ᴘɪᴄᴛᴜʀᴇsǫᴜᴇ. | ᴊɪᴋᴏᴏᴋ ✔️

15 | worth the ̷w̷e̷i̷g̷h̷t̷ wait

To Jeongguk's relief, Jimin agrees to staying for dinner, but explains he's afraid he'll make things awkward if the boy's parents try to make conversation with him - which Jeongguk can completely understand, given the boy's introverted personality. So he compromises and gets the 'OK' from his mother to have dinner in his room, just for tonight, for Jimin's sake.

How romantic, Jeongguk's lovestruck heart thinks, enjoying a peaceful dinner alone with Jimin in his room.

Alas, their "date" comes to an end as evening approaches and Jimin says he wants to go home. Jeongguk, although sad to see him go, happily obliges and drives the boy home.

"Do you need help with the knitting supplies?"

"No, Jeongguk, I'm okay. But thank you."

"Thanks for spending time with me."

It's such a soft-spoken, genuine comment that Jeongguk makes from the heart, all the while as he gazes tenderly at the other boy. Even with daylight having abandoned the sky Jeongguk can still see Jimin's blush.

"I'll...see you Monday..."

"Mhm. Goodnight, Jimin."

"Goodnight."

He watches Jimin until the boy makes it to the door, opens it, and enters the house. Not even realizing the enamored grin on his face, Jeongguk slowly pulls out of his parking space to head home.

At the end of that street, there's a red light, so he stops.

It's quiet. There aren't many cars on the road, no people out - at least not around here. At least it doesn't seem.

But Jeongguk makes a haphazard glance out his car window towards the sidewalk on the other side of the street.

He swears he sees someone staring at him.

But he blinks, and they're gone.

It's the most unsettling, stomach-dropping feeling he's ever experienced, the oddest sensation, the kind of ridiculous paranoia people typically get after watching a horror movie late at night. Sure, it's night, but Jeongguk has never been particularly afraid of the dark, nor being out at night.

But again, there's just something deep in his gut that flips over, and all of a sudden he's in a rush to get home.

He's careful not to speed, though, and acts natural even upon re-entering his house and walking upstairs to his room.

It's just in his imagination, Jeongguk tells himself. And he's certain of it, so he goes to sleep that night without much of an issue.

—

The next Monday is a somewhat warm one, to make a minor understatement. It's not "middle of the summer" hot, but considering spring started not too long ago, it's certainly a step up.

Jeongguk's ideal weather. Being able to waltz outside in a short-sleeved shirt, no jacket or anything over his arms.

As usual, he picks Taehyung up in the morning and drives them both to school. The two boys walk in together, start making their way in the direction of their lockers, and unsurprisingly come across Jimin whose own locker isn't far from Jeongguk's. Taehyung's aggressively nudges his friend's arm.

"Dude, really?"

Taehyung scoffs. "Don't 'dude, really' me. You serenaded him with your guitar a couple days ago and probably made out afterwards, there's no 'dude, really', we're past that-"

"We didn't make out, you're being ridiculous again."

" 'Again' ?"

"Go get your stuff for history class, Taegchi."