Okay, I'm Okay. [JJK]

26

The Story of The Crush: PART XI

Okay, I'm okay.

New goal: Win gold medal for
Kim Hyunji!

I never thought I would be happier in playing soccer until I met you. Playing soccer has always been my passion since the very first time I got to experience kicking a ball, win or lose. But you gave me more determination to win for some reasons.

"Are you a robot? We've been practicing for hours but you don't look tired at all." Eunwoo said, squatting his legs as he rested his palm onto his thighs, catching his breathe. He is one of my teammates.

"Stop talking, you might pass out." I chuckled and he rolled his eyes playfully. Seconds later, we ran again to play.

It's supposed to be a normal practice. People will gather around the field like the usual, mostly girls who cheer for their crushes, while some are the people who aspire to be soccer players in the future so they had to watch an actual game for reference. There was nothing new. However, the adrenaline is extraordinarily flowing in my nerves today. I once thought the reason behind it was my excitement for the upcoming school sports fest. But I knew it was more than that.

I can't help but smile at the thought of you cheering for me to win a gold medal. Thoughts about you began to run in my head. What will happen after we win the game? Will it be like cliché movies in which the girl would run in the crowd where the boy was, and the boy would hug her and lift her up, and you know, kiss—

"Yah! Jeon Jeongguk." My imagination came into halt when I heard Eunwoo call my name. The soccer ball was kicked towards my direction and it rolls past me, I wouldn't be able to notice it if it wasn't for him because I was too distracted by my thoughts seconds earlier. The practice went pause. "Bring it back here!"

I followed the ball and was about to pick it up, but then I saw someone in the crowd before me.

It was you, standing at the side of the field, head hanging low. You were staring down at the water bottle in your hand. A sigh escaped your lips, you were troubled. What's wrong?

I wished that you would look up to me so I could smile at you. They say smile can bring happiness to those who are feeling low. I don't want to see you sad, you know? But instead you brought your backpack in front and put the water bottle inside it, then you wore the backpack properly again and turned yourself around without sparing me single glance.

Kim Hyunji, are you okay—

"Is our dear robot malfunctioning? The ball is right in front of you in case you don't know." Eunwoo said as he stood beside me. He has smiles in his eyes and a smirk in his lips, he looks at the direction where my eyes keep pointing at, and his smile widens. "Do you need to talk to her?"

"Yeah. Give me five minutes, continue the practice without me."

"Okay. You said it." Eunwoo patted my back before I jog away.

I was about to reach after you but someone tapped my back, causing me to stop in my tracks. I turned around and it felt utterly absurd.

"Hi."

"Hey." I returned Ara's smile, but my eyes wasn't able to hide the fact that I was surprised to see her.

"I didn't know you were this good in soccer." She chortled, but I couldn't bring myself to laugh with her.

"Y—yeah . . . thanks." I turned my head to check on you, only to see your back as you walk farther away from me. I turned my face to her again. "Do you have something to say?"

"Are you free on Sunday?"

"Pardon?" I couldn't tell if I heard her wrong.

"I just thought I could use your help to buy and pick up materials for our group project. You're my assistant leader after all. We can go after lunch." Her eyes were twinkling with mirth, hoping I would say yes.

"What about the other members?"

"You're the assistant leader, Jeon." Ara crossed her arms but the smile still remained on her face. "But I understand if you're really busy."

I took a glance from your direction once again, and the distance makes you look so tiny. It would take me more than five minutes if I chase after you now.

"Are you up?" My head snapped back to face Ara again after she finished the question.

"Yes, just text me the place and time."

Like she said, I'm the assistant leader of the group, so how could I say no?

Okay, I'm okay.