Jimin arrived early to school, arms crossed at the front of the gate. He waited while the fellow classmates gave him side glances as they walked to their classes. He waited until the warning bell rang, signalling five minutes until the first class. "Where is he?..."

"Where is who?" Hoseok sneaked up behind him, causing the blond to jump in surprise.

"No one. It's nothing." He tried to hide his red cheeks, pushing his muscular friend away.

"I was just worried because you've never been late before-"

"Hey guys!" Jungkook yells from twenty feet behind them, quickly locking his bike on a rack.

"Bye Hoseok." Jimin lags behind so the youngest could catch up.

"But-"

"I hope you aren't late to your class."

The tall brunette is gasping when he reaches them, waving as the eldest walks away. "Does he have a class far away? I'm sorry if you guys were waiting long for me-"

"We weren't waiting. I... just got here too." The short blond figits with his bookbag straps.

"Oh." The younger nods, pushing open the front door for them to pass through. He notices that the shorter was looking at his hands, then his bag.

"You didn't bring me food today? Does that mean I have to beat you up for a meal?"

Jungkook laughs, saying "I would have brought you food this morning if I hadn't slept through my alarm." Jimin looks disappointed but quickly changes to a stoic expression. So the youngest does what he can to make him feel better. "I'm sorry." Jungkook pouts, tugging on his sleeve.

The blond blushes, reaching his hand up to ruffle through the coconut shaped hair. "Aish, it's okay Jungkook-ah." It seems as though the eldest has no idea what he said, continuing to walk as if nothing happened. "Just don't let it happen again."

Before Jimin could notice the change in atmosphere, Jungkook skips up to reach him. There was barely anyone in the hallways anymore, the final bell ringing to initiate class. "Oh shit we're late." The youngest looked so worried that he was starting off the year with a tardy.

"Don't worry Jungkook-ah, it's okay to be late once in a while." There it is again. Jimin grinned, leaving Jungkook in front of his class. "See you later!"

He waited to enter, only so he could see his friend walking away. He did hope to see him sooner than later. "Yeah... See you later."

¤¤¤

Jimin would like to think he went regularly to the small shop, helping out whenever he can. He went today, whistling the entire time. "Someone's in a good mood." Her eyebrow raised at the change in the teenager's behavior.

"What? I'm always like this." He shrugs, putting the bags of chips on the rack.

"Mhmm." She crosses her arms behind the cash register, eyebrow raised. "I'm just glad you're meeting people."

"But I have no idea what you're-"

"Oh! I have good news!" She practically shouted in the almost empty store, interrupting the younger. "My grandson is finally coming today! He finished all his unpacking so when he's done with his homework too, he'll meet us. Won't that be fun?"

Just great. "Sounds good." Another person to lie about his life to. Jimin contemplated whether or not he should just tell her that he isn't some school reject and that he wants to be here, rather than... "I can't wait to meet him."

¤¤¤

Close up time brought a bunch of surprises, Jimin being the most affected. He was putting the last of the toilet paper on the top shelf, just barely reaching it. If only I was a little taller... A pair of larger hands pushed the rolls where they needed to be, Jimin suddenly scared at the male figure trapping him from behind. "Thank you but it really wasn't needed..."

"Oh but it really was hyung." The cheeky smile of the younger made Jimin want to punch him again.

"Shut up. What are you doing here?" He checked his watch, closing time caught up to him. "It's time to lock up so whatever you want to buy..." But the younger only smirked at him, a hidden secret behind those lips. "What? Do I still have flour on my face?"

"Ah Jimin! You've met my little sugar cookie!!!" Jungkook's face burns a deep red at the nickname.

"Grandma! Stop calling me that in public!"

Jimin laughs at his childish behavior. "Sugar cookie." He repeats. "I like the name actually."

But it's obvious Jungkook doesn't like it based off of his glare. "Don't call me that or I'll tell everyone you work here." He now has the upper hand and Jimin knows it.

"What? What's wrong with working here?" The old lady pouted, completely out of the loop. She notices their behavior, a question itching to be asked. "Wait, you two know each other? How delightful!" They both let their guard down, smiling at the clueless woman. "We should all have dinner!"

Jungkook thought that was a wonderful idea, the only good thing she's said... But he waits for Jimin's approval, not wanting to seem too eager to unravel the mystery of the private prince.

Jimin wasn't sure what he wanted. He definitely enjoyed his time with both Jeons but he didn't like how a certain brunette unconsciously changed his personality. Of course everyone who knew him knew he was different around the bunny, Jimin most of all. He didn't like it. Or rather, he didn't understand it. He was scared by it for some reason, didn't like not having control. "I'm sorry but I don't think I have time for that today... Maybe another day?"

The younger let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "U-Uh yeah. He's right." Instead of looking up, Jungkook played with the hem of his shirt.

The blond decided to take off his apron, gathering his things in the back before he could go.

"Jungkook." His grandma whispered, pulling him in close. "Here, invite him out for some ice cream or something." He almost laughs from how slick she was trying to be, moving the cash from his hand to his pocket.

Jimin comes out from the back, personal items in hand that consist of bookbag, wallet and keys. "Alright so... I'm gonna go now..."

The old lady practically pushed Jungkook in front of the small bond, making sure that they would encounter yet another awkward situation. "I-I'll walk you outside." A silent war insued between the taller and his grandmother as they shared glares all the way through the doors.

As if being watched by a nosy store owner wasn't enough, they stood in the cool night breeze rocking back and forth on their heels. "S-So bye Jungk-"

"Actually I have an idea! We could go get some ice cream or something... just the two of us..." They unknowingly blushed, both looking away. "I-I mean, you might h-ave homework or whatever-" Jimin grins at the stuttering boy, choosing to let him simmer in his doubts. "Well you seem to hang out with Taehyung and Hoseok a lot, we haven't really done that yet-"

"Sounds like fun." Of course it was fun to watch Jungkook squirm but he also enjoyed watching pure happiness light up the younger's face when he starts listing off his favorite flavors and the different types of mixture that can't be together.

It was a slow walk to the little cart that was only five blocks away. Casual talk ensued, giggles escaped their lips to create a soft aura. It was a wonderful mood that both of them enjoyed but there was a question that the younger was waiting to ask. One that he had to be careful in asking. "Hey um, Jimin?" After they paid for their cones, they sit down at a nearby bench.

"What's up?" The blond sticks his tounge out, licking up the creamy substance.

"Y-You're um..." Jungkook temporary lost his train of thought but shook his head to get back on track. "You're so different at school than... with my grandma... and me." The younger blushes, picking off the sides of the cone as a distraction. "Why do you put up this front? That you don't really care about others?"

Jimin stopped eating the ice cream. He didn't know how to respond. "I'm... not that different... Am I?" He looks back at the now melting green goo.

"I-I mean- it's not bad you just- you are so nice and funny with me but-"

"I'm not at school?" Jimin whispered, hiding his hand by his side, enclosed in a fist.

"No! I mean yes? I just... see how you are with Hoseok and Taehyung. You guys don't really laugh with each other. Why?"

Jimin knew when they got close enough, Jungkook would feel more comfortable asking him questions. Questions that he didn't know were hard for the blond to answer. "There's an image..." But it doesn't mean he won't try. "That everyone expects of me. It seems as though I wouldn't get any respect or attention if I don't..."

Jungkook looked as confused as ever. "What? Why do you care what they think? They aren't important to you so..."

He could Jimin explain it so that he could understand? "It's not that they are important to me... I just- If they admire me in the work I put in, it makes me feel appreciated. That I was good enough at something to be rewarded. If not... they would attack me for not doing all the things I should have."

The younger tried to comprehend his logic. "Who would attack you?"

There it is. That question he knew was coming. "I- No one." Jimin started hyperventilating. He can't know. It's going to ruin everything. "N-No one." He starts shaking, the familiar sting that made his eyes water.

"Okay I get it. No one. Are you okay Ji-"

"I'm fine!" He stands up abruptly, ice cream falling on the ground. Jungkook stands up too, concerned for his friend.

"Tell me what's wrong, we can fix it."

Jimin starts shaking his head, walking away.

"Was it something I said? I'm sorry!" He runs until he's next to the quiet bundle of nerves. He places his hand on the shorter's shoulder. "Jimin-"

"Don't touch me!" The blond ends up running home with tears in his eyes. I knew I would ruin it... I knew it.

R. I. P. My sleeping habits.