the rebound

five

Jennie was in a good mood.

It was Friday afternoon, and she was ready for the weekend. Plus, she was hoping she had made a new friend in a girl she had bumped into earlier.

Kim Jisoo, she had introduced herself with a bright smile, before inviting her to sit with her and her friends at lunch the next week and convincing her to exchange numbers. Normally Jennie would have been wary of such immediate kindness, but Jisoo was so open and genuine, unlike any girl Jennie had talked to in years.

Hopefully, she would have at least one good friend for the year. Kim Taehyung seemed nice enough, but he was sometimes so reserved that Jennie felt a little intimidated, though she would never admit it. But there was something about him...

He made her curious in a strange way, although she didn't like it.

Jennie shook her head at her train of thought. She was on her way home, free from the chains of school. Apart from her project, she had zero homework as she had stayed late to finish it. It was dark, so she took out her coat as she walked out the gates of the school.

But she was startled to hear hushed voices near her, speaking urgently. Always cautious, she took a step back and listened to make sure she wasn't in danger.

"No, you listen to me-"

"Don't tell me what to do."

There was a pause, and a shuffling of steps.

"You want a reason?" The feminine voice spoke softly, dangerously. "I never wanted you. I pitied you because you were lonely, but you're too much of a burden to me now."

"You don't mean that."

Jennie's eyes widened. That voice was none other than Kim Taehyung's. And the girl...

She peeked carefully to see if her suspicions were right, and breathed sharply when she saw that they were.

"It's over," Irene spat out before walking off, turning the corner without looking back.

Jennie's gaze slid over to Taehyung, who punched the wall in anger but soon slid down, crying softly. Her eyes softened. The boy in front of her looked so vulnerable, so different from his usual persona.

He loves her that much?

Jennie shifted slightly, not knowing what to do. What if he did something something stupid? She didn't want to leave him alone there, crying and cold in his basketball jersey.

Basketball...wait.

"...Taehyung?" Jennie's mouth dropped in shock at her own realization, but she didn't have time to linger on it. Taehyung had heard her voice, and was searching for her in the darkness. Jennie stepped into the street light cautiously.

"Kim Jennie. What are you doing here?" He asked coldly, looking away.

Jennie breathed, still in shock.

Taehyung. Her childhood best friend.

It was him all along.

Suddenly, she knew what to do. Searching in her bag, she pulled out a packet of tissues and handed them to him, crouching down to his level with a gentle smile on her face.

"It's okay to cry, but don't linger too much. Wipe your face."

Taehyung took the packet, but didn't open it and continued staring down. Jennie observed him for a while before placing a hand on his shoulder and standing up, swinging her bag over her shoulder.

"It's cold. Do you need a ride home? I can call a taxi for you, quicker than the subway."

Taehyung didn't answer. Jennie sighed and removed her large coat, placing it on his shoulders carefully.

"Don't freeze out here, okay? Go home quickly and rest."

She walked away and didn't hear Taehyung's mumbled words.

"Thank you."