Jersey - Minsung

Int. School - Mid January

Playoff season for the hockey team was now in full swing. For Minho, it meant long afternoon practices which then resulted in late night homework sessions. Most days were a blur, his mind preoccupied with the upcoming game. The first big game of the season landed on a Thursday, the whole school abuzz with the after school game.

Once the last bell rang, everyone was making a beeline for the gym, a chaos of eager students to see the game. Minho was on their tail, making his way past the crowd to the locker rooms. He had to squeeze past a love sick couple who he partially gagged over, but secretly wanted to be.

Weeks had gone by now, the red haired boy's face almost a distant memory. Minho was saddened by that fact, wishing somehow he could bring it back. In order to do so, however, he'd need to see the boy again. But it seemed like the world wasn't in favor of it. The few times he'd managed to sneak back to the rink, the boy was nowhere to be found. Sooner or later, Minho knew he'd forget him all together. It brought on just a bit of heartache.

"Alright team, today's the first match that sets the bar for the rest of the season! We're going to go out there and give it our all, it's what we've been training for!" Chan's speech was far from original, but nonetheless, everyone was eager to get out on the ice. There's was still a few minutes before they would get the chance though, Chan doing last minute checks on everyone's gear. Minho sat on the benches, adjusting his shoulder pads and making sure he had his mouth guard. He was thinking about whether or not he'd have enough time to go to the bathroom when he caught sight of Felix just outside the locker room. He was talking to someone from his grade, but the other guy with them was who caught Minho's attention.

It was the boy who feared for his life! Jeong... Jeongin! He was talking to Felix so casually, laughing at something the other boy with them said. Minho had seen him a few times with Felix, thus why he knew they were in the same grade. Jeongin was new. He had to be new. There was no way he could have gone unnoticed by Minho unless that were the case.

The important thing, though, was not simply the fact that Jeongin was here. It was the fact that him being here meant that the red haired boy who was with him last time might possibly be here too, maybe even outside that door. Minho scrambled to his feet, momentarily forgetting he was wearing his skates. Regaining his balance, he lunged forward, only to be stopped again by Chan.

"Woah there, mate. What's the rush? Can't have you breaking a bone under my watch. Let me see if your gear is strapped right." Minho wished he didn't have to fuss at a time like this, but he knew it was better to be safe than sorry. He let Chan inspect him, eyes still glued to the doorway. There didn't appear to be any other person with them, but Minho wanted to try his luck. "All good. We have one minute left on the clock, so let's rally up." Chan then pulled him the other way, away from where Felix stood. Away from a possible encounter with the pretty boy from the rink.

Yet, that didn't stop him from giving the game all he's got. He pushed through that game like a beast, in honor of "pretty boy from the rink." He wanted to show off and be the jock and have people calling his name because that way the boy would know his name. He'd even chant along with the crowd, not knowing that Minho wished he knew what his voice sounded like so he can pinpoint it in the crowd. Still, he marched on, butting heads with the opposing team a few times to blow off some steam. He's lucky he didn't get the team a foul. The end score was 3-1, a win for their school's team. Everyone was shouting in joy over their victory, Minho taking a sweep of the crowd. He couldn't see too well, but he smiled wide anyway, just in case.

After the game, Minho charged for Felix looking for answers.

"Who were you talking to earlier?"

"When?"

"Before the game?" Felix was in the middle of taking off his helmet, his hair falling into his eyes as he thought about his response.

"Seungmin? He's in my English class."

"No, the other one."

"Oh, you mean Jeongin? He's Seungmin's friend. I'm not too sure about him." A frown forms on Minho's face. "Why'd you want to know?"

"Nothing, really."