chapter 2

His chest felt tight, like someone had pressed pause on him. Before he could think, his body moved on its own, he ducked behind the metal gate of his house, gripping the bars with both hands and peeking through the narrow space.

He knew he shouldn't stare.

He knew it was rude.

But he couldn't stop.

The boy laughed suddenly, the sound light and warm, and Jungkook's heart skipped. It wasn't loud laughter, just soft and genuine, like it came easily to him.

An elderly woman sat on a folding chair near the door, fanning herself slowly. She watched the boy with a fond smile, eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Taehyung-ah," she said, her voice gentle. "Be careful with that one."

"I am, grandma," the boy replied easily. "I'm strong, remember?"

He grinned, and Jungkook felt something strange twist in his stomach.

Taehyung.

The name settled quietly in his mind.

Jungkook shifted his weight, the gate making a small noise as it creaked under his grip.

The boy, Taehyung paused.

He looked up.

Straight at Jungkook.

Their eyes met.

Jungkook's heart slammed so hard it hurt.

For one terrifying second, Jungkook thought he'd done something wrong. That Taehyung would frown, or look confused, or ask why he was staring like that.

Instead, Taehyung smiled.

It was bright. Open. Warm.

Like he was happy to see him.

He lifted one hand and waved casually, as if greeting neighbors was the most natural thing in the world.

"Hi!" he called.

Jungkook panicked.

His face burned instantly, heat rushing up his neck and into his ears. A small sound escaped his throat, something embarrassingly close to a squeak, and before his brain could catch up, he turned and ran.

The gate rattled as he pushed it open, his shoes slipping slightly on the pavement as he fumbled with the door. He slammed it shut behind him and leaned against it, chest heaving.

Oh no.

Oh no no no.

His heart was beating too fast. Way too fast.

He pressed his hands to his cheeks. They felt hot. Way too hot.

Why did he wave?

Why did he smile like that?

Why did Jungkook feel like he'd just done something terrible even though nothing bad had happened?

He slid down the door until he was sitting on the floor, knees pulled to his chest, backpack forgotten beside him. He stared at the opposite wall, breathing slowly, trying to calm himself.

"Stupid," he whispered.

He stayed there for a long time.

When he finally stood up and went to his room, the house felt quiet, too quiet. His parents weren't home yet. They rarely were at this hour.

Jungkook changed out of his uniform slowly, folding it neatly like he always did. He tried to think about homework. About dinner. About anything else.

But his mind kept going back.

The smile.

The wave.

The way Taehyung had said hi like he'd been waiting for someone to answer.

As the sky outside softened into shades of orange and pink, Jungkook found himself standing near his window without remembering how he got there.

He hesitated.

Then, very carefully, he pulled the curtain aside just a little.

Taehyung was still outside.

Jungkook watched quietly.

Taehyung sat on the front steps now, next to his grandmother. He listened while she spoke, nodding along, his expression attentive and gentle.

At one point, she laughed, and Taehyung laughed with her, leaning slightly closer. He rested his head against her shoulder for just a second, eyes closing like he was tired but content.

Something warm bloomed in Jungkook's chest.

He didn't know why.

He just knew he liked watching.

The next morning, Jungkook woke up earlier than usual.

He lay in bed staring at the ceiling, heart fluttering with nervous energy he couldn't explain. He dressed quietly, ate breakfast alone, and tied his shoes more carefully than necessary.

When he stepped outside, his eyes moved on their own.

The house next door.

The gate opened.

"Good morning!"

Jungkook jumped so hard he nearly dropped his bag.

Taehyung stood there, school bag slung over one shoulder, hair still slightly damp like he'd just washed it. He smiled, soft this time, not as bright as yesterday, but just as warm.

"You're going to school too, right?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook nodded quickly, clutching his bag with both hands.

"I'm Kim Taehyung, and I'm your senior" he said. "We moved in yesterday. That's my grandma." He gestured behind him.

Jungkook swallowed. "I'm... Jeon Jungkook."

Taehyung's eyes lit up. "Jungkook," he repeated, like he liked how it sounded. "Nice to meet you."

They started walking together.

Taehyung talked a lot.

About the move. About how his grandma complained the house was too big for just the two of them. About how confusing it was to be new in a school again.

Jungkook listened quietly, nodding sometimes, answering in short words when Taehyung asked him something.

"You're really quiet," Taehyung said after a while, glancing at him.

Jungkook tensed.

But Taehyung smiled. "It's cute."

Jungkook's ears burned.

At the school gates, Taehyung slowed. "We will meet again after school, okay?"

Jungkook nodded again.

That afternoon, Taehyung found him sitting alone and handed him a juice box.

"My grandma said I should share," he said.

Jungkook took it carefully. "Thank you."

Taehyung smiled.

That evening, Jungkook stood by his window again.