Lives Change Here // JiKook

Chapter One: Mystery Man

The soft shuffling of textbook pages and distant chatter was enough to draw his eyes away from the book that had completely drowned out the world a few short moments ago. Perched comfortably between his palms sat the old and tattered copy of 'Jane Eyre', the same copy that he had taken refuge in so many times before. Peachy blonde hair fell over his eyes in a way that shielded pale hazel orbs from the invasive rays of sunlight that pranced in from the window sill. Stained glass portraits scattering obscure rays of blues and reds across the carpeted balcony.

It had been a change for Jimin, moving away from home and being tossed haphazardly into the college of a very unfamiliar country. Coming from a small district located smack-dab in the center of Busan, the bustling city life of New Orleans was enough to give Jimin a near heart attack upon his arrival. Everything was different now that he was on his own. Of course, his choice to move to America and attend University overseas was not an overnight decision. Jimin had visited the States many times with his family and he was sure to enjoy every trip, but now that he had been dumped here with nothing but a small pile of belongings and a mountain of student debt, he was beginning to feel the dull ache of homesickness that burned deep within his chest.

An ache that caused nothing more than a small twinge of sadness every once in awhile, but an ache nevertheless. It had been two weeks since he'd moved into his dorm. Jimin was sure to sticky tape countless fairy lights along the walls, accompanied by a few odd posters of South Korea's scenery. A pastel pink comforter and a handful of pillows, along with the faux fur throw blanket, made sure his nights were spent comfortable and cozy. Jimin also snuck a few candles in, who were currently tucked firmly under a dresser. Those of which he would light on his late night movie binges and study sessions. Open flames were strictly forbidden in the dorm halls, but Jimin couldn't leave his candles behind. Nothing was more comforting than studying to the scent of s'mores or watching horror movies with a pine-scented cloud floating around the room.

However, no matter how many s'mores candles he stored away; no matter how many throw blankets he wrapped around himself; no matter how many fairy lights twinkled on his walls, he was alone. Jimin had no friends to go grab morning coffee with, no friends to go to midnight parties, no study-buddies to groan about midterms with. Jimin had no one. Every one of his familiar faces had been left behind in South Korea; tucked away in a dark place of his brain that rattled everytime he longed for some sort of human interaction.

The first few nights were by far the worst. The sudden realization that his family was an ocean away and that he was here all by himself was enough to bring tears rolling down his cheeks and faint sobs to shake his body. Three days had been set aside after move-in so freshman could go out and mingle. Three days set aside so newbies could make friends and get a jump start on their four-year career. Three days that Jimin didn't leave his room. While many of his classmates found their drinking buddies, fuck buddies and buddies alike; Jimin was inside his dorm crying softly into his pillow and watching pointless cartoons to occupy his mind.

Now, two uneventful weeks later, he'd fallen into a comfortable routine of going to class and scurrying back into his room like a mouse with a mouth full of cheese. Though he'd cried there night after night, his dorm had become his safe place. S'mores candles eased the pain in his chest and childish television shows kept his usually busy brain at ease. As much as he told himself he was okay and 'better now', there was still a deep longing for a friend or at least a familiar face. Though, the only familiar face he could find was the tattered covers of British Literature and the theme songs to various sports themed anime.

Another familiar face would be the second floor of the music department. Though Jimin had absolutely zero music related classes, he found himself tucked away in one of the broken chairs that sat snuggly against the walls. It was a day where a loud crash of thunder brought down the rains from hell. 'Walter Hall' as they called it, was a midpoint from his usual science buildings and his dorm hall. The heavy rainfall corralled him into this new building and didn't let him leave for some hours. Many students sacrificed their dry clothing to get home. Jimin, however, was curious by nature and he didn't mind snooping around until the rain let up.