After working years to place yourself in the best academy for the arts you struggle to find the same love for ballet you once had under the intense pressure and blinding lights of the industry. The balance is almost impossible and with cocky hip-hop dancer, Jeon Jungkook, always around showing you another world entirely, you aren’t sure what you want anymore.
- Pairing: hiphop!jungkook x ballet!reader (small side Jiminxreader)
- Word Count: 7k
- Genre: College!Au (kinda, arts school), eventual smut, enemies to lovers
- Warnings: multiple smut scenes, really simple dance talk, industry abuse, eating disorder, no beta reader
- A/N: I just want to again say thank you for the all the love from part one. This story is so much fun to write and I’m glad that I gave it shot and even uploaded it. Thanks for the comments, likes, and reblogs - I hope you’ll continue to enjoy it. Also, I just want to bring attention to the fact that I am by no means a professional dancer nor ever was. This story is not a factual representation of the ballet industry. It is much more angsty.
Pt. 1 I 2 I
part two
5:43 A.M.
You sighed as you look down at your athletic watch, a small puff of condensation leaving your mouth. The early morning air was chilly around your form making you grateful that you wore your runners’ long-sleeve instead of the tank top that you usually opted in for your morning runs. The last glimpses of summer were trying to find their way in, but you and the rest of Korea knew that fall was coming quickly.
Releasing yourself from your small break at the street sign change you took off again in your brisk jog. Your step was a bit more picked up than from the start of your run – your warm bed somehow screaming out your name loud enough for you to hear across campus.
It was almost dreadful getting out of bed this morning. You had slept horribly during the night, twisting and turning with anxiety due to class and fucking tights. Jungkook, the asshole, was also part of the dilemma, but you believed that if you just tried to ignore that one the problem would go away soon enough. He was simply not worth the lack of sleep – stupid comments and more.
Making room for the other early joggers on the walkway, you made sure to keep your head down. Though there weren’t many runners you would rather keep any interaction to a minimum. Not only do you think you wouldn’t be capable to keep a conversation up – even if you did know them and they wanted to stop and chat – you weren’t exactly the nicest before you had your coffee reward at the end of your daily run.
So, when you saw another runner coming up ahead, hood up hiding his identify you didn’t think twice about just looking ahead and continuing on.
“A-ah! Y/N! Hey!”
You quickly stopped, your sneakers giving a light sound against the pavement. Looking behind you to see who could know you – hoping that it would be just a quick ‘hello and goodbye’ type of thing. But it wouldn’t be.
Smiling at you with one of the brightest smiles in the industry was Park Jimin. You watched as he quickly took out his earbuds and walked up to you. Immediately you felt embarrassed. Here was Jimin, one of the most beautiful people to probably walk this campus, even in his blue hoodie and grey joggers, coming up to you, someone who looked like they got punched in both eyes due to the bags under them and sweaty from running. “Great,” you thought. But you tried to muster up the best smile you could because this had to be fate, right?
“Hey Y/N!” he greeted again. “What happened yesterday, I was paying one minute and the next you were gone?”
You felt bad. You honestly did. Not only were you lucky enough to meet Jimin, have dinner with him (plus friends), but after receiving nothing but kinds words you ditched. But his annoying friend got the best of you. Though you knew you could not say that. Instead, you came up with a little lie.
You hand gripped onto your other limb’s long sleeve in some form of support. “Ya, sorry about that. I suddenly remembered I forgot something at the ballet studio and needed to rush over before the building got locked up.” You hoped he bought it, especially since the ballet studio was left unlocked for long hours over weekdays. You summed it up with the following “I was really gladded that I got to meet you and the others though. I had no idea that Mina knew you.”
Jimin gave a wonderful laugh in return. “Well I’m glad that you were able to get there on time,” you smiled in return. “Still,” he continued. “I would have liked to talk with you more. I mean, like, I know you from competitions and programs, but I don’t know you. Mina mentioned that you were nice though.”
Chewing on your bottom lip you felt a small blush form on your cheeks. You hoped that Jimin thought it was from the cold.
“I don’t know if you’re done with your run or not, but there is this small coffee place just a little off from here that I usually go to after I finish mine. Would you like to go?”
You tried to keep your head-nodding controlled and cool as you agreed with him, “Y-yes, I would love too.”
Jimin smiled in return, turning towards the way you had come, and he was going originally – waiting for you to fall in step with him.
The sound of your bed yelling out to you no longer filled your ears.
Just the sound of Jimin’s laugh.
________________
The coffee shop was truly a short distance from where the two of you had made contact. It was very small but was warm and smelled delightfully of the cinnamon rolls. You couldn’t remember the last time you had one but apparently the aroma was enough to have your mouth salivating.
Jimin, the wonderful gentlemen he was, held thoughtful conversation with you the entire way and even held the door for you. You understood that those actions were just honestly common decency, but it was towards you from the other young dancer, so, it meant so much more.
“What do you want? My treat,” Jimin started taking out his card from his phones wallet’s case hugging the back of the black silicone.
You almost gagged at him. How can someone, whom you honestly barely know outside professionalism, be this good to you? But you made movement to stop him.
“A-ah, no it’s fine I can pay. You literally just paid for our meal yesterday, it wouldn’t be right.”
He laughed, not stopping from walking up to the counter where someone else was ordering first. “It’s okay, Y/N. I stopped you. And I invited you.” You started to try and argue again but was hushed. “Besides I know how much those pointe shoes cost and I know how fast someone like you can go through them, so let me just do this for you, ya?”
The urge to argue again was wanting to break through your lips, but in the end, Jimin was already speaking with the barista to order. He looked at you raising an eyebrow to tell you to get a move on.
“A small black coffee please – the blonde roast.”
“No cream?” Jimin asked as you two made your way to the small booth by the windows.
Shaking your head you replied, “No, I much more prefer my coffee black.” That was another lie. Though you could drink coffee straight, your body continually craved the smooth crème that helped sooth the bitter taste of your caffeine pumped liquid. You just couldn’t have it.
“So, do you like Minji so far? It’s probably a big contrast compared to any other program you’ve been a part of, ya?” Jimin started taking the seat across of you. He used the hand not on his own cup of coffee to push back some his blonde hair – messing it slightly. “I know that I was pretty overwhelmed when I got here a year ago.”
You almost forgot. Jimin was a year ahead, and in terms of skill level, was probably looking at completing the program early. You could only wish to be on the same path as him, but what was his path? The young dancer across from you was kind of a wild card in your mind and in many others. One day he was appearing in ballet magazines and the next thing he wasn’t – but you still found him in similar programs as you occasionally, dancing to Tchaikovsky and Verdi. What were his plans for the future?
Your finger scraped against the mug’s ceramic, pondering. “Well, it is definitely different – that’s for sure.” Jimin nodded, waiting for you to continue. “I mean Minji has always been the plan, but I guess no amount of preparation can prepare you for Ms. Younghee.”
Jimin’s locks flooded upwards as his full out laughed, craning his head back against the cushion. It was musical sounding and even a bit boyish – but you liked it, a lot. Between his word’s giggles continued to escape, “Younghee,” he started. “Ya I guess the witch can be pretty intimidating.”
This time you actually gaped at him. Making him laugh even more.
“I mean don’t, get me wrong, she was an amazing dancer, but no one is that good to be treating people like their bugs on their shoe.”
You were honestly shocked. While you understood that Younghee was by no means everyone’s cup of tea, the argument was that she could do what she wanted because of just how great she was. But here was Jimin, a born dancer, saying that Younghee really wasn’t worth the hype she was given.
“Is,” you contemplated your next question carefully, not wanting to offend the man across from you. “Is that why you’re not officially part of the ballet program? Because you don’t like Younghee?”
Jimin took a quick sip of his beverage before placing it down and smiling at you. The warmness remained not only on his face, but also in your chest. “That and for other reasons. I love ballet – I really do. But I’ve found myself to be leaning away from it professionally. To be honest,” he looked out the window, “I don’t really know what I want to do yet.”
Though you tried to not let it fester, your chest began to tighten uncomfortably. You understood that Jimin was, well, he was exceptional, and had the ability to pick and choose. He could do ballet, he could do lyrical, and, from what you saw yesterday, he could live in the world of hip-hop too. But here he was telling you that ballet wasn’t his true calling – even if he took upper-class and solo lessons. Perhaps it was because you weren’t in the same position as him, having the capability to do it all, that it made you jealous.
Ballet was all that you knew and was the thing that made you get up in the morning and strive to be better – to become the best. If something happened to you – where you couldn’t put on your pointe shoes anymore – you don’t know what your life would be even worth. You knew that many other dancers felt this way too.
You were shoved out of your own thoughts as you watched Jimin get up, grabbing your empty cup. He dropped the ceramics in the dish bin before making his way back over, “You ready to go? Sorry I didn’t even ask what time you needed to get going.”
You stared up at him, taking in his beautiful skin and smiling face. Nodding you stood up and left out the door with him.
Maybe you were overthinking and shouldn’t be feeling the way you do. Ballet wasn’t for everyone and maybe Jimin just found passion in something else.
________________
Your conversation with Jimin stayed in your mind many hours after you said goodbye.
Now in the same dressing room as yesterday, this time dressed correctly and with no fucking teared tights you waited tell Mina returned back from the restroom. She had asked why you left so suddenly after dinner via text last night, but you were honestly too tired to even explain. Opting to just tell her that Jungkook had gotten too much for you to handle during warmups.
“Y/N.”
You looked up and smiled at Mina who had just returned. Her hair was up in a stylish double bun that helped keep her long hair out of the way made her look even a bit cuter than normal. You have always preferred to keep your hair in the professional and standard single bun, hair neatly pinned back so nothing could potentially fall out of place. Perhaps it was because you were trained to never standout unless need be and that in ballet, looking the same was better than being unique. You envied Mina a little at this moment who perhaps was not structured this way in her ballet upbringing.
“Hey, Mina, look!” you gave an exaggerated leg thrust to show off your toned leg covered in a light pink fabric. “No tear!”
Mina giggled, happy to know that your day was off to a much better start compared to yesterday. She continued to smile towards you, watching as you pushed yourself off the bench you were sitting on. Slowly, following many other dancers out the door, you and Mina made your way to the main practice studio. You noticed how the walls, unlike those at the hip-hop studio, had little to no natural light. The small windows allowing little warmth to penetrate into the mirror filled room. It made you frown a little.
“So, are you going to tell me why you just left yesterday?”
You gave a silent groan feeling the urge to grab at your hair. Giving Mina an apologetic look you started, “Ya, sorry about that Mina. It’s just that Jungkook guy really kept hitting my buttons. When you guys were paying inside, he just kept calling me ‘Prima’ and, I don’t know, it just really got on my nerves, I guess. Maybe I was being overdramatic.”
Mina raised her delicate hand to her mouth not wanting to draw attention to her little laughing fit. “But Y/N, you are a Prima.”
You just about fell over in shock. How could Mina, probably your one true friend here, say that to you. Wasn’t she your ally? “M-mina! How could you say—"
“I mean, let’s be honest Y/N,” she smiled at you gently. Looking over she watched over the other dancers work on their own warmups, some of them showing off how many pirouettes they could do – like children in 5th level ballet classes. “You probably have the talent to actually be a Prima Ballerina one day – to be like Ms. Younghee. So maybe Jungkook was actually complimenting you.”
You struggled with her comments, though you knew they came from a good place in her heart. Even flattered that she thought you could one day be like Younghee. Despite what Jimin said earlier, Younghee was someone who everyone wanted to be in the industry. To have her parts, her connections, her history. Though you doubted that Jungkook was actually trying to compliment you. You figured he was probably a guy who thought ballet was boring and not worth the funds nor hype that the school put into it. He was probably jealous and gave the same treatment to the other ballerinas he came across.
Either way, you were just going to forget about him and focus on your own business. Hip-hop and ballet didn’t exactly mix, so you figured you’d only see him in passing again – if ever.
The two of you made your way towards the same bar location as yesterday, fitting yourself in to begin stretches and warmups. You didn’t have to miss a rotation this time due to your tights and was able to go back to your automatic, almost robotic-like. Just how you preferred. No distractions. No wandering thoughts. Just you, and the bar.
Almost as soon as the clock hit 12, the door to the room opened. Pushing yourself into a tight first-position, you watched as Younghee made her way to the center of the room. Taking a look around to make witching eye contact with almost every person in the room. You tried not to look away when she graced you with her vision – it seemed to last an entirety.
She made her way to the old speaker, hitting the small button to play the same music as the day before.
Always the same.
________________
Younghee spared nothing today. She worked every single person to the bone. Your own leotard was damp with sweat – thankful to the black color for hiding it. There have been many lessons that have gotten you to the point of exhaustion in your career, but to Younghee this seems to be her normal. There was an odd twinge in your triceps as you lowered your arms for the final time for this class. Although your arms have been sculpted over the years to be slim with muscle underneath, the work they went through today made them ache with foreign pressure. Perhaps you had been focusing too much on legs the past couple of months in preparing for Minji that you half-assed your other important limbs.
“I need to go to the gym after this” you thought with a small scowl. You were hoping that you’d have time to maybe do some reading – your only form of downtime. Even if it was readings about ballet history and performance memoirs.
You were brought out of your thoughts as the most important woman in the room began to speak – her tone even but eyes scorching.
“As many of you probably already know, Minji Academy puts on many productions throughout the year. But of course, the most important is the Nutcracker.” The room didn’t buzz with excitement like it would have when you were children.
The Nutcracker, a timeless favorite to young and old viewers, was much more to those who performed on stage. It was an opportunity to showcase what you learned, how you behaved on stage, and, even more so, where you were in the industry hierarchy. You were most definitely talented if even given a role – two even – but anyone could tell you there was a difference between being casted as a party member and being the Dew Drop. And as first years, it was even more important because if you were given a part that was mostly reserved to upperclassmen. It meant that you were better and someone to watch closely.
You felt yourself stand up a bit straighter – if physically possible - as your thoughts ran away with possibilities. Everyone in the room did the same.
Younghee began to move among the room, each step purposeful and elegant. “Now, there are only about two months ‘n half tell then which means that auditions will be next week.”
Again, there was little buzz, this was normal. Auditions unlike what many people thought in the ballet world, were not people going in solo announcing they were looking to play the part of such and such. It was a big hall filled with dancers all doing as they were instructed and being watched under the careful eye of multiple instructors – looking for who would be the best for which part. You didn’t know who was going to get what until the paper was posted.
“I trust that everyone here will be part of the audition, but may I say, that not everyone will get a part. Let that speak for itself.” Again, nothing in the atmosphere changed. “Dismissed”
The room, like before, and as everyday would be, erupted in light applause towards Younghee – thanking her for her words and presence.
You looked at Mina, silently asking if she was ready to go. However, as she nodded and started walking towards the door you, and most others, stopped as Younghee’s voice came through.
“Ms. Y/L/N.” You froze. Mentally, you double checked everything you did today in hyper-speed. You were dressed correctly, hair still in place even at the end of the lesson and didn’t even speak. What did you do wrong? What could she want? “I would like to speak to you for a moment.” The older woman began to walk towards the door, the rest making room so she could do so.
Mina and you made a quick eye exchange as you followed the woman, trying to not let the other eyes the burrowed into your body bother you. You noticed the smirk the Jihyun gave you but ignored the snake as you made your way out the door.
You stayed a couple feet back from Younghee as she made continued to walk in silence. Rather quickly you noticed that you were heading towards her office.
Patiently you watched as the older woman sat down in her office chair, pinching a piece of nonexistent lint from her formal long sleeve. With long fingers she signaled towards the seat. You sat, no question.
Looking around the large office you noted the dark frames that protected several photographs – some black-n-white others of color. Many were of Younghee herself from back in her prima ballerina years showing off her elegance in action. Others were of birds, snapshots that were not quite good enough to be professional but still nicely lite and focused. Perhaps Younghee had a hobby outside of scaring ballerinas out of their tutus?
“I’m sure you are wondering why I’ve brought you to my office Ms. Y/L/N.” You gave a slow nodded answer. “I’m here to discuss your future here at Minji Academy. I know that you are aware that I accept nothing but the best and nothing but the best moves forward in this industry.”
Your chest felt tight. Was she already kicking you out? Did you mess up somewhere and didn’t notice? Did you miss a single rotation? This is all you ever wanted. If you were kicked out now… you didn’t know what you would do.
“Usually I do not delve into the previous life of my dancers here at the academy – I trust that those in admission have some half of a brain to recognize potential – and I never truly care either whether they won this or that program or dance in some offshore production of Swan Lake. As far as I’m concerned as soon as a dancer steps into my studio, they are nothing more than bodies until they can show me that they are actually worth my time.”
Your bottom lip hurt; you hadn’t realized that you were biting it quite so roughly. Using the tip of your tongue you tasted for copper – not being able to afford any sort of bruise on your body. But what was Younghee getting at?
“However,” you watched as she placed her hands on top of each other, noting that there was no ring on her left hand. “When someone like Kim Eun recommends somebody to me, I don’t necessarily just overlook it.”
Although she continued to look somewhat bored, Younghee finally made full eye contact with you. Her dark eyes, looking into yours as if searching for something more than you were presenting. You, on the other hand, felt a slight sign of relief course through your body. As Jimin had brought up the day before, Kim Eun, a highly esteemed judge and former dancer, had given one of her highest scores at a program you danced at not too long ago. It was one of your proudest moments and something that you personally cherished – but never truly shared. After that program, many recruiters sent you emails and personal messengers to ask for you to apply to their school or even their company. But your heart had been set on Minji since the beginning so none of them truly mattered.
“I just want to let you know that I’m watching you very closely Ms. Y/L/N. And that I expect nothing but perfection from you from this moment on. And while Ms. Kim’s score and recommendation perhaps makes you think you are good enough already, you aren’t.”
You try not to wince at her latter comment.
“I will work you like you have never before, and I expect that you will handle it without problem. I will challenge you and see to it that you do not fail me or this academy.” You nod. It is the only thing you can do.
“That is all, you may leave.”
You quietly thank the woman and leave the office, softly closing the door behind you with a click.
Once outside the door you placed yourself against the wall, taking in deep breaths. Your heart was racing, and your face felt too hot for comfort. While what Younghee said could potentially be taken as a compliment, the thought that her eyes would be watching you more intensely, judging every move, every mistake was incredibly daunting. You felt like you were going to throw up.
“Y/N?”
Jumping slightly at the sudden voice you lift your head to see Mina approaching you, a slightly worried look on her face. Your brown bag was in her hand, she must have grabbed it after leaving the dressing room to come find you. She was too kind.
She approached you, her face was clearly trying to put on a brave face because honestly one of you had to be at the moment. Quickly, to not worry her enough, you said, “Hey. I’m fine. Younghee just wanted to speak to me about my future here I guess.” You gave a gruff light laugh at the end, making you sound unconvincing.
Mina raised a thin eyebrow to this, but instead of questioning anything -or really just wanting to get it off your mind – she changed the topic completely. Giving your bag to you in the process. “Jimin texted me while you were with Younghee. Said there was going to be a small party this weekend if we were interested in going.” She blushed a little, putting back that non-existent hair strand. You could already tell that Mina wanted to go, by the little buzz of excitement she silently gave away at her comment. She was just looking to see if you wanted to go.
Honestly you were not a party goer, or even more true, there hadn’t been many to go to when you were growing up. Ballet and school consumed your entire schedule. Any true precious time off was for catching up on rest. It shocked you that at a school like this there were even parties. But perhaps Minji was more than just classical music and ballet. And not everyone had Younghee watching them like a hawk.
“I-I’ll see if anything is taking my time this weekend.” That is all you could give her, and while Mina honestly hadn’t known you for that long she understood that was just how you were.
“Well,” she started looking at you with a smile, “let’s go find a practice room.”
________________
You slowly stretched your arms in the corner of the school’s private gym. Although you were tired – exhausted actually - from Younghee’s lesson today, the strain in your triceps worried you. Normally you would incorporate yoga to help strengthen your arms outside of class, but you thought that the lack of focus and time has had them grow slightly weaker. And thus, were in dire need from the assistance of weight machines at an actual gym.
The gym wasn’t bad. It had the necessary equipment and gave people at the academy who weren’t in dance programs to work out well enough. But because the primary programs were dance, there were more wide-open spaced rooms that could double as solo practice rooms if the other buildings were being used. You and Mina had frequented those before official classes had begun during orientation week. And at this current time of day, it was fairly empty.
You loved to work out to be honest. It was the only time you really allowed yourself to listen to music outside of the classics and let the fire of current hits and old ones fill your ears and your veins. It made you want to move.
“Perfect,” you thought.
Searching for a simple machine to use you walked up to a pull-down bar. Taking a quick seat and adding the weight you desired you began to move. The twinge in your arm gave an uncomfortable tickle with each pulldown, but you assumed it was from lack of proper use and the weights giving a challenge. A couple more reps and you’d be good to—
“Prima?”
You almost groaned out loud.
Although muffled by your earbuds, you could not miss the sound of a very unwelcomed voice. Releasing the bar you were holding carefully you turned slightly to look at the man that you honestly thought you weren’t going to see again. Apparently, fate had different plans.
With a small smirk on his lips, Jungkook stood over you, forcing you to look up at him from your seated position at the machine. He was in a pair of black joggers and a plain white shirt that looked a little big on him. You noticed the dampness on his shirt around the sternum area. It caused the material to stick slightly to his chest, giving a decent outline of pectorals.
You were quick to look away to not only save yourself from being caught staring and to honestly signal that you were not really wanting his attention. Hot or not, he wasn’t your current favorite person.
“What you’re not going to talk to me?”
You gave an exaggerated huff, hoping he would get the hint. Apparently, he didn’t by the way he continued to stand there. Giving an eye-roll you turned back to him saying, “I’m trying to work out.” You didn’t except the chuckle that left him.
“I can see that, but what are you trying to do? Give yourself a tear?” You just raised your brow at him, not quite understanding. “The way you’re holding the bar and the weight you have on here is not good. Nor giving you the benefits you think you’re getting.” You weren’t really sure what he meant. Sure, you weren’t exactly the most knowledgeable about this particular machine, but you imagined – based on the image example pasted on it -that you were doing fine. And the weight wasn’t that heavy.
“Here, let me show you.”
Hesitating at first you gave Jungkook another sideways glance. Why was he trying to help you? You clearly made it known that you didn’t like him – you picked a fight with him and flipped him off during your little storm out. And now, one day later, he was trying to help your form? Did he forget or was he just ignorant?
You felt the twinge return to your triceps. The unpleasant tickle making you wince slightly more. You figured, if the dark-haired idiot, could help you, you might as well let him. After your discussion with Younghee you knew that you needed to get better. And desperate times call for desperate measures.
Sighing, you twisted around, lifting your bare leg to get off the cushioned bench you were on. You didn’t miss the way Jungkook stared for the quick movement. Such a boy.
Sitting down soon enough Jungkook began to mess with the weight settings, adjusting them to the weight he liked. You had to admit you were a bit impressed with the heavy load he believed he could handle.
“First your weights were too heavy.” He started off. “You want enough to fill a slight burn but not so much that you feel like you’re pushing yourself too much. Or else you might get bulky. And from seeing the way you and the rest of your tutu-wearing friends look, I assume that isn’t what you want.” You rolled your eyes, already regretting agreeing to his help. “Also, your grip was incorrect, you want to do it the opposite way, so it actually works your triceps muscle.” Using one hand to hold the puller low – oh so maybe this was light weight for him? – he pushed his white sleeve up revealing his taut muscle that was flexing from the pressure to show you how it was working the correct muscle. You tried not to stare too long at the tanned skin, but you couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like in your hands.
You felt yourself get a little red.
Watching, Jungkook followed through with a couple of reps. Your eyes wandered up his arms as they began to show enlarged veins from the workout to the way the slight movement of his back-shoulder muscles underneath the white cotton. He was really pretty.
If it wasn’t for the clang that rug as he dropped the weights upon release you might have been still in a light trance. You watched as he got back up gripping the front of his shirt to air out. “Alright your turn.”
You sat back down at the machine. Placing the weight ring a bit higher up to lighten your original load. Correcting your hold, you began to do one rep, followed by another, and another. It did feel better and the twinge in your triceps weren’t uncomfortable like before. Now they just burned lightly – the type that came with building muscle.
Your grip on the bar was almost released as you felt a large hand land on the center of your back. Quick to regain a solid hold you twisted your neck to look back at Jungkook who just smiled at you and your questioning stare.
“You need to straighten your back more.”
That almost made laugh. Here he was telling you that you needed to sit straighter. Someone who has spent almost their entire life to become a body with perfect posture. But instead of commenting you pushed yourself to be more pin-like and began to repeat your arm motions. The warmth of his hand was lost a second later.
“See? That’s better right?”
You let go of the bar, allowing your arms to rest until you wanted to start the next set. “How do you know all this, are you a personal trainer or something?”
Jungkook laughed, shaking his head no. “Nah, I just like to work out. And believe it or not, us other dancers and junk-thrusters have to stay in shape too.”
You bit your lip, realizing that he definitely did not forget about your comments from outside the restaurant. “Ah, well, um, thank you,” you sounded unsure, almost embarrassed. “For showing me how to use the machine.”
Jungkook gave you a wide grin, one that you didn’t think you’d be on the receiving end of. He gave you a quick ‘no problem!’
Maybe you were bit quick to judge Jungkook. Jimin was clearly close friends with him and he was quick to help you figure out a better way to work your arms. Maybe, he was actually someone who—
“You have great legs by the way, Prima.”
--was still annoying as hell.
________________
You spent another hour at the gym, working your arms the way Jungkook showed you and then finished off on the treadmill so you maybe wouldn’t have to run in the morning and get to sleep in for another hour. A luxury.
Jungkook had retreated to his own corner of the gym, where there were many more loose weights available. You saw him joking around with a couple of the guys that were also there, making fun while also helping each other lift if one wanted too. You tried not to stare and focus on yourself – and so you wouldn’t be caught.
You took a long drag of your water bottle as you fished for your towel in your gym bag. It was around 9:30 and the gym closed earlier on Fridays, so you figured it was best to get going. Whipping down the perspiration you gathered during you’re run you reached for your phone to see if you received any messages. A text from Mina and a missed call from your mom. You’d text Mina on your way back to the dorm and call you mom in the morning.
“Hey bunhead, you done?”
The sudden intrusion made you jump slightly. Turning around you again faced Jungkook. His shirt was damper than when you saw him an hour ago, sticking to his front much more than before. Even his dark hair began to curl and stick to his tacky face, the result of a hard workout.
“Really? ‘Bunhead’ now?” You crossed your arms while looking at him as he used a towel to dab at his own face. “Have you never met another ballet dancer? We don’t necessarily appreciate the children names.” Jungkook froze for a second, head still in the towel making you unable to see his expression.
He reemerged a moment later, face now dry, and smirked at you. You tried to not think of how appealing the smile was. “Nah, I just get a kick over how you get so pissed over something that should only bother kids, Prima.” At this point all you could do is roll your eyes and continue to pack up, grabbing your bag and slinging it around your pointy shoulder.
“Well this kid, is going to go. Thanks for helping me at the weights.” You began to stroll off, heading towards the doors – excited to emerge into the cool night weather. Although your walk to your dorm was a good distance from the gym, it allowed you to collect your thoughts and mentally map you next day. A break from everything.
“Prima,” You turned around to see Jungkook jogging over with his own bag in hand. “Let me walk with you.” In more simple scenarios you might be flattered that a man, who could clearly handle his own, would want to walk with you. But this was the obnoxious hip-hop dancer that had a thing for stupid nicknames. So, you didn’t know if you were that lucky.
“You don’t even know which way I’m heading.” What if Jungkook was actually a serial killer you thought. What if he was trying to lead you towards your ultimate doom and leave your disfigured figure in the woods just off of campus? Pretty, wide, brown eyes or not – he could still be dangerous.
“Y/N, you’re just being stupid,” you told yourself.
“I figured you’re probably heading towards South Tower, that’s where most of you dancers live – close to the ballet studio.” Okay, maybe he was just observant. “I live in West, but I usually grab a slice of pizza at Mario’s before heading in.” Mario’s was this super small, school ran pizza place near your hall that was open super late to drag in those who crave a greasy, cheesy slice in the evening. Or hungry hip-hop dancers after a workout apparently. “You want to grab a slice with me?”
You could remember the last time you had pizza. It was three years ago at a small get together with ballerinas. Instead of indulging in the savory crust like most young adults would, the pizza was used as an awful dare. If you lost at whatever game, you were playing you would have to eat an entire slice. You lost. The memory of holding your hair up to throw it back up when you went home was still fresh in your mind.
Further you were shocked that Jungkook thought the two of you had a relationship to even invite you to do such. Though he did help you tonight, and you returned with gratitude, it still didn’t change the fact that you yelled at him in public and was rather rude to him too. Maybe as the youngest of his friend group, he was used to snarky comments to just not care. Innocent invite or not, there was no way you were going to eat pizza.
“I, um,” you tried to think of a good excuse. “I don’t really like—”
“Hey, it’s okay,” you looked at him as he gave you a rather gentle smile. “Just make sure you eat something when you get back to your dorm. Something with protein. Not eating after could actually make you lose all the effects of your workout from today. Doesn’t have to be a lot, just something.” Maybe you were thinking too much into it, but he sounded so gentle at the end of his statement.
“Ya, okay. I think I have something in my fridge.”
“Cool, let’s go.” He took off down the sidewalk. All you could do is watch his broad shoulder before walking after him.
________________
Jungkook had said goodbye as the two of you reached the door of Marios – the smell from outside was heavenly and tempted you dearly, but you already committed to rejecting the slice of mozzarella. Instead, you thanked him for walking you back and said goodnight. Leaving the boy to enjoy his pizza alone.
Your roommate, who you honestly never saw, was not in the dorm when you returned. But you liked it this way. You were able to enjoy some more silence and even not fret over taking up the bathroom for a long period of time.
Placing your gym bag in your room, you walked back out to the very small kitchenette to grab a glass of water. “Water, shower, bed,” you thought.
However, as you filled up your glass you turned towards the fridge. Although you knew you didn’t have anything in there of your own but baby-carrots, you could look. Opening the white door, you saw that it was fairly bare. Your baby-carrots were in there along with some dark chocolate your roommate like to eat cold and celery. You two were both dancers and so didn’t have a lot of time to shop for groceries. However, in the corner, in the back, you saw a small container reading ‘Plain Greek-Yogurt’ – it wasn’t yours.
Doesn’t have to be a lot, just something, Jungkook’s voice said in your mind.
You hesitated for a moment. Not because it wasn’t yours but because you were thinking of everything that might be in the personal container. How many calories? How much sugar? How much, how much, how much?
Just something.
Taking a deep breath, you grabbed it and closed the fridge. Grabbing a spoon from the nearby drawer you raced back to your room. Sitting on your bed you slowly opened the yogurt container.
Not wanting to second guess yourself you dumped the spoon in, quickly brought it back and placed it into your mouth. With no sweetener, the taste was slightly sour and gave you small goosebumps.
It was amazing.
...
Some people asked to be added to a taglist, but I honestly don’t know how to make one or if I’m doing this right. I’ve been on Tumblr a long time but really don’t know anything other than liking and reblogging, hahaha. So for now, until I learn how to make one, I’ll just @ them.
Aciente por volta dad 17:30 no viaduto da Floriano Peixoto de acordo com as primeiras informações a carreta perdeu o freio o voltou de ré fora de controle e colidiu com o ônibus, até o momento só informações de danos materiais #CampinaGrande #STTP #SNN #radioborborema https://snn.com.br https://www.instagram.com/p/CXekeBJP3Cm/?utm_medium=tumblr
Aciente por volta dad 17:30 no viaduto da Floriano Peixoto de acordo com as primeiras informações a carreta perdeu o freio o voltou de ré fora de controle e colidiu com o ônibus, até o momento só informações de danos materiais #CampinaGrande #STTP #SNN #radioborborema https://radioborborema.com.br https://www.instagram.com/p/CXekLDnPpKx/?utm_medium=tumblr
Fair the gang hoe what up with ... And if you out here hating I can’t fuck with it And I can’t shake my greatness like I’m stuck with it And I don’t fold off pressure I adjust with it Still. - @stnyjcksn (check out his music🔥) • • #stoneyjackson #music #quarantine #mymusicplaylist #sttp #fairexchangenorobberyrecords #naturalhaircommunity #naturalhair #naturalhairstyles #fashionista #bighairdontcare #blackgirlsrock #hairgoals #naturalhairwe #teamnatural #melanin #blackgirlmagic #naturalhairdaily #teamnaturalhair #blackandbeautiful #fro #bighair #afrostyle #afroandall #beautyofwomen #sheamoisture https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tPKlvgTbZ/?igshid=1uzsxfh3hu4ci
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Are you a dancer? You seem to really get the mind of a dancer. This is coming from someone who used to dance at a really rigorous school. I really love how you’re emphasizing the anxiety and need to be perfect that the art can foster
I used to be a dancer. For a quite a couple years. I was lucky and really just danced for fun and never saw myself going towards dancing seriously so I didn't suffer a lot of anxiety but did have problems with comparing myself to others. I want to make this story filled with what I know and believe many people in the dance industry go through but also with Jungkook involved 😫💕🙏
