𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐳 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

jongho || attractive opponent

The white sand radiated warmth in the summer sunshine. Clear waves kissed the shoreline ever so often, each in turn creating a fragile wave of ocean mist. You sighed in content upon feeling the micro droplets touching your cheeks.

You spread out your beach towel over the soft sand and sat down cross-legged on it.
"You ready for the game today?"
You glanced up to meet the gaze of your best friend, Mirah. She smiled down to you, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Of course! We're gonna show those boys who's boss," you laughed, with Mirah joining in shortly after.
"That's the spirit!"

Mirah was the main source of positivity in your life. She refused to acknowledge negativity, but rather tried to manipulate it into something positive. Her influence on you was obvious, because she managed to alter your mindset completely.

"Wanna join me before the game?" you asked her, gesturing to the welcoming ocean waters.
"You are such a daredevil, y/n," she laughed. "The water is ice cold."
"Oh well suit yourself. I'll see you later then." With a smirk, you waved goodbye to Mirah.

A group of young guys' voices drifted through the air. There was no way to tell what they were blabbering about, but their laughing were evidence of their excitement. You were unable to differentiate between their faces, as they were a tad too far away. But they were definitely here for the volleyball games.

It was only a friendly little tournament between the college girls and boys, but you were still nervous as with all other matches. That's why you always followed your own self-preparation routine before any game.

You got up from your sitting position and took off your beach cover-up so that you were only left in your swimming shorts and bikini top. Then you jogged over to the incoming waves. It was beautiful - the untamed, endless mass of salt water which was home to so many unknown life forms; and a source of mental healing.

You carefully waded into the waves, feeling the thrilling sensation of the cold water against your bare legs. You allowed yourself to venture deeper into the water until it reached your waist. Finally, you lowered yourself so that the water covered your body up until your shoulders. A sense of tranquillity washed over you, and you smiled to yourself, knowing how much Mirah was missing out on.

•••

Jongho's POV

The boys were all cheerful since early morning. Wooyoung even made us all a nice breakfast to "give us strength", as he said. I could only laugh at his enthusiasm.

We were now at the beach, where the tournament would be held in a few hours' time.
"Shall we go for a swim before the first game?" San asked, beaming with excitement.
"If you really want to," Hongjoong shrugged.
"Just don't forget your sunscreen!" Seonghwa yelled after San and Mingi who were already bare-chested and running down to the sea.

"Aren't you coming, Jongho?" Yunho towered above me with his shirt in his hands, ready to hand it over to Seonghwa who was collecting everyone's scattered belongings.
"In a moment," I replied. He nodded and quickly threw his shirt in Seonghwa's direction before running away to join San, Mingi and Wooyoung.

I walked over to my towel and sat down.
"Could you hand me the sunscreen when you are done, hyung?" I asked Yeosang. He was busy rubbing some sunscreen onto his arms.
"Here you go." He handed me the bottle with a smile before immersing himself into the process of applying the white cream onto his neck.

As I squirted some sunscreen onto my hand, I noticed a girl a few metres away from us. She was swimming in the ocean, all by herself. Well, more like basking in the water in one spot.