Faded Sun| SunSun

[Chapter 4]

The lecture hall was lively today, the large room filled with the chatter of nervous students. Sunghoon made his way down the grey carpeted stairs, towards his favorite spot in the room, near the back, slightly to the left. Wandering along the curved desk, he took his seat, adjusting his clover coloured blazer as he did. He propped his bag upon the desk, taking out his laptop, and having one last read over his presentation.

He couldn't deny that Jay's lack of work pissed him off, this was their first major presentation of the year, and Jay was already slacking off. Sunghoon knew he should have picked someone else as his partner, of course Jay was his friend, but that didn't mean he had to work with them. He did it out of kindness this time; next time he would spare no mercy. 

As those classic footsteps stomped towards Sunghoon, he turned his head expectantly, assuming that the usual playful Jay would be making their way over. Though, something seemed different about them, they looked agitated, slumping down in the chair next to him. 

"What's the matter with you?"

Jay rolled their head back, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Jungwon's not debuting."

Sunghoon's eyes widened, parting his lips slightly. He could hardly believe what he was hearing, Jungwon and not debuting, in the same sentence, that was impossible.

"I spoke to Wonnie last night, and he was a mess. I didn't want to leave him, but he wanted me to come, since the presentations important."

"You mean the presentation that you did nothing for?"

"Yeah yeah, I'm sorry okay?" Rolling their eyes, Jay brushed off Sunghoon's comment. They had way too much on their mind right now, with Jungwon not debuting. They just wanted to make Jungwon feel better, but what on earth could do that? 

"Whatever, it doesn't matter now." Sunghoon replied. Truthfully, it wasn't a big deal in the scheme of things, though he was still a bit annoyed. "So Jungwon...Do you think he'll be alright?" He hoped that the answer would be yes, but having known the boy for over two years, that didn't seem likely. 

Jay ran their tounge along their top teeth, conveying a blank expression, as they shook their head. "I genuinely have never seen him so devastated. He kept saying that he's failed, and that he's worthless. It broke my heart." 

 "Can everybody quite down? I want to begin the lecture." 

The duo held their gaze in resignation, before casting off to look at the lecturer. Sunghoon could feel the depressing reality dawning over him, Jungwon not debuting would affect so much. It was hard to imagine moving past this fact, eventually Sunoo, Heeseung, and Riki would debut, and Jungwon would just have to live with it. It wasn't a nice thought at all. 

"We'll start the presentations immediately, I picked the order randomly last night, so I don't want to hear any complaints. Park Sunghoon, your group is first." 

Who would have guessed? Sunghoon could tell this day was going to be a rough one.

____

"Full rotations or nothing Park!"

Sunghoon winced hearing Leeteuk's shouting from across the ice, it had been like this for nearly their whole session. The consistent action of Sunghoon messing up, and Leeteuk getting frustrated by it. He wasn't sure what was going on with him today. Though, it could have definitely been a mix of knowing Jungwon wasn't going to debut, and the presentation that he absolutely tanked.

"Over here now!" Sunghoon observed Leeteuk shaking his head, as if he was really disappointed with the boys skating. "You're obviously not having a good day, I can feel the difference in you. Let's stop for today, but I want you fully focused for tomorrow." 

Sunghoon nodded, knowing that it was probably for the best. He'd changed a lot from the skater he use to be, the one that was harsh, and unkind to himself. The one that pushed too hard; that consumed skating like it was his whole life. He was now in a better place, realizing that there are always going to be good days and bad days, it's not ridiculous to give yourself breaks.

Grasping at the rinks border, Leeteuk popped open the little door, freeing Sunghoon from the ice. The boy made his way over to the benches, putting on his skate guards. Leeteuk took a seat beside him, flipping over a page on his clip board.

"Remember the events next week, I want this routine to be almost perfect. You'll be judged extremely heavily, since you're one of the ones being sent to the Olympics. If you mess up now, everyone will doubt that decision." 

'Seoul University's Sports Showcase'- The biggest event held by the university every year. For one week, the university showcases the best of their athletes, holding competitions for all of the sports teams. For Sunghoon, he was participating in the Ice skating event, were he will compete against his fellow skaters.  

"I'll work hard to be ready for it, I won't let you down." 

Leeteuk placed his arm round the boys shoulder, patting his arm softly. "It's more important to not let yourself down." He said, glancing over to the other skater on the ice. "But I would like to see you obliterate that Lim Jimin."

"I can do that easily." Sunghoon chuckled.

"Good, that's what I want to hear." 

Sunghoon stood up, taking himself along the rink. He was right about today being rough, he could already feel the affects setting in. His body ached, and his head was banging, he just needed to get home, and get some rest.

"Your routines looking a little rusty Park, I'm worried that you're making it too easy for me to win next week." 

His head was already pounding, but that voice just made it 10 times worse. "It might be better to focus on that sloppy step sequence, I couldn't even watch without cringing. I mean it's really not that hard." Sunghoon replied, smacking the others face with a smug smile. 

This was Lim Jimin, or in other terms, his rival. He met the boy on his first day at the university, already having trained there for a year, let's just say his cocky attitude made a bad first impression on Sunghoon. Both were headed for the Olympics next year, and had been pitted against each other by their coaches, who also seemed to have a rivalry. 

"Oh hit me where it hurts." Jimin playfully grabbed the cloth over his heart. "I'll have it cleaned up by next week anyway, so I'm not concerned."

"Good for you." Sunghoon hissed, rolling his eyes. He attempted to walk away, but stopped after hearing Jimin's next words. 

"How's Sunoo doing? He hasn't been round the rink for a while. You haven't broken up have you?"

That was his one biggest weak point, Sunoo. He hated when people tried to mess with his relationship, or mess with Sunoo. He knew the boy was too trusting, which was proven when he striked up a friendship with Jimin. He asked Sunoo out three times, before Sunghoon had to intervene, yet Sunoo somehow still wanted to be his friend. 

"Of course not, we're happier than ever. If you want to know about him, just text him, you have his number." 

"But It's more fun hearing it from you." Jimin teased, very pleased with the visible annoyance he caused Sunghoon. 

"Lim! You can talk to your friend anytime, right now you need to practice!" 

Hearing the calls from his coach, Jimin bidded his 'friend' a goodbye, sending a wink as he turned his back to Sunghoon. 

It was surprising that Sunghoon's tounge wasn't bleeding from the force he was using to bite down on it. This was just what he needed, Lim Jimin antagonizing him. There was no doubt that Sunghoon had to get home, this day could not have ended soon enough.

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Gonna include some of the Just B members in this story, since everyone should stan Just B.

I hope people are enjoying the story so far!