CHAPTER - 4

One Week Later :-

Jungkook sat alone, hunched over his diary, his pen scratching against the paper in tiny, hurried strokes. The classroom was buzzing faintly, but he was lost in his own quiet world, head bent low as though he could shield himself from it. The creak of the door snapped him out of his thoughts.

Professor strode in, voice warm and commanding.

Professor - Good morning, students.

“Good morning, sir"

the class chorused.

The professor cleared his throat.

Professor - We have a new student joining us today. I know it’s unusual, especially in your final year, but he’s transferred here from another university. Please welcome him.

The door opened wider, and in walked a boy with soft eyes and a confident yet nervous smile.

Professor - Students, this is Park Jimin.

Jimin bowed politely, his posture graceful, his presence immediately filling the room.

The professor called

Professor - Jungkook!

Jungkook’s head jerked up, startled.

Jungkook - Yes, sir?

Professor - Jimin will be sitting next to you. Help him catch up with the syllabus.

For a second, Jungkook froze. Someone… would finally sit beside him? His chest tightened with a strange, fragile happiness. Someone would talk to him. Someone would notice him. He didn’t see the way Taehyung’s jaw clenched, the shadow flickering across his sharp features.

Jimin walked over, sliding into the seat next to Jungkook. He leaned closer, voice soft.

Jimin - Hi.

Jungkook’s lips parted in a nervous smile.

Jungkook - H-hi.

Their whispers were small, innocent, but enough to spark the faintest glow in Jungkook’s lonely world—and enough to ignite something ugly in Taehyung.

The Next Day :-

Jungkook was glowing. His steps were light, almost skipping, as if the heaviness he carried every day had finally lifted a little. He finally had a friend. Someone who smiled at him, who didn’t sneer when their eyes met. Someone who shared lunch with him, who didn’t call him names or shove him into lockers. For once, he felt like he mattered.

But his joy didn’t last long.

A hand yanked his bag violently, dragging him backwards. Jungkook’s breath caught as he was pulled down the hallway, up the stairs, until he stumbled onto the rooftop. The grip released him only to shove him hard. He crashed onto the concrete, palms scraping, knees stinging. His heart pounded. He already knew.

Taehyung.

The boy he loved was towering over him, his dark eyes burning with a fury Jungkook had never seen before.

Taehyung - WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!

Taehyung’s voice was a whip, cracking against the silence.

Jungkook’s lips trembled.

Jungkook - Eh? I—I don’t—

Taehyung - WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO LET THAT JIMIN SIT BESIDE YOU?!

Taehyung roared, his chest heaving, every word dripping with rage.

For a fleeting, foolish moment, Jungkook’s heart fluttered.

Jungkook's p.o.v - Could it be… jealousy?

He swallowed, cheeks heating despite the fear.

Jungkook - A-are you… jealous, Taehyungie?

He whispered, almost shyly.

The words snapped something inside Taehyung. His fist flew before Jungkook could even breathe. The punch landed square on his face, sending him reeling with a cry of pain. Warmth spread across his cheek, sharp and stinging.

Taehyung seized his jaw roughly, forcing him to look up. Jungkook whimpered at the bruising grip.

Taehyung - Jealous? For you?

Taehyung sneered, eyes narrowed with cruel disdain.

Taehyung - Don’t flatter yourself. Look at you—have you ever even seen your face in the mirror? You’re fucking ugly. Pathetic. It’s disgusting that Jimin even agreed to sit next to you.

The words carved into Jungkook deeper than the punch ever could. His eyes filled with tears, but he bit down on his sobs, staring silently at the boy he loved with everything he had. His chest ached, foolish hope collapsing inside him. How could he ever believe Taehyung might feel something for him?

Taehyung’s gaze flickered for a second—he saw the raw hurt in Jungkook’s eyes, the way his silent tears spoke louder than anything else. Guilt pricked him, but pride smothered it instantly. He released Jungkook’s jaw with a shove and turned away, leaving him shattered on the cold rooftop floor.

Jungkook stayed there, trembling, vision blurred with tears. His thoughts were messy, cruel.

Jungkook's p.o.v - Why, God? Why did you make me like this? Why ugly? Why unworthy of love?

If he had Jennie’s face, Jennie’s charm—maybe then Taehyung would look at him the way he looked at her. Maybe then he wouldn’t be a joke, a punching bag, a ghost in everyone’s eyes.

But God was silent, and Jungkook’s heart bled alone.

He wiped his tears clumsily with his sleeve, too drained to even go back to class. With slow, broken steps, he walked out of the college, carrying nothing but the weight of his unasked prayers.