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

Chapter 8

"I can't believe this!"

I pounded on the door of the utility closet. "When do you think your coach will be back?", I asked. In-Yeop scratched his head. "I don't know...around 4.", he said. "Could even be 4:30."

Why did practice have to start so late? "School ended 10 minutes ago!", I exclaimed. "My parents are gonna so mad I skipped tutoring..."
In-Yeop rested his hands on my shoulders. "It's just one tutoring session.", he said. "You'll be able to catch up." I turned around and looked him in the eyes.

"Easy for you to say.", I said. "You barely try and still get the best grades." In-Yeop chuckled. "Stop comparing.", he said. "You're great in school too."

I appreciated his words but they were far from the truth. I worked hard all last year to raise my school rank, but our last year here mattered the most. "What if I don't get to go to college?", I asked.

In-Yeop shook his head. "Stop.", he said. "You're overthinking." He suddenly asked me to close my eyes and I did. "Think of all the cute dogs and cats at the shelter.", he said.

I pictured the shelter animals and smiled. "How do you feel?", he asked. I felt happy and excited to see the animals again. "Judging by the smile, I'm assuming you're happy.", he said.

"Okay...", he added. "Now think of me."

What? I giggled and opened my eyes. "Way to ruin it.", I teased. In-Yeop's eyes became more intense and he closed the distance between us. The playful vibe suddenly changed and he met my eyes.

"I mean that question.", he said. "...How do you feel when you think of me?" His tone wasn't serious but he still looked very eager to hear my answer. I caught In-Yeop glancing my lips and my cheeks grew hot.

What is happening right now?

"I-I feel happy too...", I stuttered. "I-I guess..." He kept the eye contact and my heartbeat drowned the silence out. "Just happy?", he asked.

"W-Well what about you?", I asked. "...H-How do you feel about me?" In-Yeop slowly placed his hand behind my neck and we found ourselves leaning in. Is this really going to happen?

We were inches apart before-

____

SNAP!

"Earth to In-Yeop!", exclaimed Eunho. "Dude, quit zoning out." In-Yeop looked at his team members and apologized. "...Sorry, guys.", he said. "So what's the plan?"

"Dude.", chimed Wooyoung. "You're the captain." In-Yeop sighed. "Right, okay.", he said looking at the score board. "Here's what we're gonna do."

____

"Spatial memory decreases after damage to the hippocampus...."

I'd been sitting at my desk for a couple hours and the words were starting to look like hieroglyphics. I took my glasses off and rubbed my crusty eyes. "My brain hurts...", I muttered.

The door suddenly swung open and In-Yeop walked in. He threw his duffel bag on his bed and immediately went into the bathroom.

The door slammed shut and I heard the water run. Someone's in a bad mood. I returned to reading but flinched after loud music burst my eardrums. Really?

"HEY!", I yelled, pounding on the door. "Do you mind? I'm trying to study here!"

The music drowned out my voice so I gave up. Luckily, his shower was only 15 minutes. The music finally stopped and the door swung open. In-Yeop walked out in a white t-shirt and jeans.

I gave him a dirty look. "You didn't hear me banging on the door?", I asked. "I was trying to study."

"It wasn't even that loud."

"You're kidding."

Is he deaf? The entire floor could practically hear it. "Whatever. I'll turn it down next time.", he said drying his hair with a towel. He walked to his closet and pulled out a brown jacket.

"Where are you going at this hour?", I asked.

"More like where are you going?"

"Excuse me?"

"I have a girl coming tonight. So if you could leave for about an hour or two that'd be great."

A girl? He had some nerve thinking I'd just leave so he can have 20 minutes of fun. "You sure you need a full hour?", I teased. "Plus I have a test to study for. I'm not leaving."

He sighed and put his jacket on. "FINE.", he said. "I'll go." He put the brown jacket on and waved before leaving. The door closed behind him and I huffed.

I can't believe him...

_____

"I think you're really good at basketball."

In-Yeop smiled. "Thanks Hyunee.", he said. "I appreciate that." Hyunee rested her head on his shoulder and traced her finger down his arm.

"You know it's not everyday you can tell people you're In-Yeol's brother.", she said. In-Yeop paused the movie and looked at her. "What?", he asked.

"Come on.", she said. "I think it's so cool that your older brother went pro." In-Yeop sighed and nodded. "Yeah... It's pretty cool.", he said. "It's a shame we don't talk much."

Hyunee pouted. "Aw.", she said. "I'm sure you'll mend things with him." Hyunee placed a hand on In-Yeop's thigh and kissed his neck.

In-Yeop sighed. "...Maybe tonight isn't gonna work.", he said. Hyunee frowned. "Was it something I said?", she asked.

In-Yeop lied and shook his head. "I think I'm just tired today.", he said. "I'm gonna head out." Hyunee stopped him and ran to her purse. "Before you go.", she said. "I bought these for you."

In-Yeop looked at the box of sesame cookies and quietly scoffed. "They're from Kang's Bakery.", she said. "They're a local place outside of the city."

In-Yeop faked a smile. "...I've heard about them.", he said. "Thanks..."