"joon, come on! raise your hand," jimin whispered to him, sitting in the seat beside him.

their creative writing teacher, professor kim, had asked the class a question and nobody seemed to know the answer. namjoon, on the other hand, had the answer perfectly written down in his notebook and it was beyond annoying jimin that he wasn't using his brilliance to impress the class.

"i-i can't," namjoon whispered back.

and almost like it was on cue, he heard the teacher say his name in his loud and booming voice.

"kim namjoon," the teacher started, smiling up at him in the stands, "you wouldn't happen to have an answer for me, would you?"

namjoon was shaking really badly. he tried to speak, but he couldn't form any coherent sentences.

by now, the whole class was staring at him, and all he could do was just sit there, like a deer caught in the headlights.

"just breathe and read what you wrote in your notebook," jimin whispered, "you got this."

just hearing jimin's voice settled namjoon's anxiety slightly.

jimin was right next to him.

he could do this.

still shaking a little, namjoon picked up his notebook and began to read it.

jimin watched as he stuttered a little, doing his best to talk loud enough for everyone to hear.

he was shaky and nervous at first, but eventually he settled a bit, talking less uncomfortably and with more passion. jimin was shocked to see, that after a minute or so of talking, namjoon put the journal down and started talking effortlessly, going more in depth with his answer.

he was brilliant.

eventually, namjoon finished, leaving the whole class silent for a moment.

"wow," their teacher said, looking shocked, "kim namjoon, i knew you were an intelligent young man, but damn. that was impressive. i think that one deserves a round of applause."

the teacher began clapping for him, the rest of the class eventually joining in.

namjoon just panicked slightly, his face going red, and looking down at his shoes.

-

"namjoon, that was amazing!" jimin said, grabbing onto his arm and shaking him, "i knew you could do it."

namjoon just smiled shaking his head.

"i wouldn't have been able to even muster up an answer if you weren't there with me."

jimin scoffed.

"joon, that was your answer. it was all you and you know it."

joon sighed.

"well, i guess you're right. it was my answer..," he said, smiling, jokingly being cocky.

jimin tried to sound like he didn't want any of the credit, but namjoon knew better. even though he only knew the boy for a few weeks, he knew jimin loved being praised. so, he figured it would be fun to tease him a little.

"hey!" jimin whined, hitting his arm, "i'm the one who encouraged you!"

namjoon just laughed, shaking his head.

"what would i do without you, jimin?"

-

after the two wrapped up their playful fight, they headed over to the café together, just like they did every day between classes.

"i hope you know i was just kidding around earlier. that answer really was impressive. everyone thought so," jimin said, smiling, digging into his half piece of danish.

"please," namjoon said, with a sigh, "they probably think i'm some arrogant, nerd who spends all his time taking notes and studying."

jimin shook his head.

"joon, nobody thinks that! didn't you see the way areum was looking at you?" jimin asked, smirking.

namjoon looked confused, clearly not recognizing anyone by that name.

"areum?"

jimin just laughed a little.

"don't be coy," jimin said, "she has to be the one you like."

namjoon shook his head.

"what? i've never even met anyone with that name before."

jimin took another sip of his hot chocolate, shaking his head.

"she's beautiful, namjoon. there's no way she hasn't caught your eye."

namjoon just shifted his glance away from jimin, clearing his throat.

"i... i don't remember ever seeing her..."

jimin rolled his eyes.

"don't be so hard, namjoon. i know you've got a big heart. you should talk to her."

he shook his head once again, biting into his danish.

"i-i'm really not interested."

jimin looked at him straight on, raising one of his brows.

"so... if you're not into areum, the most beautiful girl in our class," jimin started, taking another sip of his hot chocolate, "then who could you possibly be interested in?"

there was silence for a minute, namjoon freezing in his spot.

jimin looked up at him, making direct eye contact.

joon's breath stopped and-

almost on cue, a café employee walked over to their table.

"can i grab that plate for you guys?"

jimin quickly agreed and picked it up, handing it to her.

once she was gone, namjoon grabbed his book bag from the chair and stood up.

"we should probably head to class."

______________________________

✨ hey guys ✨

sorry if the chapter was a little boring ! it's pretty much just a filler for the next chapter!

get ready for a little bit of angst 😩