❝EARPHONES❞ ─ k.th

Chapter 006

He sat on the grandstand with multiple thoughts running freely, making him feel suffocated. His problems were piling up onto each other, placing more stress onto his shoulders. He yelled in fury, releasing some stress out of him. He jumped off the grandstand, his arms flying in the air as he paced himself backwards and forwards. Naeun popped into his head, making him feel guilty. This all could have been resolved if he just spoke up, but he didn't. Dahye knew of his new image and quite frankly liked it. Maybe more than his actual self, forgetting about the kind guy he used to be freely. It pained him knowing she regarded him as the Taehyung everyone bragged about, the tactless, soulless boy they all claimed he was. But he wasn't. He wanted people to see him as who he is: free-spirited, happy, not tactless, soulless or 'hot'. Just Kim Taehyung. Suddenly, a smile spread across his face. His plan was slowly coming together, he knew what he had to do. It all seemed clear now: it's Naeun. She'll help him. She must, it's his last hope. He threw open his bag as he grabbed a pen and paper and began writing words down furiously, motivation pumping inside of him.

He smiled happily at the papers, acknowledging his hard work. His plan was complete, he had it all pieced together. It may take time before everything goes back to the way it should but he doesn't mind. He'll wait if he must, all until it works out. He was desperate, desperate to be himself again. To be free.

He opened the door to his Grandma's house, walking in quietly hoping he would not attract any attention. He was home later than usual and he knew he'd get into trouble this time, but he didn't mind. His mind felt clearer, he felt calmer. The only thing that was in the way of his plans were Dahye, she'd be the only reason why his image remains the same, despite being best friends with her for years. He found it extremely suspicious how nobody came to check the door, more suspicious that his father was in a jolly mood. He had been dull and tired for months on end now. As he walked into the kitchen, his smile fell as his eyes glued onto the girl standing before his father.

"Taehyung, we have exciting news!" his father boasted in exasperation, happiness very visible in his eyes. He bounded off the chair and raced for his son, wrapping an arm over his shoulders as he directed him towards Dahye.

"Dahye's family have decided to help us out. We won't be poor anymore!" his father's and Grandma's laughter filled the room as Dahye smiled innocently at them, infuriating Taehyung. He didn't show it though; his father was generally happy. He hadn't heard him laugh or seen him smile genuinely in months. He didn't want to be the sudden cause of his sadness. "Dahye, you're an absolute angel."

"Don't say that Mr. Kim," Dahye laughed, "I'm just helping out a friend." Taehyung smiled at his father before lining his eyes with Dahye's. Her eyes were burning with determination to get Taehyung back into her life, but he was determined to get rid of her, suddenly remembering the reasons why he tried leaving her behind with all their memories.

Taehyung walked into school with Dahye's arms wrapped around his as she giggled, talking about some other guy in the grade. He nodded his head several times, saying 'ah' and 'really' every now and then, making it seem as if he was paying attention to her little rambles. All eyes were on them, and she knew it. She placed her head on his arm, getting her body as physically close to his as possible, causing others to raise their eyebrows in suspicion. Taehyung finally took notice of her actions, looking down at her in obvious disgust but she shrugged it off. Unlike usually, his eyes were scanning the perimeter, meeting every face his eyes encountered. His eyes kept scanning until they met hers and stopped immediately. He broke away from Dahye without a second thought as he jogged over to Naeun whom began packing away her things as quickly as possible, trying to avoid him.

"Starting your assessment without me?" he smiled cheekily before grabbing a hold of her hand, dragging her away from the open, giving them some private time.

"I thought it would be wise starting early so we will finish on time," she smiled weakly, refusing to look at him. She had multiple feelings mushed into one, making her feel extremely weird. Taehyung nodded in agreement, smiling kindly although guilt was pooling inside of him. He wanted to explain but that would ruin everything he was working towards. He didn't need to lose her trust, he didn't want to lose her. As far as he knew, she was his playing card. 

"I want to apologise for yesterday," Taehyung began saying, however, Naeun took a deep breathe and cut him off, not permitting him to continue. She didn't want to be reminded of yesterday, she didn't want her anger to reappear again.

"There's no need to apologise," she began saying, "you forgot you had plans on. Just promise me you'll be more organised next time." Before he could interrupt her, she grabbed her bag and walked out of the classroom, leaving him to ponder about yesterday, guilt eating him every moment passing. He pulled out papers from his bag, looking over them in a bored matter. He placed the work back into his bag before also exiting the classroom, a look of disappointment clearly written all over his face. He knew the lengths Dahye would go through to get what she wants, meaning she'll need to get rid of everything in her way. Unfortunately for clueless Naeun, she was almost entering that danger zone, the zone Dahye doesn't like other's to tresspass. But for all he knew, he wanted Naeun to be there through all of it, even if that meant bending her trust a little bit. Because deep down inside, he knew she was the light in his very dark world.

[ chapter six ]