Whispers of a first kiss

Chapter 57

The soft buzz of the alarm filled the dimly lit room, persistent and unwelcome. It had been going off for five long minutes, but Jungkook lay stubbornly in bed, tangled in the warmth of his blankets, eyes still tightly shut. His body ached to return to the comfort of sleep, the weight of the morning pressing down on him. He whined softly, rolling over, hoping that somehow, by sheer force of will, the alarm would stop on its own.

"Why does it have to be this early?" he muttered under his breath, still half-asleep, his voice a mere whisper against the silence.

The cold reality of waking up at dawn for exercise gnawed at him. He had always been a studious student, rising at 5 a.m. to study, his discipline unwavering. But to wake up at this hour to train like some sort of soldier? He groaned again, pulling the blanket over his head.

"I was born to be a princess, not a warrior," Jungkook whined to no one in particular, his thoughts turning towards Taehyung. "I swear, if he weren't so handsome, I’d kill him for this."

After a few more moments of internal protest, he sighed in defeat and sat up, rubbing his eyes. The world around him was still dark, the air cool and serene, with the faintest whispers of dawn creeping in through the window.

With a final pout, Jungkook dragged himself out of bed, the floor cold beneath his bare feet. He moved sluggishly to the bathroom, his body unwilling, but his mind already preparing for the inevitable.

As he brushed his teeth, he caught his reflection in the mirror, sleepy eyes, messy hair. "I wish you were a professor and not a captain," he mumbled, remembering how easy things would have been if Taehyung was a professor. But no, Taehyung had to be an overachiever, dragging Jungkook along with him.

Still half-asleep, Jungkook splashed cold water on his face, the sharp sensation jolting him awake. He tied his hair back into a sleek ponytail and changed into his workout clothes, a black sports br.. and fitted black jeggings that hugged his figure. He glanced at the mirror once more, satisfied with the look. There was a certain beauty in simplicity, even at dawn.

When he stepped out of the bathroom, his gaze fell on Jiwoon, still fast asleep, sprawled out on the other bed. The peaceful rise and fall of his friend's chest made Jungkook pout again. Lucky him, he thought, sneaking a quick glance at his own reflection before finishing his routine with a light dab of tinted lip balm. Even if it was too early for most things, it was never too early to look good.

As he laced up his shoes, he grabbed his baseball cap and the jacket. He moved quietly, careful not to disturb Jiwoon. The soft click of the door closing behind him echoed through the empty hall, and Jungkook found himself outside in the cool morning air.

The sky was still an inky black, with faint streaks of deep purple hinting at the coming dawn. A breeze swept past him, carrying with it the salty tang of the nearby sea.

He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the tension in his muscles ease as he breathed in the crisp air. The world was quiet, except for the distant murmur of the waves and the occasional rustle of leaves. For a moment, Jungkook felt a strange peace settle over him, as if the world belonged to him alone.

But that peace was fleeting, and soon enough, he was jogging down the empty path, his footsteps light but steady, the rhythmic sound of his sneakers on the ground was the only thing breaking the silence. The cool air kissed his skin, waking him up further with every stride. His thoughts drifted back to Taehyung, and a soft smile tugged at his lips, despite himself.

This was all Taehyung’s fault. The early mornings, the grueling exercises, the sore muscles. But if he were honest, it wasn’t so bad. He liked it, the way Taehyung would look at him, the way his voice would soften just for him, even in moments of teasing.