Jeongguk arrives at his house that day after school with the word and definition of homework having completely abandoned his brain. The boy has priorities, and right now his number one priority is texting back the hoodie boy.

He passes by his mom and four-year-old brother on the way to his room, the latter of whom is fast asleep on the living room sofa.

"Hey, Mom, back from school."

He's halfway up the stairs before his mother can return the greeting. She looks busy, anyway, he noticed, so he doesn't feel as bad.

Upon entering his room, Jeongguk drops his book bag on the floor beside his dresser and hurls himself onto his bed, already pulling his phone out from his pocket. No new messages from Jimin. He expected as much, as his last text did put a pause on the conversation.

Eagerly he reopens that conversation.

-

me
hey sorry, i had to drive tae and i home, couldn't text and drive

me
what's up? :)

Jimin
still confused

me
lol why's that?

Jimin
why you're texting me?

Jimin
i'm sure you could be using your time much more wisely

me
doing what? studying? lol

me
this is much more fun

Jimin
if you're just doing this to humor yourself then i'm not interested...

me
no no that's not what i meant :0

me
i mean you won't talk to me at school so this is fun cus i actually get to talk to you

Jimin
but why do you even want to talk to me?

me
just because? :(

me
does there have to be a reason?

Jimin
there's a reason for everything isn't there

me
well if you need a reason then "i want to be friends" is the answer i'm locking in

me
also your style is so cute teach me your ways

Jimin
cheap and oversized

me
nice

me
do you like any certain brands?

Jimin
Affordable™️

me
lol

Jimin
it wasn't a joke...?

me
oh sorry that's like a real brand then?

Jimin
you're dumb

me
sounds about right

Jimin
i have to go, hobi's calling me

me
oh okay :) talk to you later then?

Jimin
i guess

-

Despite how abruptly the talk ends, Jeongguk finds himself smiling widely at his phone as he flips over to his stomach on the bed. He's not quite sure why talking with Jimin is making him so happy, perhaps it has something to do with the feeling of accomplishment that accompanies succeeding in a difficult task - in this case, getting Jimin to talk to him.

Even if it's not in person, it's something. And Jimin intrigues him - not that his other friends didn't interest Jeongguk when he first started talking to them, but there's something about Jimin that Jeongguk can't help but feel attracted to. And not just because he's cute.

But he is. Jimin is very cute, Jeongguk thinks. Not merely his style, the way he dresses so simply, yet nicely. Those several occasions Jeongguk had the opportunity to see Jimin up close, he took notice more of the boy's soft features, the smooth-looking skin on his face, those round cheeks having a rosy, natural blush, those pretty, full lips which almost look to be pouting whenever he talks - at least to Jeongguk, anyway.

And Jeongguk just wants to get to know him better.

Not only that, but if he manages to befriend Jimin, there's a chance Taehyung could get closer to Hoseok, too. Of course, Tae will deny his interest in such a thing; nevertheless Jeongguk believes he knows his friend better than the boy knows himself.

Sometimes. Other times Jeongguk can't even begin to comprehend the logic behind Taehyung's words and actions. He's a double-sided coin, through and through.

On that note Jeongguk decides to text his dear friend.

-

me
dude your idea worked, he texted me

Taegchi [[ a/n: sounds similar to "baegchi" meaning "idiot" ]]
what did i tell u i am geniuuuuss

me
uh huh

me
so what're u up to genius tae

Taegchi
considering taking yoongi's bribe to do his homework for five bucks

me
five bucks

Taegchi
five bucks is a big deal man

Taegchi
who's gonna turn down five bucks?

Taegchi
i'd be an idiot

me
uh huh

Taegchi
so yeah i think i'm gonna do yoongi's homework for him

me
just curious tae what do you think of yoongi? like appearance wise. do you think he's cute?

Taegchi
kind of a gay thing to ask your straight friend don't ya think lmao

Taegchi
i mean sure i guess, he ain't hoseok tho

me
would you do hoseok's homework for five bucks

Taegchi
are u kidding me i'd do it for free

Taegchi
AND i'd wash his feet for him

Are you sure you want to block Taegchi ?
Yes      No

Taegchi
i know what you're about to do don't block me i was just kidding

me
go do yoongi's homework tae

Taegchi
yup

-

He sighs, tossing his phone aside, only to pick it up again seconds later to check if Jimin texted him again. He doesn't expect it, but at the same time he hopes Jimin turns out to be the type who texts often. Maybe when he's bored, and that he's bored often. Not that Jeongguk would wish boredom on anyone, but he's also looking for excuse to talk to the cute hoodie boy who doesn't seem nearly as eager to talk as Jeongguk does.

But that's understandable. Jimin is clearly an introvert, and despite being an extrovert, Jeongguk isn't so naive that he can't realize it may take some time.

Luckily, growing up with Taehyung as his best friend has developed Jeongguk's patience quite impressively.

However he can't deny it disappoints him that Jimin doesn't text again for the rest of the day. Jeongguk doesn't let it bother him too much, though, since it could be because the boy is either busy with homework or something else.

Right before going to bed that night, Jeongguk sends him one last message.

-

me
good night jimin :) see you at school tomorrow

Jimin
night

-

The one word replies makes him a little too happy, he thinks.

Anything's better than being ignored.

The next morning when Jeongguk wakes up, after muting his alarm, of course, he replies to the handful of good morning texts from his friends, attempts to comprehend the bizarre dream Taehyung described to him, and finally sends Jimin a quick good morning in hopes he'll receive one back.

Not so. Maybe he's not an early riser.

Pushing the thought aside, Jeongguk throws his blankets off his body and steps onto his bedroom floor. He always gives himself a thirty minute window before having to leave for Tae's house, which is plenty of time for someone like Jeongguk, whose wardrobe consists mainly of duplicates of the same items of clothing, to get ready.

He throws his pajamas on the floor and dresses himself in the usual white button-up and blue jeans. Next, he combs out his messy dark hair as best he can, relying on water to tame the unruly locks as he hates the artificial look of hair gel. He and his best friend are alike in that regard. Except Taehyung puts in a lot less effort and usually ends up going into school with his hair looking like a haystack.

Thus earning him the super clever nickname from Yoongi: "tae-stack".

Jeongguk thinks it's clever, anyway. Tae's not as much a fan.

Descending the stairs with his book bag already slung over his shoulder, Jeongguk makes himself a quick bowl of cereal before heading out the door.

He gets in behind the steering wheel and sends Tae a text to make sure the boy didn't fall back asleep.

Still no reply from Jimin, he notices sadly. I hope he's not sick or anything.

Pondering the thought, Jeongguk starts the car, connects his speakers to his phone via Bluetooth, and puts on some anime soundtracks before setting his course for Taehyung's house. A short five minutes later and that same boy is climbing into Jeongguk's car looking like a static electricity experiment, complaining that his sister ate the rest of the Oreos and now he's going to have to actually buy food at the coffee shop for breakfast, which although Jeongguk doesn't understand why this is such a big issue, he chooses not to say anything, either.

"So did you get both yours and Yoongi's homework done?" Jeongguk asks on the way to the shop just to change the subject.

"Yeah," Taehyung grumbles. "He said he'd give me the money this morning. Better not have been lying."

"I don't think he'd do that."

"Let's both hope so. I'm a cranky boy this morning, Guk. A craaaaaanky boy."

"I'll buy you breakfast, Tae, quit moping..."

They arrive at school with fifteen minutes to spare. Hoping he'll catch Jimin again, Jeongguk hurries into the building and over to his locker where he quickly retrieves his things and checks the hall for Jimin. Not around. Jeongguk's a bit later than normal, so he considers the hoodie boy already got his things and went to the classroom. So he does the same.

He expects to see Jimin sitting behind Hoseok towards the left side of the room with his hood up, earphones in. But the desk is empty.

"Uh, Hoseok-"

Jeongguk approaches his classmate curiously. Hoseok takes a moment to register he's being spoken to, but soon the boy raises his head to show he's listening.

"Is Jimin absent?"

"Yeah." There's an obvious downcast tone in Hoseok's voice. "He's alright, though. Said it's just a headache."

"Oh." Jeongguk frowns. "That sucks. I hope he feels better."

Not knowing what else to say he claims his seat next to Taehyung and takes out his history notebook. Then his phone.

-

me
hey i hope your headache goes away soon :/ those are never fun

Jimin
headache?

Jimin
oh hobi told you that didn't he...

me
?

me
don't you have one?

Jimin
no

Jimin
i couldn't find my contacts this morning

me
don't you have glasses?

Jimin
don't wanna wear them

me
oh

me
ok then :(

-

"Why doest thou stareth at thy cellular device so forlornly, Guk?" Taehyung's voice grabs his attention - as does the five dollar bill his friend is now waving in front of his face. "Look, Yoongi kept his word after all. No death match today. So what's up?"

"Jimin didn't come to school 'cus he couldn't find his contacts."

"For real?" Making an odd face, Tae peers at Jeongguk's phone screen for a moment, then looks over his shoulder at Jimin's empty desk. "Kind of an odd reason to stay home. What, did he lose his glasses, too?"

Jeongguk shakes his head slowly, still feeling a bit confused himself as he rereads Jimin's texts. Does he hate glasses that much? Maybe they're what give him a headache...

He prepares to put his phone away when suddenly he receives another text. From Jimin again.

-

Jimin
don't mention it to hobi okay

Jimin
i told him i have a headache. don't tell him about the contacts.

Jimin
Okay?

-

Jeongguk wants to ask why. But he doesn't, because for some reason he feels like he can vividly hear the solemnity of that second okay. It bothers him.

-

me
alright i won't

-

Soon after he puts his phone away, Mrs. Choi enters the room with a concernedly wide smile on her face. It's never a good sign and all the students know it.

"Mrs. Choi, please," Yoongi says before their history teacher can even open her mouth. She only chuckles at him.

"It's not so terrible," she insists, evidently amused. "Just a fun little project."

"By ourselves. Please, Mrs. Choi."

"Groups, child. Also, you're supposed to raise your hand, you learn this in elementary."

Yoongi raises his hand.

"Yes, Yoongi?"

"Mrs. Choi," his voice bleeds with urgency, "with all due respect, don't assign me with Namjoon again, I beg of you."

"Yoongs, what-"

"I'll allow you to pick your groups," Mrs. Choi announces, struggling not to laugh at her student's dismay, "if that makes things any better. But I want groups of five this time because I'm expecting a lot more from you. So, if you all can carry out your group-picking in a somewhat orderly manner, then we won't have any issues. I know there are an uneven amount of you so not all of you may be able to have five people, but I trust you'll be able to figure things out, won't you?"

Yoongi raises his hand.

"Figure things out, my boy. It's what life is about."

The moment Mrs. Choi sits down at her desk, the classroom becomes enveloped in a cloud of whispers and shuffling feet as students attempt to communicate with one another to determine their groups. It's chaos, but a soft chaos in comparison to what their teacher has witnessed before.

Jeongguk and Taehyung automatically make eye contact. Whenever they're granted the opportunity of selecting their own partners, it's an obvious choice that the two pick each other, but now they must overcome the obstacle of selecting a possible two to three more people.

"Hoseok!" Jeongguk whisper-yells over to the boy who hasn't even attempted to search out a group of his own yet. He glances in Jeongguk's direction, then cracks a smile as he's waved over.

"Before you ask me," he says once he's standing in front of the boy's desk, "if you want me in your group, Jimin's joining, too."

"Perfectly fine," Jeongguk blurts. He nudges Taehyung. "Okay, that's four. Do you think we're good-?"

Just then something latches onto his shoulder - someone, rather, but in such an aggressive and unexpected manner that Jeongguk's heart stops. He cranes his neck abruptly to find Yoongi standing behind him as motionless as a statue. The two make eye contact for what feels like a solid minute.

"...yes, you can join our group, Yoongi."

"Okay, good."

Eventually Mrs. Choi has to settle the class down, as some are taking longer than others to pick their groups, which she expected from the start. So to mediate the commotion, she assists in sorting out the groups which haven't already been figured out.

As she's doing so Jeongguk once again takes out his phone to text Jimin.

-

me
mrs. choi assigned a project today

me
you, hoseok, taehyung, yoongi and me are together

Jimin
did mrs. choi pick the groups?

me
no, we did :)

Jimin
oh. ok.

Jimin
how much time is she giving us?

me
think she just said it's due next Friday. which doesn't seem like a lot of time given all the stuff she's asking for but we'll figure it out

Jimin
i guess

me
it'll be fun :)

Jimin
yup

me
i hope you find your contacts by the way

Jimin
me too