It had only been three days since Professor Kim took over literature class, and yet… Jungkook was already spiraling.
He wasn't doing anything wrong. He didn't talk to the professor. Barely even looked at him. But whenever he passed by Jungkook's desk, he felt it. That slight pause. That flicker of attention. Like a magnet humming in the air between them.
He hated it.
He loved it.
I need to stop thinking about him like that, Jungkook told himself for the hundredth time.
But when he stayed up late reading those cheesy romance novels under his blanket, it wasn't the story's male lead he imagined anymore — it was Professor Kim's voice, whispering the lines in that low, velvet tone.
It was Thursday when it happened.
"Jeon Jungkook," Taehyung said at the end of class, stopping Jungkook at the door.
Jungkook stiffened.
"I'd like a word. Office 4B. Right now."
The classroom was empty by the time Jungkook arrived, knocking gently on the door.
Taehyung didn't even look up from his desk. "Come in."
The office was dim, only lit by the soft amber of a desk lamp. Books stacked high, papers everywhere, a lingering scent of sandalwood and something darker. Intoxicating.
Jungkook stepped in cautiously, closing the door behind him.
"Is… is something wrong, sir?"
Taehyung finally looked up. "Not at all. I just wanted to check on you."
"Me?"
"You've been quiet. More than usual. And distracted."
Jungkook's heart jumped. "I—I'm fine."
Taehyung stood and walked around the desk slowly. "You're a good student. Top of the class, I heard. But something's changed." He stopped, just in front of Jungkook. "You look at me differently."
Jungkook's breath caught in his throat. "I—No, I don't."
"You do."
A beat of silence.
Jungkook stared at the floor, face burning.
"You're… imagining things," he whispered.
Taehyung tilted his head, voice dropping lower. "Am I?"
Jungkook bit his lip. He could feel the heat between them. Too close. Too much.
Then Taehyung stepped back.
"I won't report it," he said casually, returning to his desk.
Jungkook blinked. "Report what?"
"That little look you just gave me." Taehyung smirked. "You might not realize it yet, but you're a terrible liar."
Jungkook turned, ready to bolt — but paused at the door.
"I didn't mean to… It's not what you think."
Taehyung didn't look up. "Then prove it. Don't look at me like that again."
Jungkook's fingers clenched around the doorknob.
Too late.
He already knew he would.