LIFE ✔

Y

"Start living it."

He remembered those words.

Years have passed, but he still remembered the words of the little girl that he serendipitously met in the woods.

In fact, he remembered everything about that day. The memory engraved into his mind like a permanent tattoo.

He remembered what happened after he managed to find his way to the tournament hall. His parents stood right in front of him with their arms crossed as he looked behind them to see the cleaning crew already sweeping and clearing away trash.

He didn't hear the end of it the ride back home and into the night before they went to sleep.

Perfect Jungkook messed up his perfect record.

But, for some reason, he didn't care anymore.

Maybe it was because he was already harsh against himself that he was prepared to face their disappointment. Or maybe because he realized that perfection was simply like chasing the horizon. So close, but nearly impossible to reach.

He took a deep breath as he stood in front of the door to his new classroom, waiting for the teacher to call him.

"Class we have a new student that will be joining us this year." He heard the teacher say from inside. "He came all the way from Busan so please treat him well and kindly in school and help him adjust nicely."

"Yes Mrs. Song!" The class replied back in unison.

"Okay now. Come on in Jungkook." The teacher called.

He took another deep breath before opening the door and walking in front of the classroom. He bowed before everyone before introducing himself.

"Hello, my name is Jeon Jungkook. Please take care of me." He said.

The whole class whispered to each other.

"Omg he is so cute!"

"Damn, this guy got some muscle look at his arms."

"I think I've seen him around before. He looks familiar for some reason."

"Huh. No way! You're Jeon Jungkook, the taekwondo prodigy!" The girl screamed from the middle of the classroom.

"Oh yeah! Wow!"

"No wonder, you look so good. You're like super amazing, dude!" A boy commented.

Jungkook blushed from hearing all his classmates comments on him. He was surprised they heard of him. Sure he competed in a national tournament, but never thought people have interest.

"Ah yes, I am that Jeon Jungkook, but I wouldn't really consider myself a prodigy." He said, scratching the nape of his neck.

"Wow, athletic, good-looking, and humble, you truly are amazing." The same girl said.

"Well seems like you've became quite popular Jungkook. How come you decided to move schools senior year, especially in Seoul?"

"Well it wasn't really much of a choice for me. My father transferred to a different department in Seoul for his job so our whole family moved."

"It's nice that you did. Ah, if I knew Busan boys were this cute, I would've moved ages ago." A girl whispered quietly to her friend.

"Well, I hope you adjust to Seoul and enjoy your last year with us. Our class will treat you absolutely kindly, right guys?"

"Yes, Mrs. Song!" They all said in unison again.

"Okay, Jungkook. You can have a seat at the end by the window, the one without the name tag." She instructed.

He gave her a nod as he held onto both the straps of his backpack and strides to his seat.

He could hear more whispers along the way that made him grow more concerned.

"Oh what awful luck."

"I feel bad for him, oh no he has to sit next to the weird girl."

"Omg, I'm afraid what she's gonna do to him. That poor handsome face is gonna disappear soon."

He finally made it to his seat. He cautiously put his bag behind his chair as he slowly sat into his seat.

His seat was the seat away from the desk directly by the window as he noticed someone's name tag.

He looked closer to see the name tag, as something about the name seemed familiar.

And just as he was about to figure it out, a sudden burst came through the front of the classroom door.

"Woah, sorry Mrs. Song!"