used to love. | sunsun

06. decisions - skills

S u n o o / f o c u s

"You're finally getting back to training. Do you know how boring it was without you? I'll definitely show you my new skills later." Jungwon yelled in my ear like a child who has just received his gift and is about to bluff.

I decided to come to practice today to get my sketchbook back. I'm really not sure if it was a wise idea, but Jay insisted on giving it back to me somewhere other than the basketball hall. I guess it's my only choice.

Jungwon seemed to be getting closer to all Decelis members after such a short time and maybe they are not as arrogant as I thought. Niki even started working on the project after I yelled at him in frustration and he apologized with cookies and rainbow sorbet.
Perhaps, I was just thinking negatively and focusing too much on Park Sunghoon. Jungwon was right, it was a new chance to make friends. I didn't expect it to be the most popular boys in our school though, but who knows, it might be fun.

I watched Jungwon score almost every ball he threw and his skillful demeanor. I honestly didn't expect to be as immersed as I am now. To be honest I've just snoozed around while watching the last few times, but now that I'm paying attention it's pretty interesting.

"He's improved quite a bit, hasn't he?" Jay sat down next to me and offered me a cold water bottle, the waterdrops from which were already dripping onto the floor. I gave him a quick nod and scooted over a little to give him room to sit down.

"He did. I'm amazed. He's amazing." I smiled while watching Jungwon and suddenly felt a sketchbook dropping onto my lap. I was so happy to have it back that I kept thanking Jay over and over again, shaking his hands,  although I did feel guilty that he had to keep it for so long.

"Wanna play? It's gonna get boring to sit here for another hour." Jay was probably right, even though the game looks fun, it's going to get boring to watch soon.

Before I could even think, the boy pulled me to the basket and handed me a basketball.

"I'm really bad at sports, so you better watch your head if you don't want a bruise." I said jokingly, not expecting it to actually end up on the Jay's head instead of in the basket. I literally freaked out and refused to touch the ball again while the older one just laughed at me.

"Seriously, I'm fine, don't worry! You should throw the ball harder but it's also important to have the ball under control. Try a few more times, wait for me. I'll be right back!"

After Jay suddenly left, I felt unsafe standing alone, but I tried shooting a few more times. I threw the ball again and actually scored when I heard footsteps behind me. "I did it, oh my god! Jay Hyung, I did it!" I jumped in excitement and turned around, raising my hands, about to get a high five from Jay when I realized Sunghoon was standing there staring at me instead.

"Oh god."

He cleared his throat before speaking, still in a cold tone. "Jay told me to come over and teach you."

I didn't know I could be any stiffer than I was when I was with Jay, but now that Sunghoon is here I've basically froze.

"You should relax. Breathe." The more he talks, the faster my heart beats.

It's been years, Sunoo. Sunghoon Hyung is right, maybe years have passed and I should get over it. I was young. What did I know about love.

Love?... Ha, what happened to us?

"Uh you all right? You're as red as a tomato right now."

You're kidding.

"Eh? Yes, haha, I'm fine. Let's... uh, let's stop for now."

"If it's about the pa-"

"Would you like some water too? I'll get you something." I cut him off. I just wanted to avoid this conversation. I thought I could handle this, but I guess not.

He simply shook his head, so I left.

I spend the rest of the practice dribbling the ball with Jay and then playing a few mini-matches with Jungwon and Jake. Even though I wasn't even moving much, I was so exhausted.
After leaving earlier to get some water, I couldn't spot Sunghoon anywhere. He's good at disappearing, huh?

"Have you seen me, Sunoo? I'm basically a basket master, aren't I? I bet you fell in love."

"You're not my type, cat."
I laughed as Jungwon showed off his different shooting positions. We walked down the hall to leave our school.

"Ah right, I'll be having a fast food dinner with the Decelis members later, want to join?" Jungwon said happily. He looked like he just won a lottery.

"Yah, don't leave me. How did you guys become so close after a month."

"I won't! No one could ever replace my best friend in the whole world, who I respect so much. So, are you coming or not?"

"I didn't mean to overhear you, but you should definitely come today, Sunoo, you did a good job." Jake suddenly stood next to me handing me my sketchbook that I forgot on the team bench again. "Oh my god, again? Thank you, Jake."

"He's right. Dude, come too." Niki said, putting his arm on my shoulder. "Since when did you become so nice, Niki?" I sighed. "Okay, Sure, Count me in."

They've convinced me once again. I was just hoping Sunghoon wouldn't show up tonight. And unexpectedly, he didn't.

And if I'm honest, I'm not entirely sure if I was happy that my wish was granted.

It was a typical fast food place where we sat and ate typical burgers with fries and some coke on the side. I just wolfed down my food as the topics they were talking about didn't really pique my interest.

"Have any of you signed up for the music competition?" For the first time since we set foot in this place, I turned my head with interest.

"We'll probably perform in the band as usual. However, we would be happy to have some new writers or singers because of the member who left last year." Heeseung sighed slightly.

Jay, sitting next to me, nudged me. "You know how to write, don't you?" He whispered to me while the others went on talking.

"Me? What are you talking about?"

"Well, those poems, remember?"

"Ah... I was just writing something down. It's not even that good, Jay."

"Want to give it a try?"

I thought for a while, then turned back to him. "What if I screw up?"

"If that's your only concern, you should try. I'm sure you'll be fine. You will get help, you are not alone here."

"What are you two talking about over there? Do you mind sharing it with the whole group?", Niki said and gave us a suspicious look.

I hesitated to speak. Jay seemed to notice and did the talk instead. "How about we let Sunoo do the writing? I saw some poems he wrote, they lend themselves quite well to a song."

"You can write?" I've never seen Jake so happy. For a split second he actually looked like a golden retriever. I couldn't even hide my smile when I saw the light in his eyes.

"Can you, Sunoo?" Heeseung looked just as excited as Jake, if not more so.

"It's more important to you than I thought. You guys take this really seriously, don't you," Jungwon remarked.

"Well... there's this feeling you can feel on stage. A somehow different atmosphere? And since it will be the last year for some of our members, we would love to have you on our team as well. It's been a while since I've met someone so easy to grow close to." Said Heeseung, looking at Jungwon and me.

"Wait, so you're saying I should join the group too?" Jungwon said, munching on his fries.

"Hey, of course you will join, Yang Jungwon. I'm not doing this alone. How about you sing."

Jungwon picked up his coke and downed it before responding with a simple "Bet."

"Alright, bet."