Speeding Into Trouble || Taekook

12

It was late afternoon when Jeongguk leaned against the brick wall outside the school, a cigarette dangling between his lips, his eyes lazily scanning the passing students.

As he took another drag, his gaze landed on a familiar figure—Taehyung, looking more distant and exhausted than usual.

Their eyes met for a brief second, but Taehyung quickly looked away, his expression cold, almost lifeless. He continued walking, head down, clearly avoiding any interaction.

Jeongguk, already irritated for reasons he couldn't fully explain, felt his temper flare.

The lack of acknowledgment, the indifference—it pissed him off.

Even though Taehyung hadn’t done anything, it was enough to trigger something in Jeongguk.

He hated not getting the attention he wanted, especially from someone like Taehyung.

Flicking the cigarette to the ground, Jeongguk swung his leg over his bike and kicked the stand up, moving it aside before hopping off.

He started to walk beside Taehyung, his steps unhurried, keeping pace with the other boy’s silent, slow gait.

"Walking again, huh, Teach?" Jeongguk sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

Taehyung didn’t even bother to look at him, his shoulders hunched, eyes staring ahead. He looked tired, defeated, as if he hadn’t slept in days.

He didn’t have the energy to engage.

Not today. Not after crying himself dry for the past week, trying to figure out how to deal with the mess his life had become.

No response.

Jeongguk’s irritation only grew at the lack of response. He wasn’t used to being ignored.

"I don’t get it," he pressed, annoyed by the silence. "You’ve got a fucking Mercedes sitting in your garage, yet here you are, walking home like some broke-ass loser."

Taehyung let out a soft sigh, finally speaking, but his voice was barely above a whisper. "I like to walk."

Jeongguk glanced at him, not buying the excuse for a second. "Why do I feel like you’re full of shit?" he shot back, smirking. His gaze narrowed as if trying to pry the truth out of Taehyung.

"You’re not fooling anyone, Teach. You’re too damn good for that car, huh? Too proud to use Daddy’s money?"

Taehyung clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the wave of frustration rising inside him.

Jeongguk wasn’t wrong. The truth was, Taehyung hated relying on anything his parents gave him, hated the feeling of being controlled by their wealth.

But there was no way in hell he was going to admit that to Jeongguk.

Another sigh escaped Taehyung, feeling foolish for even responding in the first place. "You wouldn’t get it," he muttered, his voice drained of emotion.

Jeongguk, sensing his answer was half-hearted, decided to push harder. "Yeah, that’s right. Keep pretending you’re so fucking noble, walking everywhere like some martyr. Must be real tough having rich parents and a perfect life, right?"

Taehyung didn’t respond this time. He was too worn out, too drained to engage with Jeongguk’s petty insults.

His patience had long run out after the hellish week he’d had. Without a word, he picked up his pace, walking faster, putting distance between himself and Jeongguk.

Jeongguk watched him go, jaw clenched in frustration. He hated how Taehyung could just brush him off like that, hated how he couldn’t get under his skin like he wanted to.