A Study In Pink

It was almost time for the Spring Festival holiday to kick into motion, but before that Sooyeong had one more class to get over with; Chemistry. It was her practical test day and even though she made sense out of her notes last night, she was a nervous wreck because she didn't want Dansae or Minho as her test partner- she'd rather die.

To make that worse she hadn't received a sticky note today which could have potentially calmed her thoughts by diverting her attention. Taehyung didn't even help in aiding her troubles because he'd been acting super weird well... weirder than usual, all day. To add to that heap of mess, uncertainty of how she was going to ask Taehyung out floated around her mind like a permanent resident living rent free.

Today was not a good day for her mental health but to be more accurate none of the recent days have been good for her. Whenever she reached a high, reality would strike just as Jungkook had said, with no mercy, and she'd instantly hit rock bottom or more of an abyss perhaps. It was infernal but she was learning to cope with life's hardships with the help of those who cared enough about her.

As she made her way to the chemistry laboratory she repeatedly skimmed through her titration notes as a last resort to cram everything needed in order to pass. Once she entered the said laboratory she stood at the back and gave a brief glance at the multiple practical stations which was already set up with the required equipment.

As people filed in, her anxiety levels shot up because a lot of them had no notes with them. Instead, they were chatting as if everything would somehow work out in their favour but Sooyeong knew better because her world didn't work like that. However, she still hoped for the best.

"Soo noona!"

She heard her name and turned in the direction of voice to see Jimin and Jungkook peeping through the little circular glass window on the door. A smile took over her features as she watched them throw up finger hearts and a thumbs up.

"You're gonna do fine! Fighting!" Jimin encouraged.

A shy chuckle left her lips at how sweet they were. She mouthed a fighting and watched them run off possibly to their last class for the day.

"Aish, those boys are so cute," she mumbled and flipped through her notes but as she did so a sudden presence poked in front of her.

She was startled but ended up locking eyes with the individual.

"T-Tae..." she breathed. "You need to stop popping up out of nowhere..."

He smiled and she noticed his cheeks puff out slightly, "Min Sooyeong~ looks like someone really wants to get that high grade, hmm, I wonder why."

She choked, having completely forgotten about his one-sided deal, "Don't be a creep for once and it looks like someone's back to spirits."

He giggled softly which melted her heart. Then he stood beside her, "Not really, I'm worried about who I'll be paired with. If it's Minho or Dansae, I'd rather fail."

"At least I'm not the only one." She sighed. "If either one of us gets either of them-"

"Ask for a switch," he looked down at her. "Everyone's seen what happened yesterday so it's only understandable."

"Yeah,"

The teacher, Jiwon, walked in shortly after with a bunch of papers in hand.

"It's almost time to begin, let me pair you all up." Jiwon announced and pulled out a list of names.

As he listed the names, Sooyeong realised that it was eerily similar to their homeroom seating plan and this got her hopeful that she may be partnered up with Taehyung. But what threw a curve ball in her theory was that Eunwoo was saved when Minho got partnered up with Dansae. Nevertheless, the two worrywarts felt instant relief fall over them.

"Han Seojun and Kim Chorong," he called. "Min Sooyeong and," she crossed her fingers and prayed to the heaven and the stars for a good partner. "Kim Taehyung."

She released a breath she didn't even know she was holding and she looked over at Taehyung, "Guess we were worried for nothing." He said and she nodded before they made their way to their practical station.

She silently thanked her lucky stars because they actually pulled through for her and all of the worry she felt vanished because she knew Taehyung would give her a helping hand whenever she needed it. Jiwon called out a few more pairs then explained exactly how everyone was going to be graded. A report which every student would be filling out throughout the practical was also handed out.

"I will be observing each of you from my desk and pairs not working cohesively will be marked down." He declared. "Now you may begin."

Before Sooyeong could even move, Taehyung chuckled and she just stared at him mostly because she knew what would come next, "You want me to take care of setting up the burette while you take care of cleaning up the utensils?"

"My height's only going to slow us down so yes," she blew out her bangs and slipped on her gloves just as Taehyung did.

She began to clean out the utensils and set them out in an organised fashion. Once she was completed with her task she put on a pair of safety goggles to protect her eyes from possible harm due to mishandling.

"Are you all set?" she asked but pouted when she noticed Taehyung peeping at her from through the funnel. For the fun of it she struck Taehyung's signature peace-sign pose and he smiled happily.

"Let's get to work now otherwise Jiwon-nim might mark us down." She advised and grabbed a beaker.

"Fine," He put down the funnel with a frown and watched as Sooyeong added Oxalic acid into a beaker. "Seems like you know what you're doing,"

"It's not because I want your shirtless collarbone selfie," she shot him a glare.

He hummed, "Yeah, it totally isn't for that reason."

He shuffled over to her to get a look at how much she poured but Sooyeong immediately stopped him, "And where are your goggles?"

Realisation suddenly hit and he quickly picked up a pair of the safety gear, "I almost forgot."

Whilst he got on with that Sooyeong took the pleasure of adding a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator into the Oxalic acid solution then she looked at Taehyung who needed to add the Sodium hydroxide solution into the burette since she couldn't reach the top of it.

However, he seemed to be fidgeting with the goggles, "Tae~, it's not difficult to put on goggles..."

He only smirked and she shuddered, watching him with curious eyes. He secured the band of the goggles around his head and for some odd reason he pulled the eye piece a distance from his face.

Her eyebrows suddenly raised in realisation but before she could stop him, he chuckled and released his hold on the plastic eye protector.

Her eyes widened as she watched the goggles spring back at an insane speed and it crashed right into his ethereal face with a sharp smacking sound which caused her to wince in the process.

"Yah! Tae ah!" She yelled and heard him groan. "Do you want to add another bruise to your face!?" she rushed over to him.

"Oh man, I didn't think it would hurt that bad..." He whined while readjusting the eyewear.

She checked his face for any added damage but he froze at her touch, "I swear half this class probably felt the aftershock of your antics."

Once she confirmed he was fine she stepped back and he choked out sheepishly, "Can I add the indicator?"

She placed the beaker under the burette, "I already did it so just add the Sodium hydroxide into the burette because I can't reach the top."

He smiled at the thought of her struggling or having to use a chair to reach the top. Nevertheless, he took on the task and she observed how he carefully poured the chemical down the burette. Then he confirmed if he added the correct amount.

Thereafter, they filled in some details on their reports and Taehyung opened up the tap like structure found at the bottom of the burette, which allowed droplets of Sodium hydroxide to enter the Oxalic acid and slowly mix together.

Soon after, they both crouched on opposite sides of the beaker and occasionally swirled it as they watched the solution for any change in colour. If the experiment was done correctly their final result would be a light almost pastel pink solution.

"You were so worried for no reason," Taehyung suddenly spoke and she looked at him through the beaker, questioningly, "You knew exactly what to do."

She smiled softly and swirled the beaker. He was right. There really was no reason to have worried so much. While he filled out his report, she continued to watch the solution.

"I think the colour is changing slightly," she informed and he quickly looked at the beaker and turned the tap-like structure so the droplets would come out slower.

"This experiment is kind of symbolic, don't you think?" he suddenly asked.

"Symbolic?" perplexity covered her features.

"Yes, the solution will be a pastel pink by the end of this experiment matching the Cherry Blossoms that's soon to bloom." He smiled widely.

She simply stared in awe. The way he thought always amazed her. "I never really thought of that..."

The solution began turning a shade of pink so Taehyung completely closed the tap, "Yah, I think it's neutralised."

She got a closer look at it and looked really beautiful, "Should we call over Jiwon-nim?"

He nodded and she raised her hand. She caught Jiwon's attention but he was checking up on another pair so she turned to face Taehyung, "This is really pretty, it's actually the same colour as the Cherry Blossoms."

"Do you want to know what else is pink?" he slid over to her.

"Seokjin Oppa's favourite colour?"

He shook his head.

"Then what?"

Her question went unanswered because Jiwon finally made his way to their station, "This is perfect." He picked up the beaker. "A lot of you are performing quite well. Although it's no surprise." He smiled and put down the beaker. "Are the reports done?"

They nodded and handed him the sheets of paper.

"Wonderful," he looked over the papers. "Okay, since you two are done like some of the other students. There's really no use in holding you back. You can be dismissed."

Their faces lit up and they thanked him, ecstatic at the thought of leaving early.

"Have a good Spring Festival." He wished.

They then tidied up their work station, removed their protective gear and washed up before they exited the classroom. Once out in the hallway, Sooyeong blocked Taehyung's path and her eyes burnt with a curious desire.

"Tell me what else is pink?"

Shyly, he ruffled his soft-looking hair then he suddenly strapped his backpack over his chest and rummaged through it.

Anticipation grew in her eyes and body. She watched him pull out a little notebook and he suddenly spread his legs laterally so that he was the same height as her.

She furrowed her eyebrows, confused, "Trust me and close your eyes." His voice was soft yet somehow still stern so she did as he said.

She felt his hand gently hold hers and he placed something light-weight over it. The level of anxiety grew within her but he said to trust him so she relaxed, just a bit.

"Open your eyes."

His wish was her command. Her eyes fluttered open and he was still standing in that weird position but somehow it felt a little closer than previously to her which caused her heart rate to accelerate.

She looked down at her hand and immediately she gasped. She was completely stunned and could barely even believe what she was seeing.

"Go on, read it." His voice was deep.

In her hand was a pink sticky note together with a message and Tata drawn over it. She could literally feel the tears form in her eyes because she couldn't believe how her wish was actually coming true- how Taehyung really was the one behind the sticky notes.

"Cherry blossoms are blooming. Will this winter be over?"

She looked up at him, her heart pulsated and her chest rose and fell faster than normal. She felt overwhelmed.

"Sooyeong ah~," he took a hold of her hands and stared into her eyes. "You're like a winter flower that blooms in the harshness of the snow called life and for a while I was just a winter bear sleeping through the harshness of it all, unaware of what you were really going through. I'm tired, really tired of always succumbing to the snow..."

Her eyes were doe and she just listened.

"Let us start a new journey in the beauty of Spring which you love so much and let winter finally pass us by. Forget about what everyone's said- all of the negatives- and let me take you to the Spring Festival so we can watch the Cherry blossoms together."

A U T H O R ' S N O T E

I tried to utilize Taehyung's songs to make references to Sooyeong's life ooooooop, please tell me it makes sense 😭

(Update 16/12/22): Also, a little freebie

Author, Lu 💜