12 – JK focus

When Jimin left to go and change with Hoseok, it was just Jungkook and Taehyung in the balcony seats. The hall was bigger than Jungkook had realised. He was thrilled with how the day had gone so far. He was making better friends with Taehyung and Jimin who were, admittedly, better company than Yoongi. Taehyung was so nice to him, even about his voice, which Jungkook was certain wasn't that good.

People slowly started to drift in from the break and it became more difficult to talk to Taehyung alone. On some level, Jungkook didn't want to talk – he wanted to just sit with Taehyung and never leave. The hall filled up and Seokjin jumped out into the performance space. Jungkook really liked Seokjin because he was a 3rd grader that actually cared about his existence and it wasn't like there was an abundance of them.

He introduced the performers and Jimin filed onto the stage with the others. Taehyung cheered loudly and Jungkook followed. The music began to play. If anything, it was more beautiful with more people performing. As far as Jungkook could tell, nobody got anything wrong, but then again he was only watching Jimin and Hoseok and a few of his classmates. When it finished, Hoseok was somehow still full of energy and was encouraging everyone to get up and be positive. Jungkook liked that about him, his glittering spirit seeming to leap out and help everyone it could find.

Jungkook looked over at Taehyung who looked really quite confused. Jungkook asked what was wrong and Taehyung showed him a note that had been scribbled on a bit of orange paper. It read: Jimin, I need u. Jungkook's heart fell. He was about to excuse himself when Taehyung asked,

"I just found this in my pocket. Did you write it?" Jungkook flushed with relief and shook his head. "Oh, well, do you recognise the handwriting?" Jungkook nearly shook his head again before realising that the writing was vaguely familiar. But it couldn't be…

"No, I don't think so. Gosh, that's really strange, though," he said and Taehyung nodded in agreement. Jimin walked up behind them and Taehyung showed him the paper. Jimin just laughed. Taehyung felt the need to confirm its anonymity and Jimin instantly believed him. Jungkook admired that about their friendship.

The other performances were beautiful but they had none of the passion. The points were added up and Jungkook cheered for Jimin as if he were part of his own house or as if they were old friends. Maybe it didn't matter who he was, just that Jungkook was there to provide support. The excitement of the event had left Taehyung flushed and Jungkook found that strangely attractive. He almost didn't hear them when they suggested going to the music block. Jungkook was very close to saying yes before remembering the note.

"No thank you, I can't, I've got something I need to do," and he wandered off to the outdoor courts.

It was getting cold at this time of year and the thin uniform didn't do much to keep Jungkook warm. He heard the sound of rubber on concrete and made his way over to the end court. He opened the stiff metal gate and walked onto the court.

"Yoongi?" He had his earphones in. "Min Yoongi!" Yoongi turned to acknowledge Jungkook and paused his music.

"What?" Jungkook still felt faintly nervous around Yoongi: he was two years older than him and was part of the popular crowd, even if he didn't want to be. Yoongi was waiting for an answer.

"Can I ask you something?" Yoongi sighed, dropped the ball and approached Jungkook.

"Fine." Yoongi didn't like being disturbed while he was practising, but Jungkook was a naturally curious child and felt that this was a pressing matter.

"What do you actually know about Park Jimin?" Yoongi slumped against the outer cage and invited Jungkook to join him.

"He's in 2nd grade. His best friend is Kim Taehyung and they take English together. He dances at a semi-professional level with Hoseok from my form. His favourite sport is basketball, but he can't play it to save his life." Yoongi was speaking quietly and not making eye contact with Jungkook. "I've seen you hanging around him. Why do you want to know?" Jungkook tried to think of a valid answer.

"Well, I just wondered what you thought of him. You do seem to know a lot about him and he seemed to be kind of interested in you earlier…" Yoongi chuckled. "What?" Yoongi looked up.

"I don't know you very well, Jungkook, but that is very obviously bullshit. Start again and don't lie to me." Jungkook had suddenly lost faith in his entire existence, but he couldn't escape now.

"Taehyung found a note in his pocket and I thought you might have put it there," he muttered. Yoongi's dark eyes flashed menacingly and Jungkook was very afraid that he might get hurt, badly. Yoongi lowered his head and stared silently at the floor. Jungkook was still afraid but he asked, "Yoongi? Are you okay? What's g- "

"Not a word of this to anyone, do you understand?" Yoongi interrupted, still not making eye contact. "I asked you a question, Jeon." Jungkook stuttered and answered,

"Yes, I promise, I won't say anything." Yoongi gathered his things and stood up. He kicked the cage violently and suddenly, then turned towards Jungkook looking oddly pale.

"I-I won't be playing the first half of my match, t-tell someone that, would you?" He walked away, leaving Jungkook alone on the court. Jungkook suddenly realised what Yoongi had meant when he said that Lee Seohyun wasn't his type.

Jungkook felt strangely threatened and didn't know what to do. He thought he should tell someone but he knew he couldn't; Yoongi was powerful. He knew that. Yet he didn't seem angry, aside from his initial reaction. Did he seem …ashamed? Jungkook could understand why. He had heard Yoongi's teammates spitting out homophobic slurs. Jungkook had thought that he had it bad liking someone who didn't like him back, but Yoongi liked someone he wasn't even allowed to like. No one was going to stop Jungkook liking Taehyung (no one could, in his opinion) but it could ruin Yoongi. Jungkook wouldn't tell. He couldn't.

Jungkook wasn't used to drama like this and went to the bathroom to calm down a bit. One of the stall doors was off its hinges and Jungkook thought back to Yoongi kicking the fence. He didn't know where Yoongi had walked off to, but he was just going to have to trust that he'd come back.

Jungkook stayed out of the way for the remainder of the break, not wanting to accidentally run into Yoongi. He needn't have worried, as it turned out no one had seen him since the start of lunch. Jungkook carefully approached one of the members of the basketball team and quietly relayed Yoongi's message to them. They barely acknowledged him, but the knowledge that their shooting guard was off was enough to spark quite a loud argument, from which Jungkook quickly moved away.

Upon realising the time, Jungkook ran back over to the indoor courts to join Jimin and Taehyung upstairs. They asked where he had been and he replied as vaguely as he could. The whistle blew and, sure enough, no Min Yoongi. Jungkook was beginning to get worried and he wasn't the only one. When the half time whistle blew, Jimin asked,

"Jungkook, did Min Yoongi say he was playing basketball today? He's not here." Jungkook swallowed nervously.

"Um, yeah, he was just feeling a bit ill at lunch so he said he'd only play in the second half." A glimpse of something amazing downstairs made Jungkook's heart leap in relief. "Look, there he is now." He pointed to a reclusive, pensive looking Yoongi who, thankfully, did not look up at them.

He practically fought against the opposing team in the second half and Jungkook could tell that he wasn't giving up for anything, no matter how exhausted his teammates were. The final whistle blew and Yoongi didn't congratulate his own team or his competition – he just walked away. Jungkook felt guilty. If he hadn't said anything, Yoongi might be okay; but it was too late to change that now.