You're My Target

Chapter 28

After school, Troy walked with Hank and Pryor. his mind was too focused on Soyeon, Mou and other things, he was not paying any attention to what his 2 friends were saying.

"Troy, troy! are you awake?" said Hank waving his hand in front of Troys face.

"yea, just spaced out for a second." Troy said blinking his eyes.

"so were you even listening to anything we were planning about the party?" Pryor asked him.

"oh, yea. since you guys helped out last time just do what you did that time again this time." Troy said assuring them but still coming off disinterested.

"alright, we'll be in touch. see you later Troy." Hank said as he and Pryor walked off. Troy stood in the courtyard and he noticed Hyomin, Sunny and Narsha walking together. he watched the 3 of them get on a bus together. he started to waddle over to his moped, when he saw Hwayoung and Areum walking together toward the buses as well. Areum suddenly turned and looked directly at Troy, and she waved happily at him. Troy quickly turned away and threw his helmet on . he started his moped and hastily, but carefully started driving away.as he drove passed the parking area, he saw the rest of the 5 tiaras together, gathered around Eunjungs car. he didn't slow down but just kept on his way to his house.When he got home he looked around for any suspicious cars out on the street, but there was none. Troy threw himself on his couch when he got inside. "maybe im just paranoid... stressing myself out." Troy thought to himself. and he was feeling very exhausted.without realizing, he had passed out and fallen asleep.later he was woken up by his phone. he sat up and answered it wiping his eyes.
"yea? hello?" he said.

"hey Troy." Soyeon said on the other end.

"oh hey. thanks for lunch today." troy said clearing his throat.

"did you like it? was it too spicy?" she asked.

"oh no, it was great." he said. he felt couldn't tell her the truth.

" thats a relief because i accidentally gave you my dads extra spicy dish. but it seems you like spicy food too, ill keep that in mind for the next time too." she said happily and relieved."o yea. great." Troy said realizing he just goofed up.

"so, didn't you see me wave to you after school today?" she asked suddenly. "we were by eunjungs car."

" no. sorry. i didnt see you guys. if i did i would have stopped to see you." Troy said offering an apology.

"it's okay. so i hear your having a party over the winter break." she said.

"yea..." Troy said. "we got a whole week plus Hank, Pryor and im sure the rest of the guys on the team are bummed about not being able to play so. figured we could to this to boost their spirits a bit."

"thats very thoughtful troy." Soyeon said.

"lets go out too." Troy suggested

"ok" she agreed happily. "did you have something in mind?"

"well, we have a whole week off. i was thinking we can just spend a day together." Troy suggested.

"a whole day?... i can barely tolerate the few hours i am around you." Soyeon said sarcastically.

"well maybe not a whole day." troy said half believing her.

"no troy, calm down. that sounds like fun." soyeon said. "you're so sensitive."

"ok then, great." troy replied.

"can i ask you something serious?" Soyeon asked.

"yea of course." troy told her.

"was my lunch better than EUnjungs breakfast?"

troy stood their in silence. honestly, they were both bad in his opinion and having to think about them made his stomach turn.

"Troy?" Soyeon said on the other end. Troy?"

"oh. yours was better for sure." Troy said realizing he had probably paused for too long to answer.

"but you had to think about it?" Soyeon said discouraged. "its okay, i know you're just saying that.

"no no no really, i just wasn't expecting you to even ask something like that. you never gave the impression that you would be the type to care about something such as that." Troy stammered.
"if you say so." she told him matter-of-fact-like

"i do! i really loved what you made and look forward to more." Troy said eagerly..

"ok then so maybe it will be a regular thing?" she asked.

"i don't want you to go out of your way or anything." troy told her.

" you can always make lunch for me then? shouldn't be a problem when you make dinner for Eunjung." she giggled.

"i can do that if you want." Troy said defensively.

"no Troy im just teasing." she said softly.

"alright.." Troy said.

"ill let you go though, i still have some homework to finish." she told him.

"okay, thanks again for lunch." he said

"mhm." she replied. "let me know when you want to get together ok? have a good night."

"i will." troy said with a big grin on his face. "good night."after hanging up with Soyeon, Troy was in an upbeat mood and wasnt tired so he flipped on the TV to pass some time. as he switched through the channels he stopped to watch the news. they were covering the conflict that was going on around the border. Mou had told him about it when he transferred in, and the reports on the TV told a similar story. just another typical tale of 2 neighboring nations that just don't seem to get along. though the 2 countries always had tension, the violence didn't start until a few years ago. the attack that claimed Jangs life was the first time the conflict reached that far into the countries territory. despite that no retaliation was really made other than to push them out. This nation wanted peace and emphasized that by not retaliating with force.Troy sat and listened and read the info that filled the TV screen. it was his first time really listening to what was going on around him. one thing he didn't see was any real motive for what was going on. what started it all, what was the purpose of it all? troy watched and wondered though it didn't really concern him. the cease fire had been agreed upon temporarily and he hoped that would be the key to him remaining here. he also knew if he didnt want to leave, he'd have to start giving Mou some kind of results, but he had nothing. nothing but too curious and brighter than she realizes: Hwayoung. then there was Hyomin a possible threat. but given the time that had passed since Hwayoung informed him over her find, she has not acted on anything and just simply stopped interacting with Troy. Troys initial panic had subsided, though he would continue to keep an eye on her and Hwayoung. and then there was the new Girl, Areum. it was only a hunch, but troy had to know for certain who she really was, and keep the closest tabs on her...Friday was upon Troy, just one more day til their winter vacation. while troys classmates seemed ecstatic about it, troy himself was more on the fence. sure it would be nice to have some time off, but school was the only place he could monitor any potential targets.

"Maybe time off to refocus and rededicate myself is what i need." he thought as he sat in homeroom. "ill have a week to clear my head and organize my thoughts."

he looked over at Hwayoung, who was happily chatting with her seemingly new best friend, Areum. Jiyeon was with her group of loyal fanboys. the 2 that was always together seemed to have drifted apart. and troy, felt somewhat guilty about it. as he thought about it, he didn't realized he was spaced out with his chin in his hand, looking directly at Areum and hwayoung.Areum glanced over at him, and waved eagerly, catching troys attention and waking him from his deep thought. his eyes widened. Hwayoung giggled and winked at him. Troy turned his head quickly in embarrassment. the 2 girls laughed with each other.Troy had no time to feel silly, as a sudden announcement came on the loud speaker.

"hello students, it is your principal speaking. i have some important news for all of our talented school athletes. the teaching staff is proud of all your dedication and hard work to represent your school and community. however we regret to inform you, in light of recent events, we along with many other districts in the area we have decided to cancel all remaining school sport activities this year, especially after missing so much time already. we are all sorry for the bad news but we hope you all have a fun and safe winter break, and look forward to resuming sports next year.Troy stood up hearing the announcement, his hands planted firmly on his desk, along with his eyes, looking tense and confused.his classmates looked over at him.he suddenly excused himself and walked out the door in disbelief....