BTS Imagines

Enigma - part 4

// Jimin's Investments //

The chatters of the students in the dining hall sink deep within his bones as he tries to digest the chunks of words he was reading. Jimin grips the heavy book tighter, hoping it would get the distractions out of his mind. He mumbles the confusing words over and over again and finally groans in defeat. It was official, he was illiterate.

"What's got your panties in a bunch?" Taehyung smirked as he notices the boy getting frustrated.

Jimin gritted his teeth, trying to block out his condescending words. He decided to re-read the first line of the paragraph that got him stuck. From across the table, Yoongi raised the book and read the title.

"Investments 101," he read, then moving onto the pile of books stacked beside Jimin. "How To Invest, Investments For Dummies, Life Investments, The Route To Successful Investments."

Yoongi chuckled as he shook his head. He never knew that there were so many books about Investments in this world. And he never knew that there were people who would go out of their way to purchase those god-forsaken books.

"Someone's trying to be Daddy's puppet," Hoseok teased him as he stretches across the table to ruffle Jimin's hair.

"Stop it!" Jimin scowled. Hoseok's hand was swatted away followed by a rain of croutons flying from Jimin's hands.

Hoseok basked in the crouton confetti and laughed it off. Even though it pricked Jimin to hear those words, he knew it was the truth. As of now, he wasn't Park Jimin. He was his father's puppet, moving along as he pulls the strings.

He whimpers as he gave up on the crap-of-a-book, burying his head in the pages. This is not what he wants, he said to himself. He dreamed of being an established artist with an entire gallery commemorated to his artworks. But then his heart breaks at the thought of disappointing his father. He sighs as Taehyung's hand stroked his head, feeling grateful for a hint of comfort.

"All my dad keeps talking about is how much better our lives are after striking out on his investments. And so I should follow in his footsteps," Jimin confided in his friends. "But I don't want to make money. I want to make art."

A solemn blanket falls over the three of them as they quietly watch their distraught friend. As much as they teased Jimin, they pitied him. They knew how much burden is weighed on his shoulders by his father's pressure. And they knew the amount of passion that coursed through Jimin's blood when it came to his artworks. It's been a painful battle hidden behind his eyes.

The three friends exchanged worried glances before Taehyung took the lead. "As much as you want to make your father proud, I say you should do what you love. Down the road, you'd be miserable if you lose your touch with your art. Don't make that mistake."

Jimin's heart tightened. He shakes his head as he stands up. "You guys won't understand. All of you come from money, not me. Unlike everyone else here, I don't think I can risk it."

They watch him collect the heavy books and walk away with a sag in his shoulders. His retreating figure got lost in the crowd of students just as the bell rang.

"Well, as much as I want to wallow in this pit of sympathy, I've got to go," Yoongi said as he slid his laptop in his arms. "Shipment's coming."

"The two of you better not get caught," Taehyung said in a sing-song manner while he looped his arms around Hoseok.