Chapter Text
Jeon Jungkook stood in front of the main entrance to his old high school, drinking banana milk through a straw, and he kept wondering how he had ended up in this situation in the first place.
First of all, he felt uneasy. Same as three years ago when he stood in the exact same place, waiting for a new school year to start. At that time, everything was almost brand new: people, teachers, the atmosphere, all of it. He didn’t know what to expect as a freshman, and the feeling was identical now when he was already a senior. So many things could have changed in the past three years. Returning was not easy, but Jungkook hoped that hardly anyone could remember his month-long episode at this school. So somehow, he tried not to care too much.
He reached out deeper into the pocket of his tight black jeans just to make sure the keys to his motorcycle were still there. Knowing how sloppy he really was, the idea of losing or leaving them somewhere unattended was not such an irrational fear of his. A rather plausible scenario, actually.
When the sigh of relief escaped his mouth, he finally focused on the small bottle of banana milk he was clutching in his hand. There was not a single day he would start without a similar drink. This one, however, had already warmed up a little bit—today’s morning was extremely hot. But Jungkook didn’t mind. He loved banana milk in every form possible.
However, what made him look away from his beloved milk was an enormous welcoming poster. Bright blue letter almost screamed at him, and he couldn’t stop thinking of why he was even here. What am I doing?
He was used to moving a lot, living with suitcases, and not being attached to people. For as long as he could remember, he had changed his place of residence every time his mother changed her partner. He had many stepfathers, some better, some worse. But he could never in any way compare them to the role of a father. Simply because he had never known his real one.
He had lived here—in Austin—the longest, five beautiful years since he turned ten. It was the place he felt best. He had many good memories: graduating from elementary school with flying colors, making valuable friendships, and kissing for the first time. He spent the best days of his childhood here. And he was going to spend some more, but as soon as he started high school, his mother took him to Atlanta, to a new partner. And that’s when everything in his life began to fall apart. So much so that now he returned to Austin alone.
JK wanted to finish high school. Despite everything that had happened in his life, he didn’t want to be a regular loser who hadn’t even finished his education. He knew he couldn’t last a day longer in Atlanta, so he decided to go back to the only place he felt at home. Even though he still had some doubts while looking at the ugly building of his old school, he knew it was the right decision. He didn’t even want to think about what might have happened if he had chosen otherwise.
Just one more year, he thought. One more year of this bullshit and you’ll be free.
Jungkook finally snapped out of his thoughts when two girls passed by, heading towards the entrance. They both watched him closely, and neither was overly discreet about that. Jungkook smiled at them, which only provoked their shy smiles and noticeable blushes on their cheeks. This peculiar behavior reminded him of a couple of nights in Atlanta, during which he had no special regrets about living there. And if he could get hold of similar memories here in his beloved place, everything would be even better. And if these two students, really pretty students, were only a foreshadowing of what he might discover at school, then he couldn’t complain.
Well, maybe this year won’t be that bad. He smirked, trying to tame his raging thoughts.
Jungkook liked girls. They had soft, kissable lips and always smelled like freshly picked flowers. An unusual warmth emanated from them, and their arms somehow always soothed his distracting thoughts. And their bodies. Girls had spectacular bodies.
But Jungkook also liked boys. Their lips were rougher, and he liked exploring every single spot on them. They were more feisty, more fierce, and he was not the type to shy away from the real challenge. Boys never gave up; they didn’t want to give in so easily, and neither did he. Kissing guys was a struggle for dominance, and Jungkook hated losing.
He couldn’t decide whose he preferred more: boys’ or girls’ lips. Each had its unique taste and feel, making it even harder to decide. That’s why he kept exploring. To find the final answer. But somewhere deep inside, Jungkook also hoped to find lips that would make him stop looking for more challenges. Though he didn’t believe they existed at all.
“Gukkie!”
Jungkook heard a name he hadn’t been called for a long time. It only meant he was about to see one of his childhood best friends. The one he hadn’t seen for so long. He smiled, turning around to a blond-haired boy approaching him with a big smile glued to his lips.
“Jimin-ah. Long time no see, huh?”
Jungkook held out his hand in front of him to greet his friend, but Jimin completely ignored it. He immediately threw himself at the raven-haired boy and squeezed him as hard as he could. Jungkook was surprised by a similar gesture, so it took a moment for him to complete the hug with his free hand. He missed Jimin, too. He began to regret that he had texted him so little in the last three years. After all, they were almost inseparable before he left. And now? It was as if they didn’t know each other at all.
The hug was much longer than Jungkook expected, and it started to be uncomfortable as well. In particular, when in the corner of his eye he saw other students watching the peculiar couple. That’s why Jungkook pulled away and almost immediately felt an unpleasant twinge in his right forearm. Only after a moment did he realize that it was Jimin who had hit him ruthlessly.
“Oh, man. We haven’t seen each other for almost three years, and all you want to give me is a dry handshake? Pathetic,” Jimin snorted, but immediately smiled at his friend.
Jungkook also smiled. Perhaps under the circumstances, the hug was a more suitable greeting. After three years, though, that was what Jimin deserved.
“Sorry, you know I’ve never been a huggable person.” Jungkook tried to justify his awkward behavior.
“Yeah, right.” Jimin rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. He knew his friend was lying. After all, everyone liked to be hugged from time to time.
Jungkook could tell the boy wanted to add a few sharp words, but fortunately, he let go. Instead, he attacked him with quite an intense stare. No wonder that he had to take a longer look. He probably remembered him differently. Now, JK looked older and more put together, although his best friend shouldn’t have a problem seeing the real him under that new appearance.
And that was when Jungkook became oddly aware of himself under Jimin’s gaze. The oversized black T-shirt suddenly felt too thin and too revealing despite its size. He shifted slightly, resisting the urge to cross his arms on his chest, not to show too much of his build. However, it showed anyway, whether he liked it or not, since he had spent years in gyms and on courts.
Jimin’s eyes lingered, and Jungkook wondered what he was noticing. The tattoos on his right arm, probably. They hadn’t been there the last time they had seen each other, but he had wanted them for as long as he could remember. Same with the piercings—the ones in his ears and that one ring at the corner of his lips. He tried not to think too much about what Jimin might think of them now. And knowing Jimin, these were surely unholy thoughts.
So this is it, huh? Jungkook thought. We’re really not kids anymore.
“Oh gosh. Look at you. You’ve changed,” Jimin couldn’t help but comment.
“Don’t we all do?” Jungkook shrugged.
“Nah, Gukkie. Not like that.” Jimin shook his head thoughtfully. Then suddenly, as if he remembered something, he added, “Should I still call you that? Gukkie, I mean. You know, you’re no longer a cute little brat I remember so well.”
Jungkook smiled at the ridiculous concern of his friend. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was really glad to hear this nickname. He hadn’t heard it for such a long time and didn’t even know how badly he needed to hear it just now. However, JK did not want to look soft, or worse, emotional. He had to be tough, so he shrugged and added almost emotionless.
“You can call me however you like. You know I don’t care about such things.”
“True. So it’s still Gukkie then.”
Jimin gave him a broad smile. He was proud of himself for being able to use that term again. Even if Jungkook was no longer his Gukkie—a sweet, slightly rebellious child—but an almost grown man. Jimin resented JK for not speaking to him for three years, only to suddenly text him a few days ago. He wanted to scold him so badly, preferably right at the first meeting. But when he saw how much his old friend had changed, he knew that something unexpected must have happened in his life. Jimin could see it in the boys’ black eyes, which didn’t have the same twinkle as they used to.
“That looks amazing.” Jimin pointed to Jungkook’s right arm. “Still remember how you fabricated your mother’s signature just to get the first one on your arm. And how you tried to hide it so badly underneath your T-shirt. And how you got scolded when she eventually found out.”
“Scolded?” Jungkook raised his voice. That was an understatement of the century. “I couldn’t sit on my ass for at least one week.”
Jimin smiled at his friend’s reaction. They remembered that day quite differently. Nevertheless, it was good to recall those days when Jungkook was hiding in his house from his mother’s endless anger. Jimin would soothe him with banana milk and freshly cut red apples. They played video games for a while and then fell asleep on the couch. Those were the good times.
“So what has changed?” Jimin asked. It was supposed to be a tattoo question, but Jungkook knew it was more to that than this.
“My new stepdad was more open. He let me do whatever I liked, so I wouldn’t mind him dating my mom. At least at the beginning.”
The truth was, the more Jungkook was away from home in Atlanta, the more his stepfather enjoyed it. He did not wander around the apartment, did not disturb them in their daily activities, or in his work. He didn’t like Jungkook, likewise. It was a fight for the person they both loved most in the world—his mom. A fight that Jungkook unfortunately lost. Maybe that’s why, when he turned eighteen, he left this artificial, ideal family and returned here. Maybe that’s why it was easier to live alone.
“Oh,” Jimin let out a quiet sigh. He was aware of Jungkook’s family affairs but didn’t want to get that deep, especially not during his first day back at home. And not without Jungkook’s permission, of course. That’s why he let it go.
“But now I’m back,” Jungkook said more happily, shooting Jimin a wide smile. “And you haven’t changed at all, Jimin-ah.”
“Excuse me?!” Jimin couldn’t believe the words he had just heard. “Are you blind or what?!”
Overreacting had always been Jimin’s thing, which is why his overly specific reaction didn’t surprise Jungkook. Besides, he wanted to tease his friends a little, because in terms of looks, he had changed a lot since the last time they saw each other three years ago. Maybe as much as Jungkook himself. First of all, he was blond, and Jungkook did not expect this hair color would suit him so well. Jimin definitely tensed, although he still looked extremely cute. It was a weird mashup, and JK believed Jimin was the only person in the world who could pull it off so perfectly. He remembered how girls always looked at his friend in middle high school, and if he was considered handsome back then, how was he going to describe him now? Jimin must have been extremely popular at school; he had to be with this look. If it weren’t for the fact that he was one of his best buddies, Jungkook would have considered asking him out.
“I’m Park Jimin for fuck’s sake. One of the hottest, if not the hottest, boys in school. Swaying girls and boys left and right, non-stop, all days and nights. If this is not enough for you,” he pointed to his picture-perfect face, “then you should have seen my abs.”
You should have seen mine, Jungkook thought, but kept this remark to himself. He didn’t want to turn this conversation into a dick-measuring contest. Though he was sure Jimin would actually like the idea.
“You know, I shouldn’t be talking to you in the first place,” Jimin continued sarcastically. “Since I’m the mister popular here and you’re a mere newbie, practically no one. Do you have the slightest idea how badly I am jeopardizing my social status for you right now?”
Jungkook knew that Jimin was only acting up, although he was convinced that the title of Mister Popular belonged to the blond. He had all the features of someone liked in the whole school. He was handsome, charismatic, and always had such a magnetic aura. People just wanted to spend time with him.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Jungkook nodded. “You haven’t changed at all. Park Jimin, you are, were, and always will be a sassy little bitch.”
Jimin grinned at his friend’s words. Only then did he understand what he meant when he said he hadn’t changed.
“And I wouldn’t like to be anybody else,” Jimin responded with confidence. He liked the title given to him. Well, maybe except for the word little. He had always been touchy about it.
As soon as Jungkook met Jimin, not a day passed without hearing some sarcastic, lewd, or really bad joke from him. The boy never shied away from saying what he thought directly, even if it was not very tactful at times. Jungkook liked this approach to life, although he was rather careful about making similar comments. Well, he got Jimin for that. And when such remarks might have been considered rude or even creepy coming from others, they have never been from Jimin. He just had such a gift, and that was why JK liked him so much. In a way, he was an extrovert to his introversion. If something was happening at school, Jimin was the first to gossip, and when you could see that the two students were getting along, he went straight to matchmaking. He just had to be at the center of attention. That was all him.
“Actually, since the beginning of this conversation, I’ve been holding back at least three either bad or over-sexualized jokes about that lip piercing of yours,” said Jimin, grinning like crazy. “You should be grateful that I have some self-control.”
That was precisely what Jungkook had on his mind just a second ago. Jimin hadn’t changed at all, and for that, Jungkook was thankful. He needed some positivity in his life right now.
“And as much as it hurts me to say that, I wasn’t joking earlier. My school status is very much endangered,” Jimin said with a concerned look on his face, and only when Jungkook raised his eyebrow, curious about the mysterious remark, did he continue, “You’re back now, looking like this, and I will have to share the spotlight.”
Jungkook was aware of how others perceived him. He knew he was attractive, and he wasn’t going to hide it. Maybe he didn’t flaunt it the way Jimin did, but he knew just as well how to use it. However, being popular had never been his main goal. He didn’t want to stand out too much, even though that was what had happened involuntarily. He had a unique appearance and, whether he wanted it or not, he knew that he would end up on the lips of the entire school.
“Hey, you know it has never been my intention,” he felt a strong need to apologize to Jimin, though he didn’t know why. “And not my fault.”
“Yeah, right.” Jimin waved his hand dismissively. “It’s not your fault that you showed up here looking like a bad boy from every horny Wattpad writer’s wet dream.”
Jungkook opened his mouth to protest, but was too amazed by Jimin’s comment to do so. He finally gave up on the original plan and simply commented, “It’s an overly specific comparison.”
“But I’m right, though.” Jimin shrugged. “You look exactly like that. Also, the fact that he came here on your motorbike? Come on. What else is needed?”
To confirm his words, three blonde girls passed them by, casting some shy looks toward the raven-haired boy. They were giggling and blushing while pointing fingers at Jungkook. Jimin noticed it immediately because that was the way other students reacted toward him. Or at least used to react.
“Oh, man. It’s the second time it has happened to me,” said Jimin, pretty much frustrated with the whole situation. JK knew he probably didn’t mind sharing the spotlight, especially not with him, but the boy couldn’t help it. He had always needed to be at the center of attention, and he looked like he already missed this feeling of being completely adored.
“Second time?” Jungkook was curious.
“With God’s blessing, let it be the last time. My ego won’t survive another.”
“Yeah, yeah. But why the second time?” Jungkook pushed once more. He wanted to know.
“Come on. I’ll tell you everything you have to know about this school during lunch, okay?” Jimin proposed instead.
Jungkook had no choice but to agree. He discreetly checked the time on the phone. Five minutes remained, and he didn’t even know where the class he needed to find was. Therefore, he nodded, agreeing to his friend’s suggestion.
“Try not to get in trouble before then,” Jimin warned him.
“Why would I do that?”
“I know you, Gukkie. If sass is my second name, yours is trouble,” he said with a little grin on his face. Some things never changed.
And just like that, they both headed toward the entrance. Jungkook already had that strange feeling in his chest that whatever was waiting for him inside was one of the most important decisions in his life. However, he didn’t know yet whether it was a good or bad one.