Fifty-First
:Chapter Fifty-One:

     "And then next thing I knew, I just kissed him." Said Taehyung. "Now can we drop it?" Asked the middle teen, feeling awfully embarrassed.

Hoseok was listening in awe, lips parted and his face only showing surprise. He didn't think Taehyung would be the one to make the first move but here he was being told the opposite.

Jeongguk just sat on the edge of Taehyung's bed, looking between the two. He didn't really have much to say besides agreeing.

"Wait," Hoseok stopped. "So, Jihyun then," He brought up Taehyung's unaware girlfriend.

"Yeah? What about her?" Asked Taehyung, not thinking much of it but soon enough he would be.

"Why didn't you break up with her?" Hoseok questioned, brows a bit tugged in. "That's kind of rude."

"You didn't break up with her yet?" Jeongguk asked.

Taehyung sighed and looked back at the younger, shaking his head. "I couldn't."

"Bullshit, Tae, why couldn't you?" Jeongguk pushed, frowning at the words he was told.

"Oh cool, I get to hear you guys argue more." Hoseok leaned back in Taehyung's desk chair, looking between the two of them.

"Because we were in school. Kind of fucked up if I broke up with her in the middle of the day, yeah?" Taehyung tried to save himself but Hoseok obviously didn't want that.

"So why would you tell her you were planning an anniversary?" Hoseok inquired, head slightly tilted.

"What?" Jeongguk narrowed his brows.

Taehyung groaned. "Seok," He looked towards the elder, getting a bit agitated. "Who's side are you on?"

"Obviously not yours, Taehyung." Responded Hoseok, thinking it was a bit clear.

"You told her you were planning an anniversary? What fucking joke is that, loser?" Jeongguk insulted but he could've said worse than that. "Why would you make it harder than it has to be?"

"I panicked, that's why."

"And setting up an anniversary was what you came up with?"

Hoseok was enjoying this but he did feel bad. The two sounded like they did before they had sex. They clearly still had animosity. While it was funny, it was also kind of sad.

     "Look, Jeongguk, I freaked out. I was put on spot and just couldn't tell her in the middle of the day." Taehyung said, knowing this was going to happen.

"Then tell her now." Jeongguk picked up the blond's phone, handing it over. "Text her, call her, something. I'm not doing this with you."

"What? No. That's so fucked, dude." Taehyung shook his head and tossed his phone back onto the bed.

"And lying wasn't." Jeongguk rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Taehyung." He sighed, looking away from the boy who stood in front of him.

"Can you ever not be mad at me?" Taehyung huffed, getting angrier and angrier.

"Not the right choice of words, bud." Hoseok mentioned but Taehyung glared at him as a response.

Jeongguk agreed though told by his next response.

     "Really? You do a bunch of shit for me to get mad at. How do you expect me to react?"

"Just understand where I'm coming from."

"I can't because I would've never cheated in the first place." Jeongguk pushed to his feet, needing to stand up. "I would've been way smarter than this."

"And guess what, Jeongguk? You're not me. It's easy to say that, don't you think?" Taehyung never won these arguments. But here he was, losing yet another fight with the one boy he wanted to be with.

The younger didn't reply. Instead, he stared for a moment at Taehyung before he shook his head, walking past him to the bedroom door.

He pulled it open and walked out, not closing it behind him.

Taehyung just stood there, feeling multiple things all at once that had his heart conflicted.

     "Maybe chase after him?" Hoseok suggested, looking up at the younger who soon looked back at him.

"Why?" Taehyung asked.

"It proves you genuinely want something between you guys and that you're sorry. It'll give him a reason to wait a bit longer." Hoseok explained. "It's better than him walking away pissed off."

Taehyung hated the way that sounded. Chasing. But Hoseok was right. Taehyung had to put his pride down for a moment just to prove he wanted something.

     Without second guessing himself, he followed out the open door and jogged down the steps. He soon went out of his front door where he spotted Jeongguk walking down the sidewalk.

He wasn't far so the elder of the two caught up with ease.

     "Jeongguk, c'mon," He grabbed onto the boy's forearm.

"C'mon what, Tae? I really feel like my time is being wasted." He admitted.

"I'll do it, I'll break up with her. I honestly just panicked and got scared. I'll do it." Taehyung pleaded, making the black-haired teen look at him. "But when I do, I want to tell her in person instead of just over text. It's only fair that way." He reasoned. "She has feelings too, you know? I'm sure finding out that we're suddenly breaking up and that I was cheating isn't something to easily announce or accept."

The younger held in a breath, looking between Taehyung's brown eyes. He then sighed, dropping his gaze to the floor. It wasn't a no.

"I want this; us. I promise I'll break up with her. I'll do it." Taehyung tried to solidify his words. Give them the meaning Jeongguk wanted most.

"Sooner than later, Taehyung." Said the younger, his eyes flicking back upward to look at Taehyung who simply nodded his head.

Sooner than later.

***

Study hall was Taehyung's only free period. He had to breakup with Jihyun, especially since he wanted to please Jeongguk and stop dragging around their hearts like lifeless dogs on a leash.

He would've done it after school but there was a game and one he couldn't miss. He also figured he would be too tired after the game to want to do it so why not just get it done before the big game?

At least that's what sounded best in his pea-sized brain.

And, for the record, his study hall was a bit towards the end of the day so at least she could leave for the most part. Right? She wouldn't have to roam the halls with a gloomy look.

He also picked out an empty classroom where they could have their peace.

     "Hi, Tae!" Her chirpy voice made him look over, seeing his girlfriend who grinned as she made her way over to him. She wanted to make it up to him for accusing him of something he was totally doing. She had apologized so many times and it broke Taehyung each time she said sorry.

"Hey," He kindly greeted back, forcing a taut smile across his face. He again wasn't prepared or ready for this. Shame on him.

"What's up? What did you want to talk about?" Jihyun asked, taking a seat in the desk directly beside Taehyung. She leaned her head a bit to the side, waiting to hear her boyfriend speak.

The aforementioned opened his lips but his words failed to make a sound. He looked ridiculous, he was sure of it. Probably comparable to a fish out of warm, trying to form something. Instead, he was silent.

She arched one of her brows, pursing her lips. "Taehyung? Are you okay?" Jihyun asked, looking a bit concerned.

Panic.

Taehyung felt like he couldn't do this all of a sudden. She was so sweet and she was too kind. She deserved better than this.

     "Baby?" Jihyun's soothing voice entered his ears and tugged on the strings connected to his heart, putting a rip right in the middle. Her brows slowly furrowed, reaching a hand out to grab onto Taehyung's. Probably to hold it and comfort him.

He was a fool.

     "I-I just— Uh, I love you." Taehyung sputtered, the rip only opening more. He didn't mean to say it but he was scared. He was a nervous wreck.

Jihyun was taken aback but her once worried look contoured one full of joy. She quickly leaped onto her boyfriend and hugged him, squeezing him in her arms.

     "You do? Really?" She sounded way too happy for Taehyung's liking. "You mean it?"

"O-Of course I do. I wouldn't say it if I didn't." Taehyung internally was screaming at himself to just shut up but apparently that wasn't working very well.

"I was a bit worried for a moment." Said Jihyun as she pulled back, looking at Taehyung. "I was scared something bad happened or you had bad news but this is thrilling."

Taehyung forcibly smiled, nodding his head. He refused to speak after the idiotic sentence he spat out. He couldn't have made this issue any worse yet here he was, telling a girl he didn't want to be with that he loved her.

How dumb was he. Taehyung was honestly heartbroken. Not just because of her but because Jeongguk was going to give him an earful.

Taehyung was just panicked. He would figure it out, he always did.

     "As happy as I am, which I'm over the moon, I do have to get back to class! Maybe after your game today we can hangout! I can cook something up for you!" Jihyun grinned, smile going from one ear to the other.

"Yeah . . . Yeah, for sure." Taehyung nodded, his eyes masking his internal pain. "I'll see you around though, love you." This is why he shouldn't talk. He was thinking about investing in a muzzle.

Jihyun kissed his cheek and turned away, walking out of the empty classroom.

     Unluckily, or luckily, Hoseok was just so passing by when Jihyun stepped out of the classroom. He caught sight of Taehyung sitting in the room.

Jihyun looked way too happy for Taehyung just breaking up with her Hoseok thought.

     Hoseok let Jihyun get away before he walked into the room, glancing around before allowing his eyes to catch sight of Taehyung.

His face said it all.

     "You didn't break up with her, huh?" Wondered the teenager's best friend. He could see right through Taehyung sometimes.

"It's so hard, Seok." Taehyung admitted, his hands holding his head up as he huffed. "I fucked it up more like a dumbass."

"How much worse is worse?" Asked the elder.

"I told her I loved her."

"Oh," Hoseok said after a moment. Taehyung hadn't fallen in love with Jihyun. He never got to that point, especially since he started getting feelings for Jeongguk.

"Yeah, so," Taehyung picked his head up and looked at his friend, wanting some advice for how to fix this because he was drawing blanks. "Jeongguk is going to be so upset."

"Well, yeah but—"

"Maybe I just shouldn't tell him." Taehyung said before Hoseok could give actual advice.

"And if he asks?" The elder cocked a single brow, unsure how that would turn out but definitely anything but good.

"I'll just avoid it. I'll break up with her after the game today. He just can't know until I do it. See! That way he doesn't get mad and I can still get it over with!" Taehyung smiled at his plan which he believed was fool-proof.

"I don't think lying is going to make your issue any better, Taehyung." Hoseok admitted. "Maybe just be honest with him and tell him how you just panicked again."

"He'll still get mad at me though." Taehyung frowned.

"Well, yeah, of course he would but if he finds out you lied to him, don't you think he'll just get more upset?" Wondered Hoseok, trying to show the younger the hole in his script.

Nothing was getting through Taehyung's thick skull though. Not even the logic Hoseok provided.

With those final words, they both left the classroom. Taehyung hadn't changed his mind. He didn't want Jeongguk getting any more upset at him and it's not like he was actually lying to the boy.

He just wasn't telling him everything that could be told. Nothing entirely wrong with that. At least that's what Taehyung believed.

***

     "You know the rules, I want a fair game. This determines whose going to the championship. Any foul play will regard in disqualification." The umpire spoke, looking between the teams' captains. He said it in a serious tone, this game being a big deal and should be played with sportsmanship; win or lose.

Taehyung and Hoseok nodded their heads, holding their hands out to shake the other teams captains' hands. This would solidify a silent agreement to play by the rules.

Everyone was nervous and scared for what was to come but that wasn't going to hold back anyone. Each and every player would play their hearts out. They both wanted this.

"We got this," Hoseok uttered under his breath as they turned away and walked over to the away team dugout. It was simple but it temporarily assured Taehyung.

Since they were the away team, they would bat first. They were starting offensive and had the opportunity to score before the other team.

If they wanted to win, they would need a hell of a start to give them that much needed boost. The opposing team definitely deserved to be here as much as they did. They worked and played hard too.

"Taehyung, get your helmet on. You're first." Told Coach, commanding Taehyung to grab what he needed to bat.

This was way too nerve racking for Taehyung's liking. He felt like this was going to fall back on him somehow; this was going to be his fault and the team would hate him. He wished Jeongguk wasn't sat out so the boy could pitch instead of him.

He wouldn't be so anxious then. Half the stress would be off of his shoulders but that wasn't the case. No, here he was, watching the other team practice plays as he got ready to swing.

Unexpectedly, he felt a tap on his shoulder which caused him to look back. There he saw Jeongguk who retracted his hand soon so he wouldn't be seen. Taehyung still wanted this to be kept secretive.

"You got this, Tae. Take a deep breathe. Remember, Coach kept you in because he knew you could do it. You can prove it to him; to me." Jeongguk said softly, comforting the teenager who had furrowed brows. "I believe in you, Kim, you got this."

Taehyung weakly smiled but it was unclear if it were forced or not. He felt reassured but his nerves were creeping up his neck, tickling the little hairs his body held.

"Thanks, Newbie." He said but it was all he could muster. If he spoke any further, his voice would've cracked and tease him.

"Batter up!" Called one of the few umpires, pulling Taehyung's nerves to the very top.

Here we go, Taehyung thought, head playing noises and voices he could've done without.

But, somewhere in his head if doubt, he could pick up Jeongguk's soothing tone. The words the boy said repeated in his head, bringing on a comforting feeling.

He believed in him and that's what mattered right now, right? Jeongguk's belief. This boy was rooting for him unlike multiple other times.

Taehyung walked up to the plate, standing on the right side if you looked from the catcher's angle.

He had one foot out of the box, the bat over his shoulder. He took in his surrounding, slowly dragging in a deep breath.

The captain put both feet securely in the box, slightly crouching over like Jeongguk had showed him.

He brought the bat back and up off his shoulder, eyes peaking through his helmet right at the pitcher.

His heart was beating loud in his chest, everything else dead silent. He believes in you.

The pitcher of the opposing team pulled the ball from his glove and twisted it around. Soon, he cocked his hand back and pitched the ball from the plate.

It was a pretty pitch, straight and fast. It was lined up perfectly for Taehyung. It was a clean throw.

Taehyung sucked in a sharp breath and adjusted his shoulder, swinging the bat almost perfectly forward.

"Strike one!" The umpire called out. Almost perfect. He missed.

_________
A/N:

Long chapter for you guys to enjoy while on a cliffhanger. Also, I would like to sincerely apologize for leaving you guys. I lost tons of motivation to even write so I didn't really want to finish or continue. I do have some chapters backed up for this story and this was one of them. Enjoy.