Unforgettable Memories

4

Jimin's POV

Today was eventful, to say the least. Between the usual chaos in the cafeteria and my friends' endless teasing, I couldn't shake off the strange mix of excitement and guilt that kept bubbling up inside me. The cafeteria was buzzing with excitement—girls squealing, and of course, it was all for the so-called 'most handsome guy' here. I'd gotten used to the attention, but today, my mind was elsewhere.

As I walked in with the boys, Hoseok hyung rubbed his ears dramatically. "Gosh, these girls are on another level. My eardrums are gonna burst!"

We all laughed, the light banter helping to mask the tension swirling in my chest. Yoongi hyung smirked, teasing as usual. "Heard you're whipped, Jimin. Especially by those girls."

Namjoon chimed in, laughing. "Jimin's got no jams and still manages to have a fan club."

I rolled my eyes at their teasing. This was our usual dynamic—me, the target of everyone's jokes. But today, it felt heavier. I forced a laugh, trying to brush off the unease. It wasn't long before Chanmi made her appearance, and with her, the usual drama followed.

"Hey, baby," she cooed, pressing a kiss on my cheek that sent a wave of discomfort through me. I tried to mask my disgust with a smile, glancing at Yoongi, who raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the situation. Chanmi sat beside me, clinging to me like I was her lifeline, but truth be told, I wasn't interested in her anymore. Our relationship was a facade—she needed the popularity, and I was just playing along.

I looked around the table, seeing my friends trying to stifle their laughter as Jungkook struggled under the weight of Yeri, one of Chanmi's friends. It was amusing, but my attention quickly shifted when I spotted Somin and Jiyeon walking into the cafeteria.

Somin didn't seem bothered by the whispers that followed her. She walked with her head held high, her face calm and unreadable. There was something about her that intrigued me—something different. I knew Chanmi hated her, but I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at my lips when Somin glanced my way. She was strong, and I admired that, even if I didn't want to admit it.

Yoongi hyung leaned closer, noticing my stare. "So, she's the new transferee, huh? Heard a lot about her."

"She's got guts," Hoseok hyung added, clearly impressed by her boldness.

Chanmi, however, was less than pleased. "She slapped me, Jimin! That girl's a total bitch," she whined, glaring in Somin's direction.

I shrugged, putting on my best 'I don't care' smile. "Leave it, babe. She's not worth it."

But in truth, I couldn't stop thinking about her.

Somin's POV

Jiyeon and I sat quietly, trying to ignore the stares and whispers around us. I could feel Jimin's eyes on me, but I refused to look his way. Instead, I focused on Jiyeon, who was watching me with concern.

"Somin, please think about it again," she urged, her voice soft.

I shook my head, stuffing food into my mouth to avoid the conversation. "I'm fine, Jiyeon. I'll always be fine. Now stop worrying and eat up. Food's my favorite."

She laughed, her worry fading as she joined me in eating. "You stubborn rat," she teased.

"Yah! I'm not stubborn, and definitely not a rat!" I shot back playfully, nudging her shoulder.

We shared a lighthearted moment, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Jimin. Despite the mess earlier, something about him lingered in my mind. What did he really think of me? Why did he keep staring?

Jimin's POV

After lunch, I couldn't resist irritating Somin. It was oddly satisfying to see her react, even if it was with glares and eye rolls. I didn't know why, but something about her pulled me in, even if I knew I shouldn't care. She didn't belong in my world, not with Chanmi and all the fake drama surrounding us.

But still, I found myself wanting her attention, even if it was just to annoy her.

Later, as I was walking home, I overheard Somin and Jiyeon talking. They didn't notice me standing nearby. My heart sank as I heard Somin talk about her past—about her parents and brother, about the loneliness she's felt for so long.

I had known, of course. Chanmi had made sure to dig up dirt on Somin, sneaking into the principal's office to find out about her background. But hearing Somin speak about it so openly, hearing the pain in her voice, it hit me differently.

A strange feeling settled in my chest, a mix of guilt and sadness. Why did I care? Why did it bother me so much to see her like this?

I sighed, walking away before they could notice me. My thoughts were a mess. I couldn't understand why I was acting so strange, why I was suddenly so drawn to someone I barely knew.

What was happening to me?