Teach me how to love

8

Jungkook and Taehyung stood at the front of the classroom, a projector displaying their project behind them. They had worked hard on this, and as they presented, the confidence radiating from Taehyung was palpable. His voice was steady, his ideas clear, and he could feel the support of Jungkook beside him. Together, they had created something truly impressive, and the positive feedback from their classmates only fueled Taehyung's determination.

As the presentation wrapped up, the teacher praised their effort. "Excellent work, Jungkook and Taehyung! I'm impressed by the depth of your research and the clarity of your presentation."

Taehyung's heart swelled with pride. He could hardly believe how far he had come from the boy who used to shy away from confrontation. Jungkook smiled at him, and in that moment, Taehyung knew they had truly become a team.

Later that day, the four friends—Jungkook, Taehyung, Yoongi, and Jimin—sat together in the bustling school cafeteria, laughing and enjoying their lunch. The atmosphere was lively, and for the first time in a while, Taehyung felt at ease, surrounded by friends who accepted him for who he was.

Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the chatter of the cafeteria. "Look who it is! The little puppy and his owner!" Minho's mocking laughter echoed as he strutted over to their table, flanked by his cronies. His eyes were fixed on Jungkook, and the derision in his voice was unmistakable. "What's the matter, Jungkook? You really think you can impress everyone by obsessing over Taehyung? Newsflash: no one's buying it."

The laughter that followed was laced with malice, and Jungkook's expression darkened. He felt the familiar rush of anger, but before he could respond, Taehyung surprised everyone.

"Shut up, Minho!" Taehyung's voice rang out, firm and unwavering. He stood up, his heart pounding but his determination unshakable. The cafeteria quieted as all eyes turned toward him. "Jungkook is not obsessed with me. He cares about me and his friends, and that's more than I can say for you."

Minho blinked in surprise, momentarily thrown off by Taehyung's sudden assertiveness. "Oh, look at you, finally growing a spine," he sneered, trying to regain his footing. "Doesn't change the fact that he's just a puppy chasing after his owner's tail."

But Taehyung pressed on, fueled by the support of his friends and the realization that he no longer had to accept being a target for bullies. "You think it's funny to put people down? It just shows how insecure you really are. Jungkook's the best friend I could ever ask for, and I won't let you talk about him like that."

Jimin and Yoongi exchanged impressed glances, proud of Taehyung's bravery. Jungkook looked at Taehyung, his heart swelling with admiration and gratitude.

Minho's face twisted in annoyance, clearly not expecting this response. "You're just a pathetic loser, Taehyung," he spat, but the confidence that had flooded Taehyung's veins didn't waver.

"Maybe, but at least I have friends who stand up for me," Taehyung retorted, glancing at Jungkook with a small smile. "Can you say the same?"

The cafeteria erupted in whispers and murmurs, and the laughter that once filled the air now shifted to a mix of surprise and disbelief. Minho glared, but the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes suggested that he had underestimated Taehyung.

Without another word, Taehyung sat back down, his heart racing with a mix of adrenaline and relief. Jungkook leaned over, a proud grin on his face. "You were amazing," he whispered, his eyes sparkling.

Taehyung felt a warmth spread through him, a sense of belonging that was reinforced by the support of his friends. "I couldn't have done it without you guys," he replied, his voice steady.