Per Hostis Amica

A Friendly Foe

Upon looking, he saw Leo taking his hand away from him, exhaling sharply through his nose.

- I told you to move, weren't you listening? Put your head back on your shoulders, you were blocking the entrance for some people. -

Jungkook felt abashed.

- Sorry, I was just–

- Staring around like an idiot. Yes, I saw. - Leo chuckled, making him smile down at the floor.

- Don't worry, Kooky. - Emily whispered. - At least you weren't about to cry like someone else over here. - She threw a glance at Leo.

Jungkook widened his eyes.

- I didn't. - Leo gasped silently and then whispered, – I didn't... I don't-- I don't cry, I'm a man. How dare you, Emily Davis! – He was offended, as any man would be. But Jungkook and Emily couldn't stop laughing under their breaths at the sight of his face.

They were taught that men were physically able to cry but psychologically less prompted to do so. Hence why it was an insult.

Another reason why Jungkook thought there was something wrong with his brain. He was psychologically more prone to do so.

- Ok, ok, sorry. - Emily stopped laughing. - But I thought it was cute seeing you so happy, so I kept the memory. - She said while shrugging.

Jungkook took advantage of this little argument to look around again. Watching beautiful things for hours was his favorite hobby and, if anyone would pay him for doing so, his wealth would be incredible.

But, this time, he kept himself connected to reality so he would hear if they called him again.

- Well, procure yourself to save puppies instead of embarrassing moments, thank you very much. – Leo retorted as he folded his arms over his chest again.

Jungkook, however, was wondering to himself: "¿How could an architect from hundreds of years ago know those little details would make the ceiling so...".

But his eyes drifted south, and his thoughts ceased.

All the people walking past them were heading to the reception desk like bees to a hive. And there were too many.

Quite suddenly, he found himself feeling trapped.

- I think we better move. - Jungkook said to the pair of them as he tried to ease his heartbeat once more. - The whole point of getting here early was so I could finish unpacking before my roommate arrived. - He grabbed his bag straps, tensing up.

- Let's go then. - Emily tugged one of Jungkook's hands, making him let go of his bag so he would hold her instead, and guided him through the mass of people towards the front desk.

She had done the same from the moment they met; taking his hand and guiding him. Jungkook thinks this action was instinct since she became an older sister twelve years ago. It felt nice. It was a kind, human contact that Jungkook almost always needs.

- At least they left you to unpack it all on your own. - Leo humphed, following the two. - After you said how your things were already in your room, it wouldn't be a surprise if it was all ready and polished for you. - Leo was trying to follow them closely without touching Jungkook or anyone around him, which was a little harder for him to do given his size. And Jungkook was trying to do the same thing, though the place was so crowded.

Jungkook and Emily acted as if they hadn't heard him. They both knew he wasn't actually angry at Jungkook but his own parents. Something he and Jungkook have in common.

- Hi, Mary, this new one just arrived. - Emily pointed cheerfully at Jungkook as she let go of him.

Mary, a fifty-year-old-looking lady receptionist, turned to show them that she was on a call and held a finger up with a bright smile, telling them to wait for a second.

She was one of the six inside the circular formation of desks. And their work was hectic.

- You were able to remember her name? - Leo whispered behind them. - With all the amount of people we've met in the last three days, I can barely even remember my roommate's name. – The three of them laughed silently. But stopped when the receptionist finished her call.

- Good morning and welcome to the university of Evanthe. - She smiled, looking directly at Jungkook. - My name is Mary. Could you tell me yours, please? - She waited with her fingers ready to type on her computer, and Jungkook smiled back but leaned in closer to her so he could whisper.

- Jungkook Jeon Abram. -

She blinked with a little gasp and her smile disappeared in her surprise.

- You're the third Jeon kid. - She whispered back and, after Jungkook gave a little nod, she immediately started typing, looking at the screen.

Jungkook grimaced a bit.

"The Third Jeon Kid". He hated that nickname from the moment teachers started using it against him.

"You are the Third Jeon Kid, Jungkook, don't you want to make your parents proud? Don't you want to be like your siblings?"

That was the reason the other kids started taunting him when they would usually remain quiet around him.

"Oh The Third Jeon Kid", "Do you want me to bow before you, Your Majesty?", "His brother is way funnier than him", "His sister is way more intelligent", "I feel pity for his parents", "Does he even have any friends?", "What? The Third Jeon Kid missed a whole day of school yesterday just because he didn't want to get his arse off the bed?", "You shouldn't even be a part of that family when you do nothing", "You are nothing compared to your siblings.", "Third Jeon Kid..."

Emily squeezed his hand, making him come back to reality and, when he looked up at her, he saw her concern. She was very good at reading people sometimes while Leo was very good at reading body language, so Jungkook was sure both of them knew exactly what just went over his mind. But even so, he tried as best as he could to soothe his face into a smile.

- Here, Jungkook. - Mary caught his attention again. She was holding what seemed like a rectangular notebook with Evanthe's logo. - This is a Schedule notebook. It has all the important days of Evanthe and holidays marked, blank pages for you to organize your day, and various things that'll help you. – She left the notebook on the table and moved on to another, lighter-looking book. – This is the Map Book. - She opened it to show him. - It has maps of all the places in Evanthe, depicting gardens, cafeterias, bathrooms, classrooms, offices, exits, extinguishers, emergency defibrillators, and so on. I will suggest you not go further than this line or else you might get lost. This is the Students' Living Area. And these red areas are the parts that are prohibited for the students unless you have permission, starting with the Professors' Living Area, ok? Take this with you all the time. - She handed both books to him. - Here is your key as well, I advise you to make a copy and give it to a trusted person just in case you lose yours. And I'll take you to your room. Please, follow me. -

Jungkook was putting the two books in his bag when he realized what she had just said. He blinked and Mary was already heading to the little opening at one of the sides of the circular reception.

This couldn't be happening.

Emily took Jungkook's hand again and started walking to where Mary stood, but he released his hand so he could close his bag properly, bumping his back against Leo's chest. Immediately, he turned to apologize, but Emily took his hand and pulled him forward again. It was all too fast and disorientating making his breathing shallow the closer he felt people surrounding him. So he walked faster to Mary, standing by the edge of the crowd.

He was still displeased by the situation but he was oblivious about how to decline her. All because of a stupid Surname.

- Follow me this way, there are too many people in the main corridors. - She walked to the west corridor, and they followed her. - This is another way all of you can get to the Students' Living Area. It's all in the map book. - As she explained, she was looking back and forth between the path and Jungkook beside her; having to look up because he was a head taller than her.

- May I ask, - Started Leo, behind all of them. - why are you escorting Jungkook to the Students' Living Area? No one did this for us. -

Jungkook didn't know whether to hit him or thank him for asking that. But he knew Leo was asking more for the fact that no one had done that for them than because he knew Jungkook was feeling uncomfortable.

- The Headmaster wanted the students to get to the rooms by themselves so they could get used to using the map book faster. Making the organization of the arrivals easier. I'm guiding Jungkook because... well, - She smiled and looked at Jungkook, proudly. - I did the same for your brother and sister when they came here and they were very grateful, so I thought you'd like it too, dear. - She was so kind... to the wrong person.

Jungkook turned his face forward.

Expressionless, he walked while a battle broke off in his mind. It had been absurd not to think his siblings would've accepted being treated like any less than royalty. He was stupid to think he could have a normal student experience while being at his Parents' University where his notorious siblings studied.

- How exactly did everybody treat my siblings? - He asked as nicely as he could, but his tongue tasted bitter.

- With the utmost respect and care we could give them. - She answered, delighted. - They were so easy to love, so funny and charismatic, and they had a lot of friends that also treated them very nicely. Once your brother even told me he felt like "The Prince of The Palace". And that's how we want to treat you as well. We were so excited to meet the third Jeon kid, so I assure you that every worker in Evanthe will treat you well so that you will feel like The Prince of The Palace, just like your brother. - Her smile was so sincere, but what she said didn't make Jungkook happy at all.

His brother calling himself a prince was to be expected. And Jungkook disliked his brother's pompousness hard enough to resent the title altogether.

By now after being shown he could not remain as anonymous as he hoped, he can only accept it and go on just like he did at school.

...just like he did at school.

His hands tightened into fists.

- I understand where your intentions come from. - Jungkook took a deep breath. - However, I'm going to ask you not to do that. - He pursed his lips and looked down at her by his side, hoping he hadn't offended her while trying to control his face so he wouldn't look angry. Mary turned her head to look at him as they walked, and she was frowning in confusion.

He couldn't go back to how it was at school. Just the thought of it made him want to cry.

And then a thought popped into his head: What if his room was different? or his parents lied and he doesn't even have a roommate and has a room all by himself?

- Mhhh... - She hummed, thinking for a moment. As if what he said couldn't be done.

- What? - His voice came out a little too harsh, but he couldn't help it, his mind was running wild without his permission.

What if his father called him to the stage at the Welcome Dinner banquet that afternoon? What if all his Professors already know who he's related to? What if they sent a notification and all the students know who he is already? He felt his breathing getting heavy in his tight chest and his hands were sweaty, clenched into fists, holding his bag straps on his shoulders. He had to calm down.

- Well, you see... Your brother and sister liked the attention. - He frowned a little, waiting for her to continue. - You must understand that we've been doing the same thing for five years in a row before you came, so, for most of the staff, it will be just natural to have a soft spot for you given how we know your Parents. I'll try to do my best and pass your wishes on, but I can't promise you anything. I'm sorry, dear. - She did look sorry. Still puzzled, but sorry. So Jungkook gave her a tight-lip smile and nodded before looking away.

No matter where he was, his Surname will go with him, and, with it, the unstoppable reactions from people. So well known are his parents and now his siblings that he's left with nothing but his connection with them. He's simply a young adult who hasn't yet made a name for himself.

He loves his family because it is the only one he has, but he hates what he has to endure because of them.

- I hope you don't get upset by that, today should be a happy day for you. - Jungkook breathed deeply. - You are in Evanthe, remember that. - Mary said gently and, for a moment, touched his shoulder in support.

Because of her touch, he looked up, and his mind stopped thinking. He hadn't even realized they were walking a path that went outside and into a garden. On one side, there were classroom doors with their respective numbers, and, on the other, one of the most beautiful gardens he had ever seen. His jaw released the tension he didn't know he was holding, the pain in his head subsiding momentarily. And he stopped walking.

The cold breeze was calming and drying beads of sweat away from his forehead, the clouds were either white or gray, tightly together; the wind was making the distant tree leaves move like they were dancing, and the sight of the distant tree line into the woods made him wonder if he could walk beyond it.

The sudden thought entered his mind and then grew inside his chest until all he could wish was to enter the woods. Later he'll do it, once he's alone. Later he'll find what was calling him, and he'll paint it once he does. Later...

He moved closer to the edge of the dark stone path they were in, to have a better look at the garden. It was little compared to the one he walked through with Oliver, the philosopher Professor. But its size simply made it seem so delicate it was nearly dream-like. With bright-colored flowers illuminating the usually gloomy weather and a couple of butterflies fluttering around, Jungkook couldn't help but smile.

- I will never understand. - Leo muttered somewhere behind him to the other two.

- I would like to think that I do. - Replied Emily in the same tone. - But he stops, and stares for God knows how long, and even that's not enough. -

- So... he does this often? - Asked Mary.

- Yes. - Emily answered. - Since we were little. Every time he sees something pretty he has to stop and stare. -

Jungkook could feel Emily shaking her head with a smile, making him grin a bit.

But she was wrong about something. He doesn't stare like this at mere pretty things, he stares at beautiful ones. Beautiful, breathtaking, one of a kind, not just pretty.

- And most of the time, this happens. - Added Leo. - He would just stop walking, stop talking, even sit down and just stare; he would even come back to the place multiple times just to draw it. I first thought it was because he didn't have a camera so I told his parents to buy him one, you know, for his birthday, and you have no idea the monster they bought him. But he still prefers to paint it. -

He was sure Leo just shrugged, so Jungkook finally opened his mouth to answer the three people whom he was sure thought he couldn't hear.

- It's because it'll last longer. - They silenced at his words, and he kept talking to the garden, knowing they'll hear. - If I just take a picture, it can get lost in both my drawers and my memory. If I paint it, however, I will have to stare at all of its details for hours until the scenery is pasted in my mind forever. -

- That's very beautiful, Jungkook. - Said Mary. - But we have to keep going, dear, we're almost to the rooms. -

Jungkook had completely forgotten that they were going somewhere, but, now that he remembered, he turned around and continued walking with the group.

As they walked and left the garden behind, Jungkook felt his shoulders getting heavier again. So much has happened, wearing him down, but there was still another thing that could make it even worse: His room arrangement.

Jungkook swallowed.

- Mrs. Mary, do you know if--... Do you know who I got for a roommate? - He changed his question halfway, thinking it sounded better that way. And he waited with bated breath while holding his backpack straps tighter.

- I don't know, dear. - She smiled at him. - I didn't get the list of roommates, my colleague did. -

He blinked rapidly, looking away to force his face into neutrality. It's been such a long while since he's been in public that he grew unaccustomed to it. He needed to be alone where no one could hear him, see him, judge him, talk to him or about him. However... his room couldn't be a sanctuary anymore. If he had a roommate...

No, he wanted to have a roommate. He was just overthinking things.

- Agh, finally, a place I remember. - Leo sighed with relief as they rounded a lone corner and entered a corridor filled with people moving all around. There were three pairs of glass doors, one beside the other, but even though they were wide, they weren't wide enough for the number of people going in and out at the same time.

- Well, this is where I'll leave you. - Mary turned to them, straightening her blazer. - It was my pleasure to meet you three and I hope you have a very, very, lovely time here in Evanthe. - She smiled a warm smile, but Jungkook found himself unable to smile back.

- Thank you, Mary. - Emily, however, did.

- Yes, thank you. - Leo folded his arms over his chest, apparently still bitter. - I hope I don't forget your name. -

Emily clicked her tongue.

- Thank you, Mrs. Mary. - Jungkook said, at last, bowing his head slightly, and questioning whether or not her bringing them here had done him any good.

- Try to enjoy every second of your stay, Jungkook. And don't think too much, it makes you green. - She chuckled kindly.

But he felt humiliated. Even so, he smiled at her as best as he could and nodded. Then they saw her walk away in a different direction than the one they had taken.

- Do you guys remember the way? - Jungkook asked them, wanting to choose the long road from now on just to avoid this mass of people.

- Nope. - Leo pursed his lips. - I did memorize a path to the main door, but it wasn't that one. - He shrugged.

- Ok. - Jungkook muttered, breathing deeply before turning around to look at them. He was about to say something, however, the moment he saw them, their faces turned worried. - I'm fine. - He lifted his hands cautiously, trying to convince them.

- Jungkook, you do realize that you look sick, right? - Leo frowned at him, and Jungkook panicked.

Did he look sick? so he was green? How long had he looked like that? How many had seen him like this? No one's gonna like him if he looks this feeble. He turned a little more to the right so he was facing the wall instead of the corridor and, at once, Emily put herself in front of him, grabbing his shoulders.

- Jungkook, listen to me, you're fine, ok? You're a strong man, feelings can't affect you as long as you have a grasp on them. -

Slowly, he breathed until the tension eased up and the walls weren't closing in anymore.

He wished he could back out into the garden.

- I shouldn't have said that. - Leo took a step closer, frowning deeper than before in his worry. But all Jungkook could think about was that at least he was still breathing instead of what usually happens when he's in a real panic.

In a real panic, the outside walls weren't the only ones closing in on him. He had felt like he was having a heart attack or like he would suffocate, all because his mind couldn't stop fretting over everything, and he would be left crying in horror at the thought that there was a cut wire in his brain shortcutting somewhere. Because he knows something is wrong.

That's why he can't tell them about it. Let them believe it was a slight panic and a couple of words from Emily could calm him down. It was best for everyone.

- Don't worry. - He assured them, sounding normal again. - I'm fine now. It was just stress. - His throat felt dry but he kept on pretending. He let go of his bag and put his hands inside his pockets, looking around at the students going in and out the glass doors. - We should go inside, I want to organize everything before lunchtime. - He looked back at them. But they were still looking at him. - What is it? -

- Nothing. - Emily smiled. - Let's go, I want to meet your roommate. - Smiling, she got his hand out of his pocket and took it to guide him towards the mass of people.

Entering one of the glass double doors, Jungkook saw what looked like the lobby. It was wide and furnished closest to the walls for people to launch in. There were two single doors, one on each side, with blue letters over white glass saying "Study Room 1 [M]" and "Study Room 2 [F]". Then, there were the stairs. Three sets opposite the main doors, one by the left, one by the right, and one in the middle heading down three steps to a room with wooden double doors called "Arcade Room".

From the number of people going up and down the stairs on each corner, he could tell those led to the rooms on the upper floors. And by the sight of people heading to and exiting from corridors by the foot on each of these stairs, he guessed those lead to the other two buildings. Though why there would be a path heading right if both buildings were by the left, he wasn't sure.

When Emily saw a window of opportunity, she went onwards, pulling him towards the stairs on the left.

His heart jumped at the slightest touch from someone else.

After walking up the stairs with his head down, he looked up to see a very long corridor ahead with doors on each side, generously apart from each other. There were also corridors left and right from where they stood, opening to more corridors like this one with doors on each side, it seems. Opposite them, there were three elevators Jungkook hadn't even seen a sign of downstairs but finally guessed where the right side corridors downstairs lead to. And by their immediate left, the stairs continued up in a box-spiral-like form where students walked up and down.

Many students.

Jungkook had the impression that not only the new students were moving into new rooms.

- Hey, listen. - Leo spoke loudly to him as they waited for another opening and Jungkook looked. - There are three buildings, this is the main building and it's the only one of the three that has what you saw downstairs: the study rooms and the arcade. In the book it explains why there are three, I think it was because they started with one, then put another one for the... it was something like the students had students of their own? They weren't like servants, but, at the same time, they sort of were. So those lived in the second building. Then the women could come too so they made the third building. But now it's all about luck or money in which building you end up in. Emily and I are in this building with you. The women are on the right side of the building and Emy's room is somewhere in the back, can't remember which one exactly. Mine is right upstairs; the first door you see when you go up these stairs. - He pointed at the stairs to their left.

Jungkook nodded, then Emily tugged his arm and they walked on.

It seemed like she knew exactly where she was going.

- You know my room number? - He frowned, nearly shouting over all the noise.

- I saw it when Mary gave you your key. - She replied, and Jungkook, as always, was impressed by her memory. The opposite of Leo's.

He got his key out of his pocket and looked at the number, A-0011, and he looked at his left, A-0055, then at his right, A-0068, and he understood that room A-0001 had to be at the end left corner and the numbering should end at the end right corner of this floor meaning that his room should then be part of the end left corner rooms, which was exactly were they were going.

After what felt like a never-ending walk of turning in some corridors and avoiding collision with some heavy stuff (and Leo helping a guy that was on the edge of tears to lift what looked like a very heavy box that was apparently filled with books), they finally stopped in front of the last room of the second to last corridor, and, compared with how some other corridors were, this one was nearly deserted.

Jungkook felt grateful for having his stuff already here and, at the same time, a little ashamed that it was too easy for him. But he had to admit that he did feel as tired as if he'd had to carry all his things over his shoulders.

Now in front of his room, Jungkook tried to turn the knob to see if his roommate had already arrived, but it didn't budge. Losing a breath, he grabbed his key with his right hand and opened the door.

The first thing he saw was the left side of the room with all his boxes, but it was the size of it that made him look around. It looked to be the same size as his room back at the house. Spacious, pretty, simple but elegant. The door faced the middle of the room and what looked to be his side had a nightstand, a bookshelf built into the wall, a bed, then a space between his bed and the wall so he can comfortably get to his drawer, and finally, the doors to the bathroom.

He was taken aback by this last fact. Not only was every room spacious, but they also had their own bathrooms. But something this room had that the majority lacked was the window on the right side wall.

Opening the door further, he saw with relief that there were signs of another person living there. Books and notebooks on the shelves, big, round glasses on top of the bedside table, and, when he opened the door just a bit more he saw the guy sitting on the bed; a bed he had pushed against the wall, right beside the window.

Legs crossed, knees touching the wall, arms resting on the window frame while the cold breeze passed freely, and earphones on; he had no idea they had just opened the door, his dazed eyes were still looking at the landscape beyond as if in trance.

He looked at peace. Serious but comfortably silent. Jungkook felt connected to the sight of him gazing outside without end and so he intended to make as little noise as possible while approaching him so he wouldn't startle him.

However, he wasn't the only one meaning to enter this room and since Leo was not known for being patient or even knowing his own strength, he simply slammed his palm against the door and opened it to the fullest, making it bang against the wall.

The guy jumped terribly, scaring Jungkook into thinking he might fall off the window. Then he turned in his seat to look at them with wide eyes, ripping his earphones off and looking terrified. He hadn't uttered a single sound. And didn't even seem to be breathing.

Jungkook was just about to apologize, however...

- Oh hey, another Asian-looking guy. - Leo cut across him with no filter, manners, or even a single care as he chuckled and walked in absentmindedly, looking around at the boxes.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. When he looked back at his roommate, he realized, gratefully, that he had begun to breathe again.

- Hi, I'm Jungkook. - He smiled at him a little, to start with the right foot. But the guy looked away, not saying anything. - You're my roommate, right? - He asked, just trying to make him talk.

He couldn't have disliked him that fast, could he?

But, once again, the guy didn't say anything. He just pressed his lips together, looked at the floor, and nodded before looking back up at Jungkook.

- Alright... What's your name? - Jungkook was starting to feel slightly annoyed, not knowing if the silence was personal. When two seconds in silence passed by, Jungkook started looking around for Emily to see if she could do something, but then he realized she was still outside the threshold. He looked at her in exasperation but she simply shook her head. Yes, it was obvious that girls couldn't enter a boy's room and vice-versa, but everyone knew this rule was never followed.

However, just when he was about to start arguing with her, he heard the tiniest reply coming from this guy. It was as if he was afraid of speaking; of being heard. But Jungkook was still able to hear him whisper.

- ...Jimin. -

Emily and Leo decided that they would come back once he's finished so they can all go have lunch and left him to work. Jungkook, on the other hand, decided that the first thing he wanted to do before getting to it was to take a shower.

The bathroom was also quite comfortable. From the door to the left, there were two baskets for each of them and, on top, a shelf with towels. Then, to the right, there was the shower with glass sliding doors, and, right in front of the door, there was a sink with a mirror on top of it and a cabinet below it. Next to it was the toilet, and that was it. Jungkook took the opportunity and left his bag of toiletries and his box with bathroom stuff in the cabinet and took one of the white towels to use once he was finished showering.

Wearing the same clothes he chose that morning, he walked out of the bathroom again, ready to start organizing. But, before that, he enjoyed the cool air coming in through the window. The morning had been so fast that he barely had time to take in how massive the change will be. However, not only was he unable to believe it, no excitement rose in his stomach. Only the thought of living with his friends could do it.

The peace that brought the sight of beauty could only go so far.

Jimin was once again looking outside with his headphones on. And Jungkook had a distinct impression that maybe he was feeling the same.

Taking his eyes away from him, Jungkook looked down at his boxes and began. He slid the boxes with books over to his nightstand, slid the ones with his clothes next to his chest of drawers, placed the one with his art stuff over on the corner, placed the long one with his drawings over the bed, the one with electronics next to it, and was left wondering what could be inside the last box. It was a large, rectangular box. As if a thin television was inside.

He was afraid it wasn't his and that there'd been some kind of mistake when he straightened it off the wall and heard something falling to the flood with a thud. He looked between the box and the wall next to the door and found a small letter. He took it and read it, and finally realized what it was.

His parents had given him a drawing table.

A smile grew slowly on his lips, but a frown furrowed his eyebrows. Another gift. Twenty-one years and he still couldn't understand what they mean when they give him or don't give him gifts.

The smile slowly faded from his face along with the frown, and he leaned the box against the wall once more. He took out his phone, sent them a "Thank you" to each of their private numbers, and pocketed it again.

He was grateful, only because it would make drawing way more comfortable. But he wasn't happy.

Leaving the table for last, he started with his books and notebooks. Then, he went on with his clothes. Gloria had helped him as much as she could with folding it all, so all he had to do was take them out and put them in the drawers. Underwear, socks, and pajamas on the first one; shirts, pants, and sweaters in the second; button-ups, trousers, suit-jackets, and ties on the third one; and, just because they could fit, he put his dress shoes, casual shoes, and boots in the fourth one.

All the while, he kept glancing at Jimin. It was quite funny how every time he glanced back, he was in a different pose or doing something else. He had changed from looking out the window to laying down and looking up at his phone, to then lying on his stomach and reading with his round glasses on, to then sitting up again and looking down at his phone once more. But, no matter what he was doing, he was proving to be just the right kind of roommate for Jungkook. Not at all intrusive.

Jungkook then went on with his paintings and drawings and, since they weren't canvases but thick paper, he simply stuck them to the wall with double-sided tape. However, the ones he was putting up on the whole extent of his wall were not all the drawings he had brought with him. In the same box, he had made a fake bottom with cardboard and hid under it the drawings he would then proceed to hide under his mattress. The ones he was putting up were all landscapes, places, or sights he had seen that were beautiful. There were colorful, less saturated, and balck and white. There were watercolors, colored pencils, paint, and charcoal. There were large, the size of a hand, long, and tall. But they were all, absolutely all, beautiful. Because he would've done nothing less.

Once that was done, he glanced at Jimin, saw him averting his eyes from him, and then went on with the table. It was easy to build and ended up fitting just right on the corner between the dresser and the far wall. (He'll need to buy a high chair and a clip-on lamp one of these days). He then proceeded to leave the box with art stuff between the dresser and the desk and the one with electronics between the desk and the wall.

And he had officially finished unpacking, organizing, hiding, cleaning, and throwing away all the boxes. Quite proud of his work, he was.

Sitting down on his bed, he took out his phone to inform his friends that he was done and then, when they answered that they were on their way, he took out the map book from his bag just to get a quick glance at where he was. When he opened it, there was an introduction, then instructions, and then a full map of the entire university in aerial view. What a sight. It's a tiny city indeed. It's so big, so extended, so enclosed in nature, so ancient but new, so... beautiful.

Looking at the Students' Living Area, he realized just how lucky he was that his room was in the main building attached to the university and not one of the other two. The three buildings were barely connected. A flaw if ever he sees one.

The university had the main buildings one behind the other as if forming a spine. First, the front garden, then, the first building with auditoriums, meeting rooms, his parents' offices, and more. After that, doors open to another garden, and, straight ahead, comes the library (which was way bigger than Jungkook thought), at the east of it is the Professors' Living Area, and at the west is the Students'. After that, at the end of the library, continuing after another garden, was the cafeteria.

The university simply goes on and on expanding with its many locations, classrooms, and offices, but Jungkook's attention was diverted by a knock on the door.

He was just about to get up when Jimin, with a surprisingly light jump, got up from his bed and got to the door in a second. Completely the opposite of how he got up when Jungkook arrived.

- It was a long week without you, you bastard. - A guy laughed from the door.

Jungkook leaned back to look over Jimin's shoulder and saw... the one that asked his father for a hug in the middle of a crowded, public place.

Jungkook frowned as he closed the book again. There was a nagging sensation in the back of his head that told him to leave. But he wasn't sure why he would feel like he was in the presence of a predator, so he sat quietly.

The guy continued to talk to Jimin in a lower voice, still at the other side of the threshold. He hadn't looked inside at Jungkook once and Jungkok himself couldn't hear what he was saying, even if Jimin stood silent between them. But even if Jungkook couldn't hear, he could still see him, and it made him curious. This guy had a couple of similarities with Leo: Black hair, blue eyes, pale, white skin, and all-black clothes. However, he was shorter (though taller than Jimin by a pinch), his muscles weren't big, only defined like his own, and there was a tired look in his eyes that he had never seen on Leo.

The tiredness Jungkook could see went way beyond the shadows under his eyes or the fact that his wide smile didn't seem to reach them. And it looked... quite sinister after Jungkook was able to notice just how sharp his canine teeth were.

A chill ran down his spine.

Jimin then nodded rapidly to something the guy said and turned around to sit on his bed again. Jungkook had just seen him bend down to take his shoes from under his bed when the guy walked in at last.

- Hello. -

Jungkook turned to look at him again and nodded once in greeting, noticing as he did so that this guy's grin looked like a cat's. A Cheshire cat.

- I'm Tom. - He said while lifting his eyebrows. Seemingly amused by Jungkook's lack of speech, no doubt.

- Jungkook. - He nodded again, trying to grin back, to seem stronger or more confident. But this guy's strength somehow seemed cold, like the tip of an iceberg. It made Jungkook feel at a disadvantage and he wasn't sure why.

Tom chuckled and tilted his head to one side, still looking at him. His eyelids twitched as if confused about something he saw, but since all he was looking at was Jungkook's eyes, Jungkook couldn't tell what could've driven such a fleeting reaction. Whatever it might've been, it was gone in a flash when Tom looked sideways at Jungkook's wall.

His smile slowly fell as his eyes widened and the light that had been missing from that icy, cold blue, shone the slightest bit. Tom's chest expanded with a deep breath as he looked and looked at each painting in turn, as if each was speaking to him on a deeper level.

Jungkook felt both proud and embarrassed. It was the first time a stranger looked at his paintings. But even then, not even Leo or Emily had ever reacted like this. He felt proud that he had painted something that made people speechless with its beauty, but he also felt embarrassed as if naked. Letting someone else look at his paintings like this was like letting them see a part of him he usually keeps hidden.

His heart began to beat faster the longer Tom started.

Then, he saw him squinting his eyes as his grin returned.

- You painted this? - He didn't look at him when he asked.

- Yes. - Jungkook answered as nonchalantly as he could while putting the map book beside him on the bed.

Tom looked back down at him, and the way he was smiling now was way more surprised than before.

- What's your major? - He lifted his chin while putting his hands in his pockets. As if defiantly.

Jungkook squinted his eyes a bit and a chuckle escaped him.

- Philosophy. -

Top clicked his tongue and looked away, still grinning.

- I can't believe it isn't Art. - He shook his head and looked back at him with humor and disappointment in his eyes. Jungkook didn't know how to answer so he said nothing and merely shrugged. Tom then looked over his head at the books on the shelves behind him and gave them a nod. - I suppose you're also not majoring in Literature, are you? -

- No. - Jungkook shook his head and couldn't help laughing a little when he saw Tom rolling his eyes and his head back as if deeply disappointed.

- Oh, man, that sucks. - He shook his head once he was looking back down at the floor, and Jungkook tilted his head a little, curious as to what he had meant by that. But then Tom smiled his wide, cat-like smile at the floor and said, - I was hoping to have you as a classmate. -

A strange feeling sat at the pit of Jungkook's stomach, making him swallow. His grin disappeared and, quite suddenly, he remembered what this guy had asked of his father in the gardens. And he felt the need to flee from the conversation.

But Tom lifted his head and spoke again.

- Well... At least you'll be Jimin's. He's also starting philosophy. Aaaand you're his roommate so, - He shrugged. - I guess we'll still see each other quite often, won't we? - And he grinned sideways. Jungkook nodded mechanically as if commanded to do so.

He was starting to wish he hadn't answered anything at the beginning.

Feeling as though he had been caught in a spider's web, Jungkook looked at the floor and cleared his throat.

And then he remembered... Jimin.

Until the reminder, Jungkook had forgotten the other was even in the room with them. He looked to the side and saw him wearing his shoes and a -too big for his body- jacked. He'd been ready to go for a while now but hadn't even attempted to stop or join their conversation.

Jungkook wasn't used to finding shy men, no guy in his school had been shy, and no men he'd met because of his parents had been shy, so this was a first. He didn't know how he should act around him.

- You ready Jiminy? -

The nickname startled Jungkook.

- Let's go then. See you... umm... - Tom squinted his eyes as if asking for an answer.

- ...Jungkook - He answered, humorlessly. The way he just called Jimin so confidently had been so wrong on so many levels that there should be no doubt about it. Jungkook shouldn't be associated with this guy.

- Yeah, I know, I just think it's a little too long. - Tom chuckled - Don't you have a nickname I could call you? -

A nickname? Like the one he gave Jimin? Was he suicidal? Doesn't he realize if he acted like this out in the open he could get beaten up or locked up? Jugnkook had no intention of being a part of that recklessness.

- No, just Jungkook. - The slight change in his voice was visible in Tom's reaction, it looked like he was a little taken aback by the change. Then, one second later, he didn't look surprised at all; like it wasn't new.

Right on cue, the door banged open, hitting the wall for the second time this day, startling Jimin into sitting down on his bed, with wide eyes to the door.

- Hey, Kook, good to go? - Leo entered the room like it was his own and grinned in his direction, possibly only focused on food.

An avalanche of embarrassment threatened to drown Jungkook and all he could do was to put everything back in his bag as hastily as he could. However, he had been able to catch the sour grin on Tom's face.

- Hi, Jimin. - Leo nodded at the statue on the other bed and then turned to Tom. - Leonardo. - He extended his hand, puffing up his already strong chest. Jungkook knew he had caught the tense atmosphere in the room (given how obvious it was since he entered) and was trying to be stronger than it.

- Tom. - The other answered and also reached his hand forward.

Jungkook got up from the bed securing his bag on his shoulders only to see an overly-masculine, long handshake right in front of him, like a display of alpha males in stare combat. Looking at them this way was like looking at a big, strong hammer -Leo- in front of a very sharp blade -Tom-.

- Let's go, Jimin. - Tom said while lowering his hand and still looking at Leo. He nodded for Jimin to get out before him, and then followed. - See you around, Leonardo. - And then he stopped at the threshold and looked over his shoulder to stare Jungkook in the eye. - See you later, Kooky. - And with that grin of his, he went on, leaving a wide-eyed Emily at the threshold and a frozen Leo inside the room.

Jungkook took a tiny step towards Leo, to make sure Leo wouldn't bolt out the room and chase after Tom. But he was also stunned. Kooky? Only women had ever called him that. He had no idea what to feel. In truth, he felt uncomfortable, but only because Tom, as a whole, made him uncomfortable.

Leo didn't look like he was breathing, and that wasn't a good sign.

Jungkook took a larger step forward, but Emily was faster than him. Entering the room, she placed a hand on Leo's upper arm and started to soothe away his tension. He was still looking at the door even if Tom couldn't be seen in the corridor anymore. It was obvious that, between Jungkook and Leo, the latter had taken it as an absolute insult. If it hadn't been for Emily, he would've possibly gone ahead and either fought him or... Could he have screamed that Tom was "weird" for the whole dorm to hear him? Jungkook heard of a time when Leo had done so to another guy and, from then on, the whole school started treating that guy like he had the plague, so maybe he would do it again here.

- Who was that? - Emily frowned at Jungkook as she took her hand away from Leo.

The latter sighed heavily and crossed his arms over his chest.

- A jerk. There's one of those everywhere. How cowardly of him to simply say that and run off. - He shook his head with a grimace. - If he gives you any more crap like that, Jungkook, you tell me and we'll both teach him respect. - Then he turned around to look at Jungkook and immediately did a double-take on the wall. - My goodness. Your side looks fantastic, Kook. Well done. -

There was something about Leo's compliments that made Jugnkook feel prouder still about what he'd done. So he smiled back, tightening his hold on his bag straps.

- Thank you. - He answered, a bit embarrassed. But his smile only grew the more he saw his friends' immersed stares upon his wall of paintings.

- You didn't have that table before. - Emily pointed at the drawing table, confused.

It wasn't until Emily had commented, that he remembered about it.

His smile disappeared at once as he looked from his friends to his table. Gifts had always been a touchy subject for Jungkook, and they knew it by heart. So, scratching the back of his head, he answered vaguely,

- "First day of University" gift? -

- Good for you. Lunch. Let's go. - Leo ended the conversation thoroughly. And Jungkook, who couldn't be more grateful, followed suit. Locking the door as they went. 

________________________________________________________________________________

🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 2💜

You can tip me as little as one dollar in my BuyMeACoffe or subscribe to my Patreon for four dollars a month. Anything you can give me supports my writing, and I can keep creating worlds because of it.

Instagram: shadowela

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose🥀

You can continue>>