The Boy From The Bridge - Jakehoon

Chapter 67: I Hate Goodbyes 8/9

"Would it be easier if I just told you when I plan to go?" Jake asked. Sunghoon and he were heading towards the school's sports centre on Friday morning for what Jake knew to be their last time.

Despite being tired after their performance the night before, Jake had insisted they still go. Ostensibly it was so the cold water could wake them up and energise them for what promised to be a long and exhausting day. In reality however, his purpose was to enjoy just a little bit more time with Sunghoon one on one. 

"Hmmm" Sunghoon mused out loud before tucking both of his lips into his mouth whilst considering the offer. "I don't think so. Like, do you want to know when you'll die?"

"LOL, Hoonie, I don't think that's quite the same thing?"

"Maybe not, but if you know when something's going to end you concentrate on trying to squeeze all the last juice out it and in turn end up ruining the experience that you had wanted to cherish. You want to live naturally not to a rigid schedule."

Jake felt himself instinctively roll his eyes at Sunghoon's philosophising as they walked into the charing room. Hit again by the familiar smell of chlorine from the adjacent swimming pool he was reminded by how much he would miss this routine. 

He took a little longer to get changed as he was spending a lot of time taking in his surroundings  and found himself staring at his friend undress. "Have you being working out?" Jake asked curiously, noticing what looked to be an increase in his muscle mass along his friend's shoulders.

Sunghoon turned, blushing a little - "I might have being..." he said with a nonchalant shrug.

"You look good" Jake commented, moving forward to squeeze a mass on Sunghoon's upper back. 

Feeling his touch Sunghoon reflexively jumped, "Ahh... your hands are really cold!" 

"Haha, don't be a baby" Joked Jake, removing his hand before beginning to take off his clothes. 

"I'm the baby?" Exclaimed Sunghoon, "You're the one with your swimming shorts on backwards!" 

Jake looked down to confirm the accusation. "Crap" Sure enough, in his tiredness that morning he had mistakingly gotten dressed wrongly. "Fine, you go on ahead, I'll join you in a minute."

_______

Sunghoon was lying on his back, gently floating on the surface of the pool when Jake joined him. It was peaceful and weightless. He had been grateful that among his other more useful teachings, Jake had taught him how to stay buoyant whilst lying still.

The room in which the swimming pool was in had narrow windows just below the ceiling that allowed beams of light into the room. That morning light was reflected off the water's surface casting moving glimmers along the ceiling. Sunghoon admired them as he heard the movement of the water in response to Jake coming towards him. 

"Not doing any lengths today then?" Jake remarked of his docile friend.

"I don't think I'm really in the mood. I'm just enjoying the moment."

"Can I join you?"

"Be my guest" Sunghoon said without turning his gaze. He listened as Jake repositioned himself to float parallel to him. 

Jake gave a tired yawn, "It's pretty here"

"Yup." Sunghoon agreed. "I've always being too busy following your regime that I never noticed it before - we should come here every day. We don't really have a good reason why not" 

"Ha. I was worried that if spent to long in the showers together something might happen" 

"I wouldn't have being opposed to that you know?"Sunghoon joked.