With the dance starting at seven o’clock, Jungkook and his friends decided to go together as a group since none of them had dates. Jungkook, excited about dance could not wait until it seven o’clock. To pass the time he decides to play computer games, the open window blowing the chilly February breeze in, but with his sweater on, he did not mind. One hand on the keyboard and the other one grabbing a handful of potato chips and shoves it in his mouth, happy the teachers were kind enough to not assign any homework. The door opens,

“Jungkook,” calls his sister, leaning in,

“What? He replies, still staring at the computer,

“Take out the garbage,” she says, “Can you see it’s full?”

“Okay,” he replies, eyes focused on his shooting game, “! I died.” His sister sighs, rolling her eyes,

“So, are you taking the car?” she asks,

“Nah,” he replies, “We’re going with Crystal’s car.”

She nods, “So…you and Crystal are going together?” she asks suspiciously, he stares at her, blank, not knowing what she is insinuating.

“Yeah, with Yugyeom too,” he replies, “We’re friends, have been for two years now.” She sighs, heading out and closing the door behind her. He looks at the clock and it was already five-thirty, he exhales and goes out to throw out the trash before his sister gets angry.

Jungkook comes out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist and drying his hair. He looks at the time and it was six-twenty. His phone beeps, he picks up it from the bed and it was Crystal, telling him, she and Yugyeom are on their way to pick him up. He sighs, he had taken a nap and woken at six-o’clock, freaking out and took a quick shower. The theme for the dance was red and pink formal wear but feeling not in the mood he decides to put on black pants with a white collared long sleeve shirt and black blazer. He quickly fixes hair, he stares at himself in the mirror, smirking, satisfied with himself. A knock comes, and the door opens, it was Crystal, she walks in. She stands frozen, she was in a pink dress that highlights and outlines her hourglass body. Her hair up in a messy bun, Jungkook smiles, amazed how well she cleans up as always, the only time she dresses up is for dances and parties, other than that she is always in leggings and t-shirt or sportswear

“How do I look?” he asks, arms wide open,

“Wow,” she says, “You look really handsome, a rebel, I see.”

“Hey, we all can’t all conform to society, right?” he jokes, “You look really beautiful.” She giggles, pushing her hair behind her ear,

“Let’s Go,” she says, “Yugyeom is in the car, he’ll start blowing up my phone soon.” They laugh, Jungkook grabs his cellphone and wallet, following Crystal. They walk through the leaving room, bumping into his sister,

“Wow,” says his Jeongyeon, whistling as she scans him, from his feet to his head, “When did my little brother grow to be such a handsome guy?” 

“Tell me about it,” says Crystal,

Jungkook guffs, “I have always been handsome.” Crystal and Jeongyeon exchange looks and burst out laughing, Jungkook rolls his eyes,

“Let’s go, we’re already late.”

“It’s better to arrive late anyway,” says Jeongyeon, “It’s cool.”

“Lame,” says Jungkook, pulling Crystal by the hand, she waves to his sister before they walked out the door.

They reach the door, Yugyeom was in the front seat, in a red collared shirt with a black blazer, Jungkook high fives him before getting the car.

“Let’s party,” says Yugyeom, as Crystal pulls out of the parking.

They walk towards the school gym, where the dances are usually held, giggling and filled with jitters. Even Jungkook who did not want to go and was forced by his friends, felt nervous and excited, it was the first dance since the Spring Semester started and seeing his friends happy, he could not help but join them. His mind was overwhelmed with thoughts of different ways to approach Jimin, they are friends, Jimin said so himself when he accidentally called him hyung; making it obvious that he wanted their relationship to be  a close one, as Koreans only call someone they are close to as hyung or oppa, especially in America, it was not common. As they approach the gym, there were only the people taking the ticket outside, everyone else was already inside. 

At the booth sat two girls, an African American and a Caucasian, both from the student council, as always since they oversee it with a couple of teachers there to supervise.  They hand the girls their tickets and the girls give him the go ahead. They walk through the door and they stood there dumbfounded, the music was blaring, and the dance floor filled with students, red and pink everywhere. They exchange looks as if trying to figure out what to do next, Jungkook spots the table with food and drinks,

“How about we start with something to eat?” he says, pointing at the table,

“Better than standing around,” says Yugyeom. As they were about to walk to the table, Crystal’s friends, Kylie and Jennifer walk up to them, grabbing Crystal,

“Let’s dance!” they shouted pulling Crystal with them, who pulled Yugyeom with her. Jungkook sighs and follows them, he wanted to eat but he knows he would get from Yugyeom if he left him alone with the girls. They huddle in a group dancing, Yugyeom, and he exchange looks before bursting out laughing. They start to move with the girls, music roaring and red and pink neon lights flashed everywhere, Jungkook impressed, scans the drawings of hearts and giant cupids on the wall, he laughs, as always, the student council never fails to impress him, they always work hard when it comes to school events and assemblies. 

The music changes to a slow tempo and they get off the dance floor and head towards the table to grab something to drink. Jungkook picks up two red plastic cups with a strawberry punch, heading one to Crystal,

“Thanks,” she says, smiling, and takes the glass,

“So…” says Jennifer, staring at Jungkook, who was into the music that was playing, he always liked slow tempo songs,

“Are you and Crystal getting back together?” asks Jennifer, taking them both by surprise, they exchange glances, Jungkook takes a sip from his drink and Crystal starts laughing,

“Of course not,” she says, “We’re friends.”

“But you guys were so cute together,” she says, slightly poking Crystal, as they laugh and giggle, Jungkook turns to Yugyeom who was conversating with Kylie, more like dissing each other over what video game was better Halo or Destiny.

“Which do you think is better, Kookie?” asks Kylie, Jungkook clears his throat, not a fan of neither games, but Kylie and Yugyeom both glare at him, waiting for an answer, he shrugs his shoulder, not wanting to be dragged into their argument. His eyes scan the room, hoping to spot Jimin but not sure what he would do if he does see him. Wave at him? Walk up to him and say hi? Or approach him and ask for a dance? Jungkook shakes his head, Yeah right, as if.

They have been at the dance for two hours and danced more than he could count, but he still did not spot Jimin anywhere. Resting at the bleachers, he scans the dance floor where he left his friends, with all the people in the gym, he was not surprised, he is not able to see Jimin.

“He’s probably with his friends,” he mutters underneath his breath, remembering that Jimin told him he was going with his friend Sasha. Yugyeom comes and sits beside him, coming from the bathroom,

“Wow, dancing is fun,” says Yugyeom, “I have been focused on video games too much, I forgot all about it.” Jungkook laughs. Yugyeom and he have always had things in common, whether it’s their shy personality or love for video games, dancing, and soccer, even though none of them pursued any dancing clubs because they wanted to play soccer.

“Hey,” says Yugyeom, “Guess who I run into when I went to the restroom?” Jungkook looks at him curiously, his mind shouting Jimin? But he stares at his friend silently, hoping to hear the answer.

“Guess?” says Yugyeom, Jungkook sighs, shrugging his shoulders,

“Mike,” replies Yugyeom.

“Oh,” says Jungkook, “And?”

“Nothing,” says Yugyeom, “He asked me if you were here…?”

“What did you tell him?” Jungkook asks quickly, glaring at his friend,

“That you were here with us,” replies Yugyeom, “it was awkward as , I think he still likes you.”

Jungkook shakes his head, not giving Yugyeom’s rumblings any importance. Why would Mike like him? They fooled around like once or twice when they were sophomores but and then again, he also did try to kiss him at the party a month ago. Jungkook sighs, hoping he does not run into him, not in the mood. Yugyeom puts his arm around him, Jungkook stares at his friend, blank.

“Can I ask you something?”

“What?” answers Jungkook, taking his arm off.

“You broke up with Crystal because you started developing feelings for Mike, you fool around with him but never really established a relationship with him because you were still confused. But you’re not confused now, so why not go out with him?” Jungkook stares at him, not sure how to answer his question, he knows Yugyeom knew about his crush on Jimin, he is the only person he told but the question confused him. Did Yugyeom forget? Or is he just wondering why Jungkook never went out with Mike? He sighs, staring at him, waiting for him to clarify his question.

“Don’t get me wrong,” says Yugyeom, “I’m not trying to get involved in your personal life, and I know you told you had a crush on Jimin but I…”

“Have,” interrupts Jungkook,

“Huh?”

“You said I had a crush on Jimin, it’s not had, it has,” replies Jungkook, “I don’t even think it’s a crush, I think I really like him.” Jungkook stares down at his hands, he glances at Yugyeom, silent for a second. Surprised at his own confession.

“You really like him huh?” says Yugyeom. Before Jungkook could answer, he spots Crystal and her friends, walking to where they are sitting, he clears his throat and they both smile at each other, changing the subject to a discussion about a soccer game, they saw on tv. To his surprise, Crystal grabs his hand,

“I love this song,” she says, “Dance with me.”

Jungkook follows her to the dance floor, unable to protest fast enough. An old popular song by Savage Garden, called Truly Madly Deeply was playing. Jungkook sighs, he knows Crystal always has been a fan of them, but he felt awkward to slow dance to such a romantic song with his ex-girlfriend. Smiling, Crystal takes his hand and places the other one on her waist, facing each other with space between them, Jungkook smiles, trying not to overthink like he usually does. They start swaying back and forth to the music, following each other in perfect rhythm.

“Do you remember the first time we went to a school dance before we decided they were lame?” she asks, giggling.

Jungkook laughs, nodding his head, “Freshman year, Halloween dance, we tried to slow dance but ended up stepping on each other shoes.” They burst out laughing,

“Yeah, we thought we were badass,” she says.

As they dance, the song changes to another slow dance music, the song perfect by Ed Sheeran, which drove all the couples to the dance floor immediately. As they continue to dance and chatting, Jungkook spots Jimin across the dance floor, a few feet away, dancing with Sasha but not holding hands, more like goofing around with each other. He smiles, unable to take his eyes off him. His blonde hair highlighted by the colors of the neon lights changing, his eyes scan him and were amazed by how beautiful he looked in that plain black shirt with a dark red blazer and black jeans. As he stares, their eyes meet as if Jimin could feel someone staring at him, Jungkook quickly averts his eyes, staring at Crystal, who rests her head against his chest. He smiles and glances again, making sure if Jimin saw him, as soon he looks up, his eyes meet Jimin's eyes, who smiles and waves at him across the dance floor. Jungkook smiles back, heart racing, He did see me. 

Everything around them fading away slowly as their eyes meet again. As if being pulled by a magnet, Jungkook was unable to avert his eyes, everything sinking in, for the first time, feeling as if his feelings were reciprocal, something he has only felt for a second when he tried to remove the paint of Jimin’s face and their eyes met. A mere gazing across the dance floor, both eyes glued to each other, he smiles, as Jimin slowly bopped and bounced to the music as if he was dancing just for him to see. He did not find it weird that Jimin was bopping and bouncing to a slow song but rather breathtaking. Maybe because it was Valentine’s Day but Jungkook hopes this moment never ends; it is a classical moment seen in teenage films, where the main couple exchange glances across a distant, exposing their feelings for each other for the first time; a scene he has always found cliché but now understands why people found them romantic.

Their gaze gets interrupted by the change of music,

“Let’s go,” says Crystal looking at him, Jungkook oblivious to Crystal, glances back at Jimin who was walking off the dance floor with Sasha.

“Hello?” says Crystal, Jungkook looks at her,

“Huh?” says Jungkook, disoriented, he clears his throat, gathering his thoughts, he spots Jimin walking towards the table of food and drinks.

“Um…do you want a drink?” he quickly asks,

“Um,” says Crystal, “Not really.”

“Um, I’m gonna go get a drink.”

He leaves before she could reply, as he approaches the table, he exhales, relaxing his racing heart. He walks and stands beside him, picking up a cup. He turns and clears his throat, Jimin turns to look at him,

“Hi,” says Jungkook, unable to think of anything else to say, feeling anxious, he fills his cup with strawberry Fanta, 

“Hey,” replies Jimin.

They take their drinks,

“Saw you dancing,” says Jimin, “Girlfriend?” Jungkook follows his gaze, looking at Crystal, he laughs,

“I told you Crystal and I aren’t dating,” he replies, jokily, Jimin stares at him for a second before taking a sip of his drink.

“Do you always come to Valentine’s Day dance with your ex?” teases Jimin, with a smirk. 

Jungkook laughs, “Do you always come with your friend?”

“Only when I’m single,” replies Jimin, smiling. Jungkook chuckles, feeling nervous, wondering if Jimin was flirting with him?

Jimin runs his finger through his hair, silent for a second. Jimin gulps down his drink, he glances at Jungkook,

“Want to go take a breather outside?” he says, fanning his face with his hand “It’s hot in here.”

“Okay,” replies Jungkook, cursing himself for not being able to control himself. Jungkook glances back at his friends who were to busy chatting,

“Let’s go,” says Jimin, waiting for him.

They walk towards the exit. Jungkook follows him, watching him as he walks, he smiles, he always walks like he is on a ramp modeling, so cool. Jimin stops and starts walking again when Jungkook was beside him. They walk through the hallways, leaving the gym, distances away, sharing smiles and glances every now and then, with no exchanges of a conversation. Silence fills the hallway, lights illuminate the tiles and hall, they take a turn and Jungkook immediately knew where they are headed. The school pool, it was on the other side of the school building, Jungkook glances at him, he knew for sure they are not allowed to be away from the designated dance area, but he was too excited to care. The thoughts of being in the same pool as Jimin shirtless and alone, flooded his mind. They reach the entrance and Jimin stops at the door, he turns to face Jungkook,

“Want to go swimming?” asks Jimin,

“Sure,” replies Jungkook, “But it’s probably locked, how are we going to get in?” Jimin smiles but it was more of a smirk, he winks, making Jungkook blush, he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a key,

“The captain of the swimming team is my friend,” he replies, “He gave me the keys, I was going to come with my friends, but I changed my mind, let's go in.” Jungkook chuckles, he looks back to see if anyone was around but it just Jimin and him. So he did plan this? Must be a close friend, because if we were to get caught he would also be in trouble for losing the keys.

“We won’t be caught,” says Jimin, reassuring him, as if he can read Jungkook’s thoughts,

“How do you know?” he asks,

“Cause’ Mrs., Thomas and Mr. James are supervising the dance, and everyone knows how lame they are, and securities are lazy,” says Jimin, “Promise.” He holds up his finger, Jungkook nods his head, and Jimin opens the door. Jungkook hits the lights, bright white lights lite up the room as if it was daylight, they walk in admiring the aqua blue water in the room. 

“I have always admired our school when it came to the sports,” says Jimin, “No other high school has an indoor swimming pool, you know.”

“Yeah,” replies Jungkook, watching him take off his shoes and walk to the pool. He sits down, putting his feet in the water, he pats the floor next to him, motioning for Jungkook to join him. Jungkook smiles and takes off his shoes and goes to sit down beside him.

They chuckle, glancing at each other,

“Being a rebel huh?” says Jimin,

“Huh? Asks Jungkook puzzled,

“Your outfit, the colors are red and pink,” says Jimin. Jungkook looks at his shirt, smiling, he had forgotten, “Looks nice, makes you look mature.” Jungkook bites his lip, feeling nervous and shy. He smiles, wondering if Jimin has always been this daring? First skipping school and now breaking into the schools’ pool, he wonders if he does it for kicks or if he really enjoys breaking the rules. Jungkook glances at him as he kicks the water with his feet. The pool went all the way to ten feet, Jungkook smiles, getting an idea, if he can be daring so can I. He stands up, Jimin turns to look at him, he takes off his blazer, leaving only his shirt and pants. Jimin stares at him confused, Jungkook smiles, and takes a few steps back, before running and jumping in the water, the water splash.

“Jungkook!” shouts Jimin, surprised. Jungkook comes back up, the water felt a little chilly but warm, he burst out laughing, swimming to where Jimin was sitting,

“Let’s swim, hyung,” he says.

Jimin laughs, shaking his head, amused, he looks at the door,

“Come on, not scared, are you?” teases Jungkook, “The water won’t bite.” Jimin shakes his head no,

“I don’t want to mess up my hair,” he replies. Jungkook glares at him, pouting,

“Come on,” he pleads, “What’s the point of being here?” Jimin sighs, silent for a second before standing up, he takes off his blazer setting it beside Jungkook’s. He jumps in the water.

They swim around and start splashing water at each other and laughing. Both exhausted, they rest up against the pool wall, Jungkook runs his fingers through his hair, glancing at Jimin, their eyes meet, immediately laughing,

“You’re crazy,” says Jimin, laughing, “But pretty cute.” Jungkook stares at him, dumbfounded, Jimin called him cute, he smiles, he swims forward, dipping himself in the water slowly. He gets back up, catching Jimin looking at him, he smiles unable to keep the gaze, feeling his cheeks warming up even though he was in the water. Jimin slowly swims towards him until he was face to face with him, Jungkook gulps, they stare at each other as they float. As Jimin draws closer to him, Jungkook’s heart starts to beat so hard against his chest, he feared Jimin will hear it. And he if does hear it, his secret crush won’t be a secret anymore. Gazing into his eyes, Jimin reaches over and touches his face, so soft and gently, setting his body on fire. Frozen, Jungkook stares at him, Jimin’s hand move to his earlobe, slowly caressing it, Jungkook closes his eyes, Jimin was so close to his face, his mind was a mess and his heartbeat was out of control. Is he going to kiss me? if he does everything will be so much easier, I would be able to tell him I like him. Every part of his body, excited.

“Ever pierced your ears before?” asks Jimin, backing away from him,

Jungkook opens his eyes, puzzled and still dazed, “Huh?”

“Your ears,” says Jimin, “Have you ever pierced them, it’ll look nice on you.” Jungkook touches his ear, confused, he touched me because he wanted to know if I ever pierced my ears? Jungkook stares at him, Jimin smiles, he sighs, irritated, he wanted to be mad at him, how could he like that? but looking at Jimin, with the water on his face, reflecting and shining, he couldn’t bring himself to be mad at him.

“Yeah,” answers Jungkook finally, “I had piercings, I wear them sometimes.”

“Hmm,” says Jimin, “It’s getting cold, we should head back before our friends report us missing.”

Jungkook sighs, disappointed, as they get out of the pool, he glances at Jimin who takes of his wet shirt, exposing his body, as if the teasing was not enough. Jungkook sighs, averting his gaze and takes off his shirt,

“Wow,” says Jimin, taking him by surprise, Jungkook stares at him dumbfounded, “You have a really nice body.” Jungkook turns red at the unexcepted compliment and Jimin’s adoring gaze on his abs and flat chest, his abs are not as toned as Jimin’s, but they are still visible. He quickly puts on his blazer, afraid of getting a , his body still hot from Jimin’s touch.

“Let’s go,” he quickly says, with a smile.

They grab their stuff, water dripping from their hair and head back to the gym.

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