The roar of the crowd vibrated through the stadium, a mix of chants and cheers that swirled around Taehyun like background noise. He was at the center of the chaos, but in his mind, everything was calm. It always was when he was in control.
The ball snapped into his hands, and time slowed. He moved like a machine, each step calculated, each breath measured. Taehyun sidestepped a defender, eyes locked on the end zone. The crowd erupted with excitement, but he didn't care. His focus was singular: winning.
With a final burst of speed, he crossed the goal line, the sound of the touchdown whistle filling the air. His teammates rushed toward him, but he barely registered them. Another game, another win. Routine.
*"Taehyun, you're unreal, man!"* Kai, one of his teammates, shouted, clapping him on the back. Taehyun shrugged.
*"Just doing my job,"* he muttered, shaking off the celebration as he walked toward the sidelines.
His eyes scanned the crowd briefly—a sea of unfamiliar faces. New semester, new faces. It didn't matter. They all blurred together in the end.
Taehyun grabbed a towel, wiping the sweat off his brow as the energy in the stadium buzzed around him. The attention, the cheers—it was the same every time. But lately, it wasn't enough. There was an itch beneath his skin, a feeling that something was missing. He couldn't place it, but it gnawed at him with every victory.
He tossed the towel aside and sat on the bench, eyes focused on the field but mind somewhere far away. Another win. Another empty feeling.
*"Gotta love the start of the semester, right?"* Beomgyu, another one of his teammates, said, sitting next to him. *"So many new faces."*
Taehyun shrugged again, barely looking up. *"Doesn't make a difference to me."*
But something was about to change. And he had no idea it was coming.
On the other side of campus, the scene was chaotic yet lively. Students, their faces a mix of excitement and exhaustion, were moving into their new dorms. Moving trucks were lined up, cardboard boxes filled with a myriad of belongings—books, clothes, and countless sentimental items. Parents bustled about, their emotions ranging from teary-eyed goodbyes to proud, encouraging smiles.
Amidst the commotion, Chaeryeong navigated through the throng of people, her arms weighed down by heavy boxes. Each box seemed to hold a piece of her past: trophies from dance competitions, pom-poms, tap shoes, ballet shoes, and an assortment of tutus and costumes. She struggled to balance them, her face flushed from the effort.
As she paused to catch her breath, a girl with a confident stride approached her, noticing her struggle. The girl had a bright smile and an air of friendliness that seemed to cut through the chaos.
*"Hey there, you look like you could use a hand,"* the girl said, her voice clear and cheerful. *"I'm Ryujin. Need some help?"*
Chaeryeong looked up, her expression a mixture of relief and gratitude. *"Yes, please. That would be amazing."*
Ryujin quickly grabbed one of the heavy boxes, and Chaeryeong picked up another. Together, they started making their way toward the dorms, maneuvering through the bustling crowd.
*"So, what's your dorm number?"* Ryujin asked, glancing over with a friendly curiosity.
*"It's 215,"* Chaeryeong replied, struggling slightly to keep pace but smiling at the prospect of a helping hand.
Ryujin's eyes widened in surprise. *"No way! That's my dorm too!"* She squealed with delight, her excitement unmistakable. *"Oh my gosh, that's fantastic! I'm so excited to meet you!"*
Chaeryeong's face lit up with a grin. *"Really? That's awesome! I was hoping I'd get along with my roommates."*
Ryujin's enthusiasm was contagious as she bounced slightly on her heels. *"You're going to love it here. We've got a great group already, and there's so much to do. You'll fit right in!"*
As they reached the dorm building, the girls exchanged more excited chatter. Ryujin helped Chaeryeong with the final stretch, and together they maneuvered the boxes into the elevator.
Once they reached the third floor, Ryujin led the way to room 215, her excitement palpable. The door was propped open, and the room was filled with the early signs of dorm life—half-unpacked boxes, posters leaning against the walls, and a few stray items scattered around.
*"Welcome to our new home,"* Ryujin said, opening the door wider for Chaeryeong to enter.
Chaeryeong looked around with a sense of anticipation, her heart fluttering with excitement for the new chapter. *"Thank you so much for your help, Ryujin. I can't wait to get started here."*
Both Ryujin and Chaeryeong were setting up their rooms when they got exhausted and plopped onto their beds, almost in sync. They looked at each other and laughed. Ryujin noticed Chaeryeong's boxes filled with dance items, piquing her curiosity.
*"So, are you a dancer?"* Ryujin asked, eyeing the trophies.
*"Yup, dance was basically my whole life,"* Chaeryeong said, a hint of sadness in her tone.
*"Are you going to audition for any clubs?"* Ryujin asked, trying to shift the mood. *"I've heard the cheerleading club is really competitive."*
*"Yeah, I'm thinking of the cheerleading club and maybe singing,"* Chaeryeong replied, her eyes reflecting hope. *"Cheerleading is the closest thing to dance for me."*
*"Oh, I've also been thinking about the cheerleading club,"* Ryujin said with a mix of excitement and nerves. *"But I've heard the competition is insane!"*
*"Yeah, I've heard Hanlim has one of the best cheer squads. But I'm going to give it my best shot,"* Chaeryeong said with determination.
*"Chaeryeong, let's go grab a snack. I'll introduce you to my friends,"* Ryujin said, practically dragging her out of the dorm.
They strolled around the vast campus, taking in the sights. *"The campus really is beautiful,"* Chaeryeong remarked, her eyes wide with admiration.
They arrived at the campus cafeteria, where three girls were waiting. As soon as Chaeryeong and Ryujin entered, the girls waved enthusiastically.
*"Hi girls, this is my roommate Chaeryeong. She's a very talented dancer,"* Ryujin boasted proudly.
Chaeryeong blushed at the compliment. *"Hi, I'm Chaeryeong. It's nice to meet you."*
*"I'm Yeji, this is Lia, and this is Yuna, the youngest,"* Yeji introduced with a warm smile.
The group chatted about football, clubs, popular guys, and more. Chaeryeong felt a growing sense of belonging as she enjoyed the lively conversation. The noise of campus life continued outside, but inside, a new friendship was blossoming, and the promise of new experiences was just beginning.
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game changer {a taeryeong fanfic}
FanfictionA cute university AU. As a cheerleader , Chaeryeong shines on the sidelines, but it's Taehyun, the star football player, who really catches her eye. Their chemistry is undeniable, but balancing the pressures of the game and their growing feelings is...
