“Heeyoung, can you buy the snacks for tonight? The list is here, thank you”

I sighed. I came out from the lodge tonight, once more time. I wore my shoes and read the list that one of the seniors had given to me. There were many snacks to buy, and I hoped there’s enough money to buy them.

I was supposed to meet the boy in number ten tonight, but it seemed the fate said the opposite.

I walked on the street lazily. I hung my head low, kept occupying my eyes with the list of snacks on my head. Without me knowing, I’ve passed Busan High School’s soccer team’s lodge.

I saw, there’s no clue whether that boy already went out or decided to stay in the lodge for tonight.

---

Like last night, the cashier packed the snacks with two big plastic bags. The cashier mentioned the price and I immediately handed the money that they had given to me without counting it.

“I’m sorry, it’s lacking 10,000 won,” she said.

“I’ll buy these two,” a familiar voice said.

I turned around to see that boy with dirty grey hair – number ten. He’s pointing to one of the snacks inside of my plastic bags which worth around more than 10,000 won. I thought he’s going to ripped the package and eat it once again. But instead, he only ripped the package of his own snack.

“Let’s say that I’m paying you because I’ve stolen your chocolate ice cream yesterday,” he said as he threw a snack into his mouth.

I couldn’t help but to smile. He’s a gentleman too.

I thought he’s not going to show up. He helped me, the 10,000 won’s shortage.

---

Once again, just like last night, we walked together side by side toward our own lodge. But tonight, we walked closer than yesterday.

We walked pass the field, I thought he’s going to his own lodge too, just like me. Instead, he walked toward the field.

I stopped for seconds before continue to walk toward my lodge.

“Where are you going?” he asked from the far.

I turned around and smiled, “To my own lodge”

“You’ve promised to meet me tonight”

“We already met”

He rolled his eyes and walked toward me again. “Where are you going?” he asked, rather annoyed.

“I must give these snacks to my seniors and other trainees,” I answered as I showed him these two big plastic bags.

His lips turned into a firm line, “So you’re their slave now?”

I shook my head, quite flabbergasted. Manager and water girl were okay, but slave was too much! They wouldn’t treat me like that.

“Then, why are you buying those snacks for them? Didn’t you buy them ice creams too for last night?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

“I must go back, I promise I’ll be back,” I answered as I walked alone, leaving boy number ten behind me.

Later, he was jogging to catch up with me. “I’ll go with you,” he said.

Those words touched my heart. It looked like he had a same feeling with me. But I didn’t want to be overconfidence.

---

“Thank you manager”

“Waa, it’s perfectly just what I want, thanks our new manager”

I sighed and couldn’t help but to show the seniors who thanked me a face of displeasure. Sure, the rumor went really fast.

I was called as the new manager tonight. It’s tiring me, depressing me – somehow pressuring me to do better as a cheerleader.

“She’s not a manager,” the leader defended me. I could only smiled awkwardly for her.

“Yet,” another senior remarked.

“But seriously, you’re better to be a manager. Manager’s job isn’t that easy too,” the other senior said. Maybe she tried to not let me down – but damn, her sentence was actually when through my maximum.

“I’m going,” I muttered. Anger colored my words. With that, I went out from the lodge and slammed the door in process.

Anger took over me.

---

“Do you still want to stay with me?” I asked the boy number ten.

He nodded and grinned, “I’m a man of my words.”

With that, we walked side by side toward the field once again that night. The distance between us was farther than before – thanks to my anger that filled my heart and my mind.

Seconds and soon, minutes passed as we continued to walk toward the field. The ice of silence filled the air that both of us breathed together.

He broke it first.

“So you’re not a water girl? But a manager?” he asked. “Wow, it’s amazing,” he muttered.

I snorted, “Not a manager, not a water girl.”

“Then what are you? But hey, I’m sorry for coincidentally eavesdropping”

“Just a trainee cheerleader,” I answered, chuckling at my lame answer. “Soon to be a manager,” I remarked.

The boy stopped suddenly on his track. “Are you saying that…” he said, couldn’t finish his sentence. Maybe he couldn’t find the right word.

“That I’m not good enough to be a cheerleader,” I continued and sighed. My shoulder deflated once more time. With that answer, I continued to walk. My head was hanging low.

I felt discourage took over my mind for sure. I had no future in cheerleading. There’s no way I would master the new move in one week.

But then, a hand of spirit was placed on my shoulder – only to see that the hand was belong to boy number ten.

“I’m a trainee too, I always practiced though,” he said, trying to encouraging me.

“You’ve mastered your own game, I haven’t and won’t”

“Yet,” he remarked.

This time, I was the one to suddenly stopped walking.

“People can grasp their dreams with keep practicing and never give up,” he said.

I smiled awkwardly, “Thanks, there’s no need. I already give up.”

“You shouldn’t though,” he said with a frown colored his face – somehow.

He bent down so he’s on my eye level. He stared deeply into my eyes. His eyes were hypnotizing me and I somehow felt that he could lend his shoulder for me when I had problem.

“We can make it together. You as a cheerleader, I as a soccer player”