"Should I help you?" He asked, his voice soft but firm.Jiwon’s heart skipped a beat at the proximity, and she glanced at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "If it’s… fine with you."Jake nodded, his movements smooth and confident as he reached behind her to position the ball in her hands. Jiwon stumbled slightly at the sudden closeness, her face warming as Jake’s presence enveloped her.
"Is this the help he meant?" she wondered, feeling both nervous and intrigued.Jake's face was close to hers, his breath warm against her cheek as he bent slightly to match her height. His hands gently covered hers, guiding the ball with a firm yet gentle grip.
"Bend your elbows like this," he murmured, his voice low and reassuring.Jiwon could feel his touch, the way his hands guided hers, and she focused on the movement he demonstrated. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart as she followed his instructions. With a final adjustment, she released the ball. It flew up with a smooth arc, moving towards the hoop.
The ball sailed through the hoop with a satisfying swish, and Jiwon’s eyes widened in surprise. A thrill of accomplishment washed over her. “See? It’s perfect,” Jake murmured, his gaze shifting from the ball to her.For a moment, their eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them. The closeness of their bodies was suddenly very apparent. Jake's hands were still gently holding hers, and Jiwon realized that his body was almost pressed against her back, the warmth of his presence enveloping her. They were facing each other, their proximity more intimate than either had expected.The realization hit Jiwon like a wave, and she quickly stepped back, her heart racing.
"Oh… thanks," she murmured, her voice barely audible as she avoided eye contact, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.Jake noticed her discomfort but gave her a reassuring smile. "No problem," he said softly, his tone warm. He released his hold on the ball and stepped back, giving her space.Jiwon tried to steady her breath, focusing on calming the fluttering in her chest. The moment had been unexpected and intense, leaving her with a mix of emotions. As she looked away, she felt a sense of gratitude and confusion, the intensity of their interaction lingering in her mind.
Jiwon glanced at her watch, her eyes widening as she realized how late it had gotten. “Oh, it’s late… I didn’t realize,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of regret and urgency. “I should get going. Thanks for helping.”She picked up her bag, her smile coming out as more of an awkward gesture. She glanced at Jake one last time, trying to steady herself after the unexpected closeness they’d shared. With a quick wave, she turned and walked away, her steps hurried but her thoughts lingering on their interaction.Jake watched her go, a small smile on his face as he saw her off. As Jiwon parted ways, the field was left in quiet solitude, the echoes of their earlier interaction still hanging in the air.
__
The next morning, Jiwon was greeted by Eugene as they walked to class together. Eugene clung to her arm playfully, chatting about the day’s schedule and the upcoming weekend plans. They entered the classroom, finding Jake already there, absorbed in a book.
Jiwon and Eugene made their way to their seats, with Jiwon settling her bag down on the floor beside her desk. Eugene took a seat next to her, her gaze flickering between Jiwon and Jake.“So… how was the practice yesterday?” Eugene asked, raising her brows with a curious smile. Her tone was light, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes, clearly interested in Jiwon’s experience.Jiwon felt her cheeks warm slightly at the question. She glanced briefly at Jake, who was still engrossed in his book, before turning back to Eugene. “It was… interesting,” Jiwon said, her voice betraying a hint of shyness.
“Jake was really helpful. I… uh, managed to score a goal with his guidance.”Eugene’s eyes widened in surprise, and she gave Jiwon an impressed look. “Really? That’s awesome! Jake’s a pretty good coach. I’m glad you had a good time.”
Jiwon nodded, trying to keep her composure as she remembered the previous day’s events. “Yeah, he was. I didn’t expect to get so much help, but it really made a difference.”Eugene grinned, clearly pleased with Jiwon’s answer. She glanced over at Jake, who had now closed his book and was looking up. He gave Eugene and Jiwon a short nod to greet as his attention was back to his work
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Later on Jiwon skipped lunch, choosing instead to spend her time in the quiet sanctuary of the library. She had missed writing in her diary the previous day and was eager to catch up. She set her diary aside and turned her attention to the papers the broadcasting team's head had given her.
With a sigh, she spread the papers out on the desk, her eyes scanning through the notes and schedules. She yawned subconsciously, her exhaustion catching up with her as she tried to make sense of the information. The weight of the day’s events and her lack of rest were beginning to take their toll."Break must be over in any sec…" she murmured to herself, her eyelids growing heavy. Unable to fight her drowsiness any longer, she rested her head on the desk, her eyes closing as she drifted off to sleep amid the stacks of paperwork.
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Jiwon gasped, snapping her eyes open as she was jolted awake. Her hair was a mess, and she rubbed her eyes groggily, only to glance at the library clock. Her eyes widened in shock as the realization hit her—she had just missed a class.Panic surged through her as she quickly gathered the papers, shoving them into her bag. Without another thought, she rushed out of the library, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. she dashed towards her next class, her heart raced, the urgency of her missed class driving her forward.
In her haste, she unconsciously left her diary behind, still resting on the desk where she had fallen asleep.
The diary lay forgotten on the desk, its pages slightly ruffled from being jostled. The quiet of the library enveloped it, a stark contrast to the frantic pace of Jiwon's departure. The book’s cover, adorned with its intricate design, sat untouched amidst the scattered papers.As the minutes ticked by, the library remained serene, the diary waiting patiently for its owner to return. The echoes of Jiwon’s hurried footsteps faded, leaving the library in its usual calm, with only the occasional rustle of pages to break the silence.
After a while, the library’s quiet was broken by the sound of footsteps echoing through the aisles. Jake had just finished a call with his father and decided to settle in for a self-study session. He chose a desk near the back and set his book down on the table.As he prepared himself for study, his gaze wandered over the desk and landed on an unfamiliar journal. It looked out of place amid the scattered papers and textbooks. Curious, Jake picked up the journal and noticed it was slightly open.He glanced at the first visible entry, his eyes catching a handwritten note that read:
"Only I can read it" or "Dear 'J'." His curiosity piqued, Jake flipped the pages slightly but quickly closed the journal, respecting the privacy of its contents.He set the journal back on the desk, his mind briefly wondering about its owner. The personal nature of the message left him intrigued but mindful of boundaries. For now, he returned to his own studies, but the journal remained a lingering puzzle in the back of his mind.
"Who does it belong to?clearly not the library.."
____
“Love is the gentle whisper of a thousand stars, painting the night sky with the promise of forever.”
YOU ARE READING
Dear "J" | Sim Jake
RomanceHe sprinted along the shoreline, waves crashing at his feet, clutching a worn diary in his hand. With each step, he murmured, "Dear J," his voice laced with hope and urgency, as if the ocean itself might lead him to the one he was searching for. Wil...
