chapter 3

Jungkook didn't sleep properly that night.

He tossed and turned beneath his blanket, the fabric twisted around his legs, his pillow hugged tightly to his chest. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the same thing, Taehyung's smile, the way he waved, the sound of his voice saying hi like it meant something.

It was stupid.

He knew it was.

Taehyung was just a neighbor. Just someone older. Just someone nice.

So why did Jungkook's heart feel too big for his chest?

When morning finally came, Jungkook lay very still, staring at the ceiling. The faint sound of traffic outside told him it was time to get up.

He sighed quietly and pushed himself out of bed, moving through his routine on autopilot, brushing his teeth, washing his face, putting on his uniform.

He paused while buttoning his shirt.

What if Taehyung was outside again?

His stomach flipped.

Jungkook considered waiting. Just five more minutes. Maybe ten. Maybe Taehyung would leave first, and Jungkook could walk alone like usual.

But something tugged at him, soft, insistent.

So he grabbed his bag and stepped outside.

The gate next door opened almost immediately.

"Jungkook!"

Jungkook froze mid-step.

Taehyung stood there, backpack slung over both shoulders this time, hair slightly messy like he'd rushed. He smiled when he saw Jungkook, eyes crinkling at the corners.

"You're early," Taehyung said.

Jungkook nodded, fingers curling around his bag strap.

Taehyung continued easily. "Yesterday you ran off so fast, I didn't even get to say bye."

Jungkook's face heated instantly. "S- sorry."

Taehyung blinked. "Why are you apologizing again?"

Jungkook didn't answer. He just stared at the ground.

Taehyung watched him for a moment, then smiled softly. "Hey. You don't have to say sorry for being shy."

Jungkook's shoulders relaxed just a little.

They started walking.

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, at least, Taehyung didn't make it feel that way. He hummed quietly as they walked, occasionally kicking small stones along the road.

"So," Taehyung said after a moment, "what grade are you in?"

"First year... middle school," Jungkook replied quietly.

Taehyung's eyebrows lifted. "Oh! That makes sense. I'm a senior."

Jungkook nodded.

"That's cool," Taehyung added. "Same school, different buildings though."

Jungkook's eyes flickered up for a second. Same school.

"Do you like school?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook hesitated. "It's okay."

Taehyung chuckled. "That sounds like a no."

Jungkook didn't deny it.

They reached the school gates, and Jungkook slowed, suddenly unsure. This was usually where he went quiet. Where he slipped away unnoticed.

But Taehyung stopped too.

"I'll walk you to your building," he said.

"You don't have to," Jungkook said quickly.

"I want to," Taehyung replied, like it was that simple.

So Jungkook let him.

As they walked across the campus, a few students glanced at Taehyung, some waved, some called his name. Taehyung responded to all of them easily, smiling, joking, ruffling someone's hair as they passed.

Jungkook stayed close without realizing it, his steps matching Taehyung's.

When they reached Jungkook's building, Taehyung crouched slightly to meet his eye level.

"Have a good day, okay?" he said gently. "I'll wait for you after school. Same spot as yesterday."

Jungkook nodded.

Taehyung grinned. "You do that nod thing a lot."

"Sorry."

Taehyung laughed softly. "There it is again."

Before Jungkook could retreat, Taehyung reached out and lightly poked his cheek.

It was gentle. Brief.

But Jungkook's brain completely shut down.

"Cute," Taehyung said, almost to himself. "You have chubby cheeks."

Jungkook's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

Then he turned and bolted into the building.

Taehyung stared after him for a second before laughing under his breath. "Okay," he murmured. "Definitely cute."

Jungkook spent the entire day replaying that moment.

The poke.

The word cute.

His cheeks felt warm even hours later.

At lunch, he sat alone like usual, unwrapping his food slowly. The noise around him faded as his thoughts drifted back to Taehyung. He wondered what Taehyung was doing now. If he was eating with friends. If he was laughing.

Did Taehyung think about him at all?

Jungkook shook his head quickly. No. Of course not.

After school, Jungkook packed his bag carefully, heart beating faster with every step toward the gate.

Taehyung was already there.

He leaned against the fence, talking animatedly to a boy with light hair and an even louder laugh.

"And then he just ran," Taehyung was saying. "Straight into the building."

The boy laughed. "You scared him."

"I didn't mean to"

Jungkook slowed, unsure.

Taehyung noticed him instantly. "Jungkook"

The other boy turned and stared openly.

"This is him," Taehyung said proudly. "The neighbor I told you about."

Jungkook shrank slightly.

"I'm Jimin," the boy said, stepping closer. "You're adorable."

Jungkook nearly combusted.

Taehyung groaned. "Jimin, don't."

Jimin grinned. "What? It's true."

Jungkook hid behind his bag.

Taehyung gently guided him away. "Ignore him."

They walked home together.

"So," Taehyung said casually, "do you like snacks?"

Jungkook nodded.

"My grandma made tteokbokki," Taehyung continued. "She'll be offended if you don't come."

Jungkook hesitated. "Okay."

Taehyung beamed.

At Taehyung's house, Jungkook sat stiffly at the table while Taehyung's grandmother fussed over him.

"You're so thin," she said. "Eat more."

Jungkook obeyed.

Taehyung watched with amusement. "He listens better than I do."

"That's because he's a good boy," his grandma said warmly.

Jungkook felt something soft settle in his chest.

Later, they sat on the floor of Taehyung's room, homework spread between them.

"You can ask if you don't understand," Taehyung said gently.

Jungkook nodded.

Taehyung leaned closer, explaining slowly, patiently. Jungkook listened, really listened. Every word. Every tone.

When Taehyung laughed, Jungkook smiled.

When Taehyung spoke, Jungkook leaned in.

By the time Jungkook went home that evening, his heart felt full in a way it never had before.

That night, he stood by his window again.

Taehyung waved from next door.

This time,

Jungkook waved back.

And Taehyung's smile grew brighter than ever.

.

.

End of the chapter.....

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