Now that it is ready, I turn it on and turn around to grab the two slices of bread, but someone startles me. "Gosh, Hugo," I heave a sigh full of anxiousness, resting my hand on my chest.

"Couldn't you tell me you're here?" I scold him for scaring me like that, and I grab the bread to put it in the toaster. "Sorry. You were so focused, I didn't wanna disturb," he comes closer, wearing his face mask like I asked him to this morning. "What were you doing to not hear me call you earlier?"

"I was playing," he steps towards me, so I turn around to not have him behind me, and he raises his eyes up. "Have you taken your medication after breakfast?" I take my phone in my hand and stop cooking for a moment, and he inches closer to shrink the gap between us. "I did, but I'm feeling so weak," he pulls his face mask under his nose, not understanding the point of it.

"Your mask. I told you to put it properly," I tell him, repeating myself. I do not have the right to get sick. I work with kids, so if I end up catching a cold or getting fever, I cannot work, which means I do not earn any money to pay the bills anymore. "Yeah," he fixes it on his nose, sounding annoyed when he is the one at fault.

"Are you that scared to catch a cold? You'll stay home and chill, so what's so bad?" he believes I still live a teenager's life, with nothing to take care of. "I have a job. I need money to live because I don't have my parents to pay for me anymore, and I work with children, so it is bad," I explain what seems to not be clear enough to him, and he glances down at my lips. "I'll give you money and spend time with you. It's okay," he smiles under the black fabric, but I ignore him and turn my head at the sound of the bread jumping up.

I take them out and place them on a dish, and I turn the induction plate on to cook the eggs. "That's the reason why you need a boyfriend, you know. Who's gonna take care of you when you're sick?"

"I don't need anyone to take care of me. I can do it myself," I do not think the same way and make it clear I am good on my own. He is not the type of boy I like to talk and joke with, so I would rather make it short.

"Hm, you seem in denial, but alright," he makes some discreet noise, and only a few seconds later, as I focus on the food to keep calm, he sticks his taller body to the back of mine. "I'd take care of your kitten while you're resting. Wouldn't that be good?"

"No, and I told you to stop doing this already," I ask him to step away, feeling uncomfortable with his body and erection pressing against me. "I'm just asking for a hug," he wraps his arms around me, getting the hint but not caring about it. "I'm not feeling good," he forces his body against mine, so I move aside and push his arms away. "Move back and leave me alone, I'm serious."

"Fine, I'm sorry," he finally gets off of me, and I lay the fried eggs on the toasts. I add the cooked vegetables to it and hand him his meal. "Thank you," he takes it and walks out of the kitchen, and I breathe out. I grab my phone and check the answer Jungkook sent me.

< hey, im doing fine and you? Thank you so much, I'll text him as soon as im home but my dad will pay, not you. Is your day going well? ]

He is so sweet.

[ I'm doing fine too. It's too late, don't make your dad pay, I have a discount because I'm his friend, so take it like that. My dad's going well, how about yours? It's lunch break for you rn, isn't it? >

< don't care you're not paying:) My day's pretty shit so far but im gonna eat so im feeling better. It is, id be dead it if wasn't ]

[ You keep quiet and listen. I'm paying and I won't say it again. Why is it shit? >

< remember the list you made for me to not forget anything? Well turns out I may or may not have lost it:D and yk what? I forgot my fckin calculator for my damn math test and the teacher didn't wanna lend me one bcs she's a bitch ]

[ No way you lost the list I made...and why didn't she lend you one? >

< the answer is at the end. She a bitch and she got a problem with me bcs I always forget my stuff like a dumbfuck but she thinks I do it on purpose to piss her off when I got better things to do in life. She literally lent one to a girl in my class last week bcs she forgot hers too ]

[ Do you want me to go and talk to her this monday? She doesn't have the right to do that and it honesly makes me mad >

< even if you do it she won't care so I don't want you to waste your time on her ]

As I was reading his text, his contact picture appears on my screen to tell me he started a call, but it quickly ends before I could even answer.

< sorry ]

< my dumb friend told bixby to call you -_- ]

[ It's ok lmao I have to take care of some stuff rn though, so make sure to eat well and don't stress out over that test, I'll talk to her this next Monday and make sure you can retake it bcs it's not fair >

< thank you:3 eat well too ! ]

[ I will >

I smile and put my phone down. I wish I could work for his father only and not other families.

– Three days later –

Monday, January 22nd, 2024.

7 am.

Time passing by without any of the boys waking up, I focus on the food to cook a great meal for them, and finally, I hear some noise above me. I leave the food in the pot and grab the utensils to start setting the table.

I place them in front of the chairs we always share when the three of us are alone, then, as I move back to the kitchen, my phone rings. I check who texted me, but at the sight of the sender, I decide to ignore it for now.

I have had a horrible weekend because of him and his disrespectful kid, who do not understand what boundaries are meant for, so I will not answer him right away. He can wait.

"Good morning," Jungkook surprises me, standing by my side. "Hey," I smile at him, feeling much better now that he is here. "How are you doing? Did you have a good night?" I ask and turn the induction plate off.

"Yeah, and you? Did you get enough sleep?" he raises his hands up to his head to tangle his fingers in his messy hair, still wearing his hoodie and sweatpants. "Same, I did."

"Great," he does not move away but stays close to me, and he slides his hands in his pockets. "Is your brother up?"

"Yeah, he was putting his uniform on when I knocked on his door," he relieves me as I get the dishes out. "So, how was the weekend?" he mentions, unfortunately.

"Good," I tell a lie so that he does not worry or question me. "Sure? That nineteen year old dude didn't bother you?"

"He didn't," I fake a smile, wishing I had someone to talk about this with. He stares at me as if he was not sure of my honesty, so I glance away and grab the dishes to head to the table and put them down. "What's his name?"

"Hugo," I do not keep it to myself, and he comes up to me, his hands in his sweatpants' pockets. "And his last name?"

"Why do you need to know that?" I chuckle as I look up at him, standing behind a chair. He shrugs, acting serious and not as usual. "I'm curious. You know it."

"Too curious," I walk back to avoid answering his question, and Minjun helps me by joining us. "Good morning, y/n!" he joyfully brightens up my mood, and I show the same emotions.

"Good morning, sweetheart," I comb his hair as he ran into my arms for a hug, and I hold him against me. "Did you sleep well?" I step to the counter once he moves back, and he nods. "Yes, I slept a lot. And you?"

"I did too," I put my hands on the pot's handle, but Jungkook comes to me in an instant. "Let me take care of it," he places his hands over mine, so I remove my grip from the handles, and we follow him to the dining table.

He places it in front of us, and without thinking twice, he serves the food but takes my dish first.

"You could have served Minjun before me, you know," I hold it once he brings it closer to me, and he grabs his little bother's one. "You're welcome," he looks at me, and I grin. "Thank you."

5 minutes later...

"So about the mark you said you'd get," I bring this up, remembering what Jungkook and I talked about last week. He swallows what is in his mouth and digs his fork into the meat. "Well, I got a C, so I did good," he changes his mind and gets me to scoff. "Oh, so now I'm not involved anymore. I see."

"Of course not. I'm the only one who worked on it," he smirks and fills his mouth, gazing into my eyes and acting like a brat again. I cannot lie, I love when he does it. "You're right. I wouldn't have let you blame me if you had gotten a bad mark anyway."

"I wouldn't have done it either," he softens his behavior to display his kind side, and I let it affect me. "I'll come and talk to your teacher today. I even brought my high heels to not humiliate you."

"Humiliate me? What do you mean?" he frowns and chews on some of the food he seems to be enjoying. "Because I kinda look like a mess on a daily, so I want to look a bit professional in front of your teacher."

"Don't say that bullshit. You always look good," he compliments me but forces me to scold him. "You're sweet, but don't talk like that when Minjun's here."

"I've heard worse than that, don't worry. I won't repeat," he does not make it any better, all of this meaning that his innocent ears have already been ruined. "I'm sorry you did."

"If only you knew how kids talk nowadays," Jungkook raises his eyebrows, stating what I am already aware of. "I know, and I wish I didn't. It's actually sad, honestly."

"It is," he agrees and takes one more bite. "I don't want you to come and waste your time with this woman, though."

"But I want to," I do not think likewise, willing to fix the problem she is the cause of. "But I'm pretty sure that after this, she's gonna be like 'Oh, Jungkook needs his mommy to come and save him'," he speaks in an irritating voice, and I laugh. "I dare her to treat you like that. I'll go back as many times as I have to until she understands. I'm ready to fight that woman."

"You're gonna fight her just for me?" he expresses some satisfaction, and I do not hesitate. "Yes, I would. I won't let anyone treat you like that."

"Wow," his smile grows bigger, and he gazes down at the rest of his food. "I feel special."

"You are," I affirm so that he will not doubt it anymore, and he licks his lips but seems happy to hear those words come from me.

•••

8:15 am.

"You didn't have to wear those," Jungkook walks by my side while heading to his classroom, never keeping quiet about my pumps. "Stop talking about that," I shut him up and check what room we are passing by, but Jungkook lifts his hand up before me. "It's here."

"Okay," I stop right before the door, both of us remaining in the hallways alone before the classes begin. "Alright," I turn towards him and hold the test he gave me, which will be the main matter of this talk. "You can go to your friends, I'm taking care of it."

"I'm staying here," he does not leave but positions himself near the door, so I do not complain or tell him to do otherwise. "Sure," I knock on the door and wait for the woman to open since Jungkook told me she is always here thirty minutes in advance.

"Don't throw hands, or I'll have to punch her hard, okay?" he jokes with me but does not even put any faith in me. "So you think I'd lose?"

"No, just saying—" the door opening cuts him off, and I set my eyes on the woman who does not seem very eager. "Good morning," she greets me but shows some confusion, probably not used to seeing unfamiliar faces here. "Hello, I'm sorry to maybe disturb you, but I'm here concerning one of your recent tests," I hold the piece of paper up to put it within obvious sight, and she drops her attention on it and grabs it.

She looks up at the name, and she quickly understands the reason why I am here.

"He explained what happened exactly, and I think you misunderstood the whole situation. Jungkook tends to have his head in the clouds and forget his stuff, but he doesn't do it on purpose. He always tries his best to have good marks, so favoring one student over another isn't right. If you allow a student to borrow something for a test, why do you not do the same for him?" I do not beat around the bush but stay as calm as possible. Showing how mad she makes me will not solve the problem anyway.

She does not respond right away, and I cross my arms. "Well, the problem here is that he always forgets something. I already allowed him to borrow a book or calculator when—"

"That's not even true," Jungkook stands up for himself, denying her claim. "You never let me borrow anything because you have something against me."

I look at him, trusting his words over hers without a doubt. "Why are you acting that way? I did allow you to borrow something already. You just don't remember it."

"You did allow that student to borrow a calculator for the test on that same day anyway, right?" I make it short so that she does not make me lose my composure, and she fakes a smile. "I did because it was the first time she forgot hers."

"Why are you lying? Did you also forget about the science book you lent her for another test?" he proves another point and exposes her dishonesty. "He prepared and studied for that test, he's not a bad kid, a troublemaker, or whatever you believe he is just because he often forgets his stuff, so I want you to let him repass this test because this is unfair," I do not listen to what she says, not standing the way she is glaring at him whenever he speaks.

"He already saw—"

"Miss," I force a smile in front of her. "You decided to favor this student and not treat them all equally because of something personal, so you let him repass this test, or I will walk down those stairs and make my way to the director to talk about this."

She sighs but attempts to not show her frustration, not ever putting her eyes on Jungkook. "Fine, I will, but I keep this," she does not let go of the test, and I nod. "Thank you."

"And this time, do not forget your calculator," she glances at him without any sympathy or respect. "I'm dumb but not to that extent," he steps back to get ready to leave, and I follow him. "Have a nice day, Miss," I still oblige myself to be respectful towards her, no matter how much I dislike her. "Have a nice day too," she closes the door in a single second, so I leave the hallways with Jungkook.

"Can't believe you actually got her to do it," he sounds much more confident than earlier, and I smile. "I told you. Don't underestimate me next time," I walk down the stairs, his tall body never staying too far away from mine. "I didn't underestimate you. I just thought she'd make something up to not let me repass it."

"I'd have gone to the director in that case. I won't let such teachers think they can do whatever they want," I push the door before me to open it and go out, and we both leave this building, entering the schoolyard, a place where I never feel comfortable.

"Well, now I'm going back home to clean. So work well, okay?" I do not stay for longer here, my high heels making me impatient. "You can stay here until the bell rings, can't you?"

"Why would I?" I smile at him, loving how he always desperately wants me to stay close. "I don't know, to keep me company?" his lips curve up, and his shiny eyes remain on mine. "Didn't you tell your friend you'd join them?"

"Yeah, but they know you're here, so they'll understand," he makes me understand that I come first, before his own friends. "Really? And why would they?"

In a suspicious manner, he breaks eye contact and chuckles, nervously. "For whatever reason. Stop asking so many questions. You're too curious," he repeats what I told him many times, and I laugh. "Hm. Fine. I can stay for a bit if you want."

"It's just to make sure that the bitch doesn't come up to me and piss me off," he finds a lame excuse that I will not believe at all, but I still let him think this is a good one. "Sure."

He grins and looks down. "Thanks for doing this though."

"No need to," I do not listen to those words I do not need to hear, and he stays quiet but avoids eye contact, and I catch him bringing his hand up to his lips. I do not say anything at first, but as expected, he picks at them again.

Hating this habit of his since I know he always does it until he bleeds, I reach out for my bag and look for the new lip balm I have not opened yet, and I get it out. I remove the wrapping, open it, and move forward.

"Since you don't listen, I'm gonna treat you like a child," I pull his hand down and hold his chin to keep him still. "Don't move."

He stares without saying anything, and I apply some of the honey lip balm over his chapped lips. "Drink more water throughout the day," I take my hand off to close the stick and hold it before his torso. "And apply this as well."

For a few seconds, he remains silent while gazing deep into my eyes, and he grabs the lip balm to put it in his jacket. "It always gets over what I drink or eat," he grumbles and lowers his eyes to my lips. "Stop complaining. This one doesn't stick to anything."

"Well, at least it tastes good," he runs his tongue over it as if it were edible. "I always pick the right flavors," I take my phone out to check my notifications after feeling it vibrate. "How do you know that? Do the ones who kiss you always tell you that?"

A chortle escapes me. "Do I look like the type to kiss many guys?"

"That's not what I implied by that, but you're pretty, so you could—"

"Shut up, Jungkook," he flutters me with the compliments that he always slips here and there, and for which I cannot hold back from falling. "What? It's true," he runs his fingers through his hair to fix it, the wind blowing in it. "Hm. Whatever you say."

"Whatever I say, I'm always right," he pretends to be arrogant, attempting to hide some of his nervousness that appeared out of the blue. "You are, Jungkook," I do not ruin his dreams, and he smiles at me. He takes the lip balm out of his pocket and takes a closer look at it. "I've never seen such a cool lip balm. It looks like a honey dipper," he rubs his thumb over the wooden top. "Did you use this one?"

"No, it's a new one. I have mine in my bag," I answer, watching him open it slowly. "Oh," he emits as if he was disappointed. "Oh? What does that mean?"

"Nothing," he smiles and closes it, raising his eyes back to mine. I do not add anything but smile back, and he glances at my lips. "Put your hood on, it's freezing," I remark. "I'm not cold."

"Your nose is pink, and your cheeks too. Put your hood on," I repeat myself, wanting him to take care of himself. He comes closer, having something on his mind for sure. His doe eyes glimmering, he stands right in front of me with a soft smile. "You're right. I'm cold. So I don't want to take my hands out of my pockets."

He actually enjoys being treated like a child.

His big black jacket not seeming enough to protect him from the cold, I put the hood of his hoodie on. I take my warm scarf off and wrap it around his neck carefully, making sure this blocks the wind from getting to his throat. "Like this, baby boy?" I tease him as he smiles but hides it under the scarf, his eyes seeming even brighter like this. "Yes. Do I still look pretty?"

"Yes, you do. You're pretty, you're cute, and every girl will fall for you," I reply and fluster him with the truth he loves hearing. He attempts to hide the way this makes him feel and shakes his head. He takes his eyes off of me, not maintaining eye contact anymore.

As I can tell this made him feel something, the bell rings to put an end to this moment.

"I gotta go now," I hold my phone in a tight grip, and he nods. "See you later, and thank you again," he says it again, and I pat his head. "See you," I walk away and leave him, and I hurry to make my way back to my car after silently crying in pain because of my pumps. I cannot wait to take them off.