Lucky Coin

Chapter 7

Today was finally the day of the competition and Jimin's nerves were starting to get the best of him. His hands trembled while his heart and mind felt like they were going to explode. The weight that has been building on his chest from the past week felt heavier than ever as they pulled into the rink parking lot.

Sohyun casted him a small smile, which he of course did not see or at least didn't take notice of. She sighed to herself and looked back out the window. It wasn't uncommon for her to get the feeling that she was being ignored but knowing Jimin's mindset, she allowed it just this once.

"Are you ready?" Jimin's mom asked from the passenger's seat while his dad looked at him through the mirror.

"Yeah." Jimin answered half heartedly then shoved his earbuds in to drown everyone out with music.

"He better be." His dad muttered taking the keys out of the ignition.

Jimin rushed to get out of the car. Being in the closed space had made it harder for him to breath with his breathing becoming graduately faster. He shoved his hands into his hoodie pocket with his usual bag slung over his shoulder as he hurried into the building.

The building was buzzing with people. Competitors from nearby countries such as Japan were also taking part in the youth competition. Parents, supporters, and athletes scurried in all directions trying to find out where they should be due to the loud announcement of the competition's opening would be starting momentarily.

Jimin sighed in relief once he entered the locker room. Less people were crowding the familiar room. A smile came to his face when he saw the small, messy haired boy sitting on a bench bobbing his head to whatever song he was listening too. Taking the spot next to him, Jimin gave Jungkook a small nudge. Jungkook jumped slightly but was quick to take an earbud out and smile at his hyung.

"This is crazy." Jimin breathed out, taking one of his own earbuds out. "Are you going first?"

"Yep..." Jungkook said with a small voice, his anxious nerves obvious.

"Here. Hold your hand out." Jimin instructed.

Jungkook turned to face him more with a confused look. But even so, he extended his hand as he was told to do so. Jimin reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin. Jungkook's eyes widened realizing what it was.

It was Jimin's infamous lucky coin. He had first received it when he was three, his grandmother had taken him on a walk along the beach shore hand in hand. It was always the happiest moments in Jimin's life, just him and his grandmother going on an adventure alone. As he recalled, when they were walking in the sand, Jimin spotted a 500 won coin half buried. At first, he was worried that someone had dropped it and wanted to find whoever had dropped it but his grandmother only cooed and told him that it was a gift from the beach, that the coin was lucky.

Ever since that day, Jimin had always carried the coin around to all his games, practices, and performances for good luck. Although he knew the 1997 coin was just a coin, he still believed that there was some luck in it.

"This is yours. I can't." Jungkook rushed trying to return the coin.

"I want you to have it." Jimin reassured him, making it difficult to argue.

"But this is your lucky coin..." Jungkook trailed off.

Jimin took the youngers hand and closed his fingers around the coin. Jungkook watched as Jimin's hands covered his comfortingly before looking into his eyes.

"Take it."

Jungkook finally gave in and nodded, shoving it into his pocket. The booming noise of the announcer called the beginning of the show. Naturally, the mic was turned up so loud that the voice was muffled and no one was able to understand what he was saying. Jungkook jumped to his feet, nearly losing his balance.

"Good luck Kookie!"

"Thanks hyung. You too."

Jimin nodded then finally took the chance to look over Jungkook's outfit. Slick black pants that squeezed around his thighs with a gold blaze down the outer seam. His white shirt stuck to his body to show the faintest outline of his abs with a short silver blazer to top it off.

"Nice outfit." Jimin complimented finding it hard to take his eyes off of his body.

"Thanks." Jungkook giggled. "It shows my chest too much. I feel naked."

Jimin smiled at how innocently cute Jungkook was being and nearly burst out laughing when Jungkook snapped out of his staring daze and ran to meet their coach at the door of the locker room. The crowed chattered with liveliness then burst into cheers seeing that the long competition had its first competitor step onto the ice.

Jungkook scanned the crowd as he skated around to break in the ice. Relief rushed over him when he was his mom in the crowd cheering for him. To Jungkook, she was his biggest fan and supporter. Bigger than Taehyung and Jimin. It was comforting to see that she was able to get the day off of work to come watch him. Jungkook smiled widely and waved at her before turning his focus back to the ice.

Patting his pocket to feel the coin, Jungkook took to center ice to signal that he is ready to begin his program. The crowd went quiet as the music filled the air along with the sound of skates gliding across the ice. Jungkook was fluent in his program, landing each jump, getting the full rotation, everything. The longer he went on, the more relaxed his body became until he was completely focused in on the skate.

Jungkook finished his skate with his chest heaving for air. The crowd broke into loud cheers making Jungkook smile widely, bringing him back to reality. He quickly bowed to them, missing the special judge, Kim Namjoon, giving him a nod of approval then scribbling his name down for later.

"You did good." His coach said once Jungkook made his way off the ice. "I'm proud of you."

"Really??" Jungkook hurried to put his skate guards on then looked up at the man.

"Really." He chuckled.

Coach led Jungkook to the Kiss and Cry booth. The location they had to wait until the judges came to a final decision on the total score. Jungkook sat close to his coach and crossed his fingers in hopes of a good score.

"Jeon Jungkook. 80." The announcer boomed.

"That's my highest-" Jungkook's mouth gaped in disbelief before breaking out into a huge grin. "That's my highest score ever!"

"Yes!" The coach cheered patting his back.

Jungkook squealed from his excitement and his smile was so wide that his face began to ache. He ran into the small group forming to find Jimin, little did he know that one score was enough to add unbearable weight to Jimin's chest.

~~~

eheh how bout we ruin Jimin, yeah?