#Tae's POV…
I waved at Jungkookie through the window of eye contact I made with him. Oh man, if you knew how that split second sent my stomach into a whirlwind, you'd be shocked. When I realised I was grining. I looked away, hoping he didn't think I was crazy.
❝Kim Taehyung! Come down here this instant,❞ I heard my father shout.
Sighing. I pulled my window shutters down and got up from my desk. ❝Coming!❞
As I clambered down the stairs, I could practically see Jungkookie's face in my head. The way his hair beautifully looked right above his shoulders, the way his eyes brightened when he smiled. It was beautiful. HE was beautiful.
❝Taehyung!❞ My father exclaimed. ❝EXPLAIN to me exactly what you were doing planting a tree in Jeon's yard! I thought that boy was fixing up the dump, and also recall you never having a fondness for him.❞
❝Joon!❞
❝Papa, it's fine,❞ I said with a shrug. ❝He's really not that bad. And, I, um, the tree...it was a peace offering, of sorts.❞
My Appa studied my face, eyebrows forming a ❛V❜. ❝And what exactly do you need to make a peace for?❞
❝I-um...❞
❝He tries to kiss Jeon Jungkook at the basketboy lunch thing,❞ Jennie said. ⁍What a snitch!⁌
❝Jennie! Appa, I can explain -❞
He rolled his eyes in a way that said he didn't care enough to listen. ❝You know we don't need to associate with that kind of people. What will everyone think when they find out both of my children are friends with that family?❞
❝NAMJOON!❞ My papa screamed. ❝Jeon's are nice people, and I happen to be friends with Jimin! If Tae has a crush, so be it! Don't you remember being a child?❞
I gave my Papa a small, grateful smile. ❝Yeah, Appa. I don't really care if you don't like him because I do, and nothing can change that.❞
He inhaled a sharp breath, but I meant what I said. My Papa nodded at me and I walked off to my room. Gee, if you saw the look on Jennie's face, you could practically feel the envy. I mean, getting away with being rebellious? With Appa? That's something I've never seen her accomplish.
As I sat down on my bed, I felt a wave of contentment and excitement wash over me. Maybe Jungkookie did like me and just didn't want to kiss in front of a coward. Yeah, that was probably it, he's shy sometimes. And kissing someone, even if it was me, would probably be super embarrassing.
Falling away into the depths of slumber, I dreamt of what would happen tomorrow.
I saw Jungkookie, smiling and glowing with the radiance and iridescence that he always emits. We were together, not together - together, but just existing with each other. That's cringe. But best of all, we were happy. That was the way I always felt around Jungkookie nowadays.
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🌳🐓🌳
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When I pulled myself out of bed the next morning, I couldn't help but think about what I was going to do later today. I'd ask Jungkookie out, maybe. Or maybe not, it's probably too soon; the wound is too fresh.
❝Taehyung!❞ Jennie called as she burst into my room.
❝I told you to knock...❞
❝I don't care. So what's this I hear about Jeon Jungkook?❞ She smirked and appeared as though she would soon explode with excitement.
❝Jungkookie? Uh, I planted a sycamore tree in his front yard yesterday,❞ I replied, playing dumb.
She pooted, but it was fake, it was acting. ❝Jungkookie...eee. You know what that means! Is he your boyfriend? Have you kissed?❞
I shot her a nasty glare. ❝No. We're friends.❞
❝Mhm. For now,❞ she replied teasingly.
❝Whatever. I'm sure the exact same thing applies to you and Kai.❞
She gasped and stormed out without another word. I think that if it hadn't been for that, I would've had the courage to confess my feelings for Jungkookie... again. Privately, or something. But the lingering thought that we were now an ❛item❜ made me afraid to say anything romantic to him. He was probably sitting in his room thinking about how I humiliated him and he's never going to like-like me again
❝Ugh,❞ I muttered to myself as I pulled on my dirty old sneakers. I asked for new ones, but according to my Appa, we don't have it in the budget. More like he's out gambling too much, honestly. He's a coward, just like I was. Jungkookie was right, to no surprise. He's smart. And beautiful. And... Out of my league? Funny how I wouldn't have ever thought that just last month. But now, so much has changed. Aboeji's right, I've 𝑭𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅.
Wandering out of the house, I wondered if today would be any different. I decided that it didn't matter. As long as I could smooth things over with Jungkookie, everything would be fine.