You're My Target

Chapter 23

After leaving Eunjungs apartment, Troy drove his moped as fast as he could within legal speed limits of course; he didn't want to get a ticket and he didn't want to be late to Soyeons house.

he pulled up and parked quickly and darted through her gate and up to her door. he blew in his cold cupped hands and knocked on the door.a woman he didn't recognize opened the door. she looked similar to Soyeon, her hair color and facial structure."you must be Troy." she said greeting him with a warm smile.

"yes, i am. hello." he put out his hand to shake, but the woman gave him a simple, friendly hug.

"i didn't know Soyeon had a sister." he said surprised but with honesty.the woman blushed.

"you're a smooth talker" she replied. "thank you, but i am Soyeons mother."

"oh, hello ma'am." he said trying to show more respect. "you just look so similar to Soyeon."

"well thank you again. Soyeon will be right out. please sit in the living room and wait." she showed him into the living area that was pretty well furnished. the couch was big and puffy, it made Troys old couch seem like a ratty bean bag. he sat in it and sunk in comfortably. he looked around at the various pictures on the wall, they were mostly of Soyeon and her family, or so he assumed. there were lots of flowers. it was colorful, and also a lot of awards. Troy got up to look in the glass cabinet, curious about the awards inside.they all had Soyeons name on it. various accolades for her academics. she was smart, but Troy had a good idea about that already. there were other things like, dancing and singing. though Troy didn't know she could do any of that.as he looked them over, he saw a reflection in the glass, someone was coming from behind. he stood up straight and turned quickly. it was Soyeon. she was wearing a black tank top it had some typical shiny girly gems on it, and matching form-fitting capri pants. the gems ran down the sides. shiny black heels were on her feet."you're late." she said with her arms folded.

"well, technically... i guess." Troy stammered. "but not really since i was waiting for you."

Soyeon gave him a smug look. she nodded. "if you make me wait, ill make you wait." she replied she walked over to a closet and opened it.

troy watched her walk, stunningly in her outfit. he had to make sure he wasn't drooling or his jaw was gaping. she pulled out her fur trimmed jacket and looked over at Troy.

"you didn't bring a jacket?" she asked as she was about to shut the closet.

"well it had been so nice out recently... " Troy stated."Troy.. Troy.. Troy..." Soyeon said shaking her head. "here wear this."

she opened the closet again and pulled out a pretty nice jacket. it was a brownish color, and looked like a leathery material, Troy wasn't really good with materials, or fashion so he wasn't really sure. Troy noticed Soyeon had a small grin on her face."its not something Jun left here is it?" Troy smirked.

"i could fit 3 of you into one of Juns jackets." Soyeon said tossing the jacket playfully at him. ".....its my fathers."

"i cant wear your dads jacket!" Troy said holding it out for her to take it back. "that's gotta be some sort of line you should never cross."

"what are you talking about." Soyeon said raising her eyebrow.

"i.. i dont know! i just feel weird." troy said still trying to give the jacket back.

"weird? it shouldn't be an issue then because i was under the impression you always felt that way Troy." Soyeon zinged as she walked passed him and to the door. "lets go."

Troy stood there quietly holding the jacket. he looked as Soyeon walked to the door. he then looked at the jacket.

"Troy!" soyeon said raising her voice.Troy jumped and scurried to the door. he reluctantly put the jacket on as Soyeon watched in approval."not bad." she said.

"cut me some slack alright? next to you, everything pales in comparison." Troy said confidently.Soyeon in her typical charismatic fashion, smiled casually and gently touched Troys face and patted it. she then motioned with her head for him to come outside as she opened the door.they walked down her walkway to the street where troy parked his moped.

"i only have one helmet." Troy said handing it to her.

"i don't think so" Soyeon said sticking her hand up and flipping her hair. "i spent way too much time on my hair."

"well, what about the wind." Troy asked.

"just drive slowly." she replied, mounting the seat.troy looked at her straddling the seat; very impressed."it suits you." he said. "that look, on the bike i mean. too bad it isn't an actual motorcycle."Soyeon playfully pulled her jacket off her shoulders and posed for him."hows this?" she asked glancing at him sensually.

"wow." he said in awe. his eyes gleamed as Soyeon playfully changed her pose a few times. "i should have brought a camera."

Soyeon laughed. Troy put on the helmet and got on the moped. soyeon gently put her arms around him, causing Troy to tense up a little, but he tried to hide it.he opened the wind visor on his helmet and asked:"so uhhh, where exactly are we going?" Troy asked. he had never actually decided on something himself. he hoped Soyeon took the liberty of doing so.

"well since i knew the odds of you deciding on something were low, i thought we'd go to this Karaoke place i like." Soyeon said.Troy hesitated, he wasn't much of a singer. especially when it came to doing it in front of other people.

"sounds good." he said, he couldn't object. he could have thought of something on his own but didn't, afterall.Troy carefully drove, with Soyeons guidance, to their destination. he noticed Soyeon kept taking one of her hands to fix her hair that was blowing in the wind.when they arrived soyeon hopped off and quickly pulled out a mirror from her bag, and looked over herself."i told you to wear the helmet." he said as he pulled it off his head. "would have helped protect your hair."

"its fine. i used my miracle spray." Soyeon said, snapping the mirror case closed. Troy looked at it, and it was fine, somehow. the part in it, was still straight as an arrow and not one hair out of place..

"shall we?" Soyeon said motioning to go inside.

"lets go." Troy nodded.the sign over the entrance read "FUNKY TOWN KARAOKE" in bright, bold neon letters.they walked inside, and Troy looked around. it reminded him of Temptastic, where he had taken Soyeon for their first date. it had a similar atmosphere, but was also unique. it was more for the karaoke, and less about the food.they looked around for an open table to sit, while a drunk man tried to sing on the karaoke stage.Soyeon pulled on Troys arm noticing an open table, and lead him to it. Troy helped soyeon into her seat, as she took off her jacket, and Troy sat as well."they arent always this bad." Soyeon said, in regards to the drunken man who obviously wasn't the best singer in the world.

"its cool, i think its funnier that way. it's still entertaining." Troy smiled.in front of the stage was an open area, for on lookers who wanted to get closer or even dance along. the tables Troy and Soyeon sat at, encircled the area. there was also a bar, for the older guests.Troy looked the place over, just admiring it and taking it in."so how have you been?" Soyeon asked him, making conversation.

"i've been good. looking forward to something like this." Troy said to her "you know, just us, together."

"me too." Soyeon smileda spunky waitress dressed in colorful clothes came to serve them.

"are you to interested in ordering anything tonight?" she asked them cheerfully.

"o no thank you. i've already had dinner." Troy said shaking his head.
"i however, would like to order something." Soyeon interjected raising her hand. "my date here, already had dinner with another girl before taking me out."

Troy got stiff, and swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in his throat."im not sure what this is." Soyeon said pointing to something on the menu showing the waitress, but its expensive, so ill take it. o and a milk shake. please. vanilla."

Troy was suddenly feeling a bit sweaty."actually you can make that 2 vanilla shakes." Troy sighed.

"it will be right out." the waitress informed them.

"are you ok? you look a bit pale..... paler than normal i mean." Soyeon said, holding back a smile.

"yea, im fine." Troy said, his voice was a bit shaky.

"are you sure?" Soyeon said, looking at troy sitting uneasily in his chair.

"you said you were happy, to be here, but you brought up Eunjung." troy said trying no tto sound like a jittery mess.

"i was teasing you." she replied taking her hand and gently slapping his forehead. "it was thoughtful of you to do that for our little Eunjung."

"oh, is that so?" troy said, not sure if Soyeon was being serious.

"well yea. you went out of your way for our friend." Soyeon said looking seriously at him. "its not like you were obligated or anything, but you did it."troy though, felt like he was obligated, remembering Jangs words to him on that fateful day."you are sweet." Soyeon said with a smile. "but try not to be too sweet to other girls alright?" Soyeon giggled and troy felt relieved.

"ok ill try." Toy replied forcing a smile.Soyeons food arrived and she ate, while troy watched. they listened to the other attendees did their best at karaoke.

"man, i wonder if these people are trying to sing bad on purpose, cause thats what it feels like." troy said amused "dont get me wrong, i dont think i can do better but at least i know im bad."

"its not about that." Soyeon said, sticking her fork out at him. "its just about having fun."

"fun?" Troy asked.

"yeah you just go up there and get into it and have fun. you dont have to be an actual singer." Soyeon explained. "you said so yourself a moment ago. the drunk guy was entertaining."

"i guess you got me there. " Troy replied.

" we're going up there next." Soyeon said, putting her fork down.

"hey hey hey." Troy waved his arms in defiance. "i just said singing ain't my thing. besides, i get stage fright."

"troy, how can you get stage fright?" Soyeon asked him, looking seriously confused.

"what do you mean? i just do! i dont like singing or even talking to crowds of people." troy explained.

"you spoke at Jangs vigil." soyeon said.

"yea and i was nervous as hell!" troy exclaimed. "and the guys on the team just like guilt tripped me into it! didn't you hear my voice shaking the whole time?"

" i just thought it was the mic." Soyeon laughed. "Troy you play hockey in front of a crowd, you stood up to Jun in front of a crowd, and you selflessly went to look for Jang in the middle of a invasive firefight. how can someone with so much courage, be afraid of singing in front of a few people in a bar?"Soyeon stared at him, and her words hit him hard. at that moment he felt like he could do anything, even sing in front of people even if he knew he was a bad singer.he wanted to say something, anything. but he could only stare back at her.Soyeon placed her hand on top of his.

"its ok, you can join me next time." she told him as she got up from the table and went over to the stage area.troy watched her step lightly in her heels onto the little platform. she fiddled with the karaoke machine and picked her song. she adjusted the microphone stand and cleared her throat as a little spotlight shined down on her. the music started softly, and troy waited, unsure of what to expect. he was thinking he would like it no matter what because of how he felt about her, but was still eager to hear her.Soyeon started singing, a soft, slow song, Troy had never heard before, and to his surprise, Soyeon could sing very well. so well, he really couldn't believe it was her. the other people listening also seemed impressed, but Troy could only focus on Soyeon, totally amazed by what he was hearing and seeing. her beautiful voice, filled the room and swept everyone off their feet. when she was done, everyone applauded enthusiastically. Soyeon bowed before walking back to the table where troy sat mesmerized.Soyeon sat down and looked at Troy, who just looked back at her. she looked around, waiting for Troy to say something, but he just looked at her with big beaming eyes,"was it that bad? were you entertained at least?" Soyeon asked.

"that was the most beautiful thing i have ever heard." Troy was astonished. "you could be like a real, actual singer! you could make albums!"

"well, like i said me and the girls come out here a lot so, i get a lot of practice..." Soyeon reminded him waving her hand like it was no big deal.

"did you hear the applause you got?" Troy said pointing out the crowd

"well, yea i just said i come here often. a lot of the frequent visitors know each other and support each other." Soyeon again explained remaining humble.

"no Soyeon." Troy exclaimed seriously, and leaning over the table towards her. "you have a real gift!"

"well, truthfully i actually want to be a singer, or maybe an announcer... maybe some sort of public speaker" Soyeon smiled.

"well you certainly have everything it takes." Troy was still excited from the performance.

"Troy ive never seen you this, lively." Soyeon smiled.

"i've never seen anything like that before. you are.. amazing." Troy said to her.

"Troy.." soyeon blushed but tried to remain collected.

"i know one day you will be a famous singer, without a doubt." Troy said to her.

"thank you Troy." Soyeon said grasping his hand. "right after you become a famous hockey player."

Troy's smile diminished when Soyeon said that to him, but he still held her hand tightly."whats wrong?" she asked, noticing his smile vanish.

"this. just seems..." Troy hesitated. he didn't want to sound lame and corny.

"Troy, what is it?" Soyeon asked again.

"just seems surreal. me being .. here with you. and just everything." Troy explained.Soyeon pinched his wrist hard."OWWWW." Troy said holding his wrist.

"see you aren't dreaming." Soyeon smiled brightly.

"didn't have to pinch so hard, i think you drew blood." Troy said almost whimpering, as he looked at the mark Soyeon left.

"consider it a friendly love bite." Soyeon said tapping hand softly.

"i don't even think i've ever been bitten that hard." Troy complained rubbing his wrist.

"good. im the only one then AND if you don't stop ill do it again." Soyeon said making pinching gestures at him.

"all right all right!" Troy said cowering away from her. after the date was over, Troy and Soyeon headed back to her house to drop her off, this time she was wearing the helmet. when they arrived, Soyeon hopped off the moped and handed Troy his helmet."ill walk you to your door." he said, this time motioning Soyeon to follow him. Soyeon nodded and followed him.

"i had fun tonight." Soyeon said to him as they got to the door.

"me too, you were really something up there." Troy replied.

"thank you Troy." she said, she game him a hug. Troy tried to remain cool, and hugged her back hoping he wasn't too stiff and awkward. "get home safe."

"i will." he nodded. "but here, don't forget this." Troy took off the jacket Soyeon had given him.

"keep it." she said pushing it back to him.

"no way, its your fathers, i cant keep it." Troy stammered.

"you're keeping it." Soyeon simply said again. "ok?"

"i don't know about this, Soyeon.." Troy said.

"have a good night Troy, and thank you again. ill talk to you soon." Soyeon waved at him while heading through her door."good night." he said softly. and Soyeon winked playfully as she shut the door slowly.Troy walked back to his moped, holding the jacket in his hands. he held it up and looked at it for a little while before finally putting it back on. he got on his moped and head back home.