"So I'm expecting you to turn that in tomorrow, is that okay?" their teacher's voice resounded in the room, her smile on her pretty face and Jimin noticed.
Jimin just stared at her, not really wanting to respond and just letting the other students whine with a loud, "But Ms. Kim~ We've got like, two projects due tomorrow. Could you at least move it?"
"When do you guys want it then?" she asked, her face gentle, her smile still there. Her lips were pink like her cheeks. Her skin was flawless, her long, deep side parted dark brown hair hanging over her shoulders. The dress she was wearing fit her slender figure, too, and Jimin was just there, looking at her, waiting for her to set a date and just get this over with. He was never the type to argue with his teachers, but the type to just listen, which was why when everyone said, "Tuesday next week!" he didn't complain.
"Are you sure Tuesday's okay?"
"Yeah!" they all said in unison, laughing as she giggled.
"Alright. Tuesday next week it is then," when they all cheered, she dismissed them and not wasting time, they all hurried their way out with their bags hung over their shoulders. Jimin took his time to gather his things, putting them in his bag. The room was silent as he realized he was the only student left in there. Even Taehyung went out ahead. Jungkook was with Yoongi and they excused themselves fifteen minutes ahead of time due to some issues he didn't know till Yoongi messaged him, saying he'll meet up with him later and that he was sorry for dragging Jungkook along. Jimin smiled at the memory, texting him back that it was totally fine. Namjoon, Jin and Hoseok were making a bet, saying the first one to reach the cafeteria would have them do his homework for a week, which made the three of them run at the speed of light. That left Jimin alone, but he didn't mind since they all had their own lives anyway, and at the end of the day, they'd still have time for each other.
There was no day they wouldn't spend at least three hours for themselves.
They were all like brothers and no one could break their bond.
"Park Jimin?"
By the sound of his name, Jimin's eyes were as wide as saucers as he turned around, seeing Ms. Kim still there at her desk, looking worried. Her eyes were on him and just by that, Jimin was worried, too.
"O-Oh, yes? Ms. Kim?"
"Could you come here for a second?" She requested, her voice barely above a whisper, but he still heard it. He made sure his bag was closed before he made his way over to her, his footsteps unsure, and it seemed as if every step echoed because that's how quiet it was.
"I'm right here," Jimin gave her a small smile as she smiled back. Maybe her smile wasn't as wide as his, but Jimin still liked that she smiled anyway. It was better than silence engulfing them and he didn't want that. "What is it?"
"Remember last time? What I did to you?" She asked, searching Jimin's eyes if he had some sort of reaction.
Jimin looked down, averting his gaze from her eyes down to the pastel colored books she had on the table.
"Jimin?"
She sighed, knowing Jimin knew what she meant. Just by the way he was now looking at the table's edges and avoiding her eyes confirmed her thoughts.
Of course he remembers.
She embarrassed him in front of everyone, asking if he was starving himself since it was painfully obvious that he was losing so much weight. It was true that he did starve himself at times, even though he said he didn't, but the fact that she put him on the spot, humiliating him, made that memory unforgettable. He tried to forget it, he really did, but if her character was as pretty as her appearance, it would've been better.
"Yes, Ms. Kim?" He responded once she said his name again, shaking him from his thoughts. He was spacing out again, thinking about the past. He couldn't help it. Even Jungkook had to stand up for him.
That was months ago, Jimin, get over it, he told himself.
He was over it.
He is over it.
Just her bringing it up made him block the pain from coming again, from wrecking him once more.
"Ms. Kim, that was months ago-"
"-I know it was," she cut him off, her eyes beginning to water and Jimin stared at her, wide-eyed, not knowing what to do. A part of him panicked, not really expecting the conversation to get this serious, nor expecting her to break down and Jimin's chest tightened. "And I'm so sorry, Jimin. I really am. I felt so guilty and I still am, but once Jungkook talked to me about you...I mean, once he explained to me how you were dealing with a lot of things, how you were going through a lot, I had to think about it again and I know I did a horrible thing. I'm sorry," she said all at once, bringing her hand to wipe the tears reaching her flushed cheeks. She sniffled, clenching her jaw.
"Ms. Kim, you don't have to apologize," Jimin bit his lip to stop himself from saying anything else. Of course he forgave her. He forgave her months ago, but he couldn't stand seeing her cry in front of him. "Please don't cry, I don't deserve-"
"-But I'm a teacher, Jimin, and you're my student. You deserve an apology. I regret what I did last time. Jungkook was right. You are a good student. You never break the rules, you did your work and turned them in on time, you're silent and you don't pick on others. I just don't get why people pick on you," she smiled a sad smile, letting out a shuddering breath. "Will you forgive me?"
"Ms. Kim..."
He didn't know what to say. He really didn't. This was the very first time a teacher has spoken to him about something so serious, in private, and it scared Jimin to say the least.
With the way she was still staring at him, her eyes teary and red, her eyebrows furrowed in worry, Jimin brought himself to reply.
"Ms. Kim, I forgave you months ago."
She stared at him with her eyes so wide, the last of her tears cascading down her red cheeks, her mouth slightly agape. Obviously shocked, she blinked her eyes multiple times only for her to open her mouth to say something, but nothing would come out. She knew it. She knew Jimin was kind. Too kind to the point he was forgiving, so, so forgiving that when he said those words, a small smile was on his face. She could feel his strong presence and it felt nice because it was Jimin and he was different from the rest.
She swallowed back the tears that were now daring to fall as she replied in a hurry, before she'd break again.
"Thank you."
Silence.
He didn't say anything, but only gave her a sweet smile this time and they both looked at each other as if that settled everything.
"No need to thank me, Ms. Kim. Thank you for apologizing. It hurt me when you put me on the spot, but at least now you understand my situation better. Is it all because of Jungkook?" Jimin couldn't help but ask, curiosity clinging to him.
"Right after you went out last time, Jungkook stayed in class and explained to me what's been happening. He said people bully you and that you have insecurities, so that's why Jin, Namjoon, Hoseok, Yoongi and all your friends have been with you, including Taehyung, Yoongi and Jungkook because they help you. They make you feel better. If I'm not mistaken, is it just Jungkook who knows you sometimes skip meals? He told me something else, but it's okay if you don't want to talk about it," she opened up and Jimin appreciated it. At least it was in private now.
"Yes, it's just Jungkook who knows. The rest of them know I'm struggling...sort of, but only Jungkook knows I sometimes starve myself. He knows that at times, I feel worthless and just so hopeless, but he's always been there for me. They all have, but Jungkook knows more things about me maybe because he's more observant? I don't know..." Jimin grabbed a chair so he could continue their conversation better. She continued to listen, nodding everytime he said something. "And what else did he tell you?"
"He didn't really 'tell' me, but he said he noticed scars on your wrists and he mentioned that he wanted to help you, so me putting you on the spot and insulting you made it all worse. I know me doing that didn't help you one bit, so the more I feel guilty now-"
"-You shouldn't be," Jimin had to cut her off just once, shaking his head from left to right to prove to her that she was thinking wrong. "Please, that was months ago. We've moved on now, right?"
"I know, but Jimin...if you need help or if you want to talk to anyone, or if you just want people to hear you out, please know that I'm here," she smiled, reaching out to grab Jimin's hand only for a second before she felt him hold her hand in return. He smiled back. That only lasted for a second before she let go, her hand a few inches away from his. "Okay, Park Jimin?" she let out a small laugh, the mood better now that there was no more tension in the air.
"Okay," he chuckled, nodding his head and giving a thumbs up.
"Are we all good?"
"All good," he replied back, standing up and putting the chair back where it was supposed to be. "Thank you, Ms. Kim. For everything."
"I should be the one thanking you, Jimin. A kind, forgiving heart like yours is a rarity nowadays," she complimented him before she stood up and him following her, them leaving the class together as they walked side by side. "You shouldn't change for anyone. Stay as you are. I now know why Jungkook always stays by your side - you're different from the rest and your rare heart is difficult to find."
Jimin smiled.
"You really think so?" he laughed, only for her to laugh along with him. They turned a corner and some students looked at them with curious eyes, but they both didn't mind. "Which class do you have next, Ms. Kim? I'll walk you there," he offered, offering to hold the books she was holding and she let him do so, not forgetting to thank him once again.
"That door to the left. That's my stop," she said, pointing at a classroom where students were going in, one by one. "I'm a bit late, but it was worth it since I got to sort this out with you. Thank you once again, Jimin," she said one last time before she smiled, entering the classroom after Jimin made sure to bow, muttering a, "Goodbye," as she disappeared, starting her next class.
It was indeed worth it.
Somehow, Jimin wanted to thank Jungkook for explaining it to her, and Jimin didn't know, but a thought came up and he immediately ran and made his way to his locker, making sure he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen with him.
_______
Author's note: Hello, guys! Thank you so much for waiting for this update! I just finished typing this all down on here and I thought about something!
If you guys want to submit a Dear Jimin fanart, you may! Just comment down below or send me a private message or a wall post and I'll link you guys to my email where you can send me your fanart! I would like to thank you guys and as my little way of saying "Thank you," I'd want to post a chapter (or a few chapters) to show all your artwork/fanart here so other people can see it, too!
This thought just came about just an hour ago or so and I'm so excited about it! I can't wait for you guys to send in your fanart! I love you and I miss you! Take care and have a great day! ✨❤