Crushed

Chapter 1

Jungkook

Two Weeks Earlier

Engrossed in his workbook, Jungkook tried to drown out the morning chatter, gnawing at the end of his pencil. He really wasn't that big of a fan of homework and all, so he always did procrastinate when it came to it. Jungkook wasn't too worried, though, he always did manage to finish it all in time before classes started.

However, that particular morning, he was mildly struggling in concentrating. Every time he heard a certain laugh pierce the air around him, Jungkook felt his stomach lurch slightly.

It wasn't like Jimin to be in homeroom with them, he always strolled in with a few seconds to spare before the bell granted tardies for all of those who were late. Yet, there he was, at the back of the classroom, circled by personal friends.

Blond locks were constantly brushed back out of habit, his eyes bright as he tried to stifle another laugh. Honestly, Jungkook was already internally struggling, fighting the urge to glance over his shoulder every time Jimin said something.

A tinge of envy settled within the young male, trying to grasp some sort of control. Honestly, he hated it, lacking the proper confidence to even exchange words with the other. Besides, no one else knew Jimin like Jungkook did..

How could he forget?

Even years before high school, Jungkook grew up with Jimin, sharing the same classrooms. Both brought up in Busan, knowing the streets well, the true nature of their accents.. Jungkook knew it all.

Yet, no one else had that sort of rare glimpse of Jimin.

Even back then, Jungkook had done nothing but long for the other from a distance, never uttering a word.

Jimin was far livelier back then, before he moved. The light in his eyes had been brighter, and he was quite loud and outgoing, with just a big enough temperament to capture the attention of many.

Jungkook, at the time, was mildly devastated, regretting the loss of opportunity to be able to say anything to the other.

However, despite the years that followed, Jungkook never failed in thinking back on Park Jimin. He couldn't bring himself to really move on.

It just wasn't possible.

To think that he would ever have a run in with him, again, after so long.

Jimin had been almost unrecognizable, slimmer than before, his face thin, but skin all the more softer to the eye. His dark hair was long gone, replaced by the vibrant blond; even the way he carried himself was far more charismatic, as if the boy from before had been left behind.

Jungkook was utterly surprised, not at all displeased, but still caught off guard.

He never thought Jimin would return, so drastically changed, and Jungkook painfully noted that his chances of interacting with the other, have only gotten smaller.

"I was waiting at the gate for a good fifteen minutes."

Someone brushed past his desk, making Jungkook blink, before taking in the sight of a tall individual. He made his way towards Jimin, clapping the other's shoulder so casually, it made Jungkook's insides flare up in annoyance.

That's right, Kim Taehyung was a close, personal friend of Jimin's, it seemed, they were nearly inseparable.

Unlike Jimin, Taehyung was slightly more calm, his intelligent eyes well settled behind thin glasses. It wasn't like he was more mature, but he did harbor depth of mystery that a lot of people had yet to decipher.

He laughed, talked, and got along well with the others, but at times, he was instilled with a seriousness he was easily able to switch on and off.

It was actually pretty thrilling..

"I thought I told you to meet up here, today." Jimin's snicker floated in the air, Tae dismissing it easily.

"No."

Jungkook could not contain the urge to lightly chew on the inside of his cheek, eyes shifting toward's Jimin's face.

He really did wish he was just a bit braver.

Lost in thought, his reaction time dwindled, not registering the fact that Jimin had captured his eyes. It was enough to make Jungkook's chest squeeze rather tightly, swallowing thickly as he sharply turned away.

Blood surfaced to his neck and cheeks, and he fought the urge to berate himself loudly.

Yet, for some reason, he thought he could still feel the weight of Jimin's lingering gaze.