Strings of Fate

Chapter 35

With the weekend over and school starting again, the days passed by uneventfully for Jimin. Before he knew it there was only a month left before the competition, and practice began picking up rapidly. Between practice and preparing for all his upcoming exams, Jimin was finding little time to worry about other things. However, whenever he saw Yoongi passing by in the hallways, he'd find himself frowning and wishing he had a way to reach the elder, to fix whatever problems Yoongi was having. But he had no idea how to help at the moment and all the ideas he was coming up with only sounded futile when he talked them out to himself.

Jimin noted that no one in his friend group talked about Yoongi anymore, and he couldn't blame them. Jin was focusing on college applications and scholarship essays and if he was reminded of Yoongi, he would become upset because he felt bad. Jin and Yoongi had both planned to enroll in college together and help each other apply to any scholarships that were available, but that obviously wasn't happening. So mentioning Yoongi around Jin wasn't a great idea.

Namjoon also didn't like mentioning Yoongi but for different reasons. Namjoon was busy with his own college courses and was trying to get a research assistant position with a renowned scientist so he didn't have time to focus on Yoongi. In addition to that, Namjoon had apparently met with Yoongi on his own once and the conversation hadn't been pleasant, whatever Yoongi had said obviously really hurt Namjoon.

Taehyung, on the other hand, was putting his all in the developing relationship with Hoseok and he seemed so happy, Jimin didn't have the heart to bring up Yoongi and ruin it. And so Yoongi slowly slipped away and became a somewhat taboo topic amongst them. Jimin didn't like it but he understood why it was happening. Despite all of them being adamant at the beginning to help Yoongi, as the days passed with no ideas on how to help and pressure from their own lives, it couldn't be helped that they'd stopped being so proactive.

This is probably how friendships end, Jimin thought to himself as he walked home alone. Jungkook and Taehyung had left after class but Jimin had to stay behind to attend a tutoring session since he needed help from the teacher of his Science class. Jimin was lost in his thoughts and wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings when he heard a familiar voice.

"Someone as pretty as you shouldn't be frowning," Taemin said as he placed his hands atop Jimin's shoulder to prevent the younger from crashing into him. Jimin blinked up at the elder surprised to see him and then blushed, realizing he was staring.

"Sorry for almost crashing into you again," Jimin said with an apologetic smile as he stepped back and let Taemin's hands fall off his shoulders.

"Hmm... it's fine," The elder said while smiling brightly making him look adorable, in Jimin's opinion. "But since this is the second time and I'm a big proponent of fated meetings, I think I should ask you to join me for some hot chocolate," Taemin continued looking hopeful.

"Fated meetings?" Jimin questioned with a giggle.

"Yep. It's not every day you get to run into a hot stranger, especially the same one twice," Taemin answered making Jimin blush more and causing Taemin to laugh.

"My heart can't take this, oh you're so cute!" Taemin said reaching out and pinching Jimin's right cheek softly. Jimin stayed still and continued blushing, his face heating up more then he'd like.

"So... hot chocolate? I'll pay!" Taemin promised as he released Jimin's cheek and smiled brightly. Jimin shyly nodded, agreeing.

With that, Taemin led the way to a small cafe nearby. He ordered their hot chocolate while Jimin scouted out a table for them. Once the drinks came and the two were sitting comfortably across from each other, the two began talking again asking questions to get to know one another.