Slow Bloom: A Story Between Desks
First Group Project
It had been two weeks since Jungkook joined Class 11-B.
By now, he and Taehyung shared lunch without talking too much.
No one officially called them friends, but the class started noticing they always sat together, even during club sign-ups or morning reading time.
Jungkook still rarely spoke unless spoken to.
Taehyung didn’t seem to mind.
Monday – Literature Class
Teacher
“Today,” the teacher announced, “you’ll be doing a partner project. Choose a classmate.”
The room exploded into instant chatter.
Jimin was already dragging his desk next to Yoongi’s. Hoseok and a kid named Seokmin high-fived and exchanged goofy grins. Taehyung didn't move. He just kept sketching in his margin until the teacher said:
Teacher
“Jeon Jungkook. Since you’re still new, pair with Kim Taehyung.”
Without a word, Jungkook sighed softly and nodded.
Taehyung/ V
Taehyung looked up and gave a half-smile. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
Kookie/ Bunny
Jungkook blinked. “I figured.”
They were assigned to analyze a poem and present their thoughts. Not hard. But it meant time spent outside class together. Taehyung jotted something in his notebook and casually said:
Taehyung/ V
“My house is quieter. You okay coming over after school?”
Kookie/ Bunny
Jungkook hesitated. “...Sure.”
Later that day at Tarhyung's house
Taehyung lived in a small but cozy apartment with warm lighting and plants in strange-shaped pots. He dropped his bag on the couch and tossed a pair of socks at Jungkook.
Taehyung/ V
“Shoes off. I have floor rules.”
Kookie/ Bunny
Jungkook raised a brow. “What?”
Taehyung/ V
“No outside dirt in my inner world,” Taehyung said seriously.
Jungkook thought he was joking. He wasn’t.
They sat cross-legged on the living room floor, Taehyung’s laptop between them, the poem pulled up on screen.
For the first few minutes, they read in silence.
Taehyung/ V
Then Taehyung said, “This part here—‘the night didn’t ask questions, it just listened’—I like that.”
Kookie/ Bunny
Jungkook looked at him. “You relate to it?”
Jungkook didn’t answer. But later, he wrote that line in the back of his journal, folded the page, and never told anyone.
Taehyung went to make tea.
Jungkook explored the bookshelf.
He noticed it wasn’t just poetry and sketchbooks—there were comic books, old photo albums, and a single manga volume with a sticky note: “Don’t judge me – T.”
Taehyung came back with two mugs and caught Jungkook standing there.
Taehyung/ V
“You read?” he asked, handing over a cup.
Kookie/ Bunny
“Not usually,” Jungkook said, then paused. “But I think… I like how you organize stuff.”
Taehyung/ V
Taehyung blinked, surprised. “Most people call it a mess.”
Kookie/ Bunny
Jungkook shrugged. “It’s a good mess.”
Taehyung/ V
That made Taehyung smile. Genuinely. The kind that crinkled his eyes.
When Jungkook left that evening, he had a printed copy of the poem, a scribbled draft of their project, and a mismatched sock Taehyung had thrown at him “for friendship purposes.”
They didn’t text that night.
But when they walked into class the next morning and sat down next to each other, no words were needed.
They weren’t just classmates anymore.
Still not friends, not officially.
But something was definitely growing.
Kim Taehyung
Age: 17
Class: 11-B
Personality: Mysterious, artsy, slightly eccentric. Often seen sketching or lost in thought. He’s not loud, but people naturally notice him. Has a sarcastic, dry humor that confuses people at first.
Interests: Drawing, classical music, photography, watching clouds, old sci-fi movies.
Reputation: “The quiet weird guy who’s oddly cool.”
Special traits: Observant, deeply empathetic but doesn’t show it easily. Good at reading people.
Jeon Jungkook
Age: 16
Class: 11-B (Transferred mid-term from Busan)
Personality: Reserved, keeps to himself, but not shy. Sharp-tongued when comfortable, fiercely loyal once he opens up. Struggles with expressing emotions.
Interests: Gaming, dancing alone in his room, action movies, spicy snacks, journaling in secret.
Reputation: “That new quiet kid from Busan.”
Special traits: Athletic, secretly really good at drawing (but never shows it), hates being underestimated.
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