Learn To Be Real | KTH

Chapter 1

Taehyung POV

"Guys, hurry up! You know Manager Nim will have our asses if we're late again!" Namjoon yells from the front door. Grabbing hold of my jacket, I rush out of the room Jungkook and I share. Tripping down the stairs, I hear Jin scolding me as I land on my ass at the bottom of the staircase.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I apologize as I rush out the door, Namjoon and Jin hyung following behind me. Slipping myself into the middle row of the van, the two older boys jump into the front seats before taking off.

"Tae, when're you gonna learn to be on time?" Hoseok hyung teases, though it hurts. I tried really hard, but Jimin hyung and Jungkook always shower in the morning like I do and never let me go first even though I'm the quickest. It's been a routine that Namjoon hyung had set a few months ago, that the three of us would shower in the morning and that the hyungs would all shower at the end of the day. It really is a pain when we've only got one shower and it sucks being the one left to get fucked over.

I don't respond to Hoseok's comment, biting my lip and turning my head to look out the window instead. I hear the other boys all bursting into conversations, and as usual, I'm not included in a single one. I try to ignore the pain in my chest from it, not entirely sure why this bothers me at this point. It's nothing new at this point. In all honesty, it's almost like they've suddenly gone along with the media. Ever since they stopped being so critical of Jiminie, they've turned their attention to me, tearing me to fucking shreds.

I knew it was bound to happen eventually, I guess. At some point or another, they'll tear each of us apart, and I guess now it's my turn. But at least when they were tearing Jimin apart, everyone was always doing everything they could to counter it. Now? I feel like I've suddenly been forgotten, the only time they remember my existence being when they've got the chance to fucking scold me.

They hardly talk to me, yelling a me the moment I've messed any little thing up, and I've even been forgotten a few times when they went out on little excursions. I've got nobody around me telling me that I'm doing okay, that I'm not a total fuck up, that I'm not what all of the haters say I am, that I'm not what the media is making me out to be. I really do feel all alone anymore. I feel like I'm losing myself but I've got no one to pull me back, remind me who the hell I am anymore. The boys have left me without physically leaving.

"Tae, you coming? Or you just gonna fucking sit there all day and wait for Manager Nim to come here and rip your head off?" Yoongi snaps. I purse my lips, staying silent as I climb out of the car and follow the six of them into the BigHit building. They all immerse themselves back into their conversations and I'm left to my thoughts once more as I follow them around.

Soon enough, we reach Manager Nim's office. Biting my lip nervously, I follow everyone in and end up being the one person who has to stand, just like I have for the last few months now. As usual, he begins prepping us and informing us about a bunch of things coming up, a few interviews and a few performances and other such. We've also got another new album coming out soon as well and I bite my tongue, not wanting to annoy anyone with trying to remind them that I was hoping to start working on a new solo album just like what Namjoon, Hoseok, and Yoongi hyung all have. Inwardly sighing, I give up on bothering to try and tell them, deciding that I'll just have to try to do it on my own somehow.

"Alright, boys. That's all I have today. Taehyung, I need you stay back though. There's something I want to talk with you about." Manager Nim finally tells us. We all nod, the boys all giving me look as they stand up and leave me in the room. Silently, I move to sit down on the couch as I look over at my manager nervously.

"I've been keeping an eye on the media. Have you taken a look at twitter or Instagram or any of the other social media's?" He asks calmly, folding his hands on top of his desk. Remaining quiet, I simply nod my head.

"You need to make sure you're keeping your image up. You've not been on Vlive for a while now and the fans are getting curious. You've not been smiling enough lately either. Too many pictures with you having a straight face and you're not posting enough on twitter again either. We've got more performances and photo shoots coming up, Taehyung. You need to keep your image up and I want to see you working harder. You're beginning to look weak with your performances and your voice could use some work as well. I need you to fix that." Manager Nim informs me. Swallowing hard, I simply nod.

"Yes, Sir."