04. conversations

"Someone I used to know. That's what he said! Can you even believe it?!" I complained when Jungwon tried to calm me down by gently rubbing my back with his small hands.

We are currently in Jungwon's room. As it got a little colder at night, we stopped for a short break at his place to get me a sweater, but it turned into a rant. Since I was too tired to cycle home alone, I stayed here. Our moms know each other so it was never a problem to spontaneously stay overnight.

"Is he joking? SOMEONE HE USED TO KNOW?? Ugh, after all these years. I'm going crazy now, Jungwon."

"What a jerk! But maybe he's ju-"

"No! He's so annoying. Fuck. He didn't even say 'a friend'. He basically said 'a stranger'. A STRANGER DO YOU UNDERSTAND??"

Since my face was already turning red, I took a deep breath to calm my bad mood.

"Anyway, I don't want to talk about him anymore. How was the practice?"

"I'm dying. You even made me ride my bike home because you were too angry. You idiot. I won't be able to walk tomorrow. You were the one who owed me." He looks like he'll kill me at any chance. "But it was so much fun. I even got a compliment from Jay. I think I'll dream about him tonight."

"Yuck, don't dream anything disgusting. I'll sleep on the floor just in case you do something strange while you sleep.", I said, half as a joke.

"Sure. I wasn't planning on letting you sleep on my bed anyway. Now go to sleep or you'll be late again. I won't wait for you tomorrow!"

THE NEXT MORNING, we went to art class tired cause we didn't get much sleep. After waking up, Jungwon was already complaining about his pain again. We were sitting at a table in the back - so Jungwon could sleep a bit more - when the teacher started the lesson. Not long after, Jungwon's cell phone lit up when a message was sent to him.

"Jungwon, you should look at your message. It seems like something urgent." Jungwon refused to wake up and told me to check the message. I made sure the teacher wasn't watching and opened the chat.

_____________________

Basketball Juniors'you were added to the groupchat'

[ JJay ]: Good work yesterday, everyone!Next training is on thursday, same place and same time.

[ Heeseung ]: I will send you a schedule for this semester so you know when traning is taking place. If there is a problem, you can contact one of our Decelis members or ask in this groupchat!

[ Nikiri ]: Good Job, everyone!

[ Jakkk ]: Poor Juniors. ㅠㅠI still remember the beginning.. no free time.

[ Hoon ]: Don't scare them off already ㅋㅋ

[ JJay ]: You guys got this!____________________

I looked over to see Jungwon still half asleep. "You got added to the basketball team groupchat." I explained to him, but he still didn't move an inch, instead he yawned."..Kay, thanks. Anything important?"

"Just check out the schedule Heeseung sent in chat later. Next practice is on thursday already."

"Ugh, you were right. I have made a mistake. Please come on thursday too, otherwise I'll really collapse there."

But of course, I declined. There was no reason for me to come thursday night. I was literally on the verge of falling asleep yesterday, but only stayed awake because of my anger at Park Sunghoon.

If he keeps ignoring me like that, there's no reason for me to come. Then again, of course I wanted to talk to him more. Curiosity.

Jungwon was still begging me when the teacher announced the next art project. "Please sit in groups of two or three for this task. This will be the first grade of the school year, so try your best!" We needed to create something as a group in a way that we've never worked with before and that interests us. There is no direct theme. It was entirely our decision. We just had to try something new and deliver the project by the end of the semester.

Suddenly Niki was sitting in front of us while I could literally hear most of the girls gossiping and frowning because he didn't join their team. Whispers could be heard from every corner.

"Now you suddenly want to work with us? I thought we weren't friends." I said in a cheeky tone, wanting to tease this stubborn boy.

"We aren't. I just don't want to join the other groups full of my fangirls. And since Jungwon is a junior in my basketball club here, there won't be any strange rumors." Niki casually crossed his legs and leaned back, chilled and full of confidence. "On top of that we'll have time to work on the project more."

I laughed at him dryly. "As if you would really do anything for this project."

A small proud smile forms on his lips as he continues. "No. But you will. Let's meet at practice on thursday. Jungwon hyung can practice while you sketch. I would also like to work with you guys on days other than training, but I don't have time. I am a busy man, you know. Until then."

Just like that he left.

"So.. you're coming."

"Yang Jungwon. There's no way you're allying yourself with him. I swear if you turn into one of the Decelis."

"You'll be fine. Practice is not so late on thursday. You will work on it for a while, while I will be happy to have my best friend in the whole world with me. I'll help you with ideas later. But you're the best at art." He sulked.

"Do you know how badly I want to smack you in the face with this ruler right now? I don't owe you anything after Thursday."

SO ON THURSDAY Niki, Jungwon and I went to the basketball court together right after class. It was about six o'clock in the evening and most of the students had left the school building. Since it was still early August, the sun was still shining through the windows and gave us a little warmth from the light. I just brought a pen and my sketchbook to work on the project. As always, I sat on the team bench while the other players slowly arrived. Not long after, the practice began.

"At this point you should just join our basketball club." Sim Jake was suddenly sitting next to me with the brightest smile on his face. He stared at me for a while before shifting his gaze to my sketchbook on my lap. "You can draw well. May I?" He asked and gestured for me to lend him the sketch for a while. I just nodded and handed him my sketchbook. He flipped through the pages I had sketched in the last 20 minutes, noting every little detail.

I just couldn't help but notice his long and beautiful face. He wore black glasses that gave off a bit of a nerdy vibe. In an very attractive way. I was beginning to realize I was staring too hard when he locked eyes with me, smiling again. I snapped out of my thoughts and tried to say something to make it less awkward. "Right, I'm only here because these two idiots aren't bothering to work on this art project."

"I heard about it, from Niki. He may be really rude right now but believe me he's a nice and funny kid once you get to know him."

"Sure.. But aren't you supposed to be practicing right now?"

"I'm waiting for Sunghoon to arrive. We usually practice together but he's late again."

"Sunghoon hyung?" I cocked my head slightly as I raised both eyebrows.

"Hyung? You two must be close, more than just someone he used to know, no?"

From the corner of my eye I could see Sunghoon taking tiny steps toward us. I could feel his gaze from afar. It's like he purposely slowed down so he wouldn't have to look me in the face again.

"Hm? We were just... some close friends from kindergarten. It's been a while." I pushed my bangs back and thought hard about continuing. I did.

"Uhm.. Can I steal him from you for a minute? Haven't talked to him since he came back. I promise it won't take long!"

Without waiting for the answer, I walked up to Sunghoon and grabbed his arm lightly. "What are you doing?"

"Let's talk."

"About what? If there is anything you want to tell me, tell me now." There was a brief silence as neither of us spoke. Why do I get so nervous around him? I gathered all my courage to speak.

"About what? You suddenly came back and completely ignored me. Are you being serious right now, hyung?"

"It's been years. We simply grew apart. Get over it already, Sunoo." Something about him calling me by my name bothered me. I'm not exactly sure what it was but I felt annoyed by it.

What I do in fact know is that he has completely changed. The Park Sunghoon I used to know wouldn't have talked to me like that a few years ago.

"You can't be serious right now."

I walked past him without looking back, our shoulders brushing. I knew something inside me was hoping he would hold me back to apologize or perharps maybe I just wanted to stare into those brown glossy eyes for a bit longer. But even now, just the sight of his face filled me with anger.

"You suck, Park Sunghoon." For the first time in my life I hated someone so much after loving them practically my entire life.