aversion | bbangnyu

2

Younghoon let out an annoyed groan when he heard the screeching of his very persistent alarm clock. He slowly sat up and rubbed at his eyes before turning the machine off.

Another sigh fell from his lips as he looked at the time, 4:00 am. Just once in his life Younghoon wanted to wake on his own accord. He wanted to oversleep like every other teenager...but he couldn't.

Because he had been too sloppy in last nights game, Younghoon's father told him had to practice every morning in addition to his after school practice for a week. And because he had no control over his life, that's exactly what he did.

He walked out to his car no later than 4:15. The sun wasn't even up to keep him company, but he was used to being alone anyway. Before he left, Younghoon grabbed the empty bottles in his backseat and threw them in the recycling, hoping his parents wouldn't stumble upon them.

Although his muscles ached from yesterday's game and all he wanted to do was sleep, he still drove to school. He used his student ID to get into the building and wandered through the dark halls for a while. It was so peaceful when the space wasn't filled with loud, moody teenagers.

He found his way to the gymnasium and flipped on the lights. The memories from last night rushed back to him and a small smile formed on his lips at the thought of his victory. His smile faltered; however, when he realized no matter how many times he makes the winning shot, it would never be enough for his father.

Younghoon practiced day and night for the past five years of his life hoping that maybe one day his father would actually be proud of him. Everybody else in his life was happy with him, why wasn't his father? What was he doing so wrong?

Without thinking, Younghoon kicked the bleachers in frustration and listened as the fixture rattled with age. He just wanted to do something right for once. All he wanted was his father's approval.

✨✨✨

After Younghoon finished practicing for the morning, he showered in the locker room and made himself look somewhat presentable. Just as he was leaving, one of his teammates rounded the corner and almost took Younghoon out.

"Shit—sorry man. I didn't think anybody would be in here," the boy explained as he patted Younghoon's shoulder ever so gently.

"Don't worry about it, I wasn't paying attention," He spoke before leaving the gymnasium.

The hallways had filled with students as class was about to start, but one screaming girl and her friend in particular caught his attention.

"I could do it, Chanhee, I could! I'll be the star of the team—and the whole crowd will be cheering: Yeri! Yeri! Yeri!"

The boy listening to her let out a heartwarming laugh as he grabbed her arm, "Yerim, those boys are like a foot taller than you—they'll pummel you."

A dramatic sigh fell from her lips as she pouted. "Ah...I hate when you're right. I'm too pretty to be pummeled."

After a while of eavesdropping, he realized who the boy was and felt as if all the color had drained from his face. Choi Chanhee was known by the whole school for one reason: he was gay.

None of the boys at school wanted anything to to do with Chanhee. All of the parents make sure to tell their sons to stay away from that gay boy or they could catch it too. Now Younghoon didn't believe you could catch being gay, but definitely wasn't going to seek out a friendship with the boy.

His father would send him to a different school if he knew he had even looked in Chanhee's direction.

✨✨✨

Just as Younghoon was about to leave his last class for the day and head to practice, the teacher grabbed his arm. "Younghoon, I need to speak with you."

He sent the woman a nervous smile, "Yes Mrs Lee?"

"The test we took yesterday..." she started softly, trying to break the news to the boy in a gentle way, "you got a thirty six percent...but I haven't put the grade in yet because I know your parents take academics seriously. I'll let you retake the test again next week."

Younghoon squeezed his eyes shut and fought the urge to throw a tantrum like a toddler. "I don't know why I can't understand this!" He hissed.

"Study as hard as you can, honey, if you still need extra help we can set up a time to meet after school," The woman said sweetly as she ruffled the boy's hair. "Don't beat yourself up, we all have our strengths and weaknesses."

He bowed to the woman, "Thank you, Mrs Lee, I really appreciate you helping me." 

———

I just got quarantined so hopefully I can write a lot over the week 

Thanks for reading