Growing Pains

67

Jungkook was happy to renew his acquaintance with the other boy, and when he learned that Jimin never reconciled with his ex-boyfriend, Jungkook had felt a kind of kinship.

They were both pining for their lost loves.

When Taehyung began to distance himself, Jungkook became close to Jimin.

Jungkook was sorry that Taehyung was no longer his friend because he knew Taehyung and Jimin would've gotten along like a house on fire.

They had such similar personalities but where one was clumsy, the other was graceful.

Unfortunately, Taehyung was not interested and had even walked away when Jungkook tried to introduce him to Jimin.

"Woohoo! We're in luck, Jungkook! There's still grilled fish left!"

"Great," Jungkook said unenthusiastically.

As he followed Jimin to their usual table, he was reminded again of how much Taehyung and Jimin were alike.

Taehyung loved grilled fish, and had often stolen it right off of Jungkook's tray when he finished his.

The thought made Jungkook look up and scan the cafeteria to see if he could find his former friend.

He spotted him about five tables away, sitting with the popular crowd from his class.

Another difference from last year, Jungkook thought. Tae is now more in demand than I am.

Just then Taehyung looked up and caught Jungkook's stare.

Jungkook smiled to show that he bore no ill will but the other boy looked away without acknowledging him.

Jungkook huffed and lowered his gaze to his food.

He sighed as he began to eat.

"Are you okay, Jungkook?" Jimin asked from his side of the table.

"I'm fine, Chim. Eat your fish," Jungkook replied with a tired smile. "After everything that you put me through to get it, you should show some appreciation."

The other boy could see that Jungkook was upset about something but he decided not to push.

He had pushed Jungkook enough for today so now he was going to entertain him with the latest school gossip.

Jungkook let his friend's chatter wash over him as he continued eating.

He didn't really taste anything.

His movements were simply automatic — shovelling food onto his spoon and then putting it in his mouth.

He hummed and nodded to show Jimin that he was listening, but other than that, his thoughts kept returning to Jin.

His beloved may have ended things but Jungkook was not ready to let him go.

When Jin had come to the train station to see him, Taehyung, and Taehyung's mum off, Jungkook had told Jin in no uncertain terms that he was not going to give up.

And he had vowed to Jin that he was coming for him when he graduated high school.

Smeagol, who had accompanied Jin and was holding onto his hand tightly, had laughed at Jungkook.

He had even mocked him by saying, "I would like to see you try, little boy. It will be amusing watching you attempt to punch above your weight."

It had taken everything within Jungkook not to drive his fist into the older man's cat-like face.

It was hard but he'd managed it because he didn't want to disappoint his Jinnie.

Jungkook started when he felt Jimin's hand cover his.

He looked at his friend and noticed that he was staring at something beyond his shoulder so he turned to look.

Taehyung was standing behind him, his hands in his pockets and a look of indifference on his face.

"Tae..."

"I'm going to Seoul to visit my hyung and him."

Another thing that's different this year, thought Jungkook.

Taehyung no longer called Jin by his name, preferring to allude to him with pronouns instead.

Jungkook remained silent.

He wasn't going to make it easy for Taehyung anymore.

He was done making overtures and trying to mend things between them.

He was tired of the bullshit.

"Just thought you might like to know that he's leaving. He's going abroad with Yoongi-hyung."