HIS TOUCH || JAEYONG

Chapter 13 broken

Flashback
"I'm not sure if I can do it," he said hesitantly.

"I know you can. You're one of my best dancers and I want you two to take this challenge. You have lifted Ji-Eun many times before. You'll definitely win the competition if you manage to do it on the stage." Ji-Eun grabbed his hand to encourage him while their teacher was trying to convince Taeyong. She was sure they could do the trick if her dance partner wouldn't be so doubtful. They had danced together over two years and knew each other well so she trusted him.

"Of course I have lifted her many times but with both hands. It's a bit different, you see. I don't want to risk anything. The competitions start in few days." Ji-Eun rolled his eyes and sighed before turning to him.

"Taeyong I'm sure we can do it. What could even go wrong?"

"Everything could go wrong! I'm not sure about myself and I don't want to cause you any injuries." Taeyong looked at her in worry. He was just so caring and Ji-Eun admired that trait about him but sometimes it was too much.

"I trust you. Let's try to do that one time and if you drop me we're not doing it, okay?" For a few seconds Taeyong hesitated to answer but Ji-Eun's unwavering eyes encouraged him.

"Okay."

They managed to do the lift many times perfectly and Taeyong gave up the idea of not doing it in the competition. Their dance teacher was very pleased to see how well they could work together. If they'd win the competition both of them would get a scholarship to the famous dance academy. That was Taeyong's dream. He wanted to do nothing else more than study there.

The day of the competition

"My family is here to see us. What about you?" Ji-Eun asked before they'd go to the stage. They were holding each other's hands like always before an important performance.

"My mom and best friend will be here, I guess." Taeyong said and turned to her. "Everything will go fine, right?"

Taeyong was still unsure but he couldn't help it. It was just his personality. He still wanted to win and that's why he had courage to risk it. To do something above his abilities. Ji-Eun squeezed his hand assuringly. "I'm sure."

"Good luck you both!" They turned to their teacher who had appeared behind them. "You'll do well."

It was now their turn and they walked in the middle of the stage with applauses. The music started and they started dancing. Taeyong loved being on the stage more than anything. He loved hearing compliments and cheering and above all of that, he loved being in the spotlight.

Everything had went perfectly until the second half of the performance. He now lifted his dance partner up and then removed one hand just like they had practiced. Suddenly, he felt his hand crushing from the pressure. His hand was slightly in a wrong posture and when he tried to fix it, he caused Ji-Eun losing her balance and fall.

All of it happened so fast that Taeyong couldn't even realize the mistake he had done. He heard the audience gasping and someone running on the stage. As he looked to his side he saw the girl crying from pain and holding her leg. At the same time Taeyong's legs failed him and he sat on the stage. He still couldn't believe what had happened. He had caused Ji-Eun injured.

Taeyong was shaking.

He saw everything as she was taken to the ambulance with bars and he could hear her cries. She could probably never dance again because of his mistake. He looked down at his hands that were badly shaking. No one was paying attention to him and even if he suddenly now fainted, no one would want to help him. He was a bad person.

Everyone gradually left the room as the competition was postponed to another date and Taeyong was now left alone. He looked at the empty rows of seats and the scenes of full cheering audience flashed in his mind. He started crying and hugged his knees closed to him burying his face in them. He wanted to disappear.

He didn't hear that someone had walked behind him. "Taeyong."

The said boy didn't react so they placed their hand on his shoulder. Taeyong was suddenly brought back to reality and he backed away from the touch and turned his head to the voice. It was his dance teacher and he looked guilty but Taeyong didn't care. "Go away! Don't touch me!"

That was the first time Taeyong had said that. "I don't want to hurt you too," he whispered with a broken voice. He was afraid that whatever he touched would break. He was afraid of himself.

After that incident he never saw Ji-Eun again and never danced again.
Flashback ends

"J-Ji-Eun?" Taeyong breathed eyes wide. The girl looked much more grown up now and her hair was much longer when he had last time seen her.

"You're really Taeyong...oh my god." The said boy turned slowly around. Both of them were thinking what to say. The silence was so awkward. Taeyong was wondering what she was even doing here. It was school's dance studio after all.

"Do you still dance?" Ji-Eun suddenly blurted out causing the other's eyes widen.

"No," he answered bluntly.

"You don't?! Why?"

"Sorry I have to go. Classes start soon." What a terrible liar he was. There was nearly an hour before classes would start. He just didn't want to talk about their past with Ji-Eun so running away sounded good. He thought that he didn't deserve to see the girl ever again or even be in the same room as her. He started rushing towards the door walking past her but he was stopped by a hand on his arm.

"Taeyong, could we-"

"No."

Taeyong quickly yanked his hand free from the grasp and gave her a cold look. He could see the shock in Ji-Eun's eyes when he did that but that didn't stop him from leaving the room as fast as possible.

***
Jaeyong in next chapter