Strawberries And Cigarettes | Jikook

2. Of Pancakes and Eyeliners.

Jimin finished dressing up as he looked at himself in the mirror. The clothes fit him neatly, if not just a little baggy. The skinny jeans just showed a little of his toned thighs and knees and the dark jacket beautifully contrasted his pale skin. His soft raven bangs fell into his face in the right places, just next to his eyebrow piercing. He looked like he always did, effortlessly beautiful. But to him, something felt missing.

He looked at his eyes and frowned at their small size. He always had insecurities about his tiny frame but he despised his eyes the most. They felt so bland and plain. So, he decided to apply some eye-liner. So, Park Jimin was no emo or he had no experience with make up whatsoever. But eye-liners were his only saviours from the self-loathing and he used them much less for it's cosmetic purpose than to boost his confidence a little.

So he pulled out the eye-liner he always had hidden in his desk and applied it thinly, already feeling much better than before. He made sure both sides were even and then pulled back to look at himself. His eyes were now popping just enough to look natural. He was happy with the result.

"JIMIN-AH!" Taehyung called out again, making Jimin starkly aware that it had been well past the 5 minutes that he'd promised the taller. He quickly stashed the liner in and rushed to the kitchen, grabbing his phone and backpack along the way.

Taehyung was already dressed in his school clothes, a warm baby pink sweater and washed up light blue jeans, folded at the bottom. He'd pulled back his sleeves as he put hot pancakes on two plates for both of them, his dyed red hair tousling back and forth everytime he moved.

He smiled when he heard Jimin's footsteps approaching, prepping himself to fake-scold the shorter for being late. But when he saw how drop-dead gorgeous his roommate looked in that outfit, he raised an eyebrow, his smile converting into a slight smirk.

"Whoa, whoa there. You, Mr. Park Jimin, are NOT about to take my place as the most good-looking guy of Hwayang, you get that?"

Jimin suppressed back a smile as a small blush creeped up his cheeks. He put down his stuff on a spare chair as he plopped down at the dining table, giving Taehyung a nonchalant look.

"I make no promises, Mr. Kim Taehyung. And whoever told you that you were good-looking?" Jimin raised a teasing eyebrow.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, finishing his cooking and brought Jimin his breakfast, as he sat down opposite to the shorter.

"I have a mirror, two very well functioning eyes and about at least 200 girls to tell me so, thank you very much." Taehyung shrugged, digging into his food.

Jimin scoffed slightly, actually enjoying this friendly bickering. "Uh huh, sure. So anyway...what was that note about?"

Taehyung's eyes lit up, "Oh, you read that? The clothes are a housewarming gift to you. I figured you liked black and white colours, since you mostly wear them. Am I not a sweetheart?"

Jimin was a little surprised at the taller's acute observation, he didn't expect him to pay attention to his clothing details. He smiled, not a crooked one, but an actual, wide smile that reached his eyes. "I guess you are. Thanks...I really like them."

Taehyung nodded at him before noticing something unusual on Jimin's face. He bit his lip, smirking, as he fixed his gaze on the shorter.

"That liner is a sin, you know?" Taehyung's voice dropped lower than his usual pitch, teasing evident in it.

Jimin's eyes widened as he blushed furiously at the taller's words, but he quickly composed himself, trying to calm the crimson colour that warmed his cheeks.

"How'd you know? I thought it was unnoticeable!" Jimin asked in a mildly surprised voice, as Taehyung chuckled lightly.

"You could call it a gift I guess. I notice small things other people don't. And why would you not want people to see it? I mean, it looks absolutely stunning!" He dropped the teasing tone and replied in his deep, sincere voice.

Jimin shrugged, but not before smiling at Taehyung's compliment. "I don't know. It might seem too feminine to some people."

Taehyung finishes his meal, before shaking his head. "People will always find ways to disapprove. You can't always worry about what they think. If you like it, go ahead and do it. And if you take my suggestion, definitely do it!"

Jimin smirked before finishing his food as well. "Taehyung...ever thought about being a motivational speaker? You'd do a great job at it."

Taehyung returned the smirk, "Oh yes, a long forgotten childhood dream of mine. Thanks for reminding."

Jimin chuckled, more freely this time. Taehyung was really something. He already knew that he was going to get along well with the taller boy. At least he hoped so. After so many betrayals, he knew better than to "hope" for anything. But nonetheless, he did. It was one of Jimin's traits, even in the darkest of times, he never lost hope. Even when he felt like he'd had enough, like this was it, the end, this hopefulness always kept him going.

And maybe, that's the only reason he's alive today.

"Earth to Jimin. What're you thinking about?" Taehyung had put away their utensils and was packing his backpack, glancing at the seemingly lost shorter boy.

Jimin shook himself out of it before turning to Taehyung, "Hm..? Oh, I was just thinking about my first day. Hope it won't be nearly as bad as I imagined."

Taehyung chuckled, finishing his packing before making his way over to Jimin, offering him his hand. "It won't be bad at all. Come on, Mr. Pessimistic, it's time to introduce your fine self to Hwayang high."

Jimin pursed his lips and accepted Taehyung's hand, pulling himself to his feet, standing close enough for them to feel each other's breath. Taehyung smiled and reached out to brush Jimin's bangs out of his eyes, before pulling his hand away gently.

"You ready?" Taehyung whispered as he led Jimin out of the apartment. It was more of reassurement than a question really.

Jimin gave him a quick nod, not knowing the answer himself. "I suppose."

Soon, they were on their way to the school in Taehyung's black sedan. He drove effortlessly on his usual route as Jimin rode shotgun, fidgeting with his phone.

"So...who's your best friend in high school?" Jimin asked out of the blue, it suddenly occurring to him that Taehyung rarely talked about his friends.

Taehyung kept his gaze focused on the road but Jimin could see a hint of smile on his face.

"Oh, you'll meet him today. He's literally the most optimistic person ever, and the funniest guy you'd ever meet. Also he's louder than 10 babies crying together, but I love him nonetheless. I'm sure you both will get along."

Jimin listened intently, already intrigued about Taehyung's best friend. He thought about asking about the nature of the students but Taehyung kept talking, so he just leaned back against the seat and listened.

"Mostly, people are nice at Hwayang. And I say 'mostly' because the remaining are complete assholes. Usually the rich kids and the bullies. So basically there are two major groups of students at the school and they despise each other. But...there is one guy that commands both the sides." Taehyung frowned a little, his grip on the wheel tightening.

Jimin raised an eyebrow, curiosity getting the best of him. "Who's that?"

Taehyung spoke up, a mixture of bitter spite and warning in his voice, "Jeon Jungkook. And if you'll listen to me...stay away from him."

***