High School Love

Chapter 5

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch and the start of the next class. Taehyung leaped from his seat, eager to catch Jungkook before he disappeared into the sea of students. "Jungkook!" he called out, his voice echoing in the crowded hallway. Jungkook stopped, his eyes widening at the sudden attention. He turned to face Taehyung, his cheeks a delicate shade of pink.

"Yes, Tae?" Jungkook asked, his voice tentative. Taehyung's face fell into his hands, his heart racing. "Stop calling me that," he mumbled into his palms, his voice muffled. Jungkook looked confused, his eyes searching Taehyung's face for an explanation. "But why, Tae?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Taehyung's blush deepened, and he slammed his fist into the locker with a loud thud. "Because," he said, his voice strained, "it's like...like...it makes me feel..." He trailed off, unable to find the words. Jimin, who had been quietly watching the exchange, took a step forward. "You're blushing," he pointed out, his voice filled with amusement. "It's because he said 'Tae', right?"

Jungkook nodded, his eyes wide with understanding. "It's okay," he said, his voice soft. "It's just a nickname." Taehyung's cheeks grew even redder, and he looked away, his eyes searching for anything to focus on other than Jungkook's knowing gaze. "Yeah," he muttered, "it's just a nickname." But the way Jungkook had said it, so naturally, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, had sent a shiver down his spine.

Before Taehyung could say anything else, Jimin appeared, his hands grabbing Taehyung's arms with surprising strength. "Hey, Jungkook," Jimin called out, his voice bubbly. "This is Taehyung, my best friend, and also a little crazy." Jungkook's eyes narrowed slightly at the interruption, but he didn't miss the way Taehyung's body tensed at the touch. "What's going on?" Jungkook asked, his tone cautious.

"Oh, you know," Jimin said with a cheeky grin, "just the usual. Tae here gets all lovey-dovey when someone says his nickname. It's like he's melting into a puddle of pure love. It's quite the sight." Taehyung's blush had spread from his cheeks to the tips of his ears, and he was now actively trying to chew on his wrist to avoid speaking. Jungkook couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, the tension between them dissipating like mist in the sun.

"So umm, Jungkook," Jimin continued, his grip on Taehyung's arm tightening. "I'm taking this crazy guy to the mental hospital. You know, just for a quick check-up." He winked at Jungkook, who couldn't help but laugh despite the absurdity of the situation. "Get well soon, Tae," Jungkook called out, his voice filled with mirth.

Taehyung's eyes snapped to Jimin's, his face a picture of embarrassment. "You better not leave me here," he hissed, his cheeks on fire. Jimin just chuckled and pulled him down the hallway, their laughter bouncing off the lockers. Jungkook watched them go, his eyes lingering on the way Taehyung's hair fell over his forehead, the way his smile was so open and infectious, even when he was being teased.

The next class, Jungkook found himself in a new room, the walls a stark white that made him feel even more out of place. He slid into a seat at the back, his bag thumping down next to him. The room was almost full, the murmur of conversations filling the air like a warm blanket. He pulled out his notebook, his thoughts still swirling around the morning's events.

"Excuse me," a voice said, breaking through the haze. Jungkook looked up to see a girl standing over him, her hair in a sleek ponytail that swished as she tapped her foot impatiently. "This is my seat."

He glanced down at the chair, a puzzled expression on his face. "I'm sorry, but your name isn't written on it," Jungkook replied, his voice calm and even. The girl's eyes narrowed, her cheeks flushing with irritation. "Everyone knows it's my seat," she said, her voice taking on a haughty tone. "You're new, right? You must be the scholarship kid."