Baseball (VHope)

Thirteen

I didn't want this to happen. This wasn't supposed to happen. All I wanted was a quiet relationship, and it was for about a month. But when I walked into school today, all eyes were on me. The first person who greeted me was Jungkook, but his eyes were filled with tears, some spilling over and running down his cheeks as he looked pleadingly at me. "I didn't do it, hyung. I didn't say anything, I promise. I didn't do it," he rushed over and over, but I hushed him and wiped some of his tears away.

Everyone glared at me as Jungkook led me through the crowded halls and to one of the televisions that hung in the classrooms, cafeteria, gym and the hall. Candid photos of me and Hoseok hugging - and even one of us kissing - ran on a loop on every monitor in the school. My heart started to drop as people started to crowd me; mainly the girls I knew wanted Hoseok the way I had him now.

The air became thicker and I felt my throat closing up. I was having a panic attack. One of the baseball players' girlfriends - I think her name is Yeri - made her way to through the crowd to stand in front of me. Her cherry-red lips were pulled into a smug grin as she stared up at me through her black bangs. "So, your muscle pig of a best friend over here," she nodded towards Jungkook, "beat the shit out of my boyfriend. And for what? Because he messed with you. And Jung Hoseok, everyone's crush, defended you, too. And my lovely Minho told me there was something up between you two and our Hoseokie hid it for your sake or whatever."

Jimin and Yoongi pushed through the crowd, but they couldn't get to me. Panic was clear in their eyes as they stared at me and Jungkook, who had started to cry again out of sheer worry for me. This was already too much and I could feel my lungs begin to hurt. But Yeri continued, tossing her long black hair over one shoulder. "So I decided to look into it on my own, and what did I find? My baby was right. You're the reason Hoseok stopped flirting with everyone! Just look!"

She pointed to the monitor mounted on the wall, which displayed a picture of Hoseok kissing me right before practice. "You're dating him! How could someone like him fall for you? " Her voice was thick with venom as she glared at me, huffing out a laugh as she turned to the crowd. "I've known this loser since he was in middle school! No one ever liked him except for Jungkook's little slut Park Jimin!" That was Jungkook's breaking point.

"Don't you dare call him a slut, you conniving bitch!" he growled and looked to Jimin, who stared to cry. He mouthed out 'don't do it' to his boyfriend, who stayed put next to me and shook with restraint; he wanted to murder Yeri. I didn't blame him. I couldn't believe I was still holding myself together. Maybe it was because I was in denial; this couldn't be real.

Yeri fake pouted at him and rolled her eyes. "Whatever." Then she got up really close to me. "Poor little Kim Taehyung. Your parents never loved you. You lived in the shadows of your big brothers your entire life. Not worth anyone's time, you turned to art to distract you. Mrs Jeon might like you, but you're still a waste of space. Waste of life."

The crowd laughed and I felt myself begin to hyperventilate with every word she said. I was believing her. My vision began to blur and I felt myself sway. But this went unnoticed. "How could Jung Hoseok, the motherfucking captain of the baseball team, everyone's crush, the most eligible bachelor in this entire school, actually willingly date you?"

Right before I let myself succumb to the blackness, the crowd abruptly parted and revealed Jung Hoseok. Anger flushed across his face as Wonwoo and Baekhyun flanked him, both of them forming a sort of kill-triangle with Jungkook around me. Hoseok was pissed. His face was read as he grabbed Yeri by her hair and harshly yanked her back.

"What the fuck, Yeri!" he yelled and the entire hall fell silent. Yeri cried out and tried to pull his hand from her hair. "Hoseok, that hurts! Show some respect!" she snarled and my boyfriend huffed at her. "Bitches like you don't deserve my respect, just like your prick of a boyfriend. Oh yeah, I took him straight to the coaches and had him kicked off my team. People like him aren't welcome on my team," he spat and threw her to the ground by her hair.

People backed up so she wouldn't fall on their feet, but didn't say a word. Hoseok turned slowly, chest heaving as he pointed to me. "See him!? Yeah, that's my boyfriend. You say any harsh words to him or disrespect him in any way, you will face me. And I don't think you want to do that. Now scatter!"  And they listened.

The only people who remained were Jungkook, Jimin, Yoongi, Wonwoo and Baekhyun. Rushed footsteps told me Chanyeol was here, too, as well as Chan. I was immediately encompassed in Hoseok's warm arms and I let it all out. I sobbed hard against Hoseok's shoulder, holding him tight and probably hurting him, but I couldn't hold myself up anymore. "Tae," he whispered gently and I shook my head wildly. "Th-this is the s-second to last m-month of the school y-year and... Why?" I cried and earned a kiss on my temple. "I don't know, sweet boy. I don't know," he replied and allowed our friends to turn our hug into a group hug.

"Mr Jung and Mr Kim, may I see you in my office? Your guardians have been called," Principal Yoon said as she beckoned us into her office. We nodded and held hands as our friends let us go. She turned to our friends, who all had their heads hung low. "I suggest you all get to class. They're not in trouble." They nodded and all went to their respectable classrooms.

Hoseok didn't let go of my hand the entire time we waited for Jin, Namjoon and Lucy to get here, which was a grand total of twenty minutes. Silent tears streamed down my face as I kept my eyes trained on my lap, not daring to speak or look at anyone. Principal Yoon sat at her desk and silently worked until the door opened, revealing a fuming Namjoon, a worried Jin and a very pregnant, tired-looking Lucy.

My brothers both hugged me tight and wiped my tears while Hoseok let Lucy take his seat; she was due really soon and shouldn't be on her feet so much. We went over everything with the principal, who flinched when Namjoon started to yell about how he should have had me homeschooled so this mess wouldn't have happened. Lucy gasped and gave Hoseok a tiny smile as the principal went over how he shut Yeri down. Jin kept his cool the whole time, nodding politely as he rested his hands on my shoulders.

It was decided that Yeri was going to be expelled and she would have to go through summer school to catch up on all the work she will miss, as well as get a restraining order so she couldn't come near either of us ever again. It made me a little happier, but I still wasn't okay. I wouldn't be okay for maybe a week or so. This was really traumatizing for me.

When we were all dismissed and checked out from school for the day, Namjoon hugged me tightly. "I'm so sorry, Taehyung. I'm so, so sorry this happened to you. You don't deserve it," he mumbled and I started to cry again. I didn't say anything; just let my big brother hold me until I calmed down again. Lucy came over to us and rubbed my back soothingly. "If it's okay with your brothers, how about you spend the night with us, honey?" she suggested and Namjoon immediately growled, "No."

Jin sighed and rolled his eyes. "Joon, Taehyung needs to be with Hoseok right now. This whole ordeal was about their relationship anyways. Please let him," he reasoned and Namjoon shook his head. Lucy bit her lip in thought, then she said, "You guys can stay for dinner. I haven't really met you yet." That worked. Namjoon slowly nodded and loosened his grip on me. "That would be nice." Lucy smiled and hugged Jin briefly. "Great! And the boys could have a sleepover after dinner!"

They spoke like we weren't even there, but at that moment, I didn't really mind. I just wanted to forget about today.