Neighbor|Taekook - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Jungkook managed to get Jimin's phone number and got a text message in the evening of the day they met.
--Hey, it's me Jimin. Wanna meet at the library tomorrow? I'll finish at 4pm.--
--Good evening Jimin-hyung. I'll finish a bit earlier, so I'll already be there.--
--Perfect, see you tomorrow then. I'm really glad I got a chance to talk to you today.--
Whoah...I can't believe it... first person to actually show some interest in my existence here. Well, the second one... but this guy seems much more normal than that weirdo.
The day after, Jungkook packed all of his books as usual. His parents were supporting their son's effort of improving his school performance. Another afternoon spent with books. He had one test tomorrow and he'd promised to himself that he won't accept failure.
After about an hour, he was joined by Jimin. Even this time he got surprised by him. Jimin was year above him in school, which made Jungkook to respect him. Also his incredible charm was making him a bit more shy that he would like. Jimin, being older helped Jungkook with some study materials. He was in general very nice to him, almost too nice compared to the students in his class.
"Hyung, is there any reason why you decided to talk to me yesterday?" Jungkook asked quietly.
"To be honest, when I first saw you, you looked a little bit lost. And it was obvious to me, that you were a transfer student. Also after talking to you and hearing your Busan accent, I knew that we could become closer." Hearing the word 'closer' made Jungkook a bit uncomfortable. "You see, I'm also from Busan," Jimin continued,"now you can't hear my accent anymore, but I will never be able to forget my hometown."
"If you don't mind me asking hyung, do you like it here?"
"You get used to it here. Well, you have to. People aren't interested how well you are adjusting to life in Seoul. You move here, because you have a reason for it, the end. Nobody asks you whether you like it here, you just have to. If you don't, then leave, that's it. To answer your question, I'm used to it," he smiled and ruffled Jungkook's hair.
Jungkook flinched from the sudden physical contact and looked down.
Jimin looked at him intrigued. "Tell me, are you always this shy?"
No, you just make me so uncomfortable for some reason. Why do you look at me that way?
"Ah, I guess...," he answered.
"I think we can become good friends you know, just relax a little bit." Jimin giggled and poked him.
Don't touch me, I swear...Why is my heart...I don't feel good.
"I'll try," he mumbled still looking down."Sorry, I have to go to the restroom," Jungkook excused himself and walked fast along the bookshelves.
What the fuck... What is happenning to me... He'd reached the library restroom and closed the door behing him, luckily no one was there. He leaned over the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. A face smirked at him.
He spun around frantically, there was no one behind him. He looked at the mirror again and could see only his own face.
What is going on with me... He splashed some cold water on his face. It must be the lack of sleep...Why do I get so uncomofrtable around guys all of a sudden? The water formed droplets on his face, he blinked it away. Could it be that...He stared at his face examining it closely... That I am... No it can't be...He grabbed some paper towels and dried his face. Jimin-hyung was right, I need to loosen up.
With that he returned back to his study desk and without thinking twice about it poked Jimin in the ribs. "Hyung, you are slouching too much."
Jimin giggled and continued with his studying. Jungkook followed his example and tried to go over as many notes as he could. They would occasionaly take small breaks inbetween, talk or joke together. Jungkook was trying his best to relax and be as friendly as he could.
I can't mess this up... He might be possibly my first friend here, I can't scare him away. If only he knew what kind of thoughts I've had.
"Jungkook-a, it's getting late, I think we should probably go."
"Okay." The studying was much more enjoyable having a company, the time flew by.
They'd packed all of their books and walked side by side. Jungkook surprised himself, when he wrapped his arm around Jimin's shoulders without overthinking it. He was ready to take it off immediately, but Jimin just smiled and didn't mind.
"Let's take the stairs," Jimin suggested,"my legs hurt from all that sitting."
They were going down floor by floor, arm in arm. The physical contact was becoming more and more natural to Jungkook and he didn't feel nervous anymore. This has been so far the best day in Seoul since his arrival. And for the first time, he actually felt happy here.
As they had reached the third floor, something caught Jungkook's attention in the corner of his eye. Or rather someone.
You gotta be kidding me...
Of course he comes here...I saw him taking the library bus that day...
His neighbor looked at him briefly, but then looked at Jimin, who to Jungkook's surprise noded. Kim Omnipresent noded back.
Wh...What just happened?!
They continued walking down the stairs."H...hyung, do you know that student?"
"Oh, that one? Yeah, he's in the same year as me. Why do you ask?
"No reason, I think i saw him somewhere."
The day was ending and Jungkook was sitting on the floor in his room, leaning against the wall. Although he had a test tomorrow, he was happy. He's made a friend. In less than a month.
I only know him for two days, how can I call him a friend?...Well, he's the closest to being a friend from all the people in this city. Maybe he can introduce me to his friends. They must be nice. I can't imagine him being friends with someone who isn't.
"Jungkookie?" His mom knocked on the door.
"Come in."
She walked in, bringing him a cup of hot chocolate. "You've been studying hard, you deserve this." She set the cup on his table along with some cookies. She took a good look at him."Someone's in a good mood," she teased him.
"I'm tired."
"You look happy," she grinned," don't tell me that the reason you'd started going to the library is a girl."
"Mom," he rolled his eyes.
"It's okay, you know I don't want you to be lonely. I've told myself to not force you into making friends, but if it's a girlfriend, that is also good."
"Stop it, mom."
"Alright, alright. Oh, I almost forgot, Mrs. Kim kindly asked me if you could help her son with math. You know that boy wanted to be friends with you, but as I said, I'm not going to force you."
Nope, nope, nope...please tell me you said no.
"I was telling her how good you are at math. It would be nice to help him, don't you agree?"
"I'm not that good at math."
"You were always helping Yugyeom with it, if I remember correctly."
"Yeah, but that was different..."
"Mrs. Kim gave me a large basket of apples from Geochang countryside, she didn't have to, but she did. And she is always so kind every time I talk to her. In order to maintain good neighbor relations, don't you think it would be polite to return the favor?"
"Mom, why do you..."
"I've raised you to be kind and polite, haven't I?"
"Well yeah, but..."
"So, tomorrow in the evening, you will go and help her son with math. The end. Don't burn your tongue on the chocolate." She walked out of the room giving Jungkook no chance to back talk.
Well my day is ruined. Thanks mom...Not force me into making friends... bullshit. He walked over to his table and devoured a whole cookie in one bite.
He knows Jimin, Jimin knows him. I can't imagine Jimin being friends with him though... They are so different. He washed down the cookie with a gulp of hot chocolate. He wants to be friends with me, of course that's why he looks at me every time, like he wants to kill me with his stare. Another cookie. Well, I probably look at him the same... it's just...
He got so frustrated, that he ate the whole plate of cookies. He's had many chances to talk to me if he wanted to. He is strange... and now I gotta teach him math, literally just what I wanted, ugh...
Overdosed on sugar, he looked out of the window at the night sky above Seoul. Why does this city test me so much? He couldn't see any stars due to the bright light from all the buildings. His phone beeped.
--Good luck on your test tomorrow. See you at the library again?--
--Sorry hyung, I can't tomorrow.--
--Oh, too bad, I had fun with you today.--
Resigned, Jungkook went to bed and deemed sleep to be the best option now. He needed to do well on his test otherwise all the studying was for nothing.
Next day, he took his test and felt quite good about it. The questions weren't difficult and he knew answers to most of them. After school, he didn't take the usual bus to the library, instead went straight home. He was supposed to go to their neighbors' place at seven in the evening. He still had plenty of time and no homework to do.
He took off his uniform and was standing in front of his closet just in his underwear. Now, what should I wear? I think casual clothes will be fine. Jeans maybe, that's always a good option. Should I wear a button-up shirt? No, too formal. Sweater? It might be too warm in their place. A T-shirt then, yeah...
He kept piling on different T-shirts and other garments, trying them on and taking them off. He couldn't decide what to wear, so he went to the bathroom and took a shower instead. Maybe the striped T-shirt would look nice with those jeans. I haven't worn it since we broke up...
He heard his parents coming home. I hope mom won't see the mess in my room...The hot water and soap suds were trickling down his body. He felt so relaxed, enjoying the steaming warmth of the shower. But then he rememebered, where he has to go and who he has to see in less than two hours. Instead of dreading it, he felt a bit excited.
Excited? No, no, no, what am I thinking...
But his body betrayed him and his excitement was very apparent. He closed his eyes and sat down in the shower, water splashing on his head.
Why am I like this... Why have I spent God knows how many hours choosing clothes, scrubbing myself in the shower, washing my hair, brushing my teeth...It's not like I'm going on a date, so why do I care? And what the hell is this? He was helplessly looking at his crotch.
Jimin surely knows some girls. Mom wouldn't be against me having a girlfriend. And I clearly need some distraction... What in the world is going on with me. It must be the Seoul air. Yeah, the air pollution, who knows what kind of chemicals there are... He kept on justifying his 'excitement', when he heard his mom shouting,"are you the one, who's paying for the water bill? Because if not, you should come out, son."
He washed off the last bits of shampoo from his hair and put on a bathrobe. He shaved his face and patted some aftershave on his cheeks. Then he reached for one of his perfumes and sprayed it on.
Love spell? He read the name of the perfume. Why have I chosen this one, I'm an idiot.
He sighed, slapped his cheeks one last time a bit too hard, hoping his strange behavior will go away. He got dressed, dried his hair and brushed it neatly. He collected all his math notes, text books and a calculator and was ready to leave.
"Wait." His mom stopped him and shoved a large bowl into his already full arms," apple hotteok as a thank you for the apples."
"Why do I have to..."
"Remember to be polite and don't embarrass me, okay?"
"Yes, mom-nim." He rolled his eyes.
Juggling all the items in his arms, he rang their neighbors' door bell. A lady opened the door and smiled at him widely.
"Thank you so much for coming, Jungkook-ssi."
He bowed to her,"good evening."
"Please come in, Taehyung is already waiting for you."
Taehyung? So that's his name. Kim Taehyung...
"Uhh, my mom made some hotteok from the apples," he handed the bowl to her.
"Oh, how sweet of her, I must say I get along with your mom so well. I hope you and Taehyung also become friends. Anyway, his room is there, so just knock on the door. Again, thank you so much for helping him. He's been struggling a lot with math lately."
"N...no problem."
She turned around and walked away with the bowl. Jungkook took off his shoes and slowly approached the door. His hand was shaking so much as he was about to knock. He was once again reminded of that embarrassing moment at the bus stop. He knocked softly three times.
"Come in," he heard a surprisingly deep voice from behind the door.
Jungkook opened the door slightly, loosing the grip on the handle, because his palms were so sweaty.
"Good evening." Jungkook did a 90 degree bow, totally amazed by the handsomeness of the boy sitting in front of him.
"Good evening," Taehyung replied. His deep voice sending shivers down his spine.
Jungkook didn't move an inch, he had been clenching his books so tightly, that his knuckles became white. He also felt his cheeks burning.
"Please come in," Teahyung said and motioned towards a table.
Jungkook set down all his books on the table and when he turned around, Taehyung was standing behind him," gee, you scared me," Jungkook jumped.
"Am I that ugly?" Taehyung smirked.
"No, I didn't mean to say...I... My name is Jeon Jungkook." He repeated the 90 degree bow.
"Kim Taehyung," feel free to sit down.
His room wasn't that differen from Jungkook's, he sat down on a couch.
"So, you just moved in, right?"
"Yes."
"How do you like it so far?"
"It's okay."
Suddenly Taehyung started laughing and the sound was like a music to Jungkook's ears. Even though Taehyung was older than him, there was something boyish about him.
"So that must mean you hate it."
"A little bit," he laughed too. The atmosphere wasn't so stiff anymore. And Taehyung seemed a lot more normal and friendly, than he was expecting.
"I've seen you few times before," Taehyung started.
Oh God, here we go, the awkwardness begins.
"And if I have to be honest, I wanted to talk to you, but each time you looked so scared."
What? Scared? His cheeks were on fire now.
"Really? I'm sorry"
"So that makes me think that I really must be ugly."
Is he fishing for compliments? Man, just look in the mirror. You know that you are handsome, you know you have a charming smile, seductive eyes, deep sensual voice...Wh...what the fuck am I thinking?!
Jungkook stood up abruptly and walked over to a dresser. "Oh, what's this? It smells great." He suddenly became overly interested in a candle burning on top of the dresser.
"I like to burn scented candles. Especially, when it gets colder outside. This one is a mix of pumpkin spice and baked apples." He walked over to Jungkook standing a bit too close for his liking.
Jungkook got a whiff of another scent. The same musky, masculine fragrance he could smell in the elevator that evening. His heart almost jumped out of his chest and his whole body was on fire at this point.
"Shall...shall we look at the m...math maybe?" He stuttered.
"Okay, sure."
They were going over some basic stuff, Jungkook had no problem explaining everything to Taehyung, who seemed to be a quick learner. The time went by, they were solving together another difficult equation. But sitting so close to each other and leaning over the same piece of paper, was the most difficult thing for Jungkook. He was so drawn to Taehyung, it was driving him crazy. He kept peeking at him from time to time, completely transfixed by him.
"I think I need a break," he choked out.
Taehyung's mom knocked on the door and brought them some tea and also some of the hotteok Jungkook's mom has made. "So how is it going, boys?" She smiled. Jungkook snatched one hotteok from the plate right away and stuffed it into his mouth, not caring about the manners.
"Jungkook-ssi is very smart," Taehyung patted his shoulder.
He swallowed and stuffed another hotteok in his mouth. Don't touch me. I am suffering.
"It's already very late Taehyung, I think you should end it and continue maybe tomorrow."
"Okay, mom."
She smiled at Jungkook who was busy chomping down and left.
"For such a skinny boy, you eat a lot," Taehyung laughed.
Jungkook didn't say anything, he was just suffering. Taeyhung wasn't a weirdo, wasn't strange or creepy. He was charming in every way, making Jungkook very, very uncomfortable. He was uncomfortable around Jimin at first, but later on he was able to feel relaxed around him. But not around Taehyung, who was smiling at him right now. No sight of his predator look, Jungkook has been familiar with.
Why is he so perfect? There must be a dark side of him. It's impossible to be this perfect...
"Nice T-shirt, by the way," Taehyung pointed out.
"I...I got it from my girlfriend," he blurted out. Taehyung's smile disappeared in a second.
"Aww, how cute," he smiled again, but his eyes remained sad.
"Anyway, I gotta go," Jungkook gathered all of his things, downed his cup of tea, bowed and stumbled out of the room.
"Wait!" Taehyung looked at him with sorrow in his eyes. "What about tomorrow?"
I know you are hiding some dark secret, I just know it. Where do you go so late at night?