Chapter Text
『••✎••』
Making conversations was never easy for a 19 year old Jimin. Neither did he hate himself nor did he despise others . He had known he was perfect in his own way and couldn't be like others i.e being a mingler, even though he wanted to.
Jimin was content with his best friend, KimTaehyung who had always been there for him whenever he needed someone . Life was never easy for him , people were either nice to him or didn't want to be friends with someone who possessed Autism.
Although it was okay as long as he focused on his studies. He tried to not give any heed to the peculiar comments he got everytime to remain secured in his position as the topper of the academics . But it was getting hard for him to uphold the rude behaviour of his classmates.
"Park Jimin." His homeroom teacher, Mr Lee, called his name and extended his Report card towards him . Jimin as usual moved forward to get the report card with his head hung low . Making eye-contact is still a injunction for him.
He took the report card from the teacher with a respectful bow and looked at the result, happy and satisfied , a small smile making its way up to his face. He had come first again!
"Does he really top everytime on his own or is it his rich daddy bribing you?"Nayeon laughed as she threw a nasty glare at jimin, it's not like she got any reaction from the said boy who was busy checking his marks.
She didn't deserve his attention because that's what Taehyung told him. "Angels like you shouldn't bother wasting their precious time on helldogs like that bitch Nayeon"
"Language, Nayeon." His teacher scolded firmly and continued to distribute the results. Jimin was still engrossed in the paper card when the teacher suddenly spoke.
"I have an announcement to make." He clapped his hands together to get their attention and Jimin put down the report and started listening to him carefully.
"This might not be the best news for everybody sitting here… but this was my last day in this school." He disclosed the news with misty eyes. A collective gasp surrounded the class like an echo, Jimin snapped his head in astonishment to look at his favourite maths teacher, his mouth hung open.
He didn't expect this at all, he liked him, he got to learn so many concepts from him and the news about his sudden retirement hurt him. Trying his best to hold back his tears, Jimin bit his bottom lip while looking down at his hands and started playing with the hem of his shirt .
"That's not fair, saem. This is our last year, you were supposed to stay with us till the final examinations." Someone from the back shouted but Jimin couldn't identify the voice, he felt no need to.
Soon the whole class was a mess, shouting and whining loudly because of the sudden news. Jimin closed his eyes and squirmed into his seat and covered his ears.
Firstly he was disheartened at his favourite teacher's retirement and this sudden chaos was too much for him to bear.
"Look at this attention seeking bitch, even when our saem is leaving the school now he is hellbent on being a braggart " Nayeon suddenly shouted, grabbing everyone's attention and onto Jimin.
"Nayeon, enough is enough!" His teacher yelled and glared at her as she scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Your new Mathematics teacher will come to greet you all after this break. So I want you guys to behave. Especially Nayeon , Jane and others at the back . Kindly behave in front of him." Mr Lee said and collected his books and looked at everyone for the last time.
"Thank you for having me as your teacher , I wish you guys all the very best for your future expeditions …" He said his goodbyes to everyone and proceeded to move out of the classroom but before that ..
"Jimin, come with me." He called softly. Jimin wiped his tears away and stood up from his seat hastily to follow his teacher.
"Bloody teacher's whore." Nayeon chuckled bitterly, making her friends just snicker in a mocking manner.
"You know he's not rich. If he needs to stay amongst us here, pretending to be sick and ill headed is the only way he can gain everyone's sympathy." Jane, one of her minions laughed.
"ENOUGH ALL OF YOU." Taehyung shouted as he banged his hands on the desk making everyone flinch. Nayeon raised her brow at him and chuckled.
"Why? Don't your boyfriend get tired of being dramatic—" But before Nayeon could finish the sentence, Taehyung had already grabbed her by the nape and banged her head on the desk hard.
She screamed in pain and tried to hit him back but he gripped her jaw in a tight grip and pulled her closer, noses almost brushing.
"Listen here you bitch, I won't tolerate another bullshit coming out of your mouth towards my best friend." Taehyung whispered menacingly and gritted his teeth, tightening his hold on her jaw that could leave finger marks on her pale skin.
The whole class watched in astounding shock but no one had the courage to utter a word against The Kim Taehyung and Nayeon needed to be put into her place. The other classmates mentally thanked Taehyung for finally giving her the absolute treatment.
Taehyung then pushed her back harshly as she hit the chair's edge and fell on the floor with her hair dishevelled all over her face. "Don't ever go near him with any ill motive, you know I can do worse than this." He snarled at her face before storming out of the class.
"Why would you say that in front of him knowing he can throw all of us out of this school? Grow some brains Nayeon." Jane said exasperatedly and stomped out of the class instead of helping her sit back up on the chair. Nayeon just stared at her leaving with an open mouth, looked around to see the classmates stifling a laugh and cussed in frustration. "PARK FUCKING JIMIN YOU ARE A DEAD MEAT."
『••✎••』
"Saem, where are we going?" Jimin asked timidly as they walked in the corridor. He kept looking down and around the corridor but not at his teacher.
"We are going to meet the new teacher." Mr Lee said calmly and Jimin relaxed at that. He wasn't afraid of meeting new people but he was anxious being unaware of how the new teacher would be reacting to him.
Would his disorder make the new teacher hate him? He geared up the last of his confidence and proceeded, he couldn't put the last year of school at risk, he couldn't let his Autism mess up.
His teacher seemed to notice this. So he cleared his throat. "Don't worry Jimin, he's kind. He won't treat you badly." Mr Lee smiled and finally stopped outside of the office. He held the door knob as Jimin finally looked at him but averted his gaze soon.
"Are you ready to meet him?" He asked and Jimin just nodded. So without wasting more time, Mr Lee opened the door, Jimin entering after him.
When Jimin entered the room, looking around he saw no one except for a man sitting on the chair with his back turned. He looked at him curiously until the man turned around and everything around Jimin froze.
Jimin was taken aback when he saw his face for the first time. Jimin stared at him with wide eyes and fidgeting fingers. He looked so young. Younger than Mr Lee but a face so mature and taut.
Jimin had a hard time accepting the fact that he would be their new teacher. But when Mr Lee introduced him, all his doubts vanished into the thin air. The said man stood up from the chair, bowed to Mr Lee and smiled firmly at Jimin.
Jimin fumbled on his legs and bowed ninety degrees to greet his new homeroom teacher. He looked down and waited for Mr Lee to finish the talk with Mr Jeon. The name that Jimin heard from Lee's mouth when they entered.
He was looking outside at the trees and birds via the window and not paying much heed to the teachers conversing, suddenly Mr Lee called him to come near them. Jimin's feet moved.
"Please introduce yourself to your new teacher Jimin-ah. I've already told him the necessary things so don't worry, okay? I'll leave now, take care. I wish you a successful life ahead, my child." His teacher smiled softly, patting his back. Jimin bowed to him "Thank you Seonsaengnim," and saw him leave the room after giving his wishes.
Jimin sighed and looked at his new teacher and smiled softly. The teacher gestured at the chair in front of him and Jimin sat down without any complaints.
"So you're Park Jimin, the ace and class representative?" He asked in a strong voice containing mild amusement and Jimin just nodded shyly.
"Please tell me something about yourself and then you can tell me about your classmates??" Mr Jeon asked and Jimin hummed
"I'm Jimin, 19 years old. I like maths, reading and I want to be a space researcher. I like staying in my room mostly but I love spending time with my best friend. And uhm…" He opened and closed his mouth to speak but looked up while thinking more.
"I also like drawing and… and." Jimin looked around and scratched his head with his index finger. "I don't like anything else." He giggled as his teacher stared at him with amusement before letting out a deep chuckle. And Jimin panicked, how could he let his hyperactism take over, damn he was afraid of facing the new teacher's wrath already. Jeongguk who was watching Jimin in amazement sensed his discomfort and spoke.
"Hey, Jimin, it's okay. I'm not mad at this. I'm happy that you have such beautiful measures for your life . Well I'm Jeon Jeongguk. You can call me Mr. Jeon or Saem Jeon." Jeongguk smiled and looked at his new student who was amazing, a little box full of surprises and innocence.
"Uh okay. Hello, Mr Jeon." Jimin said and bowed to him and Jeongguk smiled and stood up from the seat.
"Can you lead the way to the classroom? I think the break's about to end." Jeongguk asked softly and Jimin stood up quickly and started guiding the way to his new teacher.
Jeongguk followed without saying anything and bowed to the teachers(along with Jimin) while striding his way towards the class through the corridor.
"Are you going to teach us maths instead of Mr Lee?" Jimin asked softly as they walked side to side and Jeongguk answered without any delay.
"Yeah, I'm gonna teach you maths from now on."
"I love maths." Jimin spoke in delight and kept walking straight without throwing a glance at Jeongguk.
Jeongguk scrunched his nose. Jimin was already his favourite student. There was something very special about the lad that irked Jeongguk to invest more into him.
They finally reached the threshold of a chaotic classroom filled with pitter-patter of the students. Just as Jimin opened the door and stepped inside making way for their new teacher, he was met with a duster coming across his way thrown by an angry Nayeon. It's due to his good reflexes that prevented the duster from hitting him right in the head.
"YOU BLOODY A.. OH-" she screamed but stopped when she saw Jeongguk staring at her with a frown. Nayeon straightened up her position "WHO ARE YOU?" asked Nayeon in a glittery voice.
But Jeongguk paid no attention to her for time being and turned to Jimin hovering over him "Jimin, are you okay?" He asked softly and Jimin nodded briskly and hurried off to his seat at the bell.
Everyone had settled down into their seats in their newfound amazement at the newcomer, Jeongguk sighed. Teaching wasn't an easy job after all. He reached up to the desk, keeping his books on the table and watched as everyone rose up their seats to greet him.
"Sit down students." Jeongguk tried to sound as calm as he could but after seeing Nayeon's behaviour towards Jimin . He had assumed not everything could go sedately. However he couldn't withstand violence and bullies in his class.
He gripped the small lecture stand in front of him and looked around at his students trying to commemorate each of their faces until he knew the names. His eyes landed on that one barbaric girl and he fought the urge to narrow his eyes when he saw her smirking and batting eyelashes at him.
Clearing his throat and giving himself a pat in the back he finally spoke. "Hello, my dear students, I'm Jeon Jeongguk, your new homeroom and maths teacher." He smiled and suddenly was attacked with some nerve wrecking questions that was unexpected and illegitimate for students to ask .
"Saem are you single?"
"How old are you?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"You're so handsome "
"Will you take extra classes too?"
"Can we have your number?"
The classroom was in an vicious uproar so he banged the duster on the table in order to silence the crowd.
"SILENCE! Okay, no more personal questions, anyone. I'm your teacher, you're my students and I demand to be treated with respect . Am I clear? " He said firmly, giving them a tight smile and everyone groaned in a chorus of "OKAY SIR". Jeongguk smiled and opened the textbook "Shall we begin with today's lecture then? Open your books kids." He announced.
He heard a few groans and furrowed his brow "Students, do you have any more enquiries?" and a student stood up to say. "Ah saem… it's your first day. No one teaches on their first day" he said and everyone agreed in unison.
Jeongguk looked at them all and sighed "Okay. Is there anyone who wants to attend my lecture?" He asked but no one raised their hand. No one except one. Jeongguk looked at the student and smiled when Jimin raised his hand hesitatingly as if he was afraid of it.
Albeit he noticed Jimin got nasty stares from some students .
"If we are done with this drama , I kindly request you to open your books and concentrate." Jeongguk sternly said and glared at everyone when they tried to protest again.
Jimin smiled to himself and opened his textbook, ignoring all the stares full of hatred directed at him now. He focused on the board and listened to Mr. Jeon carefully when his teacher asked a question.
"Evaluate: Integration of √a²-x²? Can anyone of you come and solve it on the board for me?" Jeongguk asked and looked at everyone but again saw just one hand raised and that was of Jimin.
He eyed around the class but to no avail didn't get any other willing student except for Jimin. Jeongguk shook his head in disbelief. He had a long way to mend these students. Then Jeongguk's gaze landed on Nayeon who didn't try hiding her angry stares at Jimin as if he had sinned raising his hands.
"Uhm, you." He pointed the chalk at her and summoned her to the board. She, like a deer caught in the headlights, stood up with wide eyes and gulped.
"What's your name?" Jeongguk asked.
"Im Nayeon." Nayeon answered and smiled innocently.
"Please solve this integral Question for the class to see." Nayeon cussed internally but walked to the board nonetheless. She took the chalk from Jeongguk's hand and started solving the question.
He looked back at the students and saw Jimin who might have solved the question already staring at the board with furrowed eyebrows. Jeongguk looked back towards the board and sighed disappointedly at Nayeon's answer, he cleared his throat.
" It's wrong, go back to your seat... anyone else?"
"Huh?"
"It's wrong." Jeongguk said again and took the chalk from her hand and gestured to Jimin to come as no one was able to do so. Jimin buckled up and walked towards the board, taking the chalk from his hand , he solved the question diligently. "Hmm impressive.. Well done Jimin, you can go back to your seat now."
Nayeon chuckled at that while sitting at her seat and glared at Jeongguk.
"Saem, if you want to humiliate me then just say so." She snickered and everyone looked at her with wide eyes and started gossiping.
"Nayeon-ah, stop." Someone said from behind in a petty tone and that angered her more.
"Really?? This sick bastard is get-"
"Yah." Taehyung screamed from behind that made everyone flinch. "I told you to keep his name out of your mouth. You just don't learn right. If you want attention that badly then just say so." Taehyung shouted and at that she laughed and stood up and kicked the desk in front of her.
"IM NAYEON ENOUGH, THIS IS SCHOOL NOT YOUR HOME. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE VIOLENT AND DISRESPECTFUL TOWARDS THE SCHOOL'S ENTITIES LET ALONE TALKING RUDELY TO YOUR TEACHER." Jeongguk shouted and everyone went silent. Jimin flinched and shifted back from the teacher as Nayeon gulped and looked at Jeongguk who was glaring at her.
"I HAVE NEVER THOUGHT TO SAY THIS IN THE VERY FIRST DAY OF MY CLASS BUT LOUSY BRATS LIKE YOU DOESN'T DESERVE TO ATTEND MY LECTURE SO GET OUT OF THIS CLASS RIGHT INSTANT AND MEET ME AT THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE AFTER THE SCHOOL ENDS." He said sternly.
Nayeon bit her bottom lip, tears threatening to come out. She glared at Jimin before stomping out of the classroom and raising her arms.
Jimin gulped and shrunk back in his seat .
Jeongguk began teaching again in pin drop silence throughout the lecture .
『••✎••』
The bell rang and everyone started coming out of the classrooms in the corridor "That's it for today. Solve these two exercises as homework. Thank you class." He said and left the classroom.
When he left the classroom he looked at Nayeon still standing there and she took a step back." I'M SPARING YOU BECAUSE IT'S MY FIRST DAY HERE BUT I WON'T TOLERATE THIS BLUNTNESS THE NEXT TIME. SO BEHAVE." He said to which Nayeon bowed slowly and Jeongguk left without saying anything.
Nayeon gritted her teeth in annoyance and and went inside the classroom. "Park Jimin, you sick bitch." She snarled and started walking towards him with fast steps. But before she could touch him, Taehyung was already dragging her away from Jimin by her hair.
"Taehyung-ah, she's a girl." Soobin shouted from the back as he walked to him with a concerned look.
"Then she should behave like one good girl and not a fucking bitch." He retorted and pushed her away as she landed on the floor with a thud while holding her head.
Soobin sighed and touched his shoulder. "Calm down, she has already got a handful from Mr. Jeon , if she has an ounce of shame left in her, she won't come at Jimin. So Let's go out." He said and looked at Jimin.
"Jimin-ah, let's go." Soobin said and Jimin followed them quickly and they went towards the canteen with a tired Jimin and angry Taehyung.
"C'mon now, leave it." Soobin said as they walked to the canteen.
"You were cool there." Jimin suddenly said and at that Taehyung's gaze softened. He sighed and smiled at his best friend.
"But you shouldn't do something like that. I don't mind what they say, you said that I shouldn't pay attention to witches." Jimin giggled and at that Soobin and Taehyung both laughed.
"It's not our fault she never learns." Soobin laughed and tried to circle his arm around Jimin but was stopped by an exasperated Taehyung "soobin-ah.. "
"Sorry sorry." He quietly whispered remembering Jimin's condition as they walked to the canteen and bought their food.
"Jimin-ah, here is your kimbap." Taehyung said, removing the wrapper and handing it to Jimin as the latter started munching on it.
"What class do we have next?" Soobin asked.
"Games." Jimin answered tiredly and kept looking straight ahead at the ground.
"Hey Jiminie, let's play football today. Will you come with us?"
Jimin shook his head at that. "No, I am not needed in there anyway . I'll just roam around here and there or complete Mr. Jeons' homework. You guys go ahead." He exclaimed sadly and continued to eat the kimbap.
He watched the students in silence. Everyone was laughing, jumping around holding hands, couples hugging under the shade, etc. It was a privilege Jimin wanted but wasn't lucky enough to do because of his disorder.
Hell he wasn't even comfortable in touching his best friends, Taehyung and Soobin lest making it extremely difficult.
Why couldn't GOD make him normal like the others? For the nth time of the day Jimin sighed sadly and kept staring in the nothingness.
Jimin wished he was normal too.
"Do you think I'm boring? A burden to my closed one's? Dramatic? Mentally ill? Or I am faking my sickness?" Jimin suddenly asked in a voice devoid of emotions that both Soobin and Taehyung snapped their heads in his direction, gasping at his words . Jimin sensed their gaze and turned his sad eyes at them.
"What are you even talking about, Jimin?" Taehyung demanded offensively. He was both angry and sad at Jimin's sudden outburst of questions.
"You're not boring, you're the most fun loving person. You're our little ace and others are just blind and dumb enough to not see it." Soobin followed and Taehyung nodded his head fastly with his eyes closed and mouth full.
"But look. They all can see. How will they run like this if they're blind?" Jimin asked with curious eyes and pointed at the students in the playground. Soobin and Taehyung looked at Jimin with soft eyes before laughing out loud.
They both suddenly gave him a tight hug and rubbed their cheeks on both sides of Jimin's face.
"Eeww okay, now get away from me you two." Jimin said in a hurry and started pushing them away. Both of them sat back and apologised with smiles on their faces and the smaller one just giggled .
Maybe one day, he would allow them to rub their cheeks in his face longer.
ONEDAY..