Don't Forget Me - Taekook ff

Chapter 4: Decision

Taehyung ghosted everyone for the rest of the week, including Jimin who constantly texted and called to ask if he was alright. He locked himself in his room and barely ate anything. His parents grew more and more worried for their son but eventually, he came out.

"Eomma, Appa, can we talk?" he asked them with the most heartbreaking expression. They immediately agreed and the three of them sat down at their wooden dining table.

"I know this is really bad timing, but there's something I really need to do." Mr and Mrs Kim looked at each other, faces mirrored with concern for their son.

"Of course, my little bear just tell us what it is" his mum spoke, reaching for Tae's hand to comfort him.

"I...I want to study overseas after I graduate high school." Taehyung finished, looking down.

"Oh Tae, of course we would agree! Your dad and I were just talking about it the other day too! We think it would be a great opportunity for you, since your grades have always been outstanding anyway." His mum replied, happy that she could fulfill her son's wish.

"Really? I- that's great...thank you guys so much you don't know how much this means to me" Taehyung looked at his parents, relieved.

"I should go, or I will be late for school. It's my first day back." He said, getting up.

"Alright, I've made you lunch please take it with you." His mother patted him on the head, also getting up.

At School

"Tae! What happened the other day? The others were worried about you. Do you know how many times Jimin complained to us?" Jin scolded him as soon as he entered their crowded classroom.
"Yeah what happened back there?" Hoseok joined in.

Hearing their concern, Tae had to stop himself from tearing up again.
"Let's talk later, thank you for worrying about me but I'm fine" Tae replied, moving quickly to his desk on the other side of the room near the windows and sitting down.

Hoseok, who was evidently worried was about to get up and follow him but he had to go back to his own seat when the teacher came in.

Lunchtime
The guys all gathered together as per usual for lunch. Jimin had run straight at Taehyung when he first saw him, wrapping him up in a hug, his small hands stroking Tae's back to comfort him.

Jimin knew his soulmate better than anyone and Tae was obviously not okay at the moment.

"What's wrong Taehyung?" This time it was Yoongi who asked after they had all sat down.

Taking a deep breath to calm his shaking, Tae began to tell them about what had happened with just him and Jungkook in that horribly hospital room with a scent of disinfectant.

"Tae..." Namjoon began, slightly shocked at how this was possible.
"Jungkook is being discharged on a Wednesday, he's coming back next week...will you be okay?"

"Honestly? I think I need to avoid him for now...I couldn't bear to talk to him..." Taehyung trailed off, looking down.
"We understand" Jimin looked at his friend who seemed heartbroken and once again gave him a big hug.

Tae was so grateful to have Jimin and the rest of his hyungs in his life.
Despite this, he couldn't tell them everything. He couldn't tell them how much it hurt just to think about Jungkook, waking up in the middle of the night feeling like he couldn't breath from the memory of Jungkook's cold stare, over and over for an entire week already.

Taehyung didn't tell them about his plans to leave after the school year ended, merely a few months away. His hyungs would be heartbroken if they knew...