A/n: Hi! Warning, this is a long chapter about 7k words which is the most I've written in that point. Just because I have updated here means I've updated in AO3, I promise I'll update on AO3 hopefully before the months ends. I wish I could update weekly or more often like other authors, but I'm still getting used to being a college student so bear with me! Anyways hope you enjoy! ❤️

Jungkook opened the door of his dorm with a sigh. He took off his shoes and closed the door before going to his bed and falling on it. He smiled out of nowhere. He had just returned from working with the boys and eating. He didn't want to admit, but eating and observing the others and their antics was something fun and new for him. Though they still weren't friends or acquaintances, they at least were now classmates who would try to get along. Or so the younger hoped.

Although everything was still hard to process and take in, he was glad that they were at least becoming civil. Even if it doesn't show, Jungkook has always preferred to be civil with others outside of his life, but he knew he had finished doing so a while ago. He missed it, but he had priorities.

He was still in his thoughts when he felt his phone vibrate. He grabs and sees a notification email from the school. Surprised, he puts the phone down and grabs his laptop to be able to fully read the email. He opens it and logs in to his email. He clicks on the current one and starts to read it.

"No...no..." he shakes his head as he reads the email. Fear invades his senses. He couldn't believe what he was reading. To another person, the email wouldn't have really been a big deal, but to Jungkook, it was a big deal.

Jungkook had read how due to lack of space in the dorms, he would have to make room for another person to move in. A roommate was a big deal to him for many reasons. One, he never had a roommate growing up or shared a room with anyone and two, the dorm had now become his own little home, a place where he would feel free and private. Somewhere he could act how he wanted without anyone criticizing him or telling him something wrong. With a roommate, he wouldn't have that.

And he really didn't want that. Shaking his head he started imagining scenarios in his head on how a roommate can change the way he lived in his dorm. "What if he hates what I do when I'm in the dorm? What if he believes everyone else and makes my life harder? What if he hates me the moment we meet? What if he's someone from my past?" So many questions and worries were running through his mind and it was getting harder to breathe.

A roommate frightened him badly. He had just left home because of how judged and neglected his sister and father made him feel, and now soon, he may be getting that again. He tried breathing in and out to calm himself down, but it wasn't working. He knew only one thing would help and that was professor Jang. There were many other ways Jungkook knew he could do to cope with his anxiety, but he knew it wouldn't fully stop him from having a panic attack, he didn't know Professor Jang would fully help him either but he hoped so. He just for some reason only sawn her as the best option, so, Immediately he started emailing her, hoping the woman was on her computer checking emails.

Lucky for Jungkook, she was checking and sending emails during that time and responded back to the younger boy five minutes after.

" Dear Jungkookie,

Of course you can call me. I hope everything is ok. My number is xx-xxx-xx."

Jungkook read and inst antly started dialing in her phone number on his phone. He breathed in to calm himself down and waited for the older woman to respond.

"Hello, Jungkookie? Are you okay?" The woman responded with a worried tone, fearing that something horrible may have happened to Jungkook that would have caused him to email her at such a time.

"I-I am not. I am sorry, are you busy? Did I interrupt something?"He asked, starting to feel guilty that he possibly is wasting her time and causing her to not finish anything important.

"No, not really. I was only responding to emails and grading some work. However, I am almost done with it so I am able to talk... don't worry, okay? I promised I would be there for you when you needed me. Now, what's wrong? Did you get hurt? Did something happen to you? You usually don't or well, have never reached out to me this way so it makes me scared you are in big trouble." She replies, trying to reassure the younger one that he wasn't distracting her or interrupting anything important.

"I– well, to you and others nothing is wrong and maybe looking at it in some other perspective, what I am calling you for is so pathetic and useless. I am sorry, maybe I should end the–" He gets interrupted by the older woman through the phone before he could finish the sentence.

"No! It's okay Jungkook-ssi. I don't care how small or big it may be. It's gotta be something important if it has you worked up. Just tell me what's wrong, let me hear you out."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Go on."

"I am getting a roommate. And that scares me...alot. I know, I know that something as a roommate isn't such a big deal, but it is to me. I came back to my dorm after I went to eat dinner with the guys, and then I saw a notification from the school. I open my computer and I get informed that I would be getting a roommate for there are no other dorms available for him. He's moving in two days! This freaks me out because I won't have my own space anymore. I won't be able to have a space where I can be me and not have a mask on. Now, I'll have to keep my mask 24/7 and possibly get judged and hated by my roommate just like everyone else!" He says frustratedly.

"I left home and got a dorm because of how unwelcomed I felt. I left home because I wanted to be free and not be judged. Now.. now that is being taken away from me. I know I am making a big deal, but I have never shared my room with anyone but my sister, but she's my sister. This person is someone new, someone who doesn't know me, and will for sure judge me. I know I can get an apartment, but that would cut me short of money somehow." he closes his eyes and sighs.

"I am. Ugh, I can't even give a good enough reason to justify myself for how I'm acting and feel right now. I probably sound like a child. It's just." He pauses before he continues.

"All my life I have been seen as someone worthless, weak, stupid, and anything else you can think of. So, I changed myself, I told myself I would become someone cold and firm so that I wouldn't be seen as weak. I know that it hasn't gone as planned, I am still judged, I am still criticized and detested by many, but at least I am not weak. I at least don't have to physically suffer. However, pretending gets tiring–suffocating. I don't know. I am just being stupid and going in circles huh?" he shakes his head feeling stupid for feeling the way he does.

"No, you aren't being stupid Jungkook. It's okay to feel the way you do. Yes, for others your worries are probably not big, but that's them, this is you. You have reasons as to why you feel scared and robbed too. Look, I know you have a mask to not be shown as weak, and maybe it has caused you less physical pain, but there's still pain within Jungkook. Mental pain that has seemed to stay there despite the drastic change. Jungkook, if you keep the mask with everyone you will always be suffocated. I get that you also aren't used to the idea of having someone else live with you, I know how it feels, but if you are very scared, why not try making the experience better?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You said he's someone new to the campus, right? Then it's someone who knows nothing about you or anyone. He doesn't know your personality nor does he know any rumors or has some sort of view on you yet. Why not try and somewhat be yourself with him? Maybe you can gain a friendship out of it. In other words, you are getting someone blanked, a total white canvas when it comes to knowing who Jeon Jungkook is. Why not try to paint that canvas with true real colors now that it's new and blank? Maybe that way you won't feel as bad and the experience is more bearable? I know you are scared of opening up, but you have had no issues with me yet, have you? Why not do the same with someone near your age? Show him the somewhat of the real you and less of the person you pretend to be. Not everyone will judge. Not everyone will believe rumors. Not everyone is quick to hurt someone."

"But what if he is? What if he at some point uses who I am against me and gets back to square one? What if he ends up believing everything that everyone says. What if, what if he shows my weakness? What if I fail at it too? I just, I've been played and hurt in so many different ways that I am scared. I'm traumatized. You have no idea how I wish I could be myself, I truly do, whole heartedly but I've seen how that ends up for me." He sadly says almost having the urge to cry. There never was a day where he wished he could be who he is and not put up a font, but he was scared. Scared to repeat history. Scared of being used. He's seen how others have a good life by being themselves, but for him, it's never been good.

"Kook. You are thinking of all the wrong sides. But what if he doesn't judge you? What if he actually ends up liking the real you? What if you become your friend or an acquaintance that respects you? That sees why you are the way you are? What if you don't fail? What if he doesn't actually use you? Yes, anything can go both ways, but it doesn't hurt to try and at least lead the path to the positive route. I know you are scared of being who you are, but kook, you've changed haven't you? I'm sure you would know how to deal with people who don't like the real you. I'm sure you would now know to not care what people think and would know when someone is sincere. It won't always be a dark world." She tells him with sincerity. All she wanted was to know what really caused this boy to fully put away his true self. Who hurt him so badly and how. She also just wanted the boy to have the whole world. To be confident and fearless.

"Give it a try will you? It's someone new. Take this as a step to being the real you at some point in life, no matter how far away that is. You don't have to fully be yourself with that person but at least don't be the bad boy from school. Yes, rumors can always spread after, but it's harder to believe it when the person acts differently than what people talk about. Make it less suffocating okay? Baby steps at least. I promise you it will make things easier. And if things don't go as planned then... you can come live with me. I have no one, but my dog and the emptiness." She smiles, wondering what it would be like to have someone be with her. Wondering what it be like to watch and take care of someone like family

"I can't do that. I don't want to inconvenience you. I'm just a student, still a kid. It's the least you would need. I wouldn't want to be a burden."

"You wouldn't. I wouldn't take you as a roommate but as a family member almost as a child of mine. I know we barely started becoming close, but it seems like your walls are fully down with me. You have no issues showing your colors with me despite the few talks we've had. If living with me means peace, I don't mind it. Plus, you wouldn't have me worry about you. But again, only if you would feel comfortable doing so, and only if you don't end up getting along whatsoever with your roommate. I want you to test it out. Everything will possibly be okay if you try and believe it will. I'll also be there when you need me. I already am." She says comforting him from afar.

He sighs, running his hands through his hair and face. "I guess I will. I'm scared."

"I know you are, but the world is about facing fears and everything in between that. Remember you have the option of coming to live with me. Trust my word. My word seems to be trustworthy, right? If it wasn't then you and the others wouldn't have gotten along. Things wouldn't be looking up, now would they?" She asks with a humorous tone in the end to brighten the tension.

"I suppose. I'll try, I guess I will. Thank you by the way. I don't why or how, but I agree that I am able to bring my walls down with you. I don't get it. Yes, you've been my professor for two years now, but even when I've tried to put my walls up, it's been hard to do so with you. I guess I unconsciously see you as a mom figure, even if we've only talked a few times. I hope you don't feel weirded out by that. I truly don't get how I am able to just be free. Maybe it's the age or your way of being. Thank you though." Jungkook comments to the older woman. He wanted to let her know just how much he appreciates her and how much she helps him.

Jungkook probably won't ever find the answer as to why he feels so comfortable with her. Won't probably ever find out how he was able to easily put everything down around her, but he was glad that he was starting to have someone, even if they were older, caring about him. He also guesses it has to do with her natural maternal warmth. The one she was never able to give out.

"If anything, I'm glad I'm someone that you can be yourself with. It makes me happy because you don't have to suffer. For a while, you have to put your walls down without being judged. I do stuff for you because I care. I care for every one of my students. Maybe I care a little more extra for you, but no one else has to know." She chuckles.

"Everything will be okay. If not, again, for the third time, you know where to go. Now, is there anything else you are needing to let out? Has everything else been okay?"

"Somewhat, I guess. There is something else, but I'm not ready to talk about it. Now that I know I can't or find to trust you, it's just better for me, for now to keep it in. I promise at some point I'll explain what that is. I just want to forget and deal with it some way on my own, for now. Otherwise, everything has been okay. The guys and I were able to complete a lot of the song, we went out and had some dinner and we talked. We agreed to stay neutral with each other during the project and to not have any arguments that may seem personal or very opinionated. I don't know if it will happen, but I guess it's a start. It's hard to process that from one day to the next we are on "okay" terms so to speak. Shouldn't things like this take time?" He asked, feeling a little more relaxed.

"Well, it depends on the situation and how bad both parties have hurt each other. It is clear you both have hurt each other, but nothing that runs deeper than what is already under the surface. I know it is all out of the blue, but sometimes, being able to settle tension with someone sooner than later is what matters and what ends up being best. Just let what happens happen with them." She replies back, getting out of her chair and heading to the kitchen.

" I suppose, it is just that I never have made up that quickly with people before, especially with people I don't get along with and have had some physical fights with. It is weird. I know I am repeating everything from earlier, but it is true."

"There is a first for everything Jungkookie. I am sure things will be easier now. Ugh, can't wait to hear what you all came up with." She sighs and Jungkook laughs.

"I hope you will like it. Anyways, it is late and I think I ranted and wasted enough of your time Professor. Thank you for responding to me quickly and helping my state of mind. I am still very nervous and scared, but it eases me to know I have options and that he is someone new. Though I am sure he will believe others very soon." He sighs, accepting his fate with his new roommate.

"I am always here jungkook. It was no bother for me. Keep my number, that way, whenever you need me, I can respond faster. I just want what is best for you. Keep a positive mindset and think about what I said."

" I will try. Anyways, I will finish now. Goodnight Professor and again, thank you." He smiles over the phone.

"Goodnight Jungkook. Sleep well." She says with a smile on her part too. They both hang up at the same time.

"Lets hope I don't have to end up going with my second option. I hope I don't have to keep running away. But my hope has been broken way too much." he tells himself as he stares at his phone and settles it down before deciding to wash up, get to bed and think about his upcoming roommate and change.

———————————-

I think everything looks very clean now, or so I hope." Jungkooks tells himself after having wiped the counter. He put the chemical sprays in the appropriate cabinet and washed his hands before heading to his own room and laying on the bed with a deep panicked sigh.

The day Jungkook had been worried about for the past three day had arrived. It would be the day that Jungkook would get his new roommate. Although he hadn't had another major freak out after talking with Professor Jang, he was still very scared. He tried to not let it distract his mind, but it was hard to do so. He tries keeping some positive vibes within him too, but it was hard to do so as well knowing the campus is very convincing with telling everyone about how bad and scary he was. He shakes it off and breathes in.

He puts on some music on his phone and tries to relax. He lets the beat and lyrics of the song wander his mind to another place. Sadly, that gets interrupted an hour later when Jungkook hears a knock on his door. He stops the music and sighs before getting up. He puts his hand on the door knob and takes two deep breaths before opening up the door. He immediately bows and greets the RA and his roommate. The boy is about the same height as him, dark hair, sharp jawline and somewhat plump lips.

"Well, here we are Mr. Kim. Jungkook, I'm here to introduce you to your new roommate. Yugyeom this is Jeon Jungkook, Jungkook this is Kim Yugyeom." The boy, Yugyeon bowed in greeting. The RA looked more closely at Jungkook, noticing faded bruises and donned a look of concern. "Jungkook-ssi, what happened to you? Are those faded bruises on your lip and cheek? Are you okay?" The RA points out. Jungkook ducks his head a bit at the attention. "It's nothing! It's just something that happened a while ago. I'm fine now, thank you." He looked up a bit, faking a smile.

"I see, well any problems you have with anyone can be dealt with by someone from the office on campus. Please keep that in mind." The RA smiled a bit before turning to Yugyeom. "Anyway, Mr. Kim, I hope you two get along. If you have any questions or concerns, you can ask Jungkook or come to any of the RA's in the building, okay? Our doors are always open." She says, the other nods and bows thanking her before making his way into the room. She smiles and bows back, heading back the way she came. Jungkook closed the door and stepped farther into the room.

"I um, cleaned this weekend so I hope it isn't too messy for you, Yugyeom-ssi." Jungkook mentions as he goes and sits down on his bed. The other looks around, nodding in aperciation before heading to his side of the room. "You did a very good job. Jungkook-ssi. Don't worry about the messy thing, I can be messy at times too. Just a warning for you." He laughs a bit and sets his things on his bed, the other just forces a smile.

Jungkook nods, he looks at the window as the other male starts setting up things. He didn't know how to act. He wanted to put up his brave intimidating face, but he knew that following Professor Jang advice and showing a little bit of his real self would be better when it came to someone who he hoped, so far, had no opinion about him. But trying to show just a little bit of himself to someone felt weird and out of place for him.

"So, what do you major in Jungkook-ssi?" Yugyeom breaks the awkward silence.

"I am a performing arts major. How about you?" Jungkook asks calmly though he was far from calm.

"I am one as well. Maybe we will have some classes together." Yugyeom adds and Jungkook nods.

"Yeah, maybe, most likely. Do you need help by the way?" Jungkook takes the courage to ask.

"I am good for now thanks." he replies with a small smile.

"So, what kind of reputation do you have here at school Jungkook-ssi? Someone at the center had wished me luck and felt bad that my roommate was a "known asshole with no heart or feelings." Yugyeom couldn't help but ask the other male. He knew it was probably the wrong move to do to his roommate, but he had to be upfront. The person who had said such comments seemed to be honest and nice, so he was scared of the type of roommate he was just assigned to. However, he knew that rumors are just rumors and that people just talk.

Jungkook on the other hand felt the small hope and positivity he had been crushed. He knew this would be the outcome, but he had hoped for a little faith. At least now he knows not to get his hopes up at all anymore. Of course people had already told him everything about him. Of course he would already say that he doesn't like him. Jungkook sighed, wishing that if all his fears were to have never turned real so soon after he felt better, then at least he hoped it would get easier.

"Wow, the people in this campus really do a good job at rapidly commenting about others. Wish I could say I am fully surprised, but I am not. I won't lie to you, I am not a ray of sunshine. I am very hard headed and I agree I can be an asshole most of the time, as well as someone cold, but I have never once hurt someone deeply, physically or mentally, that it'll continue to affect them in the long run." Jungkook looked down at his fingers as he said this. He scowled and picked at the beds of his fingernails.

"Don't worry though, I won't try to judge you and will try my best to not have issues with you. If you think I'll hurt you, I won't. Most of the things you heard or will hear are partly true, but they are also partly false. No one on this campus truly knows me. I just wish for us to get along, even if it's just professionally, okay?" Jungkook says calmly, looking up at the other.

Yugyeom was just standing there, staring at him blankly, just taking everything in. He wanted to respond to Jungkook, but didn't know how. He just wanted both of them to get along professionally as well. He stood there in silence trying to come up with a way to answer.

While Yugyeom agreed and thought positively about what Jungkook had replied, the other took the silence as something negative. He nodded to himself and started to pick up his phone, keys, and water. "Well anyways, I am going to go and head out somewhere for a while. I hope you are able to settle in easily. I'll see you later." Jungkook says out of the blue and leaves the dorm after waving Yugyeom bye.

Yugyeom stays there, looking at the door feeling guilty for making the other feel as if he judged him very quickly and without knowing him. Yes, having someone warn him about his roommate, scared him and made him be on high alert, but he also knows rumors. He knows sometimes people speak but don't truly know. They just see something and go along with it. He knows that. He's experienced it before.

So far, Jungkook has no full view of Jungkook, but he can tell he's a lonely, intimidating guy. But even if he's intimidating or gives that sort of vibe, there's something underneath that is far from being a bad person. "Nice way to start off your new journey at a new campus, Kim Yugyeom!" He says, annoyed at himself. He sighs and continues to unpack his things.

_______

Jungkook sighed as he closed the door of his dorm. "What did you expect, Jeon Jungkook? Why can't you ever learn? Things will always stay the same. Everyone will always believe the words of others before getting to know you." He talks to himself in the third person.

He felt very frustrated and a little sad. He was hoping to at least have someone on campus that wasn't just the members of his group, at least decently get along with. Maybe not friends, but at least someone that would have no thought over him.

However, he feels the universe proving him wrong every time. He knows leaving isn't the right thing to do but he didn't know what could have happened if he didn't leave.

He runs his hands through his hair and wonders where to go for a few seconds until he makes up his mind. "Let's hope dancing is still one of the ways to distract my mind." he says to himself and heads to the dance room. He was entering the dance studio when he heard footsteps and music echo through the room. The person who was dancing was Jimin. The other only briefly looked at where he was standing and continued to dance.

Jungkook stood there for a second debating if he should leave or not. He decided he needed this too much and went to the other side of the studio where he wouldn't get in the way of the older's dancing. In the back of his mind, Jungkook recognized that it was JImin's voice he was hearing in the song Jimin was using. Jimin was dancing to an original song. His eyes kept drifting over to the older man as he continued to dance. He was mesmerized by the older voice and his dance. It was beautiful and his moves were sharp and graceful. Even if he tried, he couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from the other's body. He hoped that one day he would be able to show that much beauty and grace in his dance too.

When Jimin stopped, he grabbed his water bottle and turned around to look at the younger boy. "What brings you here Jungkook-ssi? Never thought I would ever see you in a dance room. You dance?" The older man asked. Jungkook nodded and rubbed his hands together in nervousness, unable to make eye contact. "Wow, guess that's something else we have in common. Man, you keep surprising me everyday, Jungkookie." Jimin smiled widely.

"Was the song you were dancing to, an original?" Jungkook asks. The other male nods as he keeps the smile on his face.

"Ahh, yes, it is. It's a song I wrote along with the help of Namjoon hyung. I wanted to make a choreography to see if I can actually choreograph and I now see I somewhat can." He replies and gets his water bottle to start drinking.

"I can see too. Sorry for interrupting you by the way. I can leave if you are still going to use the place.' The younger one rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. "Uhh no, I actually have been here for three hours now. I was going to head out after finishing, which I already did.." He closes the water bottle and starts packing his stuff after using a towel to brush away his sweat.

"Okay, I have everything. The room is all yours!" Jimin pats him on the back and the other nods. He was getting used to having friendly conversations with Jimin now. Maybe because in the end, he feels like he's the only person who could see past his mask and still be willing to start a friendship. Though little did he know that it wouldn't be just him. "See you later Jungkookie! Hope you like your new roommate too." He says and waves before leaving.

Once the younger is alone he paused and waited for a couple of minutes to make sure no one else would come in.

Fifteen minutes later he begins warming up, feeling more comfortable that no one else will show. It seemed like no one actually seemed to have an interest in dancing at the moment. As soon as he had finished warming up, he decided to try creating some moves for the instrumental he made with the group a few days ago.

He set up his camera to record him dancing, so he can remember what to do for later. Once he was finished setting up he began. He danced with so much emotion, this time more than any others. He hadn't danced in so long due to his injuries, so he had a lot of pent up energy he needed to get out. He just danced and tried to let everything bother him melt away. He danced and danced until sweat was pouring down his body and his muscles screaming out in exhaustion. By the time he was done he collapsed on the ground breathing heavily but felt satisfied.

He danced without stopping for almost two hours. Switching between just dancing to random routines, to coming up with more choreography for the song. He was exhausted, but satisfied. He laid there for a little while trying to catch his breath. Eventually he sat up and began gathering his things. He paused remembering there was someone in the dorm now. He doesn't want to go back to the dorm just yet. He still wants to be alone. So he decided to head to the tree he liked to sit at. It was a small little area where he knows he'll be at peace. With that in mind he grabs his things and leaves the studio.

He walks to the tree, he sits down without noticing someone was sitting three feet away from him. He closes his eyes and puts his hand over his eyes. He stays like that for five mins until he hears someone talk. "It is nice to be out here with silence huh?" A normal deep calming voice says. Jungkook takes off his hand and looks up to see Jin smiling at him as he sits down.

"Is it fine that I sit with you?" The older asks even though he already had sat down. The younger one looked at him and just shrugged. " If you want, why not I suppose." he says and the other nods.

"So, how was your day? I'm guessing it's been tiring since it seems you just came from doing a workout." Jin asks, trying to start a conversation with Jungkook. The other knew what the older was doing and felt weird about it. Although they had somewhat settled things, the younger never thought that some of them would bother to talk to him outside the project, because why would they? They agreed to be neutral, but they never settled for more than that. Or so the younger male thought.

"I just came from the practice room. I started some choreography for the song and did other free stuff." he explained, not wanting to add further.

"Already?! Wow, first you start the song already and now you have even started choreography? We truly have misjudged you, haven't we? Anyways, how was your day? You didn't answer that part."

Jungkook looks at him confused for a split second before responding. "It could be better, but I am pushing through it. I am so sorry for saying this or am sorry for how it can be interpreted, but why are you wanting to have a conversation with me that isn't about our project. I know we agreed to be mutual and at peace with each other, but we never talked about becoming friends or starting to be fully friendly." The younger honestly asked.

"I know. Trust me, I do, but I like talking to people. Plus, Jimin has opened my mind more to you. We don't have to just talk about the project, we can have a conversation out of it too. You seemed lonely so I thought I would try and get to know you more. It is weird, I know, but to be honest, you and I never had any heated interactions that compare to the rest. I know we are used to doing the opposite of getting along, but I really want to know a little more of you. I think I've heard from people who Jeon Jungkook is, but I've never truly gotten to know who the real Jeon Jungkook is. I haven't heard who he is from my own perspective that isn't influenced by others. We don't have to be friends if you don't want to, but you should start to at least be social with people. Be acquaintances. Don't always isolate Jungkook-ssi." Jin responds truthfully to the youngest who looks at him and then down. Taking in every word

He forgot the last time someone had wanted to stop paying attention to the Jungkook people pictured. He then remembered Professor Jang words of being less lonely, and thought that maybe Jin could also be someone he can at least talk with here and then. Even if doing so would make him feel afraid and out of place. "I get it, I am sorry. This is like I have said before, so weird to me." He does a small frown and looks down in embarrassment.

"Well, just think of this as getting to know an acquaintance only." Jin responds, trying to ease the vibe. They stay there in silence for a few minutes.

"How was your day?" Jungkook breaks the silence.

"It was okay. Kind of stressful, but college is always stressful. But I am also hanging in there. I heard you got a roommate huh? What is that like? It is someone new I hear. They have no image of you." Jin brings up the topic and Jungkook sighs.

"No, I am pretty sure he knows who I am. It is clear that he has an idea. I don't blame him, but it is amazing how easily people judge." Jungkook responds.

"You already fought with him?"

"No, but he said that he had gotten warned about me before coming to the dorm. It is pretty clear he has the image everyone else does. But, that is who I show myself to be, right? I have to face the consequences of being who I am."

"Who you pretend to be I should say." Jin says and the other looks at him confused once more.

"What do you mean? How I act is how I am."

"I would believe you, but I don't. At least not after what you wrote. Not after seeing how well you get along with Professor Jang. If you were the guy you make yourself be, you wouldn't write such deep lyrics. Plus, I don't know, there is something in your eye that tells me, you don't show the real you. It is all an act. I don't know why, and I don't plan to make you tell me. But, I know that the actual Jeon Jungkook is something different to this. I do agree that masking creates consequences though. You may tell me that you are who you are, but my mind will still tell me otherwise. I was just blinded to see it before." Jin looked at the younger person who was looking and listening attentively to him.

"How about you talk about it with your roommate? The last thing you want is living with someone you don't get along with. He still hasn't been told everything. If you can't or feel that you no longer can show others your real identity, then start over with him, even if there are rumors and even if you guys never become more than just roommates." Jin advises and the younger stays quiet. It was amazing how Jin and Jimin could see through him, but again, that scared him.

It made him feel as if he was slowly showing his real face without even trying to purposely do so. However, that was far from it.

" Well, I have to go now, but I'll see you around Jungkook-ssi. Don't forget we meet up tomorrow. I know it's a Monday but we have to do what we got to do.'' Jin says after checking the time on his phone and getting up.

"Oh and Jungkook, I know I said you may not be able to show who you are now, but you can, it takes time, but anything is possible." Jin replies and JUngkook nods as he sees the older boy leave.

"Never did I expect to have advice from Kim Seokjin." Jungkook says to himself. He stays an hour more at the tree before deciding to head back to the dorm.

It was Monday afternoon and Jungkook was sitting in the canteen eating lunch alone. Nothing unusual. He was thinking back on what happened on Sunday with his roommate and how awkward it was between him and Yugyeom once he got back to the dorms. He sighed, shaking his head at the thought and continued to eat.

He could say he so far hated the day, not only have he and Yugyeom been painfully awkward, but he had to deal with new rumors too. Not to mention that he was eating in the canteen, the places he hates to eat out of the whole campus. Every place was packed due to some unknown closing of areas on campus. So he had to sit and eat in the same place people would shut up about him. He still managed to have a whole table to himself as no one would sit near him. He sighed and looked down at his food, not really eating it, just pushing his food around his plate and taking a bite here and there.

In the distance, his project members were looking at the lonely boy who seemed to be a bit more down.

"You know...I'm not gonna lie, looking at him it kinda makes me feel bad, you know? That he's always alone." The other turned to look at Hoseok incredulously. At their looks he continued. "Like, I know people like being alone, but not all the time. He is literally always alone." Hoseok finishes, looking over in the younger's direction.

"I think we know why he is lonely. We may not hate him as much anymore, but people are still iffy about him. Especially with that new rumor about him fucking a girl and not even taking care of her after a tense night. People have more reasons to be cruel to him. Either way, he must like it. He is mean because he wants to be alone. Everyone should see that." Taehyung says with a small bitter tone.

He yelps when he feels a small slap on the arm by Jimin.

"Why are you so against him, Taehyung-ah? He's lonely and maybe he has done some bad things, but he doesn't deserve to be lonely. Again, people have their reasons for acting the way they do. I think that we should all start trying to be nicer to him. I mean he's stopped being an asshole to us. Let's try to get to know him. I thought we had cleared most of the dark tension between him and us" Jimin suggested, looking at the other members hopefully. He beamed when Seokjin spoke up in his defense.

"I agree with Jiminie! After school let's start the deal of being nicer and more friendly to him! I have a feeling that he actually may not be as bad as he seems. I mean... someone with a cold evil heart wouldn't be able to write the beautiful lyrics he did." Jin reasons. Someone snaked their hand under his chin and forced his head to turn. He gapes as he sees someone that they've never seen before sit in front of Jungkook.

A few moments before

Jungkook was pushing his food around his plate, keeping his eyes down when he saw a shadow appear in front of him. He looks up to meet eyes with his roommate; Yugyeom.

"Hey there,'bad guy'." Yugyeom smiles jokingly, tilting his head. "May I sit with you? I know you don't have a good reputation, but I can't judge someone until I know the actual truth, right? Shouldn't believe rumors when I still haven't met the person myself. I apologize if I made it come off as if I did." Jungkook widened his eyes a bit, his mouth forming a small 'O' in his shock, but nodded and gestured for Yugyeom to sit down. He didn't even know why he did so.

"Its okay." Jungkook says.

The whole college cafeteria went silent in shock, looking at Yugyeom. It quickly dissolved into shocked whispers. Yugyeom could hear the poorly concealed whispers caused from sitting with Jungkook, but he didn't let it bother him. He looked up when the proclaimed bad boy spoke up. "I thought you weren't going to sit with someone like me? I mean last time we spoke it seemed like you believed the rumors about me. You must have friends, someone better to hang around than me. I don't think I'm the person to be friends with." Jungkook mumbles with a frown, looking down at the end of his comment.

"I know that yesterday wasn't the best and I'm sorry that I made it seem like I believed what people said. I was tired and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I just want you to know I'm not one to believe what people say so easily. You really don't seem like the person people say you are. I know we just met yesterday, but I didn't get that impression from you when we spoke.. I want to try to be your friend not just because we are roommates. I also don't want us to be awkward. I'm just a bit shy at first with making friends. We don't even have to be friends now, but let's get to know each other a little. So what do you say, okay?" Yugyeom looks intently at the other to see what he would do.

"Give it a try will you? It's someone new. Take this as a step to being the real you at some point in life, no matter how far away that is. You don't have to fully be yourself with that person but at least don't be the bad boy from school. Yes, rumors can always spread after, but it's harder to believe it when the person acts differently than what people talk about. Make it less suffocating okay?

Jungkook remembered the professor's words. He hesitantly nodded.

When he sees Jungkook give a small smile, he knows the other understands where he is coming from. Yugyeom smiles back brightly and starts eating. It was silent as they ate, but Jungkook wouldn't lie if he said he didn't enjoy the company. It was nice.