|| Almost love || Jimin

‎The hallway went quiet for a second. People’s eyes followed the new girl who just walked in you.Whispers began to fill the air, soft and curious. You tried not to smile, but your lips twitched anyway. ‎So this is it, you thought. New school, new faces… maybe even a new start. ‎You had prepared yourself for everything the stares, the whispers, the judging looks. Some would like you, some would hate you. That’s just how schools worked. ‎But right now.... the way everyone’s eyes turned toward you… it almost felt like you were the center of their world. Like the world had paused just to notice you. You almost laughed at the thought. Until another girl walked past you. ‎ ‎You noticed how, one by one, all the stares shifted from you to her. ‎The three girls who had just entered carried that untouchable kind of confidence. Your faint smile faded completely. A small frown formed on your face as you whispered to yourself.. ‎“...Huh?” ‎Realization hit. They weren’t looking at you at all. They were staring at her....the most beautiful girl in the entire high school. You sighed softly, muttering, ‎ ‎“Good… so I was just dreaming, huh?” ‎and continued walking toward your classroom. The moment you stepped inside, your eyes lifted...and froze. ‎You almost screamed when you saw a familiar face standing near the back. ‎ ‎“Irem!?” ‎ ‎She turned instantly, her eyes widening before she gasped and ran toward you. ‎“yaaaaaaaaah?!” ‎ ‎You both hugged so tight it drew a few stares from the class. You laughed through the hug, voice trembling, ‎“I can’t believe it! How? I thought....I thought you moved for good!” ‎ ‎Irem pulled back, her smile bright and teasing. ‎“Surprised?” she said, winking. ‎ ‎You sighed, half laughing. “I missed you so much! You didn’t even say goodbye… I thought you forgot me.” ‎ ‎Irem grinned proudly. “Forget you? Never. I convinced my mom to let me come here! Long story though. Come on, I’ll tell you everything.” ‎ ‎You giggled, following her toward the seats. ‎“Finally,” you said under your breath, a smile tugging at your lips, “I won’t be alone here anymore.” ‎ ‎.............................................................................. ‎ ‎[ After Few classes, bell rings ] ‎ ‎The bell rang, echoing through the hallway.You exhaled, eyes closing calmly but with that tiny tiredness that didn’t fit someone on their first day. You patted your own shoulder and mumbled, ‎ ‎“Already tired… and it’s just the first day.” ‎Beside you, Irem was spinning slowly, eyes wide in awe. ‎“This school is seriously huge,” she said, turning to you with a grin. You opened your eyes, arms dropping to your sides. “Yeah… and honestly, it’s beautiful.” ‎Irem hummed in agreement before clasping her hands together. ‎“Alright! Cafeteria time?” she asked excitedly. You quickly shook your head, lips curving in amusement. ‎“You already know what happens when I step into cafeterias,” you said, voice playful but warning. “I’m not ruining another one on my first day.” ‎Irem laughed so loud a few students looked over. “Oh right! I still remember how you destroyed the whole cafeteria on your first day of middle school!” she said, clutching her stomach from laughter. “That’s literally how we became friends when I helped you escape.” ‎You joined in, laughing at the memory. ‎“Yeah, and I still owe you for that one,” you teased. ‎ ‎“Okay okay, fine,” Irem said, waving her hand. “Stay here, Miss Trouble. I’ll grab us some snacks!” ‎ ‎You nodded, smiling softly. “Got it.” ‎ ‎For a while, you just stood there watching new faces, different uniforms, the noise, the laughter. Everything felt unfamiliar… yet warm. And then....You didn’t know why, but your feet began to move on their own. Step by step, you wandered through the hall, eyes catching on the classroom boards as you passed. ‎Until one made you stop....Music Class. ‎Your heart gave a small skip. A soft giggle escaped your lips. ‎“Music, huh?” you whispered to yourself. ‎ ‎You peeked inside And froze. There was someone there. A boy. Back facing you. ‎He was sitting on a stool, a guitar resting in his hands. The light from the window hit his hair silky, a little messy, perfect. ‎His fingers moved across the strings, and the melody filled the empty room. So soft. So smooth. So painfully beautiful that your breath hitched. You couldn’t look away. You just stood there, lost in the rhythm in him....Then suddenly, he stopped playing. His back still turned. Your brows furrowed slightly. Without realizing, your feet carried you a bit closer just enough to peek from the doorframe. ‎You caught a glimpse of his side profile… sharp jawline, calm expression. You blinked trying to memorize him, but it was all too quick. He stood up, and before you could get another look... ‎ ‎“AHH! Why are you standing here? Come on, I found something interesting!” ‎ ‎You flinched as Irem grabbed your hand out of nowhere, dragging you down the hall. ‎“Wait.... I....” you stuttered, looking back one last time. ‎ ‎But he was already gone. ‎ ‎You turned your head forward again, biting your lip for no reason... No idea why… but you couldn’t stop wishing to see his face again.