Entangled Hearts | VMINKOOK

03.

The next morning, the school hallways were buzzing with the usual hustle. Taehyung was wandering around, his mind drifting back to the previous day's encounter. What was it about him? he thought, fidgeting with the strap of his bag.

As fate would have it, he rounded a corner a little too fast and collided with something-or rather, someone. Again. This time, the impact was heavier, more chaotic, as books flew from their hands, tumbling onto the floor with a soft thud. Jeongguk, wide-eyed, stumbled back, catching himself at the last second. His shoulder brushed against Taehyung's chest, sending an electric jolt between them. Their eyes locked, and for what felt like eternity, neither spoke.

Jeongguk blinked, recovering first. "Oh my god, again?" he muttered, crouching down to gather his things. Taehyung stood frozen for a moment, heart racing. This is definitely some cosmic intervention  he mused, admiring Jeongguk's delicate features-the sharp jawline, the little crease between his brows, the way his hair fell into his eyes so effortlessly.

His eyes...there's something in them.. soft, but sharp. Like they could see right through me... Taehyung's thoughts trailed off. The more he looked, the more drawn in he felt, like a gravitational pull he couldn't escape. He shook his head, kneeling down to help.

"Hey, uh, I don't think I caught your name yesterday." Taehyung finally spoke, awkwardly handing Jeongguk a pen that had rolled a little too far.

Jeongguk shot him a quick glance, his lips quirking into a small, amused smile. "You didn't catch my name because I didn't throw it," he replied, stuffing his books back into his bag.

Taehyung blinked, taken aback for a second, before a slow grin spread across his face. This guy has a sense of humor

"Well, I'm Kim Taehyung. Since we keep bumping into each other, might as well get acquainted, right?"

Jeongguk stood up, dusting off his pants. "Jeon Jeongguk. Let's just agree to stay on opposite sides of the hallway from now on."

Taehyung chuckled. "That sounds like a challenge."

"Or a solution," Jeongguk quipped back, his lips twitching.

Taehyung opened his mouth to respond, but their brief moment was interrupted by an overly loud voice from the other side of the hall. "Yo, newbie!"

Taehyung turned, and there was Jimin, walking toward him with a swagger that oozed confidence. But the look on his face-smug, with a slight sneer-rubbed Taehyung the wrong way instantly.

"Oh, it's you," Jimin said, rolling his eyes as if Taehyung was the last person he wanted to see. "What're you doing standing in the middle of the hallway like a lost puppy?"

Taehyung's jaw clenched. He wasn't sure if it was the tone or the way Jimin looked at him, but something in him flared. "Maybe if you watched where you were going, you wouldn't have to ask dumb questions."

Jimin's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me? You think you can just talk to me like that?"

"I think I just did," Taehyung shot back, his tone icy.

The air between them tensed. Neither one willing to back down, both fueled by an unspoken need to prove something. Taehyung took a step closer, standing his ground. Jimin mirrored his movements, the tension escalating rapidly.

"You've got some nerve for a new kid," Jimin hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

"You've got a big mouth for someone who thinks they're untouchable," Taehyung fired back.

They were inches apart now, eyes blazing, fists clenching, both ready to snap. Just as it seemed like one of them might throw the first punch, a hand shot out between them.