hello | jung hoseok

chapter one;

"Kim Y/N has received top marks for both English and Literature. She has also received outstanding marks in Geography and History. Please give a round of applause to Kim Y/N for being one of the best students this school has seen." The principal finished his announcement. You headed up the stairs onto the stage as the auditorium was greeted with silence. You blushed as this happened for the nth time you received an award.

"Don't worry, Y/N," the principle assuringly whispered in your ear, "Watch them be in the slums while you work in the best company in Korea." You chuckled slightly before shaking his hand and receiving the award.

"Thank you, sir." You headed down the steps before sitting down in your seat.

You looked to  where your parents were seated, a frown on both of their faces. The smile left your face instantly. The assuring words of the principal suddenly felt as if they were lies.

-

The sound of moving trucks was bothering your studying. Another tear slipped out of your eyes remembering the harsh words from earlier.

"You didn't receive top marks in all of your exams, are you trying to be such a disappointment?"

"Look at me from when I was your age, I was at the top of everything. You can't even do one thing right!"

Words had failed you in that moment, only tears had slipped out. They never touched you, but their hurtful words always rebounded inside your head for days. Which broke you down even more, knowing they were disappointed in you enough for a whole lecture.

It wasn't only your apparent lack in academics but socially as well. You've been friendless for the whole 16 years you've been on this planet and taken your first breath. Your teachers pitied you and that made it worse. Your family found it important you excelled in social gatherings, academics, and sport. You lacked all.

How come I seem to excel in Literature and English yet words always fail me? You thought somberly. I don't deserve this life they give me, if I can't form a sentence properly in front of people my age.

The textbook in front of you became blurry. Tears threatened to fall once more, but the shrill doorbell interrupted you.

"I'll go get it," You shouted before slouching down the stairs. You opened the door to meet a grinning boy of around your age. He held a plate of chocolate chip cookies, which smelled alarmingly good.

"Hey, I'm Jung Hoseok and I'll be moving next door. Hope we can have a wonderful time being neighbors!" The boy grinned even more, thrusting the cookies into your hands.

"I'm  Kim Y/N, thanks for the cookies," You shifted the plate of cookies onto one hand. "Yeah, um welcome to our neighborhood." A blush crept onto your face as you noted his cute dimples and bright eyes. You started closing the door but his foot stopped you.

"You're that girl who received like five awards at school today right?" You nodded shyly, trying to shut the door.

"Y/N! I smell cookies! Can I have some?" A small shrill voice made you loosen your grip on the door, causing Hoseok to open the door wider. Your siblings came up to the door, eyes widening at the sight of Hoseok.

"Um yeah, just take these," You handed the plate to them. "I was just saying goodbye to our new neighbor, Jung Hoseok."

"Oh! Hello, Hoseok sunbae-nim! Enjoy your time in our neighborhood," They both greeted in unison and both took a bite of a cookie. "Please come over and make more cookies too. They're really yummy!"

"Okay guys, I think it's time for him to go." A light pink dusted your cheeks and you turned around. Colliding with Hoseok's chest. A muffled 'ow' sounded. As you succeeded in parting your face from his chest, your face was a bright red.

He smelt like ginger and vanilla, both your favorite scents.

"My name's Kim Yeona and this is my younger sister Kim Junghee. I like your cookies. Also, I think my sister likes you." Yeona whispered the last part.

"Hoseok has to go now." You gritted your teeth. The two devils ran out of the room with the plate of cookies, laughing and tripping over their feet. You stepped away from Hoseok before apologizing and taking him to the door.

"It's fine, but just so you know I have no problem with you liking me, dating me even, whatsoever." He winked before walking to his house besides yours. You blushed before slamming the door closed.

You walked up to your room, hearing little giggles coming from the room besides yours. Failed at whispering sounded throughout the door. You leaned your ear against the door listening intently at your two sisters.

"Project get our sister and the cookie neighbor guy together starts tomorrow!" Yeona giggled, munching on a cookie.

"We should make them kiss each other, that's usually how it works." Junghee whispered excitedly.

"Junghee, they have to spend time together first and do cute things together. That's what the books Y/N read say, they have to go on dates."

"Oh, well then we should have playdates with cookie dude and then we can ignore him. So then he'll talk to Y/N!"

"Yeah! We can ask him tomorrow and plan everything. We can make them fall in lo-"

"You are not going to set me and Hoseok up so we can be together!" You barged in the room, your face red from anger and the incident from earlier. "He'll be a distraction to my studies!"

"Y/N, it's not like you have friends to hang out with. We want you to stop hanging out at home so much," Your heart softened at those words, "You never let us watch TV anyway." Never mind, your heart went back to its angry state.

"You guys will be able to watch TV if you don't set me up with Hoseok." You negotiated, but their eyes widened.

"Y/N! How dare you try to corrupt your sisters in that way!" Your mother shrieked, "We want at least one successful kid in this household we can be proud of."Your heart broke at those words.

"Mom, they were-"

"Are you trying to blame them for your horrible deeds? You'll get no food for a month from this household of mine." Your mother left the room, slamming the door behind her. Tears streamed down your face, your hands failing to wipe them away.

"Just don't do anything, please." You left their room.