Popularity | Taejin ✔︎

twelve

Jin's P.O.V

It has been a week since I've been back from the hospital and everything seems quite. Like it all turned back before Tae-hyung. Before Nam-joon. Things were better off before both of them. It's almost not normal at this point and it's a bit scary. My life will get better without them and I can spend more time with my real friends and not have to deal with liking anyone. I am going to take a break from liking anyone and focus on my studies for college. Ji-min runs the track next to me during physical ed, out of breath we keep going. "I'm glad you are better, Jin." He gulps in air. I notice his white shirt drenched in sweat. Ji-min loves working out but I could be better off without it.

I smile and chuckle. "Me too..." I haven't seen Tae-hyung this whole week either. Is he avoiding me? That's my job to avoid him and not the other way around. Not unless he got suspended? Expelled? For what though? Ji-min or Hobi haven't told me anything or updated me with the rumors. Wouldn't be surprised by the things he does to get in trouble if he did get suspended but people would be talking about it. I don't need to know those things anymore, the less I know the less time it will take to get over everything.

I stop as my heart pitter patters faster than when I was running. Damn it, of course when I think about Tae-hyung my heart gets like this. I stop running and Ji-min slows down noticing my absence by his side. "Jin, you feeling okay?" Ji-min questions coming my way.

I nod. "Yea, keep going, I'm going to rest for a bit." He doesn't say much else and jogs forward as I make my way to the bleachers and sit watching the rest of my class run around.

I overworked my body and here I am running till my head is a fire ball. And thinking about Tae-hyung doesn't help much for recovering. I can't believe after what happened my heart is still this way when I only think of his name. Sighing, I scan the field of my classmates exercising in their own ways. "Jin!" Hobi's voice plays in my head like music. I eye him as he runs up to me with a large smile.

I smile. "Hey, Hobi." I say still out of breath.

"Saw you running," he sits next to me, "don't overwork yourself again."

"I was just jogging don't worry so much it's not good for you." I laugh messing up his hair.

His smile showing he waves my hand away and fixes his hair. I shake my head and lean it back looking up at the cloudless sky. "Hey, the other class is coming out." Hobi announces.

"What other class?" I ask not moving my head to see.

"Tae-hyung's class." Hobi tells me.

My head snaps to Hobi's gaze. A couple boys and girls come out of the school talking to one another. Then he catches my eye. Still the same length hair, Tae-hyung's clothes for physical ed look tighter on him and with the white shirt you can see every definition of his body, I bet he likes showing it off. Has he been like that all the time? I would have noticed. Seems like I don't notice many things nowadays

He catches my stare. We lock eyes for only a couple moments till someone steals that attention away. Another popular boy Tae-hyung knows very well, so does the school. Mark Tuan. Mark throws parties every weekend and has the finest alcohol and weed,, mostly weed that you can get your hands on. Mark races his cars and has relationships with every girl inside and outside of school. He is for sure popular. I would have fallen for him if Tae-hyung didn't come into my life but he is straighter than any football player. Then again Mark isn't really my type and who knows how he acts outside of school. I've never been to one of his parties because of one he had last year when someone had to go to the hospital and didn't come out for a good month. All because of weed.

Tae-hyung talks with Mark. Something that Tae-hyung said makes Mark laugh hysterically. I know Tae-hyung has friends and the fact they can talk about anything with him always made me jealous. It can't make me jealous now because from this day onward there will be no more though of Tae-hyung. At least I'll try my best. Before I can realize what's happening Tae-hyung has his hand on Mark as he moves down to his stomach then waist. What is Tae-hyung gay now? He'll go with anyone then!

Mark doesn't pull back but acts like it's normal behavior between the two of them. Tae-hyung slightly lifts Marks shirt and that is when Mark swats him away then laughs. Tae-hyung takes this moment to do his actions again. Mark can't help but blush and take Tae-hyung's hand away once more.

What is he doing? I'm not mad. No, screw being mad. Tae-hyung is crazy for touching him! No one would think it's weird because it's two popular boys getting along in their own way. What an asshole. In front of me too. I'm not jealous the girls watching them are jealous as they take pictures. Some giggle and others roll their eyes. Wonder where those pictures are going now. See if it was me they would attack me and ask me many questions till I backed off.

I clutch my knuckles till they go white. My jaw hurts from the tension I put on it. "Jin, you good?" Hobi is in my view now.

I huff in response and roll my eyes. "I'm fine." I lie through my teeth.

"Are you jealous?" Hobi asks.

"Shut up! No one is jealous here." I snap.

Hobi slides back to have more space. "I'm sorry. Just...stressed."

"I can tell. Is it because of Tae-hyung?" Hobi probes.

"No. Stop bringing him up, I'm over that douche." I spit.

"Yea. A person who was whispering their name a couple seconds ago is over them..."

I glare at Tae-hyung one last time to witness him and Mark doing lifts on the bars. Mark is better than me. Did Tae-hyung really move on? Where is Nam-joon when I really need him? I need a distraction. Right now isn't a good time to be thinking like that since I still haven't answered him about his confession "You can't fall out of love with someone if you do then you clearly didn't love them from the start." Hobi tells me nudging my shoulder and then smiling. The tension wears down and I can feel his words are genuine and very smart. He is right.

"Did someone find a better person?" This voice sends chills down my spine.

"What do you want, Jung-kook?" Hobi stands. I glance over to see Jungkook in his uniform probably skipping class to hang out with Taehyung. With the uniform he will be easy to pick apart from the rest of us. "I know what you did to my friend don't think I'm stupid." Hobi sizes him up but I know he is too scared to do any more.

"Just looking for another chance with this kid here." I don't face Jung-kook as he sits on the opposite side of Hobi wrapping his arm around me. Jung-kook is the kid here what does he mean. I gulp. "How about it? Give me another chance." He still looks beat up to the point if he got mad his wounds would reopen.

"Back off asswipe!" Hobi fits.

"Quiet horse," Jung-kook is close to me now on the bleachers, "maybe a second chance can get your Tae-hyung's attention? Because right now it seems like someone else is getting it." He eyes Mark and Tae-hyung.

What is with this guy and not leaving me alone? His offer...no, I can't. Maybe. I can tell Jung-kook I could care less about the rumors. Ji-min comes out of nowhere to hit Jung-kook in the back with his foot. Jung-kook falls down on the bleachers. He gets beat up enough by Tae-hyung. "Stay away pinhead!" Ji-min snaps at him. Jung-kook smirks in Ji-min's way making him step back.

"Back off peabrain! This doesn't concern you!" Jung-kook stands yelling at Ji-min now.

"Yes it does! Jin is my friend if you haven't noticed. Just because he flipped you off doesn't mean I won't!" Ji-min hollers. I'm surprised no teacher has came our way yet. Jung-kook and Ji-min are pissed at each other non of them taking another glance anywhere.

I still stare ahead at Tae-hyung who is laughing with Mark as they stretch. "Jung-kook?" I start.

"What?" He inches towards me now.

"Jin..." Hobi doesn't know what to do and they all have their eyes on me.

But I know what to do. If Tae-hyung won't confess to me right now then I'll make him confess to me. If Jung-kook is part of the conclusion then so be it. It'll get his attention for sure. I know Jung-kook is only doing this to tick Tae-hyung off and I'm all for it.