moving day | Heeseung x Jay

fifteen

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"You had great footwork in the last game. Our marking strategy has been working but it's getting too predictable, so we'll have to switch it up." Jay points at a whiteboard with types of plays roughly sketched on it. "This is the blueprint for our next game. Memorize the plays and be ready to use them. You should be familiar with most of them already since we've done them in practice. If the worst comes to worst, just keep the ball in possession."

The Sounders players nod in unison, and Kei starts to pass out small leaflets with the same sketches photocopied on while Jay takes a sip of his water bottle. "What inspired you to become a coach?" Kei asks as he hands out the last sheet.

Jay pauses, lowering the bottle and swallowing the icy liquid, feeling it trickle all the way down his throat and into his stomach, kinda like those drop rides he avoided at amusement parks—the ones that made his heart fall into his stomach and his head dizzy.

"An old friend of mine from high school recommended it. I had played soccer before high school but quit to pay attention to my studies since I wasn't good enough to get a scholarship from it."

"That's pretty cool," Kei replies, filing out of the room with the rest of the athletes. Jay follows. "Do you ever wonder where you would be if they hadn't suggested it?"

Jay, who had spent all of college pondering over his shortcomings, had never wondered this. "No, I guess I don't. I'm just... glad I'm here. It's where I'm meant to be, I guess."

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Jay had been walking with Mila and Heeseung to the softball field. Mila was on the varsity team, and Jay usually walked her to practice before he and Heeseung drove home in Jay's car.

"I still can't believe you quit," Mila had been saying. She was still reeling over how Jay had quit the soccer team he'd played on freshman year. "You loved playing so much!"

"I had to do it, Mila. 'Gotta focus on the grades and shit. You know how it is." Jay had always liked how Mila would grab his pinkie with hers and link them. It was subtle and sweet, just how he liked it.

"The varsity soccer team is looking for new team managers," Mila had said as they'd neared the field. "Even if you're not a player, you could benefit from managing the team. You'd be good at it. You're a people-person."

Heeseung had perked up beside Jay. "That's actually a great idea!" He'd nudged Jay with his shoulder. "We could do it together," he'd proposed.

"But you'll be busy with all your robotics club and science Olympiad stuff. When will you find the time?" Jay had sent his best friend a doubtful glance which was swiftly rejected with a flick to his ear.

"I can manage my time, thank you very much. C'mon! It'll be fun."

Jay had twisted his lips in consideration before nodding. "We can apply. The spot isn't guaranteed, though."

Heeseung had started whistling as if the job was theirs already. "We'll be amazing."

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A/N - sorry this chap is so short. i couldn't break it up without the story looking strange.
i hope you all are enjoying the story so far!
thank you so much for voting and commenting <3