Caged and Guarded (BTS Jungkook Fanfiction)

Chapter 37

"That's good," Hyunsoo said, not sure whether she should continue the conversation. She was feeling slightly awkward, especially with Joy watching her closely. She hadn't forgotten Joy's warning from the camping trip.

"What about you?" Jungkook asked Hyunsoo, gazing at her.

The whole conversation sounded forced somehow, and Hyunsoo couldn't help but smile at that thought. However, Joy's eyes turned into daggers and Hyunsoo quickly straightened her face.

"I've been revising, but I don't think I'm as confident as you might be."

Just then, the bus came and saved everyone from further awkward small talks. They got on the bus and sat together on four seats facing each other. No one talked. Hyunsoo and Jimin were sitting besides each other. Every time Hyunsoo looked up, she would catch Jungkook's eye and he would smirk, so she tried to keep her head down and look out the window.

"This is nice," Jungkook suddenly started saying, "We should do this every day after school, since we go the same way..."

"What? Jungkook!" Joy groaned, elongating his name.

Ignoring Joy, he continued, "I'm sure our homeroom teacher would be happy to know that his class is trying to get along, don't you think Jimin?"

Jimin looked at him surprised. "Uh, sure."

"It's good that we're going together." Jungkook looked directly at Hyunsoo, who felt her face flush pink. Her heart was fluttering lightly, but she ignored it.

When they got off the bus, Jungkook waved goodbye to Hyunsoo and Jimin, before walking away to his house hands in his pockets and trailed by Joy. They went in without a backwards glance, though Hyunsoo could tell that Joy was not happy with the fact that she just journeyed with Hyunsoo and Jimin.

"Today has become an awkward day for us hasn't it?" Jimin was smiling. They crossed the road and walked to the front of Hyunsoo's house. "First Sohee, and now Jungkook with Joy. Wonder what's going on..."

Hyunsoo was deep in thought about the same thing. Why was Jungkook deciding to go home with her and Jimin? She had a nagging feeling that this had something to do with the events of the night before...

"Jimin," Hyunsoo said. She remembered very suddenly, Sohee was awkward because of the tension that had already been there when she sat down with them (and also because of what Hyunsoo had said to her). "Before Sohee came... at break, you were going to tell me..."

Jimin looked at Hyunsoo with a straight face. "I'll tell you, but you might not like it."

She was worried, but she wanted to hear whatever it was. "Just say it."

"Hoseok noticed as well... we discussed it once actually. Just once."

"Hoseok? He knows? And you didn't tell me? Jimin, what is it?"

"It's not like that. This was different. I couldn't say anything at first, just in case, but since you want to know... I should tell you. In fact, I was planning to tell you soon anyway. You're my best friend and it's about you, so..." He gave her a slight smile, before replacing it with a serious expression. He took a deep breath and said, "Hoseok and I think that you are starting to have feelings for Jungkook."

Hyunsoo stared at Jimin, saying nothing.

And then, Jimin added quickly, "We also think that Jungkook might be developing feelings for you too."

She continued to stare, not moving.

"Hyunsoo?" he said, looking worried and waved a hand in front of her face.

"Jimin," Hyunsoo finally replied, "How can you think that? I mean, what makes you say all this? What is this based on?"

"I know you're surprised now, but have you never felt anything different with Jungkook? Something you don't feel with anyone else?"

"I... of course! He's the only one I can't stand! I hate him, and he hates me."

Jimin rolled his eyes. "No, not that, and he doesn't hate you. Even I can see that!"

Hyunsoo remembered Hoseok telling her this too. "How do you know?" she asked, feeling lame. She was out of words. She was out of everything and anything to say to anyone. She wanted to go to her room and think.

"I just, I can see it. When you talked to Sohee about Jungkook, you were getting jealous when she said she wanted to approach him! Every time you think about Jungkook, being curious, you're actually worrying for him. He does the same for you! He worries and cares! Can you not see all that, Hyunsoo?"

Hyunsoo didn't say anything. She turned and ran inside, unlocking the door as fast as she could and locking it behind her. She didn't want to hear anymore of what he had to say. She didn't want to be put on the spot to answer those questions, even if it was just Jimin. She didn't want to face it.

Hyunsoo having feelings for Jungkook? That was as impossible as Hyunsoo and Hyejin suddenly becoming best friends.

The next day came very quickly for Hyunsoo. Despite what Jimin had said to her, she fell asleep very quickly and woke up not remembering a thing, until she got outside and found Jimin and Jinyoung both waiting for her to go to school.

"Morning!" said Jinyoung cheerfully, unaware of Jimin and Hyunsoo glancing at each other nervously.

They walked to school, talking about whatever they could. Hyunsoo and Jimin talked as if yesterday's talk never happened, but it was in both of their minds. It was all they could think about.

When they entered the school gates, Jimin left to talk to Seulgi right away, leaving Jinyoung with Hyunsoo. Another thought suddenly hit her then: tests were starting from today, so this time next weekend, she would be going on the date with Jinyoung.

She was thinking this as Jinyoung grinned down at her. "Ready for some school torture tests?"

Hyunsoo gave a nervous and shaky laugh, as they walked to their classroom together. Jimin was following with Seulgi. They had gotten very close, but were still an unofficial couple.

Everything seemed unofficial to Hyunsoo. Her father, her feelings, her past... and Jungkook were all unofficial to Hyunsoo.