† 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟮 †

╭─━─━─━─━─━─╮𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟮†❝𝗖𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗧❞╰─━─━─━─━─━─╯

༺ ☠︎ †  𝖁 𝖎 𝖘 𝖎 𝖔 𝖓  𝖎 𝖓  𝕯 𝖆 𝖗 𝖐  † ☠︎ ༻

Days turned into weeks, and without either of them realizing it, Taehyung and Evie had grown closer–so much closer that it became impossible for him to go even a single day without seeing her.

It wasn't something planned or forced; it just happened naturally. Somewhere between stolen glances in class, quiet study sessions in the library, and unspoken conversations filled with smiles, Taehyung found himself drown toward Evie more than anyone else. And before he knew it, she had become the center of his world.

At first, he told himself it was nothing. Just friendship. A harmless attachment. But then, he started making excuses–lame, ridiculous excuses–to his friends just to spend more time with her. If they asked him to hang out after class, he'd come up with some last minute assignment. If they called him out for skipping lunch with them, he'd shrug it off with a vague answer. Eventually, he just stopped showing up altogether.

Jungkook, especially, seemed to notice the sudden change, but Taehyung brushed it off, pretending like it was nothing. Maybe they thought he was just going through a phase, or maybe they just didn't care enough to ask, but either way, he didn't mind.

Because the truth was–he didn't miss them.

For the first time in his life, he felt like he was exactly where he belonged.

Lunch breaks were no longer spent listening to their crude joking in the cafeteria. Instead, he found himself sitting outside on the grassy field with Evie and her best friend, Mia. And strangely enough, he didn't even mind Mia's presence. She was a lot like Evie - kind, warm, and always smiling–so he figured he could tolerate her for Evie's sake.

The best part of his day, however, was the time he spent walking Evie home. It didn't matter that he had to take another long bus ride back in the opposite direction–it was worth it. Because those quiet moments, when it was just the two of them, felt more meaningful than anything else in his life.

It was selfish, really.

He knew he was being selfish for saying that he loves being with Evie more then his friends. But for the first time, he didn't care.

Being with Evie made him feel something he had never felt before–happiness, real happiness. Not the kind that came from winning a game or laughing at a stupid joke with his friends, but the kind that settled deep in his chest, making him feel warm and content in a way he never had before.

And the strangest part?

It wasn't some fleeting teenage crush, nor was it some shallow attraction driven by desire. No, this was different. It was something deeper, something real.

Taehyung knew he was screwed—completely and utterly screwed—for this girl.

And yet, if loving Evie was going to be his downfall, then he was more than willing to fall.

†

It was lunchtime, and as usual, the cafeteria buzzed with noise, filled with students talking, laughing and moving about in groups. The largest and loudest table belonged to the most popular group in college–the one where Jeon Jungkook sat, along with his usual circle of friends.

Jungkook's seat, like always, was reserved for him, positioned right in the middle of all the commotion. His group was a mix of guys and a few girls, all chattering away, laughing loudly, and tossing around playful insults without a care for how disruptive they were. They never bothered keeping their voices down, their presence dominating the space as if they owned it.

Among them, sitting beside Jungkook, was Raven–who had always been close to him, or at least, that's what she liked to believe. She leaned in slightly, her eyes flicking toward Jungkook whenever he spoke, clearly enjoying being near him.

But Jungkook, for once, wasn't paying attention to her.

Instead, his focus kept shifting, his gaze moving across the cafeteria, searching for someone—someone who was noticeably absent.

Taehyung.

Again.

Jungkook had been noticing it for a while now– how Taehyung had started pulling away, how he had begun distancing himself from their group without any clear explanation. At first, it had seemed gradual, something easy to brush off. But now, after weeks of the same pattern, it was impossible to ignore.

Jungkook knew Taehyung was different from him and the rest of their friends. He always had been. Taehyung wasn't loud or reckless, and he certainly didn't thrive on attention the way Jungkook did.

He was the kind of guy who actually cared about things–his studies, responsibilities, people. And even though they were best friends since childhood, even though Taehyung had always been by his side, Jungkook could now clearly see the growing distance between them.

It wasn't just about skipping lunch with them. It wasn't just about missing out on conversations. It was something more.

Something was different.

He had heard the excuses–assignments, library study sessions, being too busy but those were just words. Taehyung had always been a good student, but that had never stopped him from hanging out before. Now, it was as if he had completely checked out of their group.

Jungkook's fingers tapped against the table absentmindedly as he scanned the cafeteria once more, looking for any sign of him. But Taehyung wasn't there.

Not at their table. Not anywhere nearby.

His distraction did't go unnoticed.

Raven, who had been watching him curiously, finally leaned in and asked, "What's wrong?"

Jungkook exhaled through his nose, still looking around before answering, "I was just wondering where Taehyung is." His voice was casual, but there was an underlying edge of curiosity. "It's been a while since he actually sat with us. Feels like he barely even talks to us anymore."

His words caught the attention of a few other people at the table, making the conversation around them shift. Some of their friends scoffed, rolling their eyes as if the answer was obvious.

"Where else would he be?" one of them snorted. "Probably buried in his books in the library, like always."

Another one chimed in, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, he's been drowning himself in that library. Feels like that's the only place he ever goes now. He barely even shows his face around here."

There were murmurs of agreement, a few chuckles, and a general lack of concern. To them, Taehyung's absence was nothing more than a boring habit, something to tease him about, not something worth thinking too deeply about.

But Jungkook wasn't convinced.

He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest, his expression thoughtful.

Raven leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms as a knowing smirk played on her lips. "It's not about books," she said, her voice carrying an air of certainty. "I know what it's really about."

Jungkook, who had been staring off in thought, turned his head toward her, his brows lifting slightly. "Oh yeah?" he said, tilting his head. "And what's that?"

Raven held his gaze for a moment before saying, "It's about a girl. "

At that, Jungkook let out a short laugh, amused by the suggestion. "What?" he repeated, shaking his head. "Taehyung and a girl? That's funny."

A few of their friends, who had been half-listening to the conversation, perked up at the mention, chuckling among themselves. One of the guys snorted and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Taehyung? With a girl?" he said, grinning. "Come on, he barely even looks at them, let alone talks to one."

Another friend nodded in agreement, a teasing lilt to his voice. "Yeah, have you ever seen him flirting? He'd act like he is not straight." The group laughed, amused at the mere thought of it.

But Raven didn't laugh. Instead, she narrowed her eyes, unimpressed by their dismissive attitude. "I'm not making things up," she said, her voice firm. "I'm saying this because I saw it with my own eyes."

Jungkook, still unconvinced, smirked and shook his head. "Taehyung and a girl," he repeated, as if the idea itself was ridiculous. "Distracting himself over a girl? Yeah, sure. That's funny."

Raven exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed. "I'm serious, Jungkook," she insisted. "There's a new girl on campus, and I've seen Taehyung with her. A lot." She leaned in slightly, as if challenging him to deny it. "I even asked him about it, and guess what? He got all defensive, acting rude and brushing it off like it was nothing. Said he was just helping her."

Jungkook rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat. "So? Maybe he really was just helping her."

Raven scoffed, shaking her head. "That's exactly my point," she said. "He's never helped me. We've known each other for years, and not once has he ever gone out of his way for me. But now, suddenly, he's bending over backward for some girl he barely knows?" She lifted an eyebrow, her expression filled with skepticism. "That's not normal for him."

Jungkook frowned slightly, but he still didn't look convinced. He drummed his fingers against the table, considering what she was saying. It did sound strange, sure, but Taehyung wasn't the type to get caught up in distractions–especially not because of a girl.

Raven, noticing his hesitation, pressed on. "I've seen them together," she added. "Walking, talking–way more than just once. And trust me, it surprised me too. I never thought Taehyung would be the type to lose focus over a girl, but here we are."

Jungkook exhaled, shaking his head again, this time with a small chuckle. "Nah," he said, dismissing it easily. "Taehyung's not like that. He's our friend–more like a brother, even. Bros before hoes, remember?" He smirked slightly, his tone light. "There's got to be some other explanation. No way he's actually letting some girl mess with his head like that."

Raven sighed, realizing he wasn't going to take her seriously.

Jungkook, seeing no point in discussing it further, shrugged. "Whatever," he said, waving a hand. "I'll talk to him myself."

And just like that, the conversation drifted away, their group shifting back to their usual banter and chatter, as if the topic had never even come up.

But despite brushing it off so casually, there was a lingering thought in Jungkook's mind.

If it really was about a girl...

Then who the hell was she to make Taehyung change like this?

†

As the college day came to an end, students flooded out of the building, chatting and laughing as they made their way home. Taehyung, however, stood near the entrance, leaning casually against a pillar, his gaze occasionally flickering toward the doors. He was waiting, just like he did every day.

Evie and he always went home together, but unlike the other students, they preferred to leave once the crowd had died down. It was easier that way–less attention, fewer eyes on them.

Taehyung had never been the type to enjoy standing out, and Evie seemed to understand that. So, without ever discussing it much, it had become an unspoken habit between them. They waited until the college was nearly empty before heading home.

He glanced at his watch, estimating how much longer it would take before she appeared. But before he could think too much about it, he heard his name being called.

"Taehyung!"

His entire body tensed for a brief second before he forced himself to relax. He already recognized the voice.

Jungkook.

Taking a deep breath, Taehyung turned around, schooling his expression into something neutral. He had been avoiding Jungkook and his group for a while now, always making excuses to stay away. And now, here he was, caught in the moment, wondering what new excuse he would have to make this time.

Jungkook approached him with his usual confident stride, his hands tucked into his pockets, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Hey, bro," he greeted smoothly. "How's it going? It's been a while since you hung out with us. What's the deal? Got yourself too busy or something?"

Taehyung forced a small smile, hoping to keep the conversation short. "Yeah," he said casually, shrugging. "Just been focused on my studies. You know how it is–library, books. That's my company these days."

Jungkook let out a small chuckle, tilting his head slightly as if he wasn't fully convinced. "Right, right," he mused. "So, let me guess–you're heading to the library now, aren't you?" His tone was light, almost teasing, but Taehyung could sense something behind it.

Still, he nodded. "Yeah."

Jungkook continued talking, making it seem as though he was just catching up, but Taehyung could tell that wasn't the case. He wasn't just here to chat–he was observing, waiting to see if Taehyung would slip up.

It was in the way he spoke, the way he smirked slightly every now and then. He was trying to get something out of him.

Taehyung kept his responses brief, answering just enough to avoid suspicion but not giving anything away. He didn't want to drag this out longer than necessary, especially because Evie would be here any minute now. The last thing he needed was for Jungkook to notice something.

After a few more exchanges, Jungkook finally seemed satisfied–at least, on the surface. With a lazy stretch, he sighed, acting as if he had lost interest. "Alright, man," he said. "I'll see you around."

Taehyung gave a small nod, watching as Jungkook walked away. Only when he was completely out of sight did he finally relax. He exhaled slowly, relieved that the conversation hadn't taken a different turn. It was good that Jungkook hadn't pushed too much. Taehyung didn't want to lie to his best friend more than he already had.

Just then, a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.

"On time or late?"

He turned his head just in time to see Evie grinning at him, raising her hand playfully in a silent request for a high-five. A real, genuine smile appeared on his lips as he lifted his hand to meet hers.

"It doesn't matter," he said lightly. "I'll always wait for you."

Her smile widened, and without needing to say anything more, they started walking toward the bus stop together, falling into their usual rhythm. They laughed and teased each other along the way, the bond between them growing stronger with every passing day.

As they reached the bus stop, their laughter filled the cool evening air. The sun had begun to set, casting a warm golden glow over the streets. The bus arrived, and as expected, it was crowded. There were no available seats at first, so they stood near the entrance, holding onto the overhead handles.

Evie stood in front of Taehyung, and without thinking, he positioned himself slightly in front of her, one hand gripping the handle above and the other resting lightly on the back of an empty seat. It was a protective stance, one he had taken so naturally that Evie didn't even notice at first. He wasn't blocking her view or making it obvious, but it was clear he was keeping a careful distance between her and the other passengers.

She smiled to herself, finding comfort in his presence. Taehyung had always been like this–quietly looking out for her in small ways.

After a few minutes, the bus emptied out a little, and now there were seats available. Evie glanced at him and tilted her head toward the empty spot.

"There's a seat now," she pointed out.

Taehyung didn't move. Instead, he looked at her with an easy smile. "Are you tired?"

She shook her head.

"Is your bag too heavy?"

Another shake.

"Are your legs hurting?"

She laughed softly and shook her head once more.

"Then stand here," he said simply, as if that settled everything.

Evie rolled her eyes, but her cheeks warmed at how effortlessly he cared for her. Without thinking, she reached up and gave him a playful push on the chest. "Why do you like standing here so much?"

Taehyung grinned, tilting his head slightly as if he were considering his answer. "Maybe because I like this spot."

Evie leaned her head against the cool metal pole beside her, looking at him with amused eyes. The wind from the open bus window played with her hair, causing a few strands to fall across her face. She tucked them behind her ear and smiled.

"People are going to think we're fools," she said. "There are empty seats, and we're still standing."

Taehyung shrugged. "I think your main focus should be on me, not other people."

She laughed and shook her head at his words, but she didn't argue. Instead, she stayed right where she was, choosing to stand with him rather than take a seat. It felt more natural this way.

Comfortable.

They continued talking, their conversation flowing effortlessly. They talked about everything and nothing –about professors, about the weird things that happened in class, about what they wanted to eat when they got home.

Evie teased him about how he always made excuses to avoid certain people at college, and Taehyung defended himself with exaggerated expressions, making her laugh even more.

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, the bus approached Taehyung's stop. He let out a small sigh, clearly reluctant to leave.

"I really don't want to go," he admitted, running a hand through his hair.

Evie smiled. "Then what? You want me to invite you to my house?"

Taehyung's eyes lit up with mischief. "That's a great idea. Should I come over? Or maybe you should come with me, keep me company."

She laughed and shook her head. "Taehyung, get off the bus before the driver decides to take you to the next stop."

He huffed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But don't forget to reply to my texts on time."

Evie raised an eyebrow. "Not everyone is as free as you, you know."

Taehyung chuckled as he stepped down from the bus. Just before the doors closed, he leaned back slightly and called out, "At least reply within a reasonable time. Don't leave me hanging!"

Evie rolled her eyes but smiled as the bus pulled away. Through the window, she could see him standing there, hands in his pockets, watching until the bus disappeared from view.

Taehyung stood there, watching as the bus disappeared from his sight. He let out a small sigh, knowing he now had to take another bus for the long journey back home. But despite the inconvenience, he couldn't bring himself to feel bothered by it. Instead, a smile formed on his lips.

It was worth it.

If it meant getting to spend those extra moments with Evie, walking to the bus stop together, laughing about meaningless things, and standing beside her on the bus while she playfully teased him–it was all worth it. And he would do it again without hesitation.

Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't immediately notice when someone called his name.

"Taehyung."

The voice was familiar, and the tone carried a hint of amusement. Taehyung turned around, only to freeze in place.

Jungkook stood a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes narrowed in clear confidence. There was something unreadable in his expression, a mix of curiosity and knowing.

"I never knew your 'library studies' looked like this," Jungkook said, raising an eyebrow as he studied Taehyung's reaction.

Taehyung felt like the ground beneath him had disappeared. His face went pale, his mind scrambling for words, but nothing came out coherently.

His mouth opened and closed as he stammered, his voice shaky with surprise. "W-what... how... you... I mean... why are you... how did you—" He swallowed hard, trying to form a proper sentence, but his brain refused to cooperate.

Jungkook just stood there, calm and composed, not saying a word. His silence only made Taehyung more nervous.

"You... were you following me?" Taehyung finally managed to ask, though his voice came out weaker than he intended.

Jungkook shrugged casually, tilting his head slightly. "I just wanted to see which library keeps you so occupied that you bother to ditch your friends and lie to us." His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was an edge to it.

Taehyung swallowed hard. He could feel his heart pounding against his ribs.

Jungkook took a slow step forward, his smirk widening. "And I also never knew your house was in that direction." His voice was dripping with mockery. "Unless, of course, you moved to the other side of the city without telling anyone?"

Taehyung clenched his jaw. Jungkook wasn't just questioning him–he was outright calling him out. He knew.

Jungkook tilted his head slightly, watching him closely. "Come on, say something. Don't just stand there looking like an idiot."

Taehyung took a deep breath, still struggling to think of something, anything, to say that would make sense. But before he could come up with an excuse, Jungkook spoke again.

"Is this 'library' actually a girl?" He raised an eyebrow. "Are you lying to us because of her?"

Taehyung felt his chest tighten.

Jungkook had hit the mark perfectly.

He needed to say something. He needed an excuse. But no matter how hard he tried to come up with one, his mind was completely blank.

★ ★ ★

—𝖽𝗈𝗇’𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗀𝖾𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗏𝗈𝗍𝖾

         𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝗋𝗈𝗉 𝖺 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍···୨ৎ