Bittersweet

1.
Jimin always noticed. Noticed how the other would touch his jaw line whenever in deep
thought, noticed how he would touch the back of his neck when nervous, how he would
stare at one spot when trying to decide on something, how his long, slender fingers would
always tap a beat onto the hardwood table. Jimin noticed every little detail.
The loud ringing of the bell snapped Jimin out of his trance. Class was already over? To Jimin
it seemed like it started only seconds ago. He never looked at his books in class, no, instead
he looked at the pale strawberry skinned boy sitting parallel to him. Through repeated role
calls he had learned that the boys name was Min Yoongi. He liked the sound of it. Min Yoongi
mostly had his hair in a fringe, slightly covering his eyes that seemed as still and calm as the
sky after heavy rainfall. He liked that. Sometimes Min Yoongi would brush his hair back under
his snapback, his forehead showing clearly. Jimin liked that as well. He laughed to himself
thinking he was yet to find a feature of Min Yoongi that he didnt like.
Jimin! a voice Jimin knew my heart called.
Hoseok stood at the door way of his classroom, hands on his either side of his hips, tapping
his foot impatiently. Jimin had known Hoseok all his life, their mothers are friends and gladly
they were able to carry on that friendship through each other.
Ok lets go. Jimin said as he got out of his seat and walked towards Hoseok but there was
no response from the latter.
Hoseok had his eyes fixed on something in the classroom and before Jimin could turn around
to see what it was, Hoseok grabbed onto his arm and pulled him towards the cafeteria.
Hurry before all the good seats are taken! he exclaimed.
Hoseok was always like this, bubbly, excited, Jimins daily dose of positive energy. To Jimin,
he meant more than just a friend, he was his brother, companion and family.
Jimin was just about to take a bite of his food when an unwelcome mouth snatched it from
between his chopsticks instead. He looked up to see Kim Taehyung, flashing him his
rectangular smile.
Ah! Taehyung why dont you bring your own food. It was more of an order than an
question,
Because Ive got you guys, why should I bother? He said slinging an arm around
Jungkooks shoulder.
Jimin reluctantly let Taehyung dig into his lunch as his eyes examined the cafeteria to find
the pale skinned boy he wished to see. It didnt take him long to find Yoongi, seated with his
usual group of friends; a tall white haired boy named Namjoon and another with faded green
hair called Seokjin. He had learned their names from Hoseoks class picture in the school
year book.
Hyung. He called Hoseok.
Hmm? the latter replied while stuffing his mouth with food.
That hyung, Namjoon, he said slightly pointing towards their direction with his chopsticks,
hes in your class right?
Hoseok nodded in response.
Then why does he always hang around with the seniors?
Hoseok swallowed his food and looked up to Jimin in a matter of fact manner, thats a

stupid question. The same reason I hang out with you guys, he must enjoy their company
more.
But Hyung not everyone has the personality of a 12 year old! Jung kook chimed in
teasingly.
Yah! Jeon Jung kook, you need to learn to respect your seniors! Hoseok retorted, jokingly
hitting Jungkooks head.
Laughing at their usual foolishness Jimin averted his gaze back to Yoongi, who was stuffing
meat between his pink, slightly plump lips. He looks amazing no matter what he does, Jimin
thought to himself. He looked on as the boy intently listened to Seokjins story, smiling in the
most adorable way at the jokes his friend was making. What Jimin would give to have Yoongi
smile at him that way.

2.
The schools boxing team meeting ended at around 4:30 pm. Jimin was exhausted, they
always dragged on these meetings more than necessary with useless concerns. He slung his
bag over his shoulder and made his way down the hallway, he just wanted to go home,
freshen up, eat, do his homework and go to bed as soon as possible. He couldnt wait for
tomorrow, they would have a double history class. Double history classes themselves were
excruciatingly slow and boring but the fact that it was the class he shared with his senior Min
Yoongi made him giddy with joy. However his plans would be pushed back due to his Math
teacher calling his name out, Park Jimin!
Jimin stopped in his tracks and took a few steps backwards to the door way of the teachers
room. He bowed his head slightly in greeting. Carry these to the classroom 3-A for me. Do
you old teacher a favor, huh? the old man said pushing the stack of papers towards Jimin
with a smile.
Jimin let a sigh slip out unnoticed, but obliged and proceeded to carry the papers to class 3A.
Jimin stood in front of the classroom door, contemplating if he should put down heavy stack
of papers to open the door or seek for assistance, when a hand extended from behind him
and pushed the door open.
Jimin turned around to thank the stranger, but the face that greeted him made his throat go
dry leaving him staring blankly at Min Yoongis face. He could see every feature of the boy,
the crinkles under his eyes, the way they slanted in at the inner corners, beautiful long
eyelashes and his pink lips that Jimin desperately wanted on his own. He could feel his
hands getting sweaty under the stack of papers, his fingers slipping slightly.
No thank you then?
The sudden question surprised Jimin, as he pulled the stack of papers closer to his body as
to not drop them.
Tha-thank you. Jimin said with a quick nod.
Jimins stomach dropped, Min Yoongi smiled at him.
Ill help you, he said as he took half of the papers from Jimins hand youre, uh, Park?
The shock of Yoongi even knowing half of his name left Jimin speechless for a minute before
he choked out Park Jimin.
Yeah, park Jimin, sorry I have horrible memory. We have history together. He said putting
down the stack of papers there you go. Youre welcome.

With that Min Yoongi waved and walked out of the room leaving Jimin in silence except for
the sound of his pulse painfully pounding against his ears.

3
Why are your eyes so swollen? Taehyung asked examining Jimins face closely the next
day.
Jimin groaned massing his eyes with his hand; he was hoping no one would notice, I
couldnt sleep.
Of course he couldnt sleep, not after the incident with Yoongi; if he thought he couldnt like
the boy anymore than he already did he was gravely mistaken. Jimin kept tossing and
turning in his bed all night, thinking about every feature of Min Yoongis face and how slow
and laid back his voice has sounded. How the corners of his eyes crinkled up when he gave
Jimin the slightest smile. Min Yoongi had complete control over Jimins emotions and he had
no idea; the fact irritated Jimin more than hed like to admit.
You have double history next right? Taehyung asked interrupting Jimins train of thoughts.
Jimin let out a sigh and nodded in response.
Meet up with us at the cafeteria once youre done, ok? Or go to the chemistry lab and get
some sleep, you look exhausted Jimin looked up at Taehyung, ready to thank him for his
concern and not very cute, Taehyung added. Jimin nudged him hard in the sides instead.

Jimin didnt look up from his hands locked together on his desk, which suddenly became the
most interesting thing in the room. Anything is better than facing Yoongi when he walks in,
he thought to himself when he felt someone take the co-joined seat beside his.
Park Jimin. The voice even though Jimin had heard it on rare occasions was already
embedded into the depth of his mind; he was embarrassed to look up. He knew his cheeks
were going red, he could feel the heat under his skin.
I dont hear any protests, so I guess this seat is empty. Yoongi spoke again.
Manners Park Jimin, Jimin thought to himself as he looked up, he regretted the decision the
very next second.
Yoongis eyes were focused on him, still calm like the aftermath of a storm but concentrated
and confident. His lips were set in a slight smirk as he stared holes into Jimin.
Yeah sure, I dont really have an assigned desk partner. Jimin said as calmly as he could.
Good the latter replied finally taking his eyes off of Jimin, he tucked his hands into the
pockets of his hoodie and relaxed against the chair.
Jimin discovered Min Yoongi didnt talk much; he wasnt the type for small talk and Jimin was
too overwhelmed by the mixture of sweet and musky scent that the former gave off to open
his mouth. He felt like his ribs would break open because of how hard his heart was
thumping against it, his palms sweaty and throat dry. They sat in silence through the first
part of the class, but for some reason it didnt feel awkward or forced. It felt natural, just
sitting there with Yoongi, aside from the beating in Jimins chest. Although he loved having
Yoongi so close, inches away from his own body, he missed being able to stare and observe
the boy, completely unnoticed. He would still steal glances of Yoongi, who stared blankly at
the board lost in his own train of thoughts. Jimin wondered what was on the boys mind.

Why did you take history? the sentence escaped Jimins mouth before he could stop
himself.
Yoongi looked at Jimin through the corner of his eyes and shrugged his shoulders, Easy
credit and I needed an extra subject.
Silence again.
Park Jimin, the way Yoongi said it sent chills down Jimins spine, slowly, stretching out each
syllable, why did you take history?
Easy credit, and I needed an extra subject, Jimin replied making the elder smile. Bad
decision.
So young and so cheeky, Yoongi commented. What are you plans for lunch? he added
suddenly, turning away to face the window.
Jimins mouth dropped open, he had to control himself from gasping, Min Yoongi was asking
for his schedule?
Jimin waited for an explanation but Yoongi continued to stare out the window, content with
his question.
Nothing really. He replied, apologizing to his friends in his head.
Yoongi scratched his head and turned to face Jimin again, same endearing confidence in his
eyes, Good because theres something Id like to show you.