Just One Day (BTS)

My eyes are wide as the game commences.Yoongi picks himself up with the help of Jimin and Hoseok, running back onto the court. Lisa slaps the hand of our remaining team member, who I learn is called Minhyuk, and both teams face off again. The opposition are smirking at first, but I frown at their previous foul play. The whistle goes and the court comes to life.

“Pass me the damn ball!” Lisa yells at Hoseok, who blinks before taking a leap and throwing the ball at her.

She jumps and catches it, dodging an opposing player and getting a slam dunk. Our school is silent for a moment before we erupt in cheers and screams. I’m on my feet, Jimin is excitedly high-fiving her. The coach from the other school is starting to look scared.

“She scored in less than a minute!” Taehyung exclaims.

“She’s so cool!” I say in awe.

“I think it must have been more than a minute,” Jungkook says dubiously, tugging on Taehyung’s arm to make him sit down. Taehyung and I exchange a sheepish smile before taking our seats. The game continues.

Honestly, it’s even more tense than before. Yoongi’s satisfied smirk has returned to his face and Jimin can’t stop grinning. I can see it psyching out the other team. Though they are taller and broader than our players, they’re starting to look nervous; especially of Lisa. She is on fire.
The scoreboard is swiftly changing, too. We were losing before, but Lisa’s points are adding up. The atmosphere seems to be catching, as Yoongi skilfully slam dunks, racking up our team’s points. I’m on the edge of the plastic seat, eyes fixed on the court as the clock slowly runs out.

I jump to my feet, arms raised and cheering loudly. The time’s up, and Cherry Falls has won.
Catching Jimin’s eye, I make the biggest heart I can with my arms. Taehyung laughs and joins in. Our small team crowds around Lisa, though Hoseok stands there awkwardly. High-fives and fist-pumps are exchanged. Taehyung tugs on my arm and we make our way down to the court.

“Eun Ha!” Jimin calls, running over to us. He pushes his sweaty hair back from his face.

“Jimin,” I say with a smile, “You played so well today!”

“Thanks!” he says excitedly, “Lisa saved us!”

Lisa turns and grins at me.

“Eun Ha, wasn’t it?” she asks breathlessly.

“Yeah,” I reply awkwardly, though I can’t stop smiling. “I had no idea you were so good at basketball.”

“I guess I surprised them,” she says with a shrug.

“Us, too,” Yoongi says, clapping her on the shoulder.“You should really join the team.”

“What?” Hoseok utters, looking up from his conversation with Minhyuk.

“He’s right,” Minhyuk says.

“Any objections?” Lisa asks innocently, looking Hoseok in the eye.

“Uh,” he mumbles, “No…”

“I thought it’s a boys team,” Namjoon laughs, having appeared next to us. Lisa smacks his arm. “Just saying,” he adds, stuffing his hands back in the pockets of his red bomber jacket that he wears over a grey hoodie.

Hoseok takes a drink from his water bottle in such a way that I can only describe it as awkward.

“Two words,” says Yoongi, holding up two fingers. We all look at him. “Mixed team.”

Hoseok spits out his water. Lisa shoots him a glare, before snatching the bottle off him and drinking some herself. He looks rather shocked at this.

“That’s a really good idea,” Jungkook says brightly, having finally joined us. He has been accompanied by Jin, who is still in his school uniform.

“Glad you think so, freshman,” says Yoongi, reaching over and messing up Jungkook’s hair. Jungkook slaps his hand away.

“Congratulations, by the way,” says Jin with that good-natured smile of his.

“Why, thank you, Prefect,” Yoongi says with a smirk.

“Anyway, about the mixed team,” Minhyuk reminds him.

“I’ll speak to the coach,” Jimin says.

“We’ll all speak to him about it,” Yoongi agrees, wiping some sweat off his forehead, “Right, Hoseok?” He looks at the taller guy.

“Huh?Yeah, sure,” Hoseok stammers.

“Well, have a nice weekend, everyone,” says Yoongi, backing away from the group.

“Where are you going?” Jimin demands.

“I need to go home,” says the skinny guy.

“Why, we should celebrate,” says Hoseok, dancing excitedly. He catches Lisa’s eye and quickly stops.

“Why do you need to go home, hyung?” Jimin adds.

“To sit down,” Yoongi states.

We all look at him as he backs away.

“And after that,” he continues, “I need to lie down.See you all on Monday.”

“Alright, bye, Yoongi,” says Hoseok.“I think I’ll go home, as well.”

“Need to study for midterms, anyway,” Jin points out.

“No!” Jungkook exclaims.

“Aw, man,” Lisa complains.

“Yeah, my radio show is cancelled next week,” Namjoon says.

“We should all get home,” says Jin, “Bye, everyone.”

There is an exchange of goodbyes before our little group disperses. It’s been a week, but this feels almost… normal.

“What’s the time?” Taehyung asks absently, hovering beside me.

I check the time on my phone.“It’s gone eight,” I mutter, “My mom will be here.”

“I’ll walk with you,” the ginger guy offers, “It’s pretty dark now.”

“I’ll come,” Jungkook says quickly, “Since me and Tae are probably walking.”

“But you live next door to me,” I point out as we head towards the car park, “It would make sense if you came with me.”

Taehyung looks at us.

“You live on the way, right?” I add quickly. Taehyung beams and gives a nod. “I’ll just ask my mom if she can drop you off, then.”

“Thanks, Eun Ha,” Taehyung says, wrapping his arms around me and resting his head on my shoulder. It slows down our pace, leaving Jungkook to look back at us. I laugh awkwardly, patting Taehyung’s arm until he lets go.

“There’s my mom’s car,” I say, running over.

“Eun Ha,” my mom calls from the open window. “Oh, you must be Jeon Jungkook,” she adds, looking at the tall brown haired boy at my side.

“Hi, Mrs Kwon,” Jungkook says with a grin.

“And this is Kim Taehyung,” I say gesturing to the ginger boy, “Could we possibly give them a lift home?”

“Sure,” Mom says with a smile, “Seeing as Jungkook lives next door, it would be silly not to.Do you live close by, Taehyung?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says politely, “My house is on the way to where you live.”

“Well, that’s fine, then,” says Mom, “Please get in.”

The three of us hesitate for a moment.

“Jungkook, would you like to sit in front?” Mom asks.

“Sure, if that’s okay,” he says with a smile, getting into the front passenger seat. Taehyung and I sit in the back. “I can also direct you to Taehyung’s house if you want.”

“Yes, that’ll be very helpful,” says Mom, “I don’t know the area so well yet.”

“I could have given directions!” Taehyung complains.

“It’s fine, Tae,” I say quickly, throwing him a smile. “Since Jungkook’s sitting in front, he can tell my mom the way.”

“Okay,” he replies.

Mom starts asking Jungkook questions about school and he answers them politely.

“Hey,” Taehyung says quietly.

“Huh?” I ask, turning to look at him.

“You’ve never called me Tae before,” he says, a smile creeping onto his face.

“What…?”

“You always call me Taehyung,” he explains, “Tae is more of a nickname.”

“Oh, I’m sorry-”

“No, it’s fine,” he says, smiling widely, “I like it.”

“I guess I’ve heard Jungkook call you that enough times,” I consider.

“What about you, Taehyung?” My mom asks, “Do you like school?”

Jungkook looks round and smirks at us.

“Yes, ma’am,” Taehyung says stoutly, “I’m just not very good at it.”

“Maybe you could use a tutor?” she suggests.

“Well, after midterms, some of us will be assigned personal tutors,” Taehyung explains, “I might get one.”

“I’m sure that will help a lot,” Mom says kindly. “Eun Ha was telling me about the personal tutoring scheme, she’s been put down for it.”

“Hey, maybe you should tutor Tae,” Jungkook says slyly.

“He might not need a tutor,” I reply awkwardly.

“He might, though,” Jungkook adds. “Oh, it’s left here.” Mom makes a left turn onto what I assume is Taehyung’s street. I can’t see much in the dark but Jungkook points out the house.

“Thank you, Mrs Kwon,” says Taehyung, getting out of the car and giving a bow. He waves before he turns and disappears into his house.

“He’s a sweet kid,” Mom comments.

“Mom,” I mutter.

Jungkook laughs. “He is,” he agrees, “I’ve known Taehyung since middle school and we’ve been best friends since then.”

“It’s nice to have long-term friends,” says Mom as we continue on our way home, “But it can be difficult if you move, right, Eun Ha?”

“Yes, Mom,” I reply, straight-faced. I just hope this conversation doesn’t go on to embarrass me in any way.

“You never really spoke about your friends at your last school,” Mom continues.

“I don’t really think this is a necessary subject to discuss,” I say meaningfully. Friends? What friends?

“We can talk about something else,” says Jungkook, saving me. I let out a breath.

No one says much else as we pull up into the driveway.

“Thanks for the ride, Mrs Kwon,” Jungkook says as he gets out of the car. He waits for me to get out as Mom is unlocking our front door.

“I hope your mom wasn’t embarrassing you too much,” he says quietly.

“No, you changed the subject at just the right moment,” I reply, “Thanks, by the way.”

“You seemed a bit uncomfortable,” he says with a shrug.

“Anyway, good luck with midterms next week,” I say, “I probably won’t see much of you or Taehyung.”

“Yeah, I need to study a lot this weekend,” Jungkook agrees. “Well, see you.”

“Bye,” I say, and we part ways.

I close the front door behind me as I enter the house.

“Well, Jungkook was nice,” says Mom.

“Mom!” I exclaim. I totally agree, but I know what she’s implying, and that’s what I disagree with.

“I’m just saying,” she defends herself. “It would be nice to have a boyfriend at your age; you seemed so lonely the past few years of school.”

“I just need friends,” I correct her. “And I have two of them, so far. Taehyung and Jungkook are just that, my friends.”

“I know, dear,” she says, with that irritatingly knowing smile.She knows nothing, however.

“I should study a bit before I go to bed,” I say quickly, kicking off my shoes and climbing the stairs.

***

“Goodbye, midterms!” Jungkook yells as we exit the school the following Friday.

“Midterms are over, midterms are over!” Taehyung sings loudly.

I let out a puff of air. “I’m so glad,” I say.

“Now we can hang out!” Taehyung says happily, nudging my shoulder.

“I actually have time now,” I chuckle, “I totally need to take a break.”

“We are taking a break,” Jungkook insists.

“What should we do?” Taehyung asks.

“What do you want to do, Eun Ha?” Jungkook questions, looking at me.

“Oh,” I ramble, “I don’t know.I’ve never really hung out with friends…” I trail off as I realise what I’m saying. Jungkook and Taehyung are both staring at me. “Before,” I utter, finishing my sentence. “That is, what I mean to say-”

“Say no more,” Jungkook commands, raising a hand, “I know what we’re going to do.”

“What is it?” Taehyung asks enthusiastically. “Don’t worry, Eun Ha, you have friends now; us,” he adds quietly. I feel a smile creep onto my face as I cast my eyes to the ground.

“Milkshakes,” Jungkook says with a grin.

“Great idea!” Taehyung agrees. “Do you like milkshakes, Eun Ha?”

I nod.

“Favourite flavour?” Jungkook questions as we continue to walk.

“Um…” I think for a moment. “Probably banana,” I answer.

“Me too!”Taehyung exclaims.

“Really?” Jungkook asks, “You guys are weird.”

“You’re the odd one out, now!” the ginger boy teases.

“Yah, very funny,” the taller boy grumbles.

“Is that the place?” I ask, pointing to a small café across the street.

“Sure is,” Jungkook replies, “Let’s go.”

We cross the road and enter the little café. It’s bright inside, with potted plants along the window and a colourful menu board behind the counter. A few students from our school, judging by their uniforms, and couples, sit at round tables around the room.Jungkook goes up to the counter, beckoning for Taehyung and me to follow.

“What can I get you?” asks the young woman behind the counter.

“One chocolate milkshake, please,” Jungkook says with a grin. The other worker begins making the drink.

“Two banana milkshakes, please,” says Tae. Jungkook receives his milkshake and looks around the café.

“I’ll grab that table over there,” he says, nodding to one by the window. He goes and sits down.
I reach into my backpack for my purse, but Taehyung is already handing money over the counter.

“I can pay for it,” he offers, smiling slightly.

“Oh, I, uh-”

“I don’t mean to burden you,” he says quickly.

I shake my head.“It’s not that. I mean, I don’t find it a burden, I just didn’t expect…”

Taehyung is looking expectantly at me.

“It’s fine,” I assure him, “You can pay for it, if you want.”

The ginger boy beams, and I find myself smiling as well.

“Here you go,” he says, handing me my milkshake. It’s in a plastic cup with a lid and straw, with a yellow duck’s face on it.Taehyung’s is matching.

We sit down at the table where Jungkook is.His chocolate milkshake has a brown cat cartoon on it.

“So, Eun Ha,” says Jungkook, putting down his drink.“Do you like Cherry Falls?”

I nod.“I like it a lot, so far,” I reply, taking a sip of my milkshake. Banana really is the best flavour.

Taehyung slurps loudly.

“Hey,” he says suddenly, “I redid my onion so I could keep the one with eyes. I handed it in and got an A.” He looks proud of himself, which seems to be a rare expression for that face.

“That’s really good, well done!” I tell him with a grin.

“Onion?” Jungkook asks, a blank look on his face.

“It was for art,” I explain.

“I drew an onion, but I added eyes,” Taehyung fills in, “So I had to rub out the eyes or draw it again before handing it in.”

“You drew eyes on an onion,” Jungkook states.

Taehyung and I burst out laughing. Jungkook joins in, his face crinkling in an adorable grin.

“Are you any good at art?” Jungkook asks, wiping a tear from his eye.

“I’m okay at it, I suppose,” I say.

“Eun Ha’s quite good,” Taehyung corrects me.“Jungkook is, too.”

Jungkook gives a grin.“I don’t like to brag.”

“I just wish we could do something other than theory in Music,” Taehyung says.

“I know,” Jungkook agrees.“Like, I already know how to read music.”

“Me, too,” I say.

“Do you play any instruments?” Taehyung asks with interest.

“I can play the piano,” I reply.

“So can I!” he says excitedly, “I haven’t had lessons for a while, though.”

“That’s pretty cool,” says Jungkook, “Do you still have lessons, Eun Ha?”

“Not since I moved here,” I answer, “But I used to have lessons once a week.”

“Hey, look it’s Min,” Jungkook says. We turn to see Min entering the café with another student; a guy. Min, from our homeroom, has changed out of her school uniform and is wearing a cute pink denim jacket with a light blue skirt that suits her short frame. The guy, who is only a few inches taller than her, has neat blond hair and wears a blue striped sweater over a collared shirt. They’re holding hands.

I tilt my head to one side. “Does she have a boyfriend?”

Notes

Annyeonghaseyo! Sorry for the infrequent updates :(
The tutoring scheme begins in the next chapter... it was a long time coming but it will be up soon!
Please leave a comment with an idea for a date...!
Fighting~!