Throughout the whole period, Taehyung could feel the transferee give him not-so-subtle glances and occasionally move his chair a bit closer to his own.

Adding to that, he could feel Jimin look back at him, smirking and winking, literally every five minutes.

Sometimes he even made kissey-faces.

Taehyung didn't know how to feel.

It was a very foreign feeling, having someone have the hots for him while he, himself was in love with another.

A few years ago, he probably couldn't have wished for anything more than having someone as handsome as Mark being interested in him.

But now, with all this Jungkook stuff going on? He did not know how to feel, moving on wasn't as easy as expected.

"Hey... Earth to Taehyung," he suddenly heard someone mutter into his ear, flinching a bit and widening his eyes as he saw his new seat-neighbor's face, only inches away from his.

"O-Oh... Was I spacing out?"

"Pretty much. Class has ended and you haven't even packed up. I thought you were top student?," the brunette remarked cheekily, raising his eyebrows.

"I...am?" Taehyung quickly gathered all of his books, stuffing them into his backpack.

"Jimin told me about your excellent grades. So, was I perhaps... distracting you?" Mark took this opportunity to scoot a bit closer to him, a smirk evident on his flawless face.

"Excuse me? No! I... need to go. Lunch. See you around," Taehyung rambled, slightly flustered, as he jumped out of his chair. He swung his backpack over his shoulders and took quick steps towards the door.

But as soon as he exited, he felt someone grab his arm rather harshly and shrieked.

"My god! What in the world... Jungkook."

Suddenly, he remembered looking into Jungkook's eyes before. He had looked so angry.

Was he feeling okay? What was the matter?

"What the hell is that son of a bitch doing here?" Jungkook still looked pissed, very pissed.

What's his deal?

"I don't know, why are you asking me? I didn't plan this, you know? And would you please let go of me, that hurts," Taehyung whined.

He pointed towards Jungkook's hand still gripping his arm, a bruise close to forming.

Realizing, the ravenette immediately let go of his arm, as if it were on fire, widening his eys. "S-Sorry Tae, I shouldn't have done that."

Aww, he is so sweet and thoughtful..

Argh Taehyung, this is not the time!

"I-It's okay. And, well, Jimin actually told me before, his school closed down so he transferred here." Taehyung was shocked to see Jungkook suddenly looking a bit... disappointed, perhaps?

"And you didn't tell me?"

Taehyung lowered his gaze onto the floor.

"Well, I didn't think it was that big of a deal--"

"Taehyung, that boy is definetely bad news, how could you not think it was a big deal? Speaking of, did he do something to you? Did he touch you, or make you feel uncomfortable?"

Taehyung started giggling at how protective he was being. He'd be lying if he said his heart wasn't fluttering at all.

Why is he being so protective now? Stop leading me on, please...

"Chill, Kook. He's harmless. He apologized for what he did and he really regrets it. Besides, Jimin told me he... likes me." Taehyung actually wasn't planning on saying the last sentence, it just kind of slipped. Also, he kind of wanted to see Jungkook's reaction, even though he didn't know why.

It's not like I have a chance anyways.

The younger just scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Of fucking course he does."

Taehyung frowned.

"What's up with you, Jungkook? Shouldn't you be happy for be? Don't say anything, I think I know what this is about," Taehyung exclaimed, raising his voice a bit when Jungkook opened his mouth again.

He sighed, ignoring him.

"Look, Jungkook, I know you're probably uncomfortable seeing me with a guy instead of a girl and you'd probably rather have me like girls instead. But you have to realize that this is who I am and I can't change myself just because you don't approv--"

"Listen to me, Taehyung. You completely missed the point. I already told you, I support you and I really do, it's just... I know guys like him. He's the type that's gonna hurt you and in the end, well... drop you," Jungkook spoke, softly grabbing his shoulder and trying to make eye contact.

Ignoring the rapid beating of his heart, Taehyung looked up a bit and met the other's now softer-looking eyes.

"How could you possibly know that?," he muttered.

"Just trust me on this one, 'kay?" His voice sounded soft, so soft that Taehyung wanted to drown in it and never reach the surface, ever again.

Adding to that, he could feel Jungkook's hand caressing his shoulder smoothly.

And he could feel his knees go to jelly.

Nonetheless, he brushed the ravenette's hand away and took a small step back.

"So, what do you suggest?" He prayed that his voice didn't come out as shaky, now was not a time to be vulnerable.

"Just... be careful. I don't want you getting hurt by trusting the wrong people. Now, can we drop this?" Now Jungkook was the one to stare at his feet.

Taehyung froze.

This is what best friends do. Give each other advice and protect each other.

But then, why does it feel like so much more?

I guees you don't need to worry about me getting hurt by trusting the wrong people, Jungkook, I already got hurt by you countless times.

Even though it isn't your intention... I'm sorry...

Taehyung put all of his thoughts aside by shaking his head while forcing his eyelids shut.

Then, he put on a fake smile and nodded. "Sure. Thanks for worrying about me, I appreciate it. But enough about me, let's talk about you. How's your... crush going?" He felt his heart clench by the sound of the word 'crush'.

Jungkook widened his eyes, totally caught off guard.

"U-Umm... Like always, I guess? I mean... t-there isn't much I can do, right?" He laughed nervously while scratching his nape softly.

Taehyung hummed. "Yeah, you're right. So, what do you plan on doing? Getting close to her or forgetting her?" He cringed at himself for sounding like some kind of relationship advisor.

Meanwhile, Jungkook was having a hard time to make up a believable fake story.

"Umm... I think it would be best if... I forgot her? It wasn't that serious, anyways. I think," he rambled, smiling nervously.

"I think so too. I know her pretty well, she would never leave Jimin. In the end, you would get hurt and I don't want that for you." Again, both of their heartbeats accelerated, synchronizing each other.

Jungkook then laughed nervously "I've already gone through my first heartbreak, I know what to do."

But then he got serious again. "You on the other hand, need to take my advice. Stay away from that guy."

Taehyung sighed exasperatedly. "I thought we dropped this already. You don't even know anything about him, why are you being so harsh on him?"

Jungkook scoffed slightly. "Because I'm not dumb. He touched you, Taehyung, and no matter how many times he apologizes it's not gonna change anything about the fact that he is not to be trusted. Are you seriously that naive? Don't you have any self-respect?" The younger didn't even notice his voice getting louder and harsher towards the end. He then widened his eyes. He should not have said that.

Oh no, no, no. Anger and jealousy got the best of me. I was way too harsh! Shit...

He felt his stomach churn when he saw Taehyung's face. His eyes were narrowed into slits but Jungkook could still see pain in them.

"Are you seriously calling me dumb right now? In case you don't remember, every time you did something ridiculously wrong, like vandalizing school property or smoking because you thought it was cool, it was me who got you out of that phase! Imagine what could've happened if I wasn't there, now, who's the dumb one here?!

"I can take care of myself, why are acting like some kind of overly possessive boyfriend? You can't tell me what to do, I'm not your property! Mark and me may not have come off to the best start but at least he's making an effort and treating me nicely, unlike you right now! Goodbye Jungkook."

Taehyung spun around and was about to leave when he felt someone grab his arm, almost desperately.

"Let go of me," he said quietly, but sharply.

And he seized his arm out of Jungkook's hold and this time, left for good.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

what if she hates meee