Worst Behavior

24. the future

[ 24. the future ]
J E O N G G U K

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"Wait, so you're leaving to Kansas after prom?" Jeongguk asks, his arms full with boxes as he follows Justin into his room. Justin nods, holding the door open and going inside after him.

"It's better than going to therapy," Justin replies, taking the box from his hands and setting it on his bed. "I'd rather go to Kansas than suffer."

Jeongguk watches him begin to pack the boxes up with his belongings. He leans against the doorway, chewing on his lip realizing that this their last week together. The year's almost over, and he can't forget that Justin's graduating this year.

"Will you ever come back to visit?" Jeongguk asks, deciding to wander around his massive room. Like expected, it's huge since Justin's rich.

"I don't know," Justin says, stuffing more things into the box labeled with 'clothes'. "People here suck." Jeongguk snorts in response knowing he's right.

He then finds himself being drawn to the trophy case against one of the walls, completely in awe by the wall of gold. It's all from waterpolo, and Jeongguk's not surprised to see academic awards too.

Before he was outed, everyone used to admire Justin at school. He was a star athelete, student, and an all around good person. Jeongguk didn't really talk to him in the past, but everyone liked him then. Justin was their school's Golden Boy.

It's honestly really horrible he lost everything just because some jerk outed him for revenge. He lost his college scholarship, the support of his parents, his girlfriend, and all of his friends.

Jeongguk can't help but wonder, if this is what it means to be outed, maybe it isn't a good idea to be so open with Taehyung?

"What's this?" Jeongguk's eyebrows furrow upon seeing a picture frame on Justin's desk, thankful to get his mind away from those thoughts.

There's a girl on the frame with Justin, and two are smiling wide. His arm is around her waist, holding her the same way Taehyung holds him. She looks really pretty, and by the look in the eyes they were very much in love.

"Oh, that's just my ex. You know Laura right?" Jeongguk shakes his head. Justin chuckles softly, pain in his eyes as he continues to pack.

"She broke up with me after I was outed," Justin explains, not once looking his way. Jeongguk doesn't push any further, guessing it's a sensitive subject. He sets the frame back on the desk and walks over to join him.

"So, uh, what are you doing for prom?" Jeongguk decides to ask him, trying to lighten the mood. Justin doesn't say anything and shrugs. Jeongguk smile falls a little, noticing how upset he looks.

"I went to prom with Laura every year, but we're not together anymore so, um guess I'm doing nothing," Justin tells him, the edges of his lips curling upwards into a sad smile. Jeongguk mentally curses himself. Of course he went to prom with Laura.

"Are you gonna ask someone else?" Jeongguk tries again, though by the grimace on Justin's face he knows he messed up again. Great job Jeongguk.

"Well then, how about asking Grace?" He suggests, punching Justin's shoulder, teasing him. For a second, Justin smiles and even laughs a little. He even sees that Justin he's gotten to know over the last few weeks.