Strawberries And Cigarettes | Jikook

5. Truce(?)

Jimin nervously stood before the Principal, Mrs. Lee Chaerin, who was a relatively young, fierce woman in her mid-thirties and every student in the school was at least a little intimidated by her, even the rich snobs. But of course, like a lot of things, Jungkook was a exception to that too, leaning back relaxing in the chair he sat, perching his legs up the Principal's desk as Mr. Kwon told Mrs. Lee about the incident, giving Jungkook disapproving glances.

When he was done, Mrs. Lee eyed Jungkook and Jimin through her scrutinized eyes, before clearing her throat.

"First of all, Mr. Jeon Jungkook, remove your legs from my desk. And this is precisely the 65th time you've been here in the past two years. What do you have to say about that?"

She asked in a calm voice, which to Jimin felt like she could explode any minute. Also he was stunned by how Jungkook had managed to not get himself expelled even after messing up so many times.

Jungkook smiled, looking almost proud at that, and then shrugged, removing his legs from the table. "Considering you remember the exact number of times I've been here just proves how much of an achievement it is, no offence of course, Ma'am."

Jimin almost snickered at that remark, but contained himself as he watched Principal Lee gritting her teeth, her expression turning stoic.

Uh oh, the storm is coming...

Mr. Kwon tried to interject but Principal Lee stopped him, ignoring Jungkook and focused on me, and I further went into my shell, avoiding all sort of eye-contact.

"Mr. Park Jimin. You are a brilliant young man from what I've heard, an honors-roll student. This is not expected of you, much less on your first day of starting at Hwayang."

He bit his lip, suddenly feeling weak all over. It wasn't entirely his fault. Jungkook was the one troubling Taehyung. He just asked him to leave. Sure he was little aggressive about it, but Jungkook wouldn't have listened any other way. He wanted to say that out loud, but instead he just kept quiet, turning his gaze to the floor.

"I'm really sorry Ma'am. It won't happen again, I promise you." He muttered in a small voice as Principal Lee nodded, a little impressed at Jimin's humility.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow in the Vampire's direction, a little stunned that he didn't rat him out. He sighed with relief as Principal Lee turned her attention to him again.

"I don't even expect an apology from you. But given the nature of your consistency in getting in trouble, you will have to clean dishes of the cafeteria and have 2 hours of detention for a week starting today, you get that? And Mr. Park, you'll be joining Jungkook for today as a reminder for you to not break the rules again."

Jimin nodded a little as Jungkook scoffed and waved his hand off, suddenly realizing he would have to spend two hours with Jimin.

"Ah! Keep both of us in different classes, will ya? I don't want to see this boy's face ever again." Jungkook scoffed, folding his hands.

Jimin sneered at the younger boy, before speaking up. "For once, I agree Ma'am."

Principal Lee looked at both of them, seemingly in thought and Jimin could've sweared he saw the slightest bit of smirk grow up on her lips.

"Actually...I think it's better if both of you spent the detention together. That way it will be easier to keep an eye on you and you never know, maybe you'll find a way to talk without punching each other in the faces. How does that sound, Mr. Kwon?"

She gave him a knowing look and Mr. Kwon smiled playfully, looking at the two troublemakers. "Sounds perfectly good, Ma'am."

Jungkook groaned slightly as Jimin sighed. Jungkook totally seemed like the nosy type of guy and two hours was a long time if it's with a person you don't like a bit. He hoped to not do or say anything suspicious. The last thing he needs is the school's most popular guy finding out his secret.

"Now, come on, shake hands like gentlemen." Principal Lee ordered them, even though she doubted if either of them came close to being any sort of gentlemen.

Both of the boys were skeptic at first but then Jimin decided to be the matured one and extended his hand in Jungkook's direction, plain dislike on his face. Jungkook looked at the hand, then back up at Jimin before rolling his eyes and shaking it, suppressing a smile as he felt the softness of the shorter's skin.

Principal Lee smiled and nodded towards them. "Good. Now go back to your classes. I expect no hard feelings between you both from today on. Is that clear?"

Jimin muttered a quick "Yeah" whereas Jungkook just scoffed, but then nodded- "Sure, why not?"

Jimin knew it was bullshit as Jungkook definately didn't seem the type to just forgive and forget, especially when a lot of students had seen the fiasco. Still, he reminded himself to stay clear of the bad boy from now on.

Principal Lee dismissed them and Jimin bowed before exiting the office, followed shortly by Jungkook, who yawned carelessly before their eyes met again. Jungkook pointed two fingers to his eyes before turning them towards Jimin's. But the vampire's eyes twitched in surprise as he watched Jungkook give him a sexy smirk before walking away. He shook off the shiver that travelled up his spine and cursed under his breath. After a moment, he put his hands in his pockets and turned around to walk towards his first class, feeling all the eyes of the students standing in the hallway on him.

"I heared he almost beat Jeon Jungkook up. How the fuck did he dare!?"

"That was so badass of him. That bitch, Jungkook, deserves to get his ass whooped."

"What's his name...?"

"Oh my gosh! He's downright edible! I'm so getting his number."

"Wow, Jungkook sure is gonna get back at him. Poor new kid."

Thanks to his powers, he could hear all these thoughts of the students even though no one spoke a word as they let him walk to his class silently. He just wanted to blend in with everyone. Instead, he'd gotten himself caught up in this drama with Jungkook. He entered his class and sat at the very corner of the room, his head filling with new thoughts, both his and those of the people around.

Back in the Principal's office, Mr. Kwon, who now sat in front of Mrs. Lee, was curious about why she hadn't expelled Jungkook yet. He had been a consistent troublemaker; pranks, fights, vandalism, you name it.

"I think it's about time we get rid of him from the school, Chaerin. I mean, he's shown no improvement over the past year."

Mrs. Lee shook his head before sighing and intertwining her fingers into each other. "The reason I haven't suspended him is simple, Jiyong. He's a brilliant student, you have been seeing him since middle school. I remember when he used to be this polite and composed kid, not even 4 years ago. He has gone on the wrong path, for whatever reasons might that be, but I do believe that he could still improve. And He needs to be taught a lesson, yes, but that can never be done by just expelling him. That's why I'm keeping him."

Mr. Kwon sighed and nodded, before getting up and turning to leave, just as Principal Lee stopped him.

"Jiyong?"

"Yes?"

"Do me a favour and keep an eye on him, will you?"

Mr. Kwon smiled reassuringly and nodded before walking out of the office and whispering to himself.

"Will do."

***