The exams loomed, a knot tightening in my stomach with each passing day. My parents, sensing my anxiety, enrolled me in a small tutorial class—a decision I initially resisted. It met every other day after school, a quiet haven away from the bustle of the larger classrooms.
The class size was deliberately limited to six students. Any larger, my parents reasoned, and it would lose its focus, devolve into just another school-like environment. The promise was individualized attention, a chance to grasp concepts more easily. It was a promise that felt, even then, hopeful.
I was already running late on my first day. A quick knock on the door, and the teacher welcomed me with a warm smile. As I stepped inside, I felt five pairs of eyes settle on me—a quiet scrutiny that made my cheeks flush. Then, my gaze landed on a familiar pair, the eyes of Kim Taehyung. He offered that signature smile, the one that seemed to light up his entire face. I returned it, a little breathless, finally pulling myself together.
It was the first time I felt he'd even *noticed* me.
The study group was complete with my arrival—two boys and four girls. I introduced myself politely, each name a tentative offering. There were three empty seats: one beside Taehyung, and two tucked away in the corner.
The teacher, with a knowing glance, gestured for me to sit beside Taehyung. A surge of gratitude—a feeling I hadn’t anticipated—washed over me. Never before had I been so grateful to a teacher.
I settled into my chair, and the teacher resumed the lesson. For the rest of the class, we were all silent, heads bent over our books, absorbing the material. But I found myself stealing glances at Taehyung, a small, secret indulgence.
Two hours passed quickly, and when the class was dismissed, students began to filter out. I lingered, almost afraid to leave. As I walked towards the door, they greeted me with smiles. They asked if I wanted to join them for a hangout, and I agreed, promising to head home early—my parents were strict.
It was my first time spending time with Taehyung outside of school. It felt…significant. A first step, I thought, toward something more. From strangers to acquaintances, a quiet acknowledgment. Maybe, just maybe, we were starting to build a friendship.
Today felt long and memorable. A day I knew I would carry with me, tucked away in my memory.
Kim Taehyung. I’ll remember this day forever.