Harmonic Destinies

Chapter 8 : Lunch Breaks

The cafeteria buzzed with students, all winding down from the morning's classes. Taehyung sat at a table near the window, surrounded by Jimin, Seo-joon, and Woo-shik. The scent of warm food filled the air as trays clattered on tables, and conversations floated through the large space. Taehyung glanced around, feeling more settled than he had in his first few days at SSCA.

"So, how's your dance progress going?" Seo-joon asked with a teasing grin as he unwrapped his sandwich. Taehyung groaned dramatically, slumped in his seat. "Don't ask. I'm still terrible, but at least I haven't tripped in class today."Woo-shik chuckled, eating rice with his chopsticks. "That's progress. Baby steps, Tae."

"Yeah, baby steps," Jimin echoed dryly, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. "You'll be dancing like me in no time... or maybe in ten years."

"Ha-ha, very funny," Taehyung shot back, though the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

Just as they settled into a rhythm of teasing and easy conversation, the cafeteria door swung open, and Taehyung's stomach flipped.

The members of ZENITH strolled in, heads turning as students watched the popular boy group enter. Jungkook led the way, hands stuffed casually in his pockets, with Min Yoongi and Jung Hoseok following close behind. Taehyung's pulse quickened, and he tried not to let his gaze linger too long on Jungkook, though it was nearly impossible.

"Uh-oh," Seo-joon whispered, nudging Taehyung. "Look who just showed up."Before Taehyung could respond, Hoseok spotted them and grinned. "Yo, look who's here!"Without hesitation, the three ZENITH members made their way over and dropped their trays on the table, plopping down like they belonged there.

Jimin stiffened immediately beside Taehyung, his expression closing off as if a switch had been flipped. "Mind if we join?" Hoseok asked though he was already halfway through sitting down. "Not like we can stop you," Jimin muttered under his breath.

Yoongi gave a half-smirk and raised an eyebrow at Jimin's comment, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he started poking lazily at his rice, like even eating was too much effort.

Meanwhile, Jungkook slid into the seat across from Taehyung, offering a slight, unreadable smile. Taehyung felt heat rise to his face and quickly busied himself with his tray, focusing far too intently on his kimchi.

"So, how's it going?" Jungkook asked casually, his gaze lingering on Taehyung just a second too long. "Uh... good," Taehyung replied awkwardly, barely able to meet his eyes.

"You guys enjoying your classes so far?" Hoseok asked, popping a piece of fried chicken into his mouth and chewing enthusiastically.

"Trying to survive," Woo-shik answered with a laugh. "Though dance class has been interesting for some of us."

He shot Taehyung a mischievous look, and Hoseok chuckled. "Yeah? Taehyung struggling with choreography?"Hoseok smiled. "You have no idea," Jimin muttered, rolling his eyes."Don't worry, Tae," Hoseok said with a grin. "If you need tips, I'm your guy. I can teach anyone to dance."

"Even Yoongi?" Seo-joon quipped. Everyone at the table burst out laughing everyone except Yoongi, who glanced up lazily, expression blank. "I dance just fine. I just prefer to rap my way along the stage."

"Sure you do," Jimin said under his breath, though it wasn't clear if it was a joke or a jab. The atmosphere shifted slightly at his comment, a tension settling between Jimin and the ZENITH members. Taehyung sensed the change immediately, glancing nervously between them.

"Jimin," Taehyung started cautiously, "maybe—" Before he could finish, another voice cut through the cafeteria noise. "Well, well, well," Junhyuk drawled as he approached their table, his usual smirk plastered across his face. "Look who's decided to cozy up to the big leagues."

Taehyung suppressed a groan. Junhyuk's ability to appear at the worst possible moments was practically a talent at this point. Jimin's jaw clenched visibly. "What do you want, Junhyuk?" Junhyuk's smirk widened. "Relax, I'm just observing. It's not every day you see someone like Taehyung sharing a table with the almighty ZENITH."

Hoseok gave Junhyuk a pointed look, his easy grin fading slightly. "Got a problem with that?"Junhyuk shrugged, clearly enjoying the attention. "Not really. Just... surprised, is all. Didn't think you guys would waste your time with nobodies."Yoongi finally looked up from his food, his expression cold and unreadable. "You done?"

The sudden shift in Yoongi's demeanor was subtle but enough to make Junhyuk hesitate for the briefest second. Then, with a scoff, Junhyuk raised his hands in mock surrender. "Easy there, I'm just messing around."

"Mess somewhere else," Jimin snapped, his voice sharp.

Junhyuk's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Whatever. Enjoy your lunch, losers."With that, Junhyuk sauntered off, leaving a trail of irritation in his wake. "Charming guy," Yoongi muttered dryly, returning to his food without another word.

Taehyung let out a slow breath, the tension at the table lingering like a bad aftertaste. He glanced toward Jungkook, who gave him a small, apologetic smile as if to say, Sorry you had to deal with that. Jimin, on the other hand, was visibly seething. He stabbed at his food with unnecessary force, muttering something under his breath that Taehyung couldn't catch.

By the time lunch ended, the atmosphere at the table had lightened somewhat, though Jimin still looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. As they stood to leave, Jungkook lingered near Taehyung for a moment. "Catch you later?" Jungkook asked quietly, his gaze soft and hopeful.

Taehyung nodded, his heart giving an unsteady thump. "Yeah. See you." Jimin shot Taehyung a sharp look as they walked away from the table. "You're playing with fire, you know."Taehyung sighed. "Jimin, they're not that bad—" Taehyung said. "You don't know them like I do," Jimin cut in, his voice tight with frustration. Taehyung frowned. "What happened between you and them? Why do you hate them so much?"

Jimin hesitated, his expression flickering with something Taehyung couldn't quite place anger, hurt, maybe both. "It's complicated," Jimin muttered, avoiding Taehyung's gaze. "Jimin..." Taehyung started, but Jimin shook his head. "Just don't get too close, okay?" Jimin's voice was quieter now, almost pleading. "You'll regret it."

Later that evening, Taehyung lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as Jimin scrolled through his phone on the other side of the room. The events of the day swirled in his mind the tension with Junhyuk, the awkwardness with Jimin, and the way Jungkook's smile had made his heart skip.

Taehyung rolled onto his side, closing his eyes. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for sure: life at SSCA was only going to get more complicated. And yet, deep down, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation for what, he wasn't entirely sure.

But he had a feeling he was about to find out.

To be continued...