In the middle vmk

NINE

Marriages can't always be perfect, and Jungkook knows that all too well. He knew his parents loved each other, have been loving each other for more than twenty years, but sometimes too many frustrations bubble up in a wrong situation. Hence why he was currently lying in bed, pressing two pillows against his ears to block out the yells coming from the room next to his. Tears brimmed in his almond eyes and he softly hummed a song to distract himself from the fight going on.

His parents sometimes got into arguments in the middle of the night, which effectively made Jungkook stay up for the rest of the night. Normally he'd listen to music but he feels as if he ruins the songs he always chooses for this occasion, because just hearing the songs makes his mind immediately shift to these kind of nights, which isn't a very fun link to have with your favorite songs.

So tonight he strips out of his onesie and changes into a normal outfit without making too much noise. His parents wouldn't notice the little patter of feet anyway. They were too busy yelling and crying to notice their son sneaking out of his room & out of the house to end up wandering into the cold dark night.

Jungkook had never expected to run into a familiar face at this kind of hour or place; but there he was, the pretty boy with green hair who was utmost rude to him every time he met him.

His first instinct was to sink deeper into his hoodie and maybe ignore the other forever. But once the guy walked past him and the cheap smell of cologne hit him, he knew this guy wasn't just there on accident. There was a reason they crossed paths a little too many times.

So Jungkook took a chance and opened his mouth.

A thank you, a stutter and a turn of the back later, and Jungkook was on his way back home.

The next morning appeared way too early for Jungkook's liking. He had barely gotten any sleep and his parents weren't in their best moods at the breakfast table. The boy figured his parents had gone to bed without fixing their problems, hence why the awkward tension was killing the boy as he chewed on his cereal.

It was a sunny day but it was very cold outside. Jungkook wrapped a thick scarf around his neck and nuzzled his nose into the soft yellow fabric. He made his way outside and because it was the weekend, he didn't have to face his bullies today. His parents had asked him where he was planning on going and he had replied something vague, since he had no idea himself where his feet would carry him.

He decided on visiting the convenience store so he could maybe run into Jimin and talk to the boy. He was kind of the only social contact Jungkook had, if you counted his family out.

Apparently, Jimin didn't work in the store on Saturdays which was a bigger disappointment than Jungkook had expected it to feel like. With a drag of feet he made his way out of the store and onto the streets which were crowded with people who were enjoying the sun's presence.

With slow footsteps he made his way into the busy shopping street, trying to get his mind off things and shake off the disappointment he was still feeling. He crossed a little second hand shop whose windows were decorated with cheap- but cute- looking cut out stars. The stars surrounded a paper that stuck to the window and said 'help needed'. Jungkook eventually wandered into the shop since he still hadn't used up his allowance and wanted to treat himself to some new clothes.

As he roamed around the little shop he noticed the ring of the bell signalizing another person had walked inside. He peeked around the corner of the stack of clothes he was standing behind and silently gasped, recognizing the person that had walked inside.

"What the fuck are you doing here?", the green haired male spoke rudely, but it wasn't directed at Jungkook.

Instead, he heard a higher pitched voice answer, a voice he too recognized all too well.

"I work here you dipshit", Jimin replied, leaning against the counter, seemingly unamused.

Jungkook literally wanted to bury himself in the pile of clothes. This was too much coincidence. The three of them had once again run into each other by accident. The younger took a step to the left to hide himself away, but he wasn't looking on where he was going, making him bump against one of the second hand bookshelves. Two books tumbled out and landed on the ground harshly, creating a loud sound that was heard in the whole shop.

Jimin, thinking a customer was in need of help, ran to pick up the books but was stopped once he recognized the boy who was trying to hurriedly shove the books back into the shelf.

"Jungkook?"

The said boy gulped and turned around, coming face to face with Jimin and behind him stood Taehyung who immediately frowned at the familiarity of his face.

"Hi", the youngest smiled flustered, "Sorry for knocking books over".

Jimin smiled back, seeing how embarrassed the younger was, "That's okay. I didn't know you were in here".

"Maybe he was stalking you", Taehyung replied with a bored tone, "I seem to run into him all the time".

"I was not stalking", Jungkook frowned, his teeth immediately sinking down onto his bottom lip, "I want new clothes so I was looking them".

Jimin shot Taehyung a glare before he grabbed Jungkook by the arm to show him the new collection that had arrived a week ago.

"What do you think of this sweater? It would look super cute on you", Jimin smiled excitedly, showing Jungkook a pastel purple sweater which had the word 'sunshine' written in tiny yellow letters in the top left corner. The youngest shyly took the sweater out of Jimin's hands and skipped over to the fitting room to try it on. When the curtain was drawn, Jimin turned to Taehyung who was looking over at the fitting room with a scowl on his face.

"And what are you doing here?", Jimin asked, placing his hands on his hips, "If you're only here to scowl at my customers you can go right out".

Taehyung scoffed and crossed his arms, "I was here for the job. I saw the sign outside and figured working here is as good as anywhere else".

Jimin's glare softened when he remembered what Jungkook had told him before. Taehyung hadn't been able to pay his groceries and had to leave the shop without anything. His clothes didn't look too new either and Jimin realized the guy might've been in desperate need of money.

"Sure. We need someone to work here every afternoon from Monday to Wednesday plus Saturday evening. The pay check is not much but it'll keep you going at least", he replied, going back over to the check out, "I'll need you to fill in these forms and then I'll let my boss decide".

Taehyung nodded and started reading the forms while Jimin tried to subtly study the other's face.

"It's not nice to stare", Taehyung spoke, a small smirk playing on his lips while he filled in the forms, "Go check on the little bunny. I think he would want a second opinion".

Jimin's cheeks heated up and he quickly scurried away to check on Jungkook who was looking at himself in the mirror.

"How does it look?", he asked shyly, pulling at the sleeves which were a bit too big on him.

"You look adorable", Jimin smiled, biting back the urge to squish the younger's cheeks, "It's only 15 dollars. We got it from some thirty year old woman who had worn it in her teenage years and wanted to see teenagers of this generation wear it around".

Jungkook nodded and sent a quick look to Taehyung who had finished filling in his forms and was now looking in their direction. His eyes stood asking and Taehyung realized he was asking his opinion too.

"Looking great", Taehyung yelled out and then directed himself to Jimin who now too was looking at him, "Contact me as soon as possible when you know something about the job".

The oldest nodded and watched the green haired male walk out of the shop.

"He sure is mysterious", Jimin mumbled.

Jungkook nodded along even though the other didn't catch it.

"He really is".