Chapter Text
The corridor walls gleamed white against the morning sun, but still left a chilly atmosphere, like standing in an old asylum rather than a prestigious school.
Jungkook pressed his forehead against the cold metal locker, taking in a deep breath. Any minute it would start, the taunts and the bullying. The daily penalty for attending an institute, to which he didn't belong. He was the poor kid, surrounded by prejudice and privilege in every direction.
He wore the same uniform as everyone else, but somehow his shirt never seemed as crisp, his necktie not as neat and he simply couldn't afford those designer loafers, they all wore.
The quiet kid stood out in every single way, but with less than a year till graduation, he would endure everything they threw at him. The chance of a top education was something that could change his life, and nothing would stop him from doing his best.
After mentally preparing for the day ahead, Jungkook pulled away from the locker and shuffled slowly towards class. Each step, echoing along the tiled floor as he passed students who jeered at him.
At the far end of the narrow hall, a sun beam broke through the windows of Room 6, momentarily blinding Jungkook on his approach. But it was quickly eclipsed by the Sang twins, who stood, leaning by the classroom door, no doubt waiting on his arrival. The two brothers were his chief tormentors.
"Think I saw your Mom pumping my gas this morning" Daniel Sang sneered. Loud enough for the rest of his classmates to hear.
"Did she buy those shoes you're wearing with her hard-earned money?" Philip Sang added.
Jungkook gritted his teeth, trying to shake the cruel comments. The whole school knew his mother passed away almost two years before. They knew that his tuition had been paid by people tangled up in her death. But apparently his pain was just a source of entertainment for everyone else.
He ignored the hurtful words, looking passed them to the classroom. Inside sat his fellow students, caught up in their own affairs. His current predicament had become such a regular event, it was no longer worthy of their attention. Jungkook straightened up and went to push past the bullies, but Daniel had other ideas.
"Payment is required for safe entry" he stated menacingly, halting Jungkook with a palm to his chest and flashing a wrist watch that cost more than his Dad's annual salary.
Jungkook, screwed his eyes shut for a moment and sighed deeply. It seemed that verbal abuse was not enough for them this morning. They were looking for a fight. Most likely payback for Jungkook placing 5 points higher than Philip in the last test.
The shy kid didn't have many options other than preparing for the attack. He dropped his bag on the floor and waited for the fists to come flying. But just before hands were thrown, a voice yelled across the room.
"Just give it a rest and let him in!".
Jungkook looked around to find the owner of the disinterested tone and watched as a boy from the back of the class stood, walking towards them at the door.
It was Park Jimin. A kid who'd never so much as looked in Jungkook's direction in the whole 8 months he'd been enrolled in school.
The highly irregular outburst from the class president was enough to peek the interest from the other students, who watched in silence as the popular guy squared up to the Sangs.
"This is none of your business" Daniel Sang stuttered, completely taken aback by Jimin's outburst.
"But it's the same routine every day. It's boring. Can't you think of something more original?" Jimin added, not even giving Jungkook's presence the slightest acknowledgment.
The twins stayed quiet for a moment, trying to unnerve the intruder, who hadn't moved an inch and fixed them both with a glare that scared Jungkook.
Park Jimin was probably the most well-known kid in the school. The top student, who was always involved in one school activity or another. Always appearing well mannered and was full of easy smiles. But this was a side of him, Jungkook had never seen. He didn't look like the excitable puppy he often showed the teachers. He looked cold and mean, while narrowing his eyes towards the twins.
Jungkook had heard that Park Jimin's Aunt was one of the most powerful people in the country and could end the fortunes of any family with a click of her fingers, if so inclined. So, very few students got themselves entangled with the Jimin. The Sangs however didn't seem to care.
Jungkook nervously looked on between Jimin and the twins and wondered if he should intervene before things got out of hand. But as he mustered the courage to move, Jimin looked beyond the brothers and his hard expression changed in an instant.
"Morning Sir" he called, in a cheerful tone.
Those chubby cheeks and bright smiles instantly restored as their teacher appeared.
The excitement of the morning was at an end and everyone quickly fell back into place. Except Jungkook couldn't stop thinking about what had happened.
He just wanted to get through the final year of school. Didn't need the extra attention and certainly didn't want the Sang brothers thinking up new creative ways to hurt him, just to satisfy Park Jimin's boredom. So, when class ended, Jungkook, couldn't help but pull Jimin aside for a moment.
"I don't need your help with the Sangs. I can fight my own battles" he said fiercely, finding a little bravery from somewhere.
He half expected the class president to just ignore him, continue to pretend he didn't exist. Instead Jimin studied him slowly and Jungkook felt his confidence wither under the intense gaze.
"I know you can hold your own, but this morning you looked like you had no fight left in you and it's no fun when it's a one-sided battle" Jimin answered, walking away before Jungkook had time to comment.
The shy kid took a deep breath and heaved his bag over his shoulder. He'd wondered all lesson why the class president had intervened. Now he had his answer. Park Jimin wasn't there to save him, but just wanted to see a fair fight, and probably had money riding on the outcome.
God, he hated this school!