Jersey - Minsung

Ext. Gym- After Practice

Practice ended early today, Chan ending it with a reminder that they should all rest before their big game tomorrow. Everyone zoomed to the locker room, all but one. Minho was slow with his time. A lot weighed on his mind lately, making him sluggish. The thing that took up most of his thoughts was rather not a what, but a who. Jisung was all Minho could think about lately. Minho found it odd that though he had seen the boy just hours prior, he missed him greatly. He missed him at odd hours of the day. Sometimes when he was in class, other times when he was studying, and even in his dreams, Jisung tumbled in, his brain just always reminding him of the boy. Minho couldn't understand it.

Eventually, Minho was walking down the front steps of the school, ready to walk home. Maybe he'd stop by somewhere to clear his head, home just didn't seem too appealing at the moment. Before he could even think about where to go, a familiar red haired buy was coming into view. He was a few feet away, set on his own course home which so happened to be the same way Minho was going. Some kind of fate maybe. Thinking back to how much he'd missed him, he didn't even give it a second thought as he rushed to catch up to him.

"Jisung!" The call of his name made him jump, Jisung turning to see Minho beside him. He gave a shy smile, quirking his brows at Minho.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have practice?" Minho started up a pace for them, walking leisurely with Jisung next to him.

"Got cut short, there's a game tomorrow." Jisung nodded accepting his answer as they continued to walk. "How come you're only leaving school now?" Minho doesn't think he'd ever seen Jisung stay late before. Jisung sighed, slinging his arms in front of him.

"Hyunjin and I were paired for a group project and Hyunjin had been very adamant of today being the only day this week he could meet up after school, but then, and on very short notice might I add, he claimed something urgent had come up and bailed." Jisung shrugged, "It's whatever now. Just means I have to walk home now. He had also promised me a ride." Minho didn't really know Hyunjin, but he was still angry with him for making poor Jisung wait for him.

"I'd offer you a ride, but I don't drive." Minho tried to reason, in some ways trying to lighten the mood and in others feeling stupid for even making such a comment. Why offer if he can't drive?

"It's not a problem, I don't live that far from here, I just hate walking by myself. Usually, Woojin will at least walk me halfway." Minho didn't even let a moment pass before the words left his mouth.

"I could walk you home, I don't mind." Jisung faltered, tripping over his feet. Minho caught him by the arm, Jisung letting out an awkward laugh. "Now, I really have to walk you home. Gotta make sure you don't fall and mess up that pretty face." The comment slipped and Minho bit his lip at flirtatious remark. It was silly and cheesy, yet it made Jisung's cheeks turn pink, Minho only slightly endeared.

"Um, alright." Jisung said once he regained his balance. He seemed a little more timid suddenly, hiding his face behind his bangs as they started their trek again. Minho could see specks of his eyes and it was so cute, Minho wanted to pinch his cheeks. But he refrained, not wanting to scare Jisung away with his odd behavior. He settled for some conversation instead.

"So, how long have you been friends with Woojin?" It seemed like a safe question to ask. Jisung hummed, trying to recall when they met.

"I think it was 6th grade. We went to the same middle school and I had just moved to town in the middle of the semester. Everyone had their own cliques so it was hard to just mold myself in. One day, some girl had caught me on my way to class, very nervous and jumpy. She threw her arms out, a letter in hand. I had no idea what to do, my own body not really wanting to move for some reason. I stared dumbfounded until Woojin came barreling by, pushing me the other way and claiming he needed to talk to me really bad." Jisung laughed at the memory, slowing down as they neared a crosswalk. "When we were out of sight he told me he had just saved my life." Minho chuckled, asking how so. "Apparently, that girl had a reputation of confessing to a new guy each week and he made sure I wouldn't get my heartbroken by her, me being new and all. After that, we started hanging out more and eventually Jeongin came along, Hyunjin an add on once we hit high school." Minho smiled at the way Jisung's face softened, nostalgic after the story. "You know, I was never really good at making friends, so it made me really happy that Woojin wanted to be mine."

Minho's heart clenched and he couldn't help it when the words tumbled out of his mouth. "Come to our game tomorrow. As my friend, I need you there." They've stopped walking. Minho unsure if it's because they're near Jisung's house or because he was surprised by the invitation. Jisung blinked up at Minho, as if gaging his sincerity. "It would mean a lot to me." Minho really did want him there.

Jisung bit his lip, slowly nodding then. Minho clapped, "Great, uh..." He's a little short for words now, suddenly feeling like he asked Jisung out. But he only asked him to the game- personally asked him to the game. His cheeks start to redden with realization. He coughed to try and cover up his embarrassment.

"My house is down this street." Jisung mentioned, pointing in the distance. "I'll walk myself the rest of the way." He bashfully rushed past Minho, speed walking away while Minho kept his back turned. He only looked back when Jisung called his name, "I'll see you tomorrow." He waved, Minho staring dumbly as the boy hurried home.