SECRET EMBRACE | Jeonghan X Joshua | JiHan

SEVEN

Vernon's message popped up on Joshua's phone, pulling him out of his intense focus on the physics textbook sprawled open in front of him.

Vern.onnn

Lecture's over
Will be at the end of the basketball yard
Don't forget, we're heading back together

Joshua glanced at the time and realized how much of it had flown by. He quickly replied,

Josh.hong

I'll be there once I'm done here

knowing Vernon would understand. They both had talked to got back to the apartment together. He placed the physics books back on the shelf, meticulously organizing them where they belonged, and stuffed his notes and pens into his backpack. He had finally focused on physics. He didn't know how fast time flew.

Exiting the library, Joshua weaved through the crowded hallways, his thoughts still lingering on the equations and diagrams he'd been working on. Even though it was his first day, there were so many things to catch up with.

Joshua ignored the buzz of campus activity, students laughing, running, and chattering.

As he approached the basketball court on his way to meet Vernon, the booming cheers of students caught his attention. He paused, tilting his head toward the court. The basketball court was already filled with chaos.

The basketball team was in the middle of practice for their upcoming tournament. The atmosphere was electric, with spectators crowding the sidelines, cheering loudly for the players. As they were already in a real game. Among the loudest were the girls, waving towels and holding water bottles, eager to hand them over to Jeonghan and his friends. Especially for Yoon Jeonghan. Almost all of them were loud cheering for jeonghan. He was the spotlight. This cheering thing was not a new to students since almost everyone was drooling to watch jeonghan playing basketball. But for joshua, this was new.

Joshua's eyes reluctantly wandered to the court. There was Jeonghan, drenched in sweat, his damp hair clinging to his forehead as he moved with effortless grace. The sunlight glinted off his jersey, outlining his broad shoulders. He was perfect. A perfect figure for a basketball player.

His skill and charisma seemed to amplify with every step he took, every basket he scored.

The crowd erupted when Jeonghan made a perfect shot, the basketball swishing through the hoop. Joshua sighed, shaking his head.

'Of course, they're going wild over him again. Typical.' He thought.

'But isn't this... Too much?' He sighed again. Of course, he hated basketball.

Joshua resumed walking, trying to ignore the noise. But just as he passed the court, a basketball flew out of bounds, landing a few feet away from him. He barely glanced at it and kept walking, uninterested. Joshua did not want to meddle with Jeonghan's things. So, he clearly ignored the ball.

"Hey, pass the ball!" Mingyu called, his voice friendly and light.

Joshua ignored him, pretending he hadn't heard.

But then Jeonghan's voice cut through the cheers, sharper and louder. Loud cheers was already dried down as Jeonghan started to speak, "What's wrong? Can't even throw a ball? Figures."

Joshua stopped dead in his tracks, his fists clenching at his sides. He felt burning himself. The mocking tone, the smirk he could already imagine on Jeonghan's face, it all hit a nerve.

Slowly, he turned, his eyes locking onto Jeonghan, who was standing in the middle of the court, arms crossed, a smug expression plastered on his face. The face joshua hated most.