Author's POV || 2009. 11. 17

You walked through the hallways of the University, nervously. With you was your artwork and hopes... of doing something. This was the first time in years that you were going to present artwork in front of people. You gulped and walked inside the class to see everyone fussing, of course, they all were nervous.

The presentation was very important as these grades would be added to the final examination reports. Being in University didn't mean challenges of life died. You sat down, in a corner of the room, quietly. Some students from other departments would probably be allowed to come to the auditorium. Hearing this, you kept having a thought, 'Could he come?'

But knowing the thought itself sounded so ridiculous, you tried to shrug it off. You sighed and gulped. Soon, it was time to be in the auditorium with all your artwork. 

---Time skip

"This artwork is about a scenery of the beauty of Korea..." Mina spoke, presenting her artwork as the teachers graded her. They asked her some questions like: 'How long did it take?' 'Why did you draw this?' 'Any inspiration source?'

You tried to note down your own answers regarding the possible questions. You were so nervous, you felt like puking. You hated being the centre of attention, it felt so judged. But there was no way you could avoid the presentation. Also, Taehyung encouraged you at least 1000 times a day this week, he knew how scared you were but he kept encouraging you, comforting you. He really wanted you to shine. 

Soon, it was your turn. You gulped and walked there, standing quietly. You took your artwork with you and kept it beside you as the judges were talking among themselves. Some looked a little confused and some were understanding the theme. You heard gasps and gossip making you gulp. You saw a few people looking at the drawing judgementally from the corner of your eyes. 
'I want to run away...' You thought looking at the people nervously. You started breathing unevenly, nervously. 

(pic source: google) 

 You were standing there, not talking. One of the teachers asked, "What is the concept of your drawing? It looks very unique." 
You were trying to form words... but your throat went dry. They looked a little confused seeing you swear like you were about to pass out.
"Are you okay, student?" One of them asked as you nodded, gulping. You were looking so helpless and pathetic, you hated the thought of it. You were almost panicking, trying to calm down until your eyes locked with a pair of familiar eyes staring at you with pure affection, warmth, love and care. 

It was him, standing there. Beside him, stood Jimin and Jungkook. He waved at you with his huge smile as his gaze fell on your drawing. He looked shocked, amused. He was staring at it, his expression looks positive, making a sense of relief rush down your spine.
"It's so good!" He mouthed as you stared at him, trying to blink away the tears in your eyes. Standing here, in the middle of people was hard, but his encouragement felt so much better.

"Student?" The teacher repeated, a little irritated as Taehyung looked at you worriedly. He mouthed, 'It's okay! You rock!! Go for it! Fighting!!' 
'A deep breath!!' He gestured for you to take a deep breath as you gulped. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. Exhaling, you spoke, "S-Sorry... I was... a little, occupied." 
"Alright... so the concept of the artwork?" The teacher asked as you said, "This artwork... it's about our inner... prison. There's a prison... inside us which always holds us down, away... from the world."
You paused for a moment and continued, 

"We all... go through certain h-hardships in life. And... there are inner monsters which we fight, to survive in life. But.... s-sometimes, they hold us down, and we get stuck in a prison inside of ourselves... made by ourselves. There's always a dark side in everyone, which cannot be seen but... deep down, that prison of darkness which lies beneath us...it makes us suffer so much, unseen by the world." You said, glancing at Taehyung who smiled warmly at you, his expression was so warm yet sad, full of love, making a warm feeling arise in you. 

"But... if we take the step of courage and... if we try our best to fight down those monsters.. and escape the prison inside of us, let ourselves free.... maybe slowly, with lots of hardship, we can... do anything. We can overcome these problems in us... anxiety, overthinking, depression and much more... if we take the hardest step of courage and light up hope inside of us... rely on ourselves and the ones we love, one day, we can surely gain freedom. And that's what I wanted to say through the drawing." You said, breathing heavily.

The judges were talking among themselves as you looked at Taehyung who wasn't looking at you anymore. He was looking down, wondering about something. You looked at him but then looked at the judge who spoke, "Well... done. The artwork's concept is surely deep, it can be understood from afar. Do you have any inspiration for the speech or the artwork?"
"Inspiration... for the speech, it's my friend, who taught m-me how to have hope... and the artwork is by me... no inspiration, just my t-thoughts.." You gulped as they talked to themselves for a while. One of them spoke, "You're Lee Y/N, right? Your artwork skills are so excellent... I believe you can really do something with this talent... and your thoughts are deep too. With a little more practice your confidence and you can really... achieve your dreams. Good luck." 

You smiled and gulped down the lump in your throat saying, "T-Thank you.."

A few more talks and the presentation were over. You were walking down and everyone seemed to be talking about you. Some people complimented you, and some ignored you. You walked away from the stage but a half frown and half-smile appeared on your face as you looked in front of you to see Taehyung walking towards you. 

You were about to wave at him but your breath hitched and your heart skipped a beat when his body clashed with yours, he hugged you tightly catching some attention. He was popular and he was hugging you. Of course, the girls would be staring at the guy and noting down stuff to spread rumours. 
"I'm so proud of you... you did so well, Y/N." His voice came out so warm and soft, soothing. A smile spread across your lips as you hugged him back. 

Pulling away, he cupped your face, placing a kiss on your forehead making your body jolt up as a tingling sensation spread across your body.
"I really loved every single sentence you said... and your artwork... I'm surprised- I can't express it in words! Gosh Y/N!" He spoke, smiling widely. You bit your lips slightly, feeling overwhelmed by all that attack of compliments. 
"Hey..." You muttered, looking here and there as he smiled saying, "Was I too- sorry, I just... I just feel so good- you... you really made me so proud." 

That was exactly what you wanted to hear, exactly what you needed to hear. That he was proud, that you made someone proud, that you made him proud. 

---Time skip

"After all that... the school will ship you both forever," Jimin said, sipping his ice latte as you stared at your sugary drink. Taehyung just looked at anywhere but you. 
"I... we're friends, I can just... you know it's just a kiss on the forehead. It's normal.." Taehyung spoke though he himself knew it wasn't as 'normal' as he claimed it to be.
"A kiss on the forehead literally means... the protective and safe form of love. It is the other way of saying, 'I love you the most and I'll protect you and care for you for the rest of my life and you're the most special person to me.'" Jimin spoke as Jungkook nodded.

"Now you're.... exaggerating," Jimin spoke, pressing his lips together. You glanced at Taehyung who gulped, looking down. 
"Tomorrow's the field trip... I'm excited but the spreading rumours sound better!!" Jungkook said as you sighed. Taehyung spoke, "Stop. Y/N might be feeling uncomfortable." You just looked down, sipping the sugary drink as Jungkook said, "Hey, let me borrow your profile for a while. I might as well get enrolled in your department just to stare at your artwork which is so good?!" 

You smiled slightly thanking him and continued drinking the sugary drink when you saw both of Jungkook's and Jimin's faces drop. They looked at the profile and then at you saying, "Y/N..."
"Yes?" You asked. Taehyung just looked at them and at you, a little confused. 

"Why didn't you tell us it was your birthday today?"