Sport Academy

Chapter 19

Today was the day... 

My first wrestling match since my injury and the last in my career. I sat in front of the mirror braiding my hair up going through memory lane in my head. It was almost like a movie from how vivid the scene in my head was. 

The first memory to flash in my head was the first time I wrestled I was already older and started "late" according to everyone in the wrestling community. My brother had started 2 years prior and I was annoyed I had to spend my weekends in gyms and it wasn't for volleyball. I went to practice ready to learn and fell in love with the first throw. We were a wrestling family from that day on. 

the next memory was late nights on the mat with my brother. At one point even though I was older he was the same height and weight so we had to practice together. He was obviously much stronger but that also made our relationship stronger. 

The most vivid memory was my first win, it was with a headlock in middle school against a team that was never taught the headlock or how to counteract it. There were very few girl wrestlers during that time so I wrestled guys up until high school. 

Wrestling was one of the reasons I am here and met Soobin and the boys. It was a bittersweet moment but I was ready to focus all my energy on my first and true love. 

Volleyball!

I got done braiding my hair and wiped a stray tear that fell before I walked out of the bathroom to the boys all standing there looking a bit sus. They were in a line from tallest to shortest in the middle of the living room with big smiles on their faces.

"Can I help you?" I chuckled. Kamal led me to sit down on the couch in front of them. 

"We know how nervous you must be so... we all worked really and..." Beomgyu looked at Taehyun so he could finish the sentence. 

"I helped them all get wrestling coaching cards so we can all be on the floor with you. I talked to the coach and he is okay with it as long as they stay in their place." I laughed trying to hide the nerves and emotions. 

"You are all too much sometimes but I appreciate it." I hug them all in a group hug. This made me feel a little less nervous, but it also made me start crying. 

"Why are you crying?" Soobin said once he n noticed. 

"I am sorry I just... This is a bittersweet moment and I am super emotional right now over everything going on." They all hugged me again having a slight understanding of how I felt. 

"Are you ready to go?" Yeonjun asked me taking his phone and wallet off the counter.

"I guess so" I laughed.

******

I stood in front of the gym with my singlet on and wrestling shoes taped. I had a few minutes before my match The last match of my career. It was a bitter-sweet moment. I felt the butterflies and nerves make a tornado in my stomach causing me to feel nauseous. I bent down putting my hands on my knees to try and breathe a little steadier. 

I didn't care if I won or lost as long as I tried my hardest and had fun doing one of the things I love to do.

"Babe, you okay?" I hear my favorite voice behind me. I turn around and throw my body into his. He immediately wrapped his arms around me in a tight emotional hug. 

"I am way too nervous for this." I cried into his chest. He held me in silence for a little before finally speaking. 

"What are you nervous about?" He asked sincerely. 

"Well... what if I get hurt again but worse? I can't leave you Soobin! Or what if I don't do my best? What if this is the worst match I have and it's my last one? That's not going out with a bang!" I started rambling about everything swirling around in my head. Soobin cupped my face and leaned down placing a soft and calming kiss on my lips. 

"You go out there and try your best, That's it! You worked so hard to get here and you deserve to wrestle your last match. We will all be their mat-side cheering you on and supporting you till the end... You are much stronger than you give yourself credit. Whatever happens, we can work through it together." He wiped my tears with his thumb and leaned down again to kiss me. 

"(Y/N)" Taehyun called for me. I looked up at Soobin with watery eyes. He hated seeing me cry because it made him cry as well. 

"I guess it's time," I whisper on Soobins lips before kissing him again and handing him my phone and AirPods. I turned back and took the necklace off handing it to him as well for safekeeping.

I stepped out into the gym and had the entire school chanting my name. I don't know how they managed but they are all here. I stepped onto the mat and put my arms out for the ref to check my skin. He turned to my opponent and checked her skin as well. 

I got in my stance and shook her hand. The whistle blew and I immediately went for the takedown giving me 4 points. She took my arm and did a reversal so I was now on the bottom which was the worst spot for me. She also now had 2 points. I took a deep breath and looked over at the corner of the mat so I could get direction from my coach. 

He was showing me a move on Taehyun which I immediately did and got on top. I got the 2 points for a reversal. 6 points now. I set up the half and flipped her over on her back.

"SQUEEZE!!!! SQUEEZE!!!!" I heard literally everyone scream. I tightened my grip, sat on my hip, and close my eyes. 

5 seconds later I hear the whistle and a slap on the mat. I let go of my opponent and lay back on the mat laughing. I won... I WON!!

I stood up and ran to the coach straight into his arms for a hug. He put me down and I looked around the gym at everyone chanting my name. I made my way back to the middle of the mat and sat down taking my shoes off. The entire gym went silent giving me a moment. The fond memories flooded my brain again causing me to smile.

I started crying as I took my shoes off and looked at them one more time before placing them in the middle of the mat. I turned and looked straight at Soobin that was clapping and had tears falling down his cheeks. 

I looked back at the mat one last time before I ran to Soobin and wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck in a tight hug.