Heartbeat // JK

3 - Glimmers of Something More

Jimin pointed at Jin. "You love us, hyung."

The laughter rippled through the room, lightening the tension I hadn't realized I was holding. But as the conversation moved on, I couldn't help but notice the way Emma kept watching Jungkook.

Her gaze lingered every time he moved, her smile faltering in brief, telling moments that made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

Beside me, Emma's energy had shifted.

She wasn't subtle. Her gaze kept darting toward Jungkook, lingering just a moment too long whenever he shifted or spoke. The excitement I'd seen in her earlier had sharpened into something else—something hungry.

I felt my stomach twist uncomfortably. My best friend, who had practically dragged me here, suddenly felt like a stranger in her own skin.

Jungkook didn't seem to notice—or at least, he didn't care. His attention, subtle but unignorable, kept flicking to me.

It was small things: his eyes lingering when I spoke, his lips tugging into that soft, boyish smile every time I caught him looking. I could almost feel the static energy between us, building like a hum I didn't know how to silence.

Jungkook finally approached, his steps slow, hesitant, and oddly deliberate. His gaze found mine, and my pulse stumbled.

"You... Eva?" he asked, his English careful but sincere.

I nodded quickly.

"Yeah—uh, yes! That's me."

So much for sounding casual.

He smiled, the corners of his mouth pulling up like he couldn't help it.

"Good... sing," he said simply, his voice soft but certain.

I blinked, stunned.
Jungkook of BTS thought I was good?
My mind whirred so loudly I almost missed Emma's reaction.

"Oh my god," she breathed, gripping my wrist like a vice.

"Did he really just say that to you?" Her tone was somewhere between awe and disbelief, and for the first time tonight, it didn't feel like pure excitement.

Jungkook turned to Emma then, his expression shifting to something playful.

"You fan?" he teased, raising his brows.

"All songs?"

"Yes! Of course!" Emma gushed, her voice almost breathless.

Then, she switched effortlessly to Korean, words spilling out fluently.

"You guys are amazing. I've been a fan for years!"

Relief visibly washed over Jungkook's face at the sound of Korean, and he smiled brighter, responding smoothly in his native language. I had no idea what he was saying, but his tone was relaxed and teasing, like they were sharing an inside joke.

Emma's laugh was soft but exaggerated. She replied just as quickly, clearly trying to hold his attention.

I stood there, awkward and out of place, catching only the rhythm of their words without any of the meaning. It was like watching a door swing shut in front of me, locking me out. My cheeks burned, and I took a small step back, feeling like a third wheel.

But then Jungkook's gaze flicked back to me—quick, soft, like he was checking to make sure I hadn't disappeared.

"You good?" he asked, the Korean warmth in his tone softened as he returned to English.

I nodded, forcing a smile.

"I'm fine. You're good."

Behind him, Taehyung nudged Jimin with his elbow, grinning wide. He said something low in Korean, words I couldn't understand, but their laughter that followed was unmistakable.