Catch 22 - JJK (21+)

Chapter 2 - 60 Seconds

ARIA

I ignored Jungkook's question, avoiding eye contact and barely acknowledging his presence as I quickly gathered my belongings. I didn't have much time to waste since I'd planned to have lunch and catch up on a few chapters of my latest read before my next class.

"Is there any specific reason you can't seem to make it to my class on time lately, Mr. Jeon?"

Although, I didn't want to show too much interest in what he was saying, I was genuinely curious if there was a specific reason for his tardiness since it was a new occurrence.

"Uh, no ma'am. I-I guess I just lost track of time," Jungkook responded shyly.

"Well, I suggest you get a handle on it. I'd hate for your tardiness to begin to affect your grade. Am I clear?"

"Yes, ma'am," he murmured, dropping his head in shame. I only responded with an authoritative nod before turning to leave.

"Um, Dr. Taylor?"

His hand reached out and brushed my arm in an effort to stop me, which took me by surprise.  I swung around, arching a brow in silent inquiry as an unexplainable heat raced up my arm and flooded my body.

"Yes?"

"Do you have a moment to discuss my grade on the assignment you gave back today?" He asked, his voice low and timid as he lifted his brown, doe-eyed gaze to mine.

With a tight lipped smile, I began walking towards the door again, assuming he'd take that as his cue to follow.

"I don't at the moment, however, the door to my office is always open to all serious students between 3:30 and 5:30."

I knew I was being a little hard on him, but I was all too familiar with his type... so arrogant and self-absorbed that he believed the sun rose and set for him and him only all because girls swooned whenever he walked by or entered a room.  Just the thought of it made my eyes roll in exasperation.

And I wasn't buying his sweet and innocent shy guy routine either. I could see right through it. I'd dated enough guys like him in my lifetime to see them coming a mile away, and he definitely fit the description. Ridiculously handsome, dreamy, doe-like eyes with a drool-worthy smile to match, and don't even get me started on that divinely sculpted, athletic body.

I was actually surprised when I found out he didn't play any sports. That was the only difference between him and the guys I'd dated in high school and college, but I could tell he was no different otherwise.

Guys like him lived in their own little perfect worlds, walking around as if they were God's gift to women, like their shit didn't stink, making it their mission to sleep with as many girls as possible. All while secretly dating two or three at a time, and stringing them along to get them in bed, only to pretend they didn't exist the next day. I scoffed at the thought.

After lunch, the remainder of the day seemed to creep by at a snail's pace, but thankfully by 3:15, I was walking through the door of my beloved haven. The faint, calming scent of vanilla lingered in the air from the Soohyang scented candle I kept on top of my bookshelf. As I flipped the light switch, the corners of my lips lifted slightly at the sight of my many academic achievements adorning the walls.

This was my favorite place on campus because it was one of the few places I could be alone with my thoughts for longer than five minutes. It was a small space, and to everyone else it may have been just an office, but to me, it was my home away from home.

After placing my my briefcase on the floor beside my desk, I turned on my computer, sat back in my comfy office chair and opened the 'breathe' app on my Apple Watch, following the prompts as it guided me through a series of deep, cleansing breaths to relax my body and clear my mind.