Diaries of a Distance

Chapter 23

Saturday, 18th September...

"Yura? What are you doing here?" Jae Wook asked me in surprise, "I thought you were waiting outside in the audience stands?"

"I got bored waiting out there by myself", I casually replied.

All the guys sat there dressed in their sports gear staring wide-eyed at me. Dong Wook came in the change rooms with a single white towel wrapped around his waist, thank God covering his *ahem*.

"I didn't stink that much, why d'you guys make me take a shower f- f*ck", he said finally taking note of my presence, he turned in a triumphed manner so that his back was facing me, "Kwon Yura. What the hell are you doing here?!" he exclaimed.

Every single guy burst out laughing. I froze on the spot. Jae Wook laughed like there's no tomorrow and took his time taking his cap off his head and shoving it onto mine, pushing the front down further to cover my eyes.

"Yah", he called, ceasing his laughter, "Do you want to stare at him?"

"No", I defended, keeping still.

"Then go!"

"Get out Yura!" Dong Wook shouted impatiently.

I scurried away out of the change rooms. Even shutting the door couldn't block out the roaring sound of laughter coming from the basketball guys. Luckily all the other guys were sitting down all dressed. I could hear Dong Wook snapping at the guys to shut up in the background.

I squinted to read my watch in the dim lighting: 2pm. The Daegu guys should be here by now... better get back to the seats. I was near the entrance to the courts from the change rooms when I realised that Chae Rin was standing on the other side of it. She stood there with her arms crossed, a mini pink skirt, short sleeved white top which had the words 'I'M VERY NICE' printed on it and wearing a confident expression.

What an outfit for basketball in autumn- even if we are just watching. I chose to go simple today in a black three-quarter sleeved shirt, hipster denims and a fluffy white hooded jacket which I left unzipped, and the bear's head that Jae Wook had given me wasn't missing either- it was hanging comfortably around my neck. I was too lazy to tie my hair up, it's straight today so it should be fine.

But... I guess no girl can look good with Park Jae Wook's cap shoved on her head.

"Are you the pizza delivery boy?" she teased.

"The strip club is at Itaewon."

[Author's Note: In case you guys don't know, Itaewon is a place where lots of prostitutes hang out]

"You b*tch!" she said unfolding her arms and marching towards me.

She came up close to me and raised her arm ready to slap me.

I caught it in mid-air and gripped onto it tightly. "What?"

There was the sound of footsteps and then silence. I looked past Chae Rin's shoulder. Standing in a group behind her was the Daegu team, Yoon Ho at the front.

I looked back at Chae Rin and realised she was staring behind me too. I craned my neck over my shoulder. The Seoul team was standing still there with Dong Wook and Ki Tae side by side at the front. Jae Wook was nowhere to be seen.

I let Chae Rin go and stepped aside a bit so the teams could see each other properly.

Yoon Ho scanned the Seoul team.

"Ready?"

"Anytime", Dong Wook replied.

They started entering the stadium but I held Dong Wook back.