"Ah, Jackson, you know better than that."
The little blond boy stares at the ground in guilt. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know I was going to hurt him."
I kneel down, and I'm still not at eye level since he's so short. "Jackson, look at me." He does so. "I know Mark is your best friend, but that doesn't mean you need to act like this."
"I was only being friendly!"
"Just because Mark is older than you doesn't mean he's strong enough to support your weight, so you shouldn't jump on him."
"I was giving him a hug."
"And he crumbled underneath you."
I spot tears in his eyes, and I release a sigh. "Come here," I tell him as I open my arms. He slowly moves forward and I embrace him. "I know you meant well, but how about you think before doing something. Deal?"
He nods with his head leaning against my chest. "Y-Yeah. Deal."
"Okay." Gently, I push him back and look him in the face. "Dry it up. Don't make me tickle it out of you. You know, Mark was saying that he wanted to see you."
His eyes grow big. "R-Really?"
I nod. "Mhm. Why don't you go visit him?"
"O-Okay!" After flashing a large smile, he turns and runs off. I chuckle to myself as I stand up straight and return to my desk.
"Excuse me? Mr. Kim?"
As I adjust the glasses sitting on my face, I turn toward the door if the classroom. Another man stands there, and when I realize who it is, I end up standing completely frozen and staring at him.
He steps further into the classroom. "Mr. Kim? You wanted to speak with me?"
Get a hold of yourself! I force myself to blink and clear my throat. "Y-Yes, Mr. Kim. I do. Please have a seat."
He grins at me, and I melt. He sits in one of the seats in the front row. I take a quick moment to calm myself down as he settles himself. "Mr. Kim-"
"You can call me Seokjin. To make the whole Kim thing less confusing."
"Seokjin," I correct, loving the way his name rolls off my tongue, "I wanted to talk to you about Jimin."
His eyes turn worried. "Did something happen? Is he alright?"
Sitting down behind my desk, I assure him, "Yes, he's fine. The thing is he tends to...keep to himself. The other kids are really nice toward him, but he shies away from them. There isn't something going on at home that would make him act this way, is there?"
Seokjin's hands fold over each other in a nervous motion. "Not that I can think of. But I do know that he has a lot of anxiety. Every morning I have to pry him off my leg so I can go to work." He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "I wish I knew how to help him."
"Although he's quiet, he's a very sweet boy. I was thinking about starting off slow and introduce him to one person. There's a new student his age, and I've been told he's very outgoing. If we set them up, I'm hoping Jimin will take after him."
He seems to think it over. "I guess that could work." He sighs again. "What am I doing wrong? Am I just that bad of a parent?"
I'm taken back at his distraught expression. "It's not your fault. This is a very common characteristic in kids. He just needs a little push to get him out of his shell." I stand and walk around my desk and face him. "I promise you none of this is your fault."
He looks up at me, and a sad smirk appears on his face. "Thank you, Mr. Kim."
"If I'm calling you Seokjin, you can call me by my first name too." I offer a reassuring smile. "I'm sure this will work. Jimin will be making friends before you know it."
He zones out, thinking. Then, he joins me on his feet and extends a hand. "Thank you... Namjoon."
I shake his hand. "My pleasure." I head back around and stand behind my desk. As I arrange a few papers, I say, "I really think things will go well. You'll see."
When I finish stacking the sheets, I turn, and I'm shocked at how subtly he had creeped up on me. He stands barely a foot away. How hadn't I noticed? I can only pray my blush isn't as noticeable as I think it is. He looks up, because I have an inch or two on him. "Are you free tomorrow night?"
Is he...is he asking me out? Finally? Unable to formulate a proper response, I stammer, "Uh...wh-what? I-I guess. I don't know. Why?"
He smiles shyly. "I was wondering if you'd like to spend it with me."
I gulp. God, I have such dirty thoughts. "What did you have in mind?"
"Dinner, maybe. That is, if you say yes."
Right. I haven't answered yet. "Y-Yes. I-I'd love to."
"Great. I'll see you then." He makes his way across the room, but he stops in the doorway. He turns back around. "Thank you. For everything. It means a lot that you care about my son so much."
"It's nothing. He's a very special kid."
He smiles fondly and nods in agreement. "Yeah. I got lucky. I'll see you tomorrow." He disappears around the corner, and suddenly I can breathe again.
