I couldn't help but sigh looking at my swollen feet. It will surely take time to heal. The throbbing ache made every step feel like a mile, and I could barely fit my feet into my shoes. How am I supposed to go to school?

The thought of navigating the crowded hallways and climbing stairs with my feet in this condition seemed daunting.  I was sure if I asked Tae to pick me up for school, he would surely come, but I didn't want to trouble him. He had his own commitments and I hated the idea of being a burden.

Sighing, I picked up my bag and finally decided to go on my own. With a wince, I carefully lowered my feet to the floor and tested my weight. The pain was sharp, but I pushed through it, determined to make it work

I took one last look around my room, double-checking that I had everything I needed: my phone, some snacks for the day, and a book to keep me occupied between classes. As I made my way to the door, I reminded myself that I had to be cautious. I didn't want to make things worse by overdoing it.

The moment I opened the door, a gasp escaped me when I found Jungkook standing in the corridor. His presence was unexpected, and for a split second, I wondered if he was here to pick up Eunwoo.

"Jungkook?" I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the surprise. He looked at me with an awkward smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "How is your leg now?"

I was taken aback by his concern. "Oh, um, it's still pretty swollen and sore." He nodded sympathetically, then his gaze shifted to the apartment next to mine. "Are you here for Eunwoo?"

He cleared his throat and nodded. "Umm, yeah, but I guess he alr-already left." I could see the faint hint of embarrassment on his face . He glanced down at my swollen feet and then back up at me. "Are you sure you can manage by yourself?"

I hesitated, knowing very well that I wasn't up to managing on my own. The pain was persistent, and every step was a challenge. But the thought of asking for help from Jungkook felt like a last resort, something I was reluctant to do.

I gave a small nod, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Yeah, I'll manage. It's just a bit of a struggle." He glances down to my feet , "How do you go school ?" He asks .

 I shifted my weight slightly, wincing at the pain, and looked up at Jungkook. His concern was evident, and it made me reconsider my stubbornness. "Well, I was just going to tough it out and try to get there on my own," I admitted. "But honestly, it's going to be pretty difficult. The stairs and crowds are going to make it even harder."

Jungkook frowned, clearly troubled by my predicament. "That sounds rough. Look, if you're up for it, I could give you a ride to school. I'm already here, and I don't mind at all. It'd be easier than trying to manage on your own."

His offer was kind, and the thought of not having to deal with the pain of walking was tempting. I hesitated, still feeling a bit awkward about accepting help. "Are you sure? I don't want to impose or take up your time."

Jungkook waved off my concerns with a reassuring smile. "It's no trouble at all. Really. I'd rather help you out and make sure you get there safely. It's the least I can do."

Seeing his genuine intention to help, I nodded gratefully. "Okay, thank you. I really appreciate it." Reaching the parking lot I turned to him , "You know it's illegal for us to drive car " He just scoffed , "I know it is but only when we get caught ."

I raised an eyebrow at Jungkook's response, both amused and slightly taken aback. "That's one way to look at it," I said, trying to keep a straight face. "But, you know, it still doesn't make it less risky."

He chuckled, the sound light and reassuring. "True, but I think the risk of you struggling to get to school outweighs the risk of getting caught. Besides, it's not like we're doing anything dangerous."

We reached his car, and he carefully helped me into the passenger seat. Once I was settled, he got into the driver's seat and started the engine. The drive was smooth, and Jungkook's casual demeanor made the whole experience feel less stressful.

As we approached the school, he glanced over at me with a playful smirk. "I promise I'll drive carefully. Just think of it as a little adventure."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, if you say so. Thanks for being my 'partner in crime' today." As we walked towards the school gate , I cursed under my breathe finding the main gate closed , "Look just because you didn't let me drive fast we are late " Jungkook says while helping me walk .

I slapped his shoulder , "Don't you dare put the blame on me " He scoffs and here we were stopped by the dean . "You both will run  five laps in the ground before going to class" The dean says firmly , "But sir look I am injured " He looks down to my feet and Jungkook and I shared a glance that maybe we could escape from punishment .

"Then both of you need to clean the basketball court before leaving the school " Dean says.  The dean's stern gaze made it clear that there would be no exceptions to the punishment. Jungkook and I exchanged a look, clearly both dismayed but resigned to the situation.

Jungkook cleared his throat, trying to maintain a respectful tone. "Sir, is there any way we could have a bit of leniency? She's injured, and it would be really tough for her to manage cleaning the court."

The dean's expression softened slightly as he looked at my swollen feet. "I see. If that's the case, I'll consider an alternative. How about you both spend some time helping out in the school library instead? It's not as physically demanding and will still allow you to make up for your tardiness."

I sighed in relief at the alternative. The library sounded far less daunting compared to cleaning the basketball court. "That's a fair compromise," I said, grateful for the dean's understanding. Jungkook gave me a reassuring smile as we accepted the new punishment. "Well, it could be worse. At least we'll be out of the sun and can sit down while we work."

I nodded, feeling a bit of tension ease from my shoulders. "Yeah, and I suppose it's better than scrubbing the court."  

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

After the school bell rang, signaling the end of classes, Jungkook and I headed  to the library to fulfill our duties. The bustling hallways had calmed down, leaving behind a quiet that was almost soothing. As we entered the library, Mrs. Kim greeted us with a nod, clearly appreciative of our help.

Mrs. Kim's welcoming smile was a comforting sight as we entered the library. The space was a haven of calm, with soft lighting and rows of books creating a peaceful atmosphere. The promise of working here instead of on the basketball court was a relief.

"Thank you both for agreeing to help out," Mrs. Kim said as she led us to a table stacked with books. "We've got a lot of organizing to do. Just let me know if you need any guidance."

Jungkook and I nodded in agreement, and I carefully lowered myself into a chair with a sigh of relief. The thought of sitting down and sorting through books was a much-needed break from the pain in my feet.

"Do you want to start with the fiction section?" Mrs. Kim suggested. "We've got some new arrivals that need to be shelved."

"Sure," Jungkook said with a smile, taking the lead. Seeing the books I couldn't keep my reader self down . Reading books is something I can do anytime . "Do you like reading ?" I heard Jungkook who was arranging the books in sequence , "You can say I am quite a obsessed reader." I say with a chuckle .

Jungkook glanced up from his work, a curious smile tugging at his lips. "Obsessed, huh? That's a strong word. What makes you say that?"

I shrugged, a playful grin spreading across my face. "Well, I do have a bit of a reputation for getting lost in books for hours on end. There's always a book or two in my bag, just in case I find a spare moment."

Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head. "I didn't think you'd be such a bookworm. I'm more of a 'watching TV or playing games' kind of guy myself."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Reading is a good hobby, you know. It's not just about escaping reality; it's about diving into different perspectives and ideas."

He smirked, leaning back slightly. "Sure, but I find it hard to sit still long enough to actually enjoy a book. I get restless too quickly. I guess I just prefer my stories with a bit more action and less... page flipping."

"Page flipping?" I echoed, laughing. "You make it sound like such a chore. To me, books are like gateways to other worlds."

Jungkook shrugged. "I get that, but I just don't have the patience for it. I'd rather get my thrills from a video game or a good movie. At least there's something happening every minute."

I shook my head with a smile. "I guess everyone has their own way of enjoying stories. But you're missing out on some great experiences. Books can be incredibly immersive."

He grinned mischievously. "And you're missing out on how awesome a high score in a game feels. To each their own, right?" I scoffed at his words , " Says the one who lost basketball match against me" I say with a smirk .

Jungkook's grin widened at my retort. "Oh, bringing up old scores, huh? I see how it is. I suppose I can't argue with that one. You definitely had me on the court."

I raised an eyebrow, enjoying the playful back-and-forth. "That's right. Maybe if you spent less time on video games and more time practicing your shot, you'd be less of an easy target." He was about to say something but we heard Mrs Kim's voice , "Both of you please do your work quietly , it's library ."

Jungkook and I exchanged amused glances as Mrs. Kim's voice cut through our banter. With a shared chuckle, we got back to organizing the books, trying to keep our conversations quieter to respect the library's serene atmosphere.

As the minutes passed, I found myself enjoying the calm environment of the library. The soft rustling of pages and the quiet hum of the air conditioning were a stark contrast to the noisy hallways and the discomfort of my swollen feet. I was done with my work so I just took out a book from my backpack which I am currently reading .

My eyes widened to find myself on smut chapter , "Lord I have to be careful" With that I start reading the most toe curling chapter and there the main character pressed her against the dashboard and cho--

  "I can do better than books " 

I quickly closed the book, my face burning as I glanced around to make sure no one had noticed the content I was reading. Jungkook's unexpected whisper made my heart skip a beat, and I tried to steady my breathing.

˚★

VOTE AND COMMENT !!