Most Valuable Player || Hwang In-Yeop [ONGOING]

Chapter 2

After unpacking, I sat on the bed contemplating.

Transferring to Seogang was my one chance to rebrand into someone different. Seeing In-Yeop again sparked all my fears and insecurities I swore to forget. We both looked the same yet In-Yeop failed to recognize me. Was I really that forgettable?

There was a light knock on the door and I hesitated opening it. A tall student with curly hair and glasses waved and I raised an eyebrow. "So the rumors were true.", he said. "There is a girl living on our floor." I glanced at the flyer in his hand and sighed. "If you're here to enter me in some raffle, I don't want to participate."

He held it up and whispered. "This is advertisement for the party tonight.", he said. "Can't have the RA's know about it." A party huh? He handed me a copy assuming I was interested. "I'm Yeol by the way. And you are?" He stuck his hand out for a handshake.

"Nana.", I said shaking it. "But I don't know how I feel about going to a party right now..." My mind was sill trying to grasp the situation. Plus the probability of seeing the basketball team was too high for me to risk. Yeol fortunately seemed to understand.

"Well, parties aren't my thing either." I laughed at his lie. Judging from the styled hair and denim jacket, Yeol was more than ready to go out. "Sure.", I said. "Well you have fun." My stomach suddenly growled and Yeol smiled. "...Did I mention there would be free food at the party?"

_______

I stood by the food table munching on everything served.

Some people stared but I didn't care. Free food is still free food. Yeol suddenly came over with two shot glasses full of soju. "Cheers to your first day!", he yelled. I couldn't tell if the man was drunk or extremely excited. Yeol took his shot before asking if I wanted the other. My tolerance level was always pretty low so even the slightest bit of soju could have a big effect.

I stared at the shot glass and stupidly decided to take it. The smooth liquor went down so easily and my cheeks warmed. Yeol clapped and his excitement riled me up. I should have fun, right? I followed Yeol's expert tips and joined one too many drinking games. My eyelids grew heavy and everything seemed so funny to me.

Everyone around me began cheering as the basketball team popped in one by one. Shit. I regretted every decision I made to reach this moment of dread. I need to leave NOW. I stumbled my way to the only exit door but Yeol caught my arm. "You're going? But the party just started."

I envied Yeol's alcohol tolerance because I was so close to fading away. "Y-You don't understand...", I stuttered. "I have something with In-Yeop..." Yeol's eyes widened. I tried prying away from him as he began leading me somewhere. I focused my blurry eyes and realized Yeol was taking me straight to the basketball team.

"No no no no.", I repeated. "No no no no." I was now standing before the one person I vowed to avoid. In-Yeop sipped his beer before asking who I was. I couldn't hold my laughter after being forgotten for the second time.

My legs fell limp so I leaned onto Yeol for support. "She seemed like she wanted to talk to you so I brought her.", Yeol replied. That definitely wasn't the case. "Y-You don't understand..." I wished I could've explained my words better my but I was too drunk to function. And soon my eyes were even drowsier than before.

I can't keep my eyes open...

Must keep them...

Open...

_______

The throbbing pain was all I felt when I opened my eyes.

My head felt like someone was squeezing it. My stomach gurgled and I immediately ran to the bathroom. I hunched over the toilet as last night's regret spilled out of me. I hadn't blacked out since my first year of college and that was two years ago. After flushing the toilet, I collected my thoughts.

I splashed my face with water. "Idiot!", I yelled. "Way to embarrass yourself on the first day..." Wait... But how did I even get back in the dorm? I ignored any memory of last night after my stomach growled. I shamefully walked to the cafeteria and made sure to sit far away from people. Yeol somehow spotted me and sat down in the chair across. He placed a hangover supplement on the table and smiled out of pity. "I'm sorry about last night.", he said. "I shouldn't have tempted you with food."

I chuckled and accepted his apology gift. "It was my choice to keep drinking.", I said. "So don't worry about it." Yeol pulled out a candy bar from his pocket and set it down. "Next time you're hungry I'll pay." Yeol left before I could thank him for getting me home safely. I'll thank him another time.

"Good afternoon Seogang University!" The intercom voices proceeded to announce upcoming events. A sudden drumroll played and everyone in the cafeteria focused on the intercom. "Get ready ladies because the 'Hang out with Hoops' raffle winner will be announced!" The female students grew excited but I sat with anxiety. I knew they would say my name but I still had some hope. "Miss Kang Nana, congratulations on winning a day with MVP Hwang In-Yeop!" 

My hunger subsided and my headache grew stronger. I stepped out and the shining sun did no help. "Nana! Congrats on winning the raffle!" Joohyun came up to me with a big smile. She grabbed my hand and began leading me in the opposite direction of the library. "W-Where are you taking me?", I asked.

"The Sports Center is this way.", she said. "You have to meet with In-Yeop." I pulled away in panic. Joohyun looked at me in surprise. "I-I just don't feel so confident meeting with him...", I said. Joohyun smiled and grabbed my hand again.

"It'll be fine. Trust me."