Wendy Stories

Boxing: WenGyu (3)

Day 1: Tuesday

Honestly, I did not expect Wendy to last a day in this club. I mean, words can be empty, so actions mean more. How does that phrase go again?

"Actions speak louder than words."

I truly believe in that.

However, Wendy is holding up well. She shows up to practice on time and is prepared for the training; she takes criticism well and listens; and most importantly, she doesn't give up.

For now.

That's what I've picked up in one whole day. We normally practice for two hours or so, but she insisted on staying longer to perfect her moves.

I just know she's going to be sore. How could she not? Practices are intense and I don't recall seeing her stretch, either. Then again, I'm too focused on my moves, so who knows?

My friends believe in her. For some odd reason. It might be because of her persistence. That's definitely an admirable trait to have. She's obviously going to need it.

Day 2: Wednesday

As expected, she is sore. Her punches are weaker.

But she is holding up fine. Strange.

And again, she is insisting on practicing more.

Day 3: Thursday

Wendy is surely on the grind. With my friends' encouragement, she really is making an effort. Her soreness isn't affecting her performance at all. Did she stretch? Or is her body building resistance? Whatever it may be, it is working in her favor.

I have to say: I'm impressed.

For now.

Three days is hardly an achievement. If I remember correctly, she stated one week. Seven days. She does realize she'll have to practice on the weekend, right? Not at school, but at the gym? Should I mention that to her?

Nah.

Joining this club already meant knowing the rules and expectations. That's a given.

Anyway, this time, she isn't practicing as much. She needs to leave early because of an appointment.

Excuses.

Day 4: Friday

My, my. She's smiling brightly today.

I hate it.

Get back to sweating your butt off, will you?

As if my thought was a command, she instantly punches the punching bag. Now she's working on advanced moves, improving her technique.

I'm noticing her fast reflexes. That comes in handy during matches.

Hey, she's going all out today. She intends on making up for her early departure yesterday.

Good.

Also, today is the last day we're practicing at school. Tomorrow we're going to the gym. This is the most important part of the proposal.

Day 5: Saturday

Will she come today?

No way.

I can't believe it. To my surprise, she's already there. Earlier than me.

Forsooth, I don't believe it.

When the guys come, I'm going to have a stern talk with them.

Sungyeol arrives. I stomp toward him, pulling his collar. He releases my grip and asks, "What's wrong?"

"Did you tell Wendy to meet us at the gym?"

"No. Why would I?"

"I mean, aren't you two quite close? You talked with her intimately before."

"Intimately? I just talked to her." Realizing Sunggyu's weirdness, he asks, "Are you, in fact, jealous?"

"NO!"

"Why do you care about the way we talk, then?"

"I don't."

"Okay. Whatever you say." He doesn't seem convinced.

"Who told her?"

"I don't think anyone did."

I scoff. "Of course someone did. How else would she know to come here?"

He shrugs and says sarcastically, "You know, maybe she used her eyes to read the sign regarding the rules we so very carefully tried to hide on the door." He emphasizes the carefully.

Punk.

I scurry away from him and meet my next target: Sungjong. He was definitely intimate with Wendy.

I walk up to him and ask, "You told Wendy to come here, didn't you?"

He shakes his head. Liar.

"I know you did. Putting your arm around her, whispering in her ear. I saw it all."

"Are you jealous or something?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Why are you paying close attention to what we do? Wasn't that, like, five days ago?"

"That was four days ago. When she came on Monday."

"Why are you remembering these things, anyway? You like her, huh?"

"NO!"

"Stop acting like a jealous boyfriend."

"I'm not!"

"Yeah. Keep telling yourself that."

Punk.

Instead of examining Wendy's performance, I just ponder what they said.

Am I jealous? I mean, I didn't like how they talked to her and got so close to her effortlessly. What would happen if she liked one of them? She would become a distraction for the club.

That's it!

I'm not jealous.

I just don't want her to ruin the club.

Day 6: Sunday

She is early at the gym again.

Working hard as per usual.

And making me smile.

Wait.

I'm not smiling because I like her. I'm smiling because I'm impressed.

Yeah, impressed.

Tomorrow will be the last day to prove herself. I'm beginning to think she is worthy.

Day 7: Monday

I will evaluate her overall performance today.

I'm actually looking forward to it.

She stands in the ring and punches the bag with such power. Her punching moves are more advanced; they are swift yet graceful.

I'm memorized by her beauty-not her overall appearance (even though she is very pretty), but when she's in the ring.

She really is a boxer.

God, I can't believe I'm saying this.

She finishes her match and I walk up to her, clapping.

"Good job, Wendy. You proved yourself worthy and now you are officially in the club. Congratulations!" I announce.

The crowd (my friends) cheer and she suddenly runs to me, capturing me in her embrace. I hold onto her longer than expected. It certainly isn't a bad feeling.

When I realize what I'm doing, I let go. That hug meant nothing.

Nothing.

She stares at me, appalled. I stare at her back, and then I find myself looking at her soft, full lips.

I gulp.

Okay, maybe that hug did mean something.