My Classmate Jeon Jungkook

The Helmet

Taehyung has been seated on the dining table, not even able to raise his head to see the person opposite to him. All the adults are pleasantly indulged in a conversation while he's battling his own emotions, trying hard to control his tears.

"Tae, would you like some chicken?" Jin asked him the third time.

"Tae dear, are you okay?" His mom asked concernedly, giving him a nudge.

He looked up to see all the concerned eyes on him and realized how lost he must have looked.

"Mom, I don't think I feel very well. Do you mind if I leave early?" He said, using his earlier health as an excuse.

"What happened dear? Should we go to uncle?" His mother asked worriedly.

"No no that's fine. I just think my body hasn't gotten used to the diet that's why."

"Should I drop you Taehyung? Your parents can stay here and talk." Namjoon asked which only made it difficult for him.

"No-no. That's fine Professor kim. I can manage."

"Call me Namjoon Taehyung. We are family now." He sweetly smiled.

Taehyung thought that if he stayed in their for a minute more, he would combust.

"I will get a cab mom. It's only half past 7." He turned to Jin "thank you and sorry for today hyung. I will make it up to you. I promise." He said, and grabbed his bag, waving goodbye with a smile.

The moment he started walking downwards towards the Main Street, his tears started flowing in like a river. He couldn't help but let out all those emotions. The pain wasn't just that his feelings were indirectly rejected, it was also the guilt that he was falling for his cousin's boyfriend who didn't mean any less of a family for him. He felt shameful for having such thoughts for some man who was taken. He felt so defeated for some reason. He walked on the street mindlessly. He wasn't even paying attention to the road or his surrounding.

Defeated, he walked to the bus station and sat on the bench, finally pouring his heart out. He was aware that people were looking at him worriedly or thinking he was a crazy guy for crying in the middle of the road but he couldn't care less. Taehyung started weeping so much that his sniffs became louder as the waiting people genuinely got more concerned.

But before he could garner more attention, or even comprehend what was happening, he found his face covered in a helmet. A little taken aback and shocked, he looked up to see Jungkook locking the helmet strap on his chin, as he kneeled down in front of the boy.

Wordlessly, Jungkook grabbed Taehyung's hand and pulled him up heading back to his bike. He sat on the bike and pulled Taehyung to sit back, making him hold his waist and hold on. Taehyung allowed Jungkook to guide him like a lost puppy.

During the ride, Jungkook could feel that Taehyung was crying because his body moving, stating his emotional state. Even though he wasn't aware what made the boy cry so badly, he wanted to make sure he was there for him. He was aware that it is okay for someone to feel sad and instead of cheering them, you could be a shoulder they cry on.

Jungkook drove to the light house and without even taking the helmets off, he took Taehyung to the top of the lighthouse. Taehyung had his head hung low and from the way his shoulders moved up and down, it was evident he was still crying. Jungkook took of his helmet and then gently unlocked Taehyung's helmet off his face.

He saw the tearful eyes, red nose and wet cheeks with his lips pouted down, making it seem as if it was being difficult to even breath. Jungkook didn't even know what to do, so without a word, he pulled Taehyung close to him and pressed him to his chest.

As if on cue, the gesture made Taehyung sob even harder and he clutched his hands behind Jungkook's back. His cry became even more louder and all Jungkook did was gently caressed his head and whispered "let it out Tae."

The two stayed in there like that for a while and after the exhaustion of crying so much, Taehyung calmed a little bit. He pulled away from the hug and looked at Jungkook who looked so worried at the moment.

Jungkook brought his hands up and cupped Taehyung's cheeks and wiped the tears with his thumbs as he spoke, "You want to tell me what happened Tae?"

"He- he's dating Jin Hyung Jungkook." He said breaking in between the sobs.

Jungkook didn't get the information at first. "Who Tae?"

"Pr.. professor kim is dating my hyung Jungkook." He said. "I found out today when-when we went for dinner at Jin Hyung's house. They live together Jungkook." He said and cried more.

"Shhhhh, that's fine Tae. You didn't know that."

"I am a horrible brother. How could I do that?"

"Don't say that Tae. Our feelings aren't in control of us. We don't choose who we fall for, sometimes it just happens. Your intentions were never bad." He said, caressing the boy's face.

"I feel so lost Jungkook. The first time I decided to give my heart away but the person had already given his heart to my own brother. I am so happy for hyung but I can't ignore the pain." He said and cried again.

"Hey, feeling happy for for others doesn't obligate you to push your emotions aside. What you felt for your teacher was pure and genuine Tae. But sometimes, liking it or loving someone isn't just about having them. It's also finding happiness in the idea that they are happy. Don't you think how wonderful a partner your brother is for someone as good as your teacher? I am not trying to invalidate your emotions Tae but guilt is not something you should feel. You are allowed to feel sad and I am here for you to let that emotion out but I won't let you feel guilty, not a chance. You get me?"

Taehyung looked at Jungkook and felt so warm. He felt bad but he also felt so glad that during this time, Jungkook made so much sense.

"Now you can cry your eyes out. I can see the snot coming out of your nose but you still look pretty." Jungkook joked and tried to cheer up the boy.

Taehyung had calmed a lot compared to earlier and smacked Jungkook on the chest.

"Ashole." He smiled.

"Finally.My ears were dying to hear that." He smiled, eyes crinkled into half moon shape.

Taehyung felt a sudden warmth in his heart as he smiled and looked at the boy. Jungkook noticed how Taehyung was looking at him and spoke, "I am always here Tae alright?"

Tae nodded and hugged the boy saying a thank you against his heart.