger siblings every morning.

Soomin was grateful now for the staggered lunch periods at school—her brothers, who were in the upper grades, wouldn't be in the cafeteria for another half hour. It meant she could enjoy this time with her friends without worrying about running into them.

The cafeteria was already buzzing with activity. Some students were seated, eagerly digging into their meals, while others lined up at the food stations, chatting animatedly. Soomin glanced at the menu board, hoping today's chicken broth she had been craving all morning was still there.

When it was finally her turn, she approached the cafeteria lady with her usual soft smile. "Sunsengnim, may I have some soup, please?" she asked sweetly, her voice gentle yet polite, as always.

The cafeteria lady smiled back warmly. "You're lucky, dear. This is one of the last bowls—chicken broth is always a favorite."

"Thank you so much." Soomin beamed, carefully placing the bowl on her tray, making sure it was balanced just right. The last thing she needed was to spill it before she even sat down. She had always been mindful, someone who moved with quiet grace and thoughtfulness in everything she did, even with something as simple as carrying her lunch.