chapter nine. [unedited]

  after the discovery (which changed the way the two boys hung out), taehyung was a bit more open and willing to share things with jeongguk. though they only saw each other at lunch, and sometimes in class, or in the hallway. jeongguk was his usual self, hanging out with yeona during his classes since she supported him throughout most of his time at school.

  jeongguk sat at his desk, twirling his pencil in between two of his fingers, taking down notes occasionally, as the teacher had requested. he could feel a pair of eyes on the back of his head. they seemed to be cracking into his skull and reading his mind. jeongguk finally decided to give in to the obvious trial to gain his attention. he'd turn his head over his left shoulder, seeing a girl giving him the evilest grin he'd seen on anyone's face, other than his father's.

jeongguk knew this girl, her name was minseo. minseo was not a very popular girl, and she would rather read a book than talk with others. she finished her work early and sat at her desk, reading. jeongguk wondered why she had such a playful, yet ominous stare. it almost frightened jeongguk.

  when class ended, minseo left the classroom early, before the bell even made its annoying sound-- she was off. jeongguk desperately, well not desperately, more eager to find out what minseo knew, or what she had to say, followed her. he saw, far ahead of him, minseo push open the double doors and heading outside.

  jeongguk knew no students were allowed outside during school hours, only for gym class. jeongguk clutched the strap of his bookbag harder, his, well not his blue hoodie sleeve got stuck under the strap, but he slid it out from under it. he looked up from his mishap and saw that he was nearing the doors at such a quick pace. he'd hurry, and scamper after minseo.

  once outside, he saw that minseo knew exactly where she was going. she was bolting down the sidewalk. the longer she waited, the more impatient she grew. she headed straight towards a building. one that was particularly familiar to jeongguk, seeing as he saw taehyung outside of it often. mostly getting beat up- but taehyung never mentioned anything of it.

  minseo suddenly halted, her feet sliding in the grass as she stared at a withered looking body. the body had a hood pulled over it's face- but jeongguk knew that hoodie too well. a simple black hoodie that covered red hair. he'd frown, crouching down to taehyung's face. taehyung was completely out of it.

  "i found him like this last period. kinda figured he would get up and move by now. i'm not sure what's going on. i knew you could help- since you're like, the only person i see him talk to. y'know, i've been watching, observing you two. i'm happy he has a friend now. it's god for him to talk to someone. i've known this boy for a while, as long as i've gone to school, and he's never been the happiest person. i hope he opens up to you and shares what's wrong." minseo explained, panting from all the running prior to the conversation.

  jeoungguk just stared at her, nodding. he'd lift taehyung's hoodie from hiding his face. minseo peeked over at what he was doing, becoming curious. taehyung groaned in pain, and rolled over to his back. cuts spread across his cheeks and lips, one of two eyes was bruised black and swollen shut. he had a long cut on his nose. he was just beaten and torn apart.

  jeongguk felt awkward- in this situation. what should he do? seen as he was not the one beaten up on the floor. he'd lower his body, to gently hover over taehyung's. minseo watched with furrowed eyebrows, not wanting to intrude on the moment, but also wanting to get taehyung some medical attention.

  jeongguk wrapped his arms around taehyung's torso. taehyung was so warm. it kind of shocked jeongguk as he pressed his weight down and on top of the boy, maybe this would comfort him a little. yugyeom always loved hugs when he got hurt, so jeongguk knew it might help taehyung. slowly- painfully slowly, taehyung returned the hug. his arms wrapped around jeongguk's waist. it was pretty silent- for the most part.

  "so, like uh-" minseo started, putting her hands on her hips. "i have class in two minutes, and i really like seeing you two get along n' all, but i got to get to pre cal. we are learning some new shit and it's scary as hell. get taehyung yo the nurse. he needs it." minseo would smile, patting jeongguk's back and hurrying off to pre cal.

 
  "i don't need the nurse- ooh nice hoodie." taehyung commented, letting go of jeongguk and judging him off to be able to stand up. jeongguk just looked at him, smiling a little. taehyung dusted off his clothes, picking up his discarded bookbag, that had obviously been gone through.

  jeongguk  sighed, and taehyung laughed, "what's wrong?" jeongguk pointed at the boy, his face rather, and the bookbag.

  "it's fine, jeongguk. this happens pretty much everyday. y'know. you don't know much about me- but you'll find out. i'm sure, one day. you should get to class.. i'm sure you shouldn't skip. not when you're grades are so bad." jeoungguk hit taehyung's chest. "hey-! it was a joke, calm your tits."

  "oh, and jeongguk- about the hug-"

  but jeongguk was gone already. too embarrassed to answer anything about what he did, he was still unsure himself. could he trust taehyung? sure, they knew each other from their child hood, but nobody at the school seemed to trust him. this all was just too difficult. jeongguk knew he should wait before getting his hopes up about taehyung. bedsides, it's way too early to tell anyway.

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