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"How do you manage to pass your classes? It's always a mystery to me," he continued, a proud chuckle escaping his lips.
I couldn't help but feel a small smile tug at the corners of my mouth, barely noticeable. I rubbed my tired eyes, attempting to chase away the remnants of sleep. "Wow, is Yang Jungwon, the best player of ten of the top high schools, actually worried about me?" I exclaimed dramatically, sarcasm dripping from my words. My voice was raspy from just waking up as I placed the earbud into its case.
A mischievous smirk appeared on Jungwon's lips, and at that moment, I regretted my words. I knew all too well that I had just fed into his already inflated ego.
Jungwon's mischievous smirk slowly faded as he leaned closer, bringing our faces impossibly close. I could feel his warm breath against my skin, his voice tinged with curiosity as he spoke. "Your eyes are red," he stated, his confusion giving way to a playful smile that danced in his eyes. "Wow, our little soccer captain had a little smoking session before class, huh? Isn't your body too small to handle that?"
His teasing words hit a nerve, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance. Being called small, especially by someone like Jungwon, wasn't exactly the kind of comment that lifted my mood. I took a moment to compose myself, trying to find the right words to explain the situation.
My eyes widened in surprise, realizing that he had completely misunderstood the situation. "No, no! That's not the case, I swear," I hurriedly clarified, waving my hands in front of my face as if to dispel any lingering doubts.
Jungwon's playful demeanor shifted abruptly, his face transforming into one of genuine concern. The rapid change in his mood was impressive, and I couldn't help but marvel at his ability to switch gears so quickly. It was as if he could effortlessly transition from teasing to genuine concern in a matter of seconds.
"Then were you crying? What's going on?" Jungwon's voice took on a softer tone, his concerned gaze piercing through me. It was a stark contrast to his previous playful banter, and it made me pause for a moment, considering whether or not to confide in him.
I hesitated, unsure of how much I wanted to reveal. But there was something about Jungwon's genuine concern that made me want to open up, just a little bit. Maybe he could offer some understanding or support that I desperately needed.
"Nothing," I replied, although my voice lacked conviction. I nudged past him, feeling the need to put some distance between us. As I stood up from my seat, I absentmindedly put my AirPods into my pocket, trying to gather my thoughts.
To my surprise, Jungwon stood up right after me, effortlessly slinging his backpack over his shoulder. He caught up to me, falling into step beside me, his eyes still filled with concern. It was as if he refused to let me retreat into solitude, determined to offer his support.
"No need to pretend, Ji-yoon. I can tell something's bothering you," he said softly, his voice breaking through the silence. Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, Jungwon spoke up. "You know, Ji-yoon, you don't have to keep everything bottled up inside. It's okay to let someone in, to share your burdens."
I glanced at him, my eyes narrowing slightly. "And why should I trust you, Jungwon? We barely know each other."
He sighed, his voice laced with sincerity. "I understand that we haven't always seen eye to eye, but sometimes, unexpected connections can bring unexpected support," Jungwon said before becoming silent again.
His words struck a chord within me, stirring a mix of vulnerability and curiosity. Perhaps he was right. Maybe it was time to let someone in, to let go of the walls I had built around myself.
As the silence grew, he broke it once again. "Do we have practice today?" As Jungwon questioned whether we had practice today, a believable expression of confusion crossed his face. But I could see through the facade. We had all been notified that there wouldn't be practice, especially us captains. It seemed like he wanted to continue the conversation, to prolong our interaction. Normally, I would have engaged, but today, I just wasn't in the mood.
"No, we don't," I replied, my voice devoid of any enthusiasm. I grabbed my backpack and slung it over my shoulders, making my way around him toward the classroom door. To my surprise, Jungwon stepped aside, allowing me to pass through first. I hesitated for a moment, looking up at him, and cleared my throat, trying to rid my voice of the raspiness that accompanied just waking up. "See you."
"Bye," Jungwon responded plainly, waving goodbye as I turned to leave the classroom. I pursed my lips in response, and I returned the gesture with a slight wave before turning around and walking toward my next class.
+*___________*+ 2nd chapter
Hello my loves, how are you guys? I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please vote, comment, and follow to show appreciation. If you've already done that, kisses go out to you.
I've been going out all week I'm so exhausted.
Question of the chapter What's your favorite popsicle flavor? Me: Blue raspberry
Alright, goodbye pookies! Leave a headphones emoji for this chapter in the comments.
