Love At First Kick

92

She walked into the changing room and avoided eye contact like a medusa.

'You alright, Jea? You're awfully quiet.' Irina is such a little shit at times

'Um? Yes, yes. Sorry.' She smiles at her

I saw her glance at me a few times as if she was trying to say something, but stopped herself from doing so.

'You don't have to avoid me, Jea.' I spoke up first, shocking her a little. The rest of the girls perked up a little, waiting for the outcome of this

'Oh, yeah.' She clears her throat. 'I'm sorry. I didn't know.' She apologizes

'You said you watched the TV interview, right?' I ask, and she nods

'Then you must have missed the part where he literally said he has a girlfriend.'

'I wasn't really listening, to be honest.' She looked down sheepishly. 'I was watching more than listening.'

I couldn't help but laugh at it. I must have looked a bit insane.
'Sorry, sorry. I know I shouldn't laugh, but I actually understand you.' I tell her. 'He is handsome, so it's hard to look away.'

'I second that.' Suri joins the convo, raising her hand

'Agreed.' Youji grins

'Can I agree, too?' Mi Noa asks

It seemed to have relaxed Jea a little, making her chuckle.
'I see. But I can't help but feel like the biggest bitch. I was all over him. Why didn't you say anything?'

'I didn't want to cause any drama. That's not something a sports club needs. Besides, I've been with him for a while, and I know him. I trust him with my life. So something like this doesn't worry me. It did bother me, though.' I tell her honestly

'No wonder you wanted to beat me up last time. I would do it too if I were you.'

'I was actually about to apologise for that.' I bow full 90 degrees. 'I never should have done that to you. I know how much stronger I am than you, and you're just starting out.  I'm not gonna tell you I'm sorry because I was pissed off and I'd do it again. But I won't do it again, as long as you back off.'

'That sounded more like a threat than an apology.' Suri laughs, joined by the snickering of the other girls

'It's understandable. You are really friggin strong, though. I felt like I'm gonna be sick.' Jea tells me

'Then you can be lucky Jimin refuses to kick you. He would break you in half.' Youji chuckles

'I don't think Jimin hyung would ever hit me.' She chuckles back, getting weird looks. She noticed, and started panicking, waving her hands. 'Not like that! Not what I meant! I just meant that he doesn't seem like the person to hit those weaker than him. That's all!'

'Also, I need to apologise to him as well. I must have been a huge nuisance to him. And then I went and asked him out. In front of you, as well.' She dropped on her knees, bowing all the way to the ground. 'I'm sorry!'

'You asked him out?!' Mi Noa completely ignored the fact that Jea was kneeling, and went stra to the point

'Jesus! Don't do that! Get up, Jea.' I help her up. 'You don't need to kneel in front of me, are you crazy? Just don't do it again and we're good. Besides, he wanted to talk to you anyway. So whatever you have to say, say it to him.'

'Okay.' She nodded and got up.

I let everyone leave and checked the changing rooms before coming out myself. Jea stayed with me until we left. I don't know why, though.