If Memory Serves [YoonMin]

08

PRESENT

When they get to choreography class in the new week, there are large pages with song names plastered to various spots around the room. The dance room is massive, with long winding mirrors and never-ending wooden floors.

The class is instructed to put their bags down, which they do. When they return to the middle of the room where Professor Kwon waits for them. Once they've all filed in and are listening, he opens his arms in a gesture.

"Find your song and wait there. The fourth-year students will find you and you may begin discussing the project and how you both plan to work it. It will count for both your grades so if you screw up yours, you screw up theirs."

Jimin thinks it's dumb, having first years determine the results of a fourth-year student. Nevertheless, he finds his song by one of the mirrors. Jungkook gives him a thumbs up and Jimin rolls his eyes before turning toward the class. There are songs with five people, some with two, but only Jimin is on his own for this song. It doesn't make sense, considering this is Agust D's song and Jimin thought he had a fanbase. For whatever reason, the image of the whispering first years glancing back at him displays itself in his mind and curiosity wrinkles his face.

They're told to give them the fourth years ten minutes, so they're all left waiting. Some of the students cross the room to find their friends, but Jimin stays glued to the ground. He only moves his head when he hears Jungkook call his name.

"Are you excited?" Jungkook asks. Maybe it's the words or the way he says it, but something about the question feels off. Jimin stares at Jungkook, a frown creasing his forehead. He tries to convince himself that it's nothing, that he's overthinking it. Jungkook knows he likes Agust D.

Anyone meeting someone they admire would be excited.

"Feel nervous," he admits, a sheepish smile displaying across his face. Jungkook, who has always displayed an epitome of confidence, rolls his eyes so far back, Jimin thinks he'll lose his eyes in his head.

"You have nothing to be nervous about," Jungkook assures. He's smiling, but it doesn't reach his eyes. It's a half ass smile that makes Jimin question whether he really should be more nervous than he is.

The chatter that had filled the room silences as the door opens and seven people file in. They all walk in with the confidence singers, rappers and any musicians would have, stopping by Professor Kwon who says something to them.

Jimin turns around at the last second, nervousness and fear eating away at his stomach and making him feel nauseas. He can't do this. How is he going to face someone he's only ever heard, but never seen? What if he doesn't meet his expectations?

What if he meets too much of his expectations.

"Jimin."

His heart is beating hard in his chest, the excitement and nerves built up as tall as a tower. But when he turns around, Jimin deflates at the sight of Instructor Kwon closing the gap. Jimin knows before he's there that he's not going to be meeting Agust D. The apology is written all over his professor's face.

"He couldn't make it today. Something came up."

There's a momentary pause as Professor Kwon looks around the room and Jimin copies. He tries not to feel dejected as he sees everyone in deep discussion with their seniors. He knows he'll get the chance, it just won't be today like everyone else.

"He should be here next class, though. Be prepared." Professor Kwon pats his shoulder, telling him that he's free to leave if he would like to.

Jimin would like to, so he does. He leaves the dance room, lost on where to go. The halls are surprisingly crowded as he heads out, slipping through groups of people, murmuring 'excuse me' all the way. He figures being productive in the library would be better than buying time in his room until his next class.

He's sitting in the furthest corner of the library, hidden behind the shelves when someone joins the table. He took this one in the hopes he'd be sitting alone, so it comes as a surprise when someone slides into the seat beside him. Like, directly next to him. Usually, people leave a space or two when sitting with strangers.

It's that particular reason that makes him look up.

"How come you're not in class with Kook?" is the first thing Taehyung asks as he fishes in his bag, pulling out the thickest music textbook Jimin's ever seen.

Jimin takes a second to process everything. He stares at Taehyung too hard for too long, keeping quiet. Truth be told, he never considered them to be friends. He and Jungkook were getting along the way roommates got along, though they spoke in class, but never otherwise. He didn't realize that being on good terms with Jungkook automatically meant that Taehyung would join him if they saw each other in a crowd.

Jimin doesn't mind it.

"The fourth year for the song I chose couldn't make it," Jimin explains, half shrugging. He tries acting nonchalant. It's not the student's fault they couldn't make it and it's not like they won't be working on it for the rest of the year by the sounds of things.

It doesn't make it suck any less that he doesn't get to start today. Jimin had been looking forward to it.

"Gotta study?" Jimin asks, before Taehyung can further the topic. Taehyung glares, but Jimin already knows it's more because of the massive textbook than anything else.

"Unfortunately," Taehyung grumbles. "Unless you'd like to save me?" He looks hopeful and Jimin laughs.

"Sorry. Gotta do some work myself."

The conversation ends there, silence befalling them naturally. Jimin feels bad, but he doesn't know what else to say. Outside of Taehyung's kindness and who he's dating, Jimin doesn't know much. He doesn't know how to strike up conversation.

He does decide he'll figure it out for a potential next time as Taehyung hovers over the textbook, murmuring the sentences aloud to himself. Jimin turns to his own book and makes notes.

His mind, however, is far away.