The Tutor | Jikook

Chapter 8

Jimin POV

Groaning softly, I plop myself down onto the sofa in my apartment that I share with Tae. He looks over at me curiously, pausing the course work he'd been in the middle of to do so.

"Alrighty, Jimin. What's on your mind?" Tae asks softly as he closes his laptop and sets it down on our small coffee table in front of us.

"Don't worry about me, Tae. Just do your homework. I dont wanna make you late on that." I dismiss immediately, waving my hand at him to emphasize my point. He shakes his head though, giving me a look that I recognize his meaning of 'I'm not giving this up so just answer'. Rolling my eyes, I sigh and lean my head back.

"I'm just worried about Jungkook, Tae." I murmur tiredly, closing my eyes. I'm worn out from working most of the day and we only have around an hour or so at most before Jungkook shows up again.

"Awww, Jiminie! You do have feelings for him, don't you?" He teases. I don't have to open my eyes to know he's smirking too.

"I guess a little bit, Tae. He's definitely got the looks, but he's a sweetheart and so adorable when he's smiling and happy or excited. But seriously, Tae. I'm worried for him." I respond with a small frown, finally looking up at the ceiling. My response knocks the words out of my roommates mouth for a moment, silencing him for a solid minute.

"What's going on with him, Jimin?" Tae asks softly, and I know he's finally acknowledged how serious I am.

"I don't know exactly what's going on. But, Ms. Lee was the one who came to me the other day to ask me to tutor him. She... She said that he seems to be in a similar position to what I was in at his age. She said he's been working hard to try and improve his grades, and I'm sure you noticed yesterday just how determined he is to try and get them up. But, it was also noticeable just how intently he was keeping an eye on time. Ms. Lee also said that she'd noticed him coming in most days with faint bruises that she knows from experience with me that it's covered by his mom's makeup. I really wanna help him, Tae, and I'm really worried about him. I just... I dunno what to do without scaring him or worrying him." I explain with a sigh.

The apartment falls silent for a few minutes after that. I'm not sure if he's just trying to process what all I've just told him or if he's trying to think of a way to help. All I know is that Jungkook will be here within a half hour and that I really care for him and want to help him as much as I can.

"Have you talked to him about any of this yet?" Tae asks gently, turning his head to look over at me. Pursing my lips, I shake my head.

"Having abusive parents are a very sensitive topic, Tae. Only you and Ms. Lee know about my... past. I can promise you she didn't bring my background up with Jungkook. Nobody's a big fan of pointing stuff like that out either. Not of pointing things like that out, and most don't like others to know about their home situation anyways." I answer quietly. He nods his head, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Well, if you really think that he's in that type of situation then you should try to get him out. Do you know how old he is?" Tae continues.

"Eighteen. He's just old enough to move out and them not have to have a say in it." I respond flatly. My roommate gives me a small smile.

"You should talk to him about it then. Find a time where you feel will be best for it and talk it over with him. Jungkook doesn't need to live with his shitty parents if all of this is the case, Jiminie. He can live here with us. He'd probably need the couch or something, but he can stay here. Doesn't have to cover rent right now either." Tae tells me, a sense of hopefulness in his voice. I look over at him, giving him a mild glare before rolling my eyes and returning my gaze to the ceiling.

"No, I'm serious. This isn't just about making another jab about trying to make you two a thing. And I wouldn't do that for the entirety of him staying here unless the two of you actually got together. I'd want him to be comfortable, and if staying here allows him to be safe, then so be it." He urges gently. Looking back over at him, I give him a small smile which he returns.

"You'd really be okay with letting him stay here and not force him to pay rent?" I ask softly. He grins at me, shaking his head.

"Of course not, Jiminie. He's still in high school. Maybe we might wanna have him help pay for groceries occasionally, and maybe eventually we can have him join in on the rent if he stays long enough. But I don't see any reason for him to be paying it right now." Tae responds with a smile. Biting my lip through a smile, I lean over and pull him into a hug.

"Thanks, Tae. I couldn't have asked for a better best friend."