Twelfth
:Chapter Twelve:

    Game day.

Monday rolled right in and it was finally the day of their first game.

All baseball players wore their jerseys just to show off the fact they were having their first game today. It was tradition really. Wearing your jersey on the first and last game the team had. Some wore it depending on who they play but that wasn't apart of the original tradition.

The Panthers were going against the Raiders. They weren't a great team but most definitely not a bad one. It was actually a rival team meaning it was going to be a pretty impactful game; intense.

Taehyung, like always, couldn't shut up about it. He was so excited and was looking forward to their first game.

He couldn't wait, like a kid on Christmas being told they can't open their gifts. He just wanted to jump right in without another word being shared.

Hoseok had told him to shut up several times yet none of the times he told him had actually worked because Taehyung kept going on and on and on about it.

Though, the elder wasn't going to lie, he was excited, too. Maybe not as much as Taehyung — because who's ever that excited? But he was excited enough.

Speaking of Hoseok, Taehyung and the aforementioned had made up pretty quickly. Taehyung had told Hoseok the same bullshit he told Namjoon.

However, Taehyung did keep to his word. He didn't say or start with Jeon whatsoever. He didn't even look at him, didn't talk to him, and refused to even do anything baseball related with him.

Not like Jeongguk tried but if he did try, Taehyung would've ignored him for sure.

The two of them really didn't have many encounters anyways. One day, Jeongguk couldn't make it to gym because his father came to pick him up early for a doctor's appointment — which meant he couldn't attend practice either. And the other day, Friday, practice was only an hour instead of two and a half so much didn't happen.

They didn't even look at each other if that counted for anything.

     "I'll definitely be down there at your game." Namjoon told the two boys who looked pretty happy. "One of you better hit a homerun for me, Babe Ruth that shit."

"We're in high school, he was a professional MLB player, Joon." Taehyung commented, chuckling right after.

"Yeah, but I'm sure Jeongguk will shoot it up for you. Just go ask him." Hoseok said nonchalantly, as if no one had an issue with the mentioned pitcher.

"Woah, woah, I never said I couldn't do it." Taehyung pointed out, shaking his head. He was too excited to eat so he didn't have any food but Hoseok convinced him to at least eat some carrots that was on his tray.

Namjoon snickered breathlessly, knowing exactly where this was going. "Just try your best, that's all I'm saying. You have a game to win, not a person to beat. Especially when that said person is on your team."

"Yeah, we need to focus more on working as a team, Taehyung, a team." Hoseok agreed with Namjoon, handing his drink over to Taehyung so the boy could have a sip but he denied, shaking his head.

"Yeah, whatever." The youngest sighed, knowing they just wanted to break away from Jeongguk now despite being the ones to bring him up. He had to remember that his friends were also friends with Newbie and the world didn't revolve around him.

Speaking of the devil himself, Jeongguk came over to the table, setting his tray down. "Hoseok, Namjoon hyung." He greeted.

Namjoon and Hoseok greeted with a smile to Jeongguk. Hoseok being first to speak after the now youngest.

"Jimin not here today?" He asked.

"Jihyun's friend Jimin?" Taehyung asked, thinking the name sounded familiar. "Right or wrong Jimin?"

"Him, you're right. Her track friend." Hoseok nodded but directed his attention back to Jeongguk who shook his head.

"No, Jimin's here but I told him I was going to sit over here because you're here. And . . . He's here." Jeongguk jutted his chin over at Taehyung who didn't react. There wasn't much to react to, not yet anyways.

"Awe! You guys are making up!" Hoseok never knew a middle. "Glad to know you wanted to sit with us!"

"It's a game day, trust me, my first choice is not to sit where he is." Jeongguk quickly said, not wanting to be paired with Cap.

"You aren't even a last resort, Newbie, don't flatter yourself, the feeling's mutual." Taehyung dryly insulted, picking up a carrot and biting the end of it.

There was a moment of silence, making Jeongguk give a sour look but Taehyung wasn't looking up to see it. "Anyways," he waved it off, trying to ignore it because it was Monday; game day, the two both wanted to play equally and ruining it for the other wasn't ideal since it would be ruined for both. And Taehyung wasn't that important for Jeongguk to want to ruin it for him.

Namjoon could feel the tension, humming. "Seokjin told me you guys are getting close to one another? Not close but like . . . Cool?"

"Oh, yeah. I met him and Yoongi when I went over there. They seem like cool people. What confuses me that if you all know one another, why don't you guys just combined the tables?" Jeongguk questioned.

"It eliminates a table for you to go to when you don't want to sit over here because of the beef you and Taehyung have." Hoseok commented. "I mean, I don't know why we didn't think of it. Some of us are closer than others. Namjoon doesn't really know Jimin and Taehyung doesn't know much about Seokjin so we just kept it separate I guess."

Namjoon agreed. "I guess we all could just get to know one another and all become a big group of friends but this is nice, right? Again, if you don't like sitting here, there is always another table."

"I guess." Jeongguk nodded. Both of his hyungs were right. Jeongguk really used the other table so he didn't have to sit here and get a load of pissy face. He had actual friends and he adored them, but he still used that table to escape the arguments.

"You should go back over to where you came from, Jeon." Taehyung then spoke, sparing a glance up at the aforementioned. "Ya know, since sitting here bothers you so much."

"You're reaching really far to try to get on my nerves, Kim." Jeongguk said, playing a nonchalant and chilled look. "You're just looking to make matters worse for what? Your own enjoyment?"

"Partially." Taehyung shrugged.

"Taehyung, you made a promise." Hoseok reminded his friend, elbowing his side.

"Other half is you just annoy me." Taehyung continued, ignoring Hoseok who sighed.

"If that's the case, you could always move your own seat, go somewhere else." Jeongguk suggested. "Since I annoy you so much, but let me just say, it's an honor that my presence annoy you as much as it does. Glad to know I can do another thing without much effort, right next to pitching and batting, that is."

Damn Jeongguk and his witty remarks, Taehyung really started to get annoyed. He huffed, sitting up straight. "We'll see if you can do it later on during the game, don't walk anyone."

Walking someone in baseball was a known term. It meant for the pitcher to not throw any balls that couldn't be hit. If he (or she in softball) ended up throwing four balls that weren't able to be hit, the batter got to walk to the next base even though he didn't hit the balls because it would be the pitcher's fault. Baseball tip of the day. Just look it up otherwise.

"Trust me, babes, walking batters isn't in my vocabulary." Jeongguk smirked, shooting him a wink. "You can wish me good luck as you stand at first, waiting for someone to hit my perfect pitch."

Namjoon and Hoseok just listened since both knew nothing they said would make the two of them stop.

"Sure, Newbie." Was all Taehyung could say, looking down at his phone that had shut off due to his focus being elsewhere. He didn't have anything else to say and the only thing they could do was wait for the game later on today. It would start at four so they would have time to practice beforehand.

***

     "Taehyungie!" The called teen turned, looking up where an audience was gathering. He saw who called his name and couldn't help his smile, seeing his girlfriend stood with her hands in the air.

Right next to her was Jimin who was laughing at her antics. Then it was Seokjin, Yoongi, and Namjoon. Namjoon felt a bit awkward since he didn't know the other two too well but managed. They would cheer for their three friends on the field.

Taehyung waved at his girlfriend, making a heart with his arms over his head which she gladly returned back, her smile never ending. God, she was so beautiful.

He walked over to their dugout, going through his bag and pulling out his mitt. Taehyung had saw Newbie and Hoseok talking away so he didn't bother them. His other teammates were elsewhere, warming up and practicing most likely.

That's when Taehyung looked over at the Raiders, figuring he would see what they were up to.

The opposing team were at their dugout and setting up, chatting away. They had some foreigners and looked like a pretty okay team for the most part.

Taehyung knew the one player as a fun fact. His name was Changmin. He used to go to their school but he moved last year because of business; had to transfer. He was actually a pretty good player, honestly. He was the only good player on the team as far as Taehyung knew.

As if Changmin knew, he looked towards Taehyung's direction and waved at him. Not much changed with him. He appeared to be the same ole friendly guy he had always been.

The blondie waved back, moving over to the opposing side to go say hi to his friend.

Hoseok and Jeongguk were still together in their dugout, Jeongguk occupied with cleaning off his most prized possession; his bat.

"Oh, Changmin!" The brunet grinned, seeing Taehyung over by the former Panthers' player.

"Who?" Jeongguk frowned, picking his head up. He directed his attention to the right outfielder.

"You don't know him, he used to play with us. Good guy." Hoseok didn't look at Jeongguk, eyes where Taehyung and Changmin were talking.

"Shouldn't Cap be on our side? Ya know, with his team?"

"Someone sounds salty. Oh! Or wait! Is it . . . Jealousy? Has to be!" Hoseok whipped his head the other way, a bright smile plastered on his face. He was met with a disgusted look given by Jeongguk. "I knew you two were going to have a cringy love story! But Taehyung has to be on board, he hasn't shown his interest just yet."

"Hobi, shut up. You sound desperate for love so you're pairing two together, make a love story that includes you." Jeongguk rolled his eyes, going back to wiping off his baseball bat.

"I am in it. I play the annoying best friend that secretly knows it'll happen." He shrugged as if his claims were nothing.

"Sounds cheap." Jeongguk uttered, shaking his head. "Just tell him to get over here, we have a game to play. I'm sure he's sabotaging it somehow."

It was Hoseok's turn to roll his eyes, shaking his head at the ridiculous remarks. "Mhmm, Taehyung would totally go out his way to sabotage our game. So like him."

"To hurt me, yes."

"Ya know, Jeongguk, not everything he does involves you. Just a little heads up, don't want to blow up that ego of yours." Hoseok said finally before he walked away to go get warmed up, leaving Jeongguk by himself in the dugout.

_________
A/N:

1. GAME IS NEXT!
2. Any predictions?
3. They're not cool yet! Also, remember all other characters (besides BTS) are all MADE UP! I do not use other members of groups, soloists, or actors!