Fated Foes ||toptae||

39

That evening, Taehyung, still sulking over Lia’s indifference, made his way to the stationery shop. His sister Ji-Ah had run out of paper for her notes, and though he wanted nothing more than to stay in his room and brood, her nagging had finally forced him out.

He trudged into the shop, his mind replaying the disastrous lunch with Lia. “Why do I even bother?” he thought, sighing heavily.

He scanned the shelves for the papers Ji-Ah needed, his fingers brushing against the smooth packets stacked neatly. But just as he reached for one, his hand grazed someone else’s. The touch sent an unexpected jolt of electricity up his arm.

Startled, Taehyung looked up—and his breath caught.

Standing beside him, with an indifferent expression but eyes that betrayed a flicker of recognition, was Jungkook.

Jungkook, unaware of the turmoil brewing inside Taehyung, simply nodded as a silent acknowledgment and turned back to scan the shelves. His jawline was sharp under the shop's fluorescent lighting, and his hair, slightly damp from a recent shower, fell loosely over his forehead.

Taehyung’s heart did something strange. It skipped—not in panic but in a way he didn’t entirely understand.

The words Ji-Ah had thrown at him earlier in the day came rushing back.

“First, look into their eyes and see if they get lost in yours. Second, brush your hand against theirs to see if they feel tingles and become shy.”

He gulped. His hand had definitely tingled, and his heart was pounding, but he didn’t feel shy. Instead, a sudden clarity washed over him—a realization so startling that he felt like the ground beneath him had shifted.

He didn’t love Lia. He loved Jungkook.

The truth hit him like a freight train, leaving him frozen in place. His ears rang, and all he could focus on was Jungkook casually examining a pack of pens as if nothing had happened.

Taehyung panicked. He couldn’t stay there. Not now. Not after that revelation.

Without saying a word, he turned on his heel and bolted out of the shop, leaving behind the papers he’d come for—and a very confused Jungkook.

Jungkook, who had noticed Taehyung’s sudden exit, frowned. “What’s with him?” he muttered under his breath, watching as Taehyung practically ran out the door.

Shrugging, Jungkook grabbed the papers Taehyung had been eyeing, paid for them, and left the store.

Taehyung, meanwhile, was pacing back and forth in the dorm hallway, his mind a chaotic mess. What was that? Why now? Why him?!

Ji-Ah, who spotted him from her room, poked her head out. “Oppa, where are the papers?”

Taehyung froze. “Uh... I forgot them.”

“Forgot them? You were literally at the store to get them!”

“Yeah, well... something came up!”

Ji-Ah gave him a long, suspicious look but decided not to press. She retreated into her room, muttering, “So dramatic.”

Taehyung sighed, leaning against the wall. His hand still tingled where it had touched Jungkook’s.

This... this was going to be a problem.

The classroom was buzzing with the usual chatter, but Jungkook sat quietly at his desk, his thoughts a tangled mess. His mind replayed the scene of Taehyung and Lia at the restaurant, laughing and chatting. It gnawed at him, making him restless. Are they dating now? The question consumed him to the point he didn’t even notice the teacher calling his name.

“Jungkook? Jungkook, answer the question!” Teacher Han’s voice rang out, startling a few students.

Jungkook, still lost in his thoughts, didn’t respond. Jimin, sitting beside him, nudged him hard in the ribs.

“Jungkook, wake up!” Jimin hissed.

Blinking rapidly, Jungkook snapped out of his daze. “Uh, yes, ma’am?”

“I’ve been calling your name for a full minute. Can you answer the question or not?” Teacher Han asked, her tone a mix of concern and impatience.

Jungkook stammered, “I’m sorry, ma’am. I... I have a headache. I can’t concentrate.”

The teacher’s expression softened. “Alright, dear. If you’re not feeling well, head to the medical room. Take care of yourself.”

Jungkook nodded, gathering his books. He quickly left the classroom, grateful for the excuse to escape. But instead of going to the medical room, he wandered aimlessly around campus, trying to shake the heaviness in his chest. Why do I even care if they’re dating? he thought bitterly.

---

Over the next few days, Jungkook made a conscious effort to avoid Taehyung. If he saw Taehyung walking down the hallway, he’d quickly turn the other way. In the cafeteria, he sat as far from him as possible. If Taehyung sent him a text, he left it unread.

Taehyung noticed the sudden cold shoulder almost immediately. At first, he brushed it off, thinking Jungkook was just busy. But as days turned into a week, Taehyung’s patience wore thin.

“Why is he avoiding me?” Taehyung muttered to himself as he paced his dorm room. “Did I do something wrong? Is it because of the restaurant?”

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He thinks I like Lia. Taehyung groaned, running a hand through his hair. “This is ridiculous. I don’t even like Lia! I like...”

He stopped mid-sentence, his face heating up as the truth settled in his heart. “Oh no. I like him.”

---

The next day, Taehyung was determined to confront Jungkook. During lunch, he spotted him sitting under a tree in the courtyard, headphones on, completely engrossed in his music. Taehyung marched over, plopped down beside him, and yanked one of the earbuds out.

“Hey!” Jungkook protested, glaring at him. “What’s your problem?”

“My problem?” Taehyung shot back. “What’s your problem? Why have you been avoiding me?”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. “I haven’t been avoiding you.”

Taehyung scoffed. “Don’t lie. You’ve been dodging me like I have the plague. What did I do to you?”

“You didn’t do anything,” Jungkook muttered, looking away.

Taehyung leaned in closer, refusing to let him off the hook. “Then why are you acting like this? Is it because of Lia?”

At the mention of her name, Jungkook stiffened but didn’t respond. Taehyung sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Look, whatever you’re thinking, it’s not what you think. I don’t like Lia. I never did.”

Jungkook turned to him, eyes wide with surprise. “You... don’t?”

“No! I thought she liked me, and my sister convinced me to test it out. But it turns out she doesn’t, and honestly, I couldn’t care less,” Taehyung admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know why I even bothered. She’s not the one I...”

Taehyung stopped himself, realizing he was about to say too much. He quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, stop ignoring me, okay? It’s annoying.”

Jungkook stared at him for a moment before nodding slowly. “Fine. I’ll stop.”

“Good,” Taehyung said, standing up. He hesitated for a moment, glancing down at Jungkook. “And for the record, you’re way more interesting than Lia could ever be.”

Before Jungkook could respond, Taehyung walked away, leaving him sitting there, heart racing and mind spinning.