Baseball (VHope)

Nineteen

"Hoseok, what college have you applied to?" Lucy asked, causing my happy mood to start to vanish. I had just realized that Hoseok was graduating this year, while I wasn't. We didn't even go to prom this year, opting to stay home and make out in his room. Next year, no one would be there to walk me to class or defend me from other hostile beings. I'd be alone.

Hoseok shrugged; I guess he noticed my mood shift. "I really just want to go to Seoul Cyber University," he sighed, side-eyeing me, making me feel bad. I looked down to Bree, who gazed up at me with adoration in her large, grey eyes. Somehow, I just knew she would grow up to have a major crush on me. "Taehyung, you there?" Lucy asked, waving her hand in front of my face and I snapped back to reality.

I hummed and looked to her. "I asked you where you want to go to college," she explained and I gave her a sheepish smile. "My grandmother, before she passed away, left me money for a ticket to America and a year's worth of rent-money for when I get there. I'm going to the Savannah College of Art and Design - SCAD - when I graduate. We already had a discussion with the dean of the school. She said she will make sure there is room for me, but I still have to send in a portfolio. Technically, I've already been accepted," I explained, my tone gaining confidence by the end of my explanation. 

Silence. Lucy looked genuinely surprised, but Hoseok looked like he wanted to vomit. "Tae," he whispered, but it sounded more like a whimper in my ears. "Relax, hyung," I sighed, "I have another year of high school left and, if you're doing college online, then we'll see each other all the time. We'll burn this bridge when we come to it, okay?" I said the last part softly, pleadingly, and he nodded as he scooted closer to me, resting his head on my shoulder. Lucy smiled proudly at me. "That's going to be the experience of a lifetime, sweetheart. I'm very proud of you." 

Hoseok made a noise of agreement and kissed my cheek before nestling his face in my neck. I rested my head on top of his as he reached over to hold one of Bree's tiny hands. She giggled and held his pinky-finger tightly, like she was confirming that he wouldn't go anywhere anytime soon. I knew he was hurting at the news of my future, but we had time and I would make it count. 

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Jungkook had texted me and asked me to come over, so Hoseok dropped me off at his house.  I didn't expect him to answer the door with messy hair, puffy eyes and tears drying on his cheeks. 

"Jungkook," I started, but he shook his head and sniffled, "Jimin broke up with me." I frowned and stepped into the house, forcing him to back up as I closed the door shut behind me. I slipped off my shoes and followed him up to his bedroom.

 Jungkook's room was painted a bright-cherry-red on three walls while the wall the door was set in was left a plain white. It was slightly messy, but nothing compared to Yoongi's room. Yoongi's room looked like every natural disaster ever turned emo and ripped through the room. 

I sat down on the bed and patted my lap for Jungkook. When he was smaller than me, he would sit on my lap whenever he was upset. He was a lot bigger now, but it still worked out. 

"What happened, bun?" I used Jin's nickname for him, mainly because I knew it secretly put him at ease and reminded him of simpler times. I locked both hands around his tiny waist while he set his hands on my shoulders, sniffling slightly again. "Jimin said he didn't f-feel the same way he used to for me anymore, and that it would be... be unfair to me if he... he dragged me a...along. So he... let... let me g...go." It looked like his tears were hurting him, and to be honest, they were starting to hurt me, too. 

After watching their relationship blossom and grow throughout the years, I understood that Jungkook really loved Jimin. He was his world, always being there for him when I wasn't. Hearing that their relationship wasn't working for Jimin anymore was very surprising and heartbreaking. 

"I don't know what I did wrong! I thought I was everything he wanted! Was I not good enough?" Jungkook cried out, causing me to pet his hair and calm him down to where he could comprehend my words. "Look at me, Jungkook," I cooed, holding his face in my hands when he obeyed. "It's not your fault. Jimin can't control his feelings and neither can you. Was he crying when he told you all of this?" I asked calmly, watching Jungkook's lip tremble as he nodded. "He was crying and... and he kept apologizing ov... over and over and he... he looked so... guilty." 

"See, Kookie? It hurt him, too. Break-ups are hard for every party involved. Just like you, Jimin needs time to heal, too," I explained and he wiped his eyes as he nodded. "I loved him so much," he whimpered and I moved my hands to hold his sides. "I know you did, and there is no doubt in my mind that Park Jimin loved Jeon Jungkook. Give it time, bun. Okay?" Jungkook nodded, matching my encouraging smile with a tiny one of his own. 

We were quiet for a while, simply calming down, until Jungkook suddenly said, "I want to continue being his friend, though." I let out a hum as he rested his head on mine. "Give it a month, then tell him, deal?" I held out my hand and Jungkook took it in his own, shaking it with a soft, sad smile. "Deal."