Lost Love [ Taekook FF ]

Chapter 34

Taehyung's pov :

What am I doing? Am I doing the right thing? No, this is for him. Jungkook deserves someone worthy, someone better... not someone like me.

The words felt heavy, suffocating, yet he clung to them like a lifeline, convincing himself it was the truth. But no matter how many times he repeated it, no matter how much he tried to believe it, it didn't ease the ache in his chest. Every glance Jungkook gave him, filled with desperation, every silent plea in his eyes, tore at Taehyung's resolve.

He had never thought ignoring Jungkook-someone he once hated so deeply-would hurt this much. But now, each step away from him felt like he was leaving a part of himself behind. Jungkook's letters, the ones Taehyung didn't have the courage to read fully, burned in his hands. Not with fire, but with the weight of emotions he wasn't ready to face. And every time Jungkook played with Taehee, spoke to her with love in his voice and a tenderness Taehyung had never expected, it ached in a way that no words could describe.

"KIM TAEHYUNG."

The sharp snap of Jimin's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He blinked, turning to see his best friend staring at him, his brows furrowed in concern. "Where are you lost? You've been staring at that page for fifteen minutes."

"I'm not lost," Taehyung replied quickly, straightening up and picking up his pen in an attempt to look busy.

"You're a terrible liar, you know right?" he muttered, crossing his arms as he studied Taehyung carefully. Before Jimin could press further, Lisa leaned in from across the table.

"You're thinking about Jungkook, aren't you?" she asked.

At her words, Taehyung froze. His grip on the pen tightened just slightly before he shook his head, feigning indifference. "I'm not thinking about anything."

"Sure," Lisa scoffed, leaning back in her chair. "You might fool the others, but not me. It's obvious something's up with you and Jungkook."

"She's right. You and Jungkook are acting weird these days. Like, we all saw you two getting closer-hell, we even joked about it-but now... now you're acting like he doesn't exist." His tone softened, concern bleeding through. "What's going on, Tae?"

Taehyung pressed his lips together, trying to stay calm. "Nothing. I just... realized it's better this way."

"Better?" Lisa repeated, raising an eyebrow. "For who? Because it sure as hell doesn't look like it's better for Jungkook. The guy looks like a kicked puppy every time you walk past him."

"Lisa," Taehyung said sharply, his voice firm as he glanced at her. "It's none of your business."

"None of my business?" Lisa shot back, her eyes narrowing. "It's my business when my friend is acting like an idiot, breaking his own heart in the process."

Jimin sighed, "Tae... we're not trying to attack you. We're just... worried. About you. You can't tell me you don't see how broken Jungkook look these days."

"Not eating, barely talking," Lisa added. "Even Mark noticed."

At the mention of his name, Mark looked up from his seat nearby. "She's right," he said, glancing between them. "He's not himself lately. Honestly... it's kinda boring, he doesn't even play basketball anymore."

Taehyung clenched his jaw, willing himself to stay calm as he replied, "It doesn't matter how he looks. He'll be fine without me."

"Fine?" Lisa exclaimed, her voice rising slightly. "He looks like he's on the verge of collapsing every time he sees you. And you're not exactly doing a great job pretending you're fine, either."