9

“Okay everyone, round 2 will be very challenging. This round will only focus on the physical parts of the game. So I

suggest you all eat a nice healthy meal for lunch.” Mr. Lee announced before walking away to join the other teachers.

“Hmm, I wonder how tough this round will be.” Tiffany said after finishing her chicken wrap.

“I don't know, but the fact that it's a physical challenge is already enough of a worry for me.” I sighed, but taeny just

laughed.

“Yah! What's so funny?” I pouted.

“You.” They both kept laughing.

“Aish~ whatever.” I ignored the dorky couple.

Okay fine, I'll admit it but I hate exercising and at it. So don't ask me how I manage to keep my bomb figure,

because even I don't know how I do it. I guess I was just born this way. Keke.

“Oh Jessi, by the way, where did Stephen run off this time?” Taeyeon asked after noticing that my partner is

missing...again.

“I don't know maybe sleeping?” I replied.

“Jessi, I would expect that from you, but not from Stephen.” Tiffany chuckled.

“True, maybe he's getting more food, I mean we all saw how big of a shikshin that boy is.” I agreed with Tiffany.

“Maybe.” Taeyeon said, before focusing on his meal.

“Hey guys, I'm going to grab something from the cabin real quick, so be right back.” I excused myself from the two, who

were far more engrossed in whatever they were doing to even notice.

I arrived at the cabin and went straight into the bedroom to grab my jacket. The clouds we're coming in, so I thought it might

rain. I was about to step out, when I noticed that Teddy, yes I decided to name the teddy bear Teddy, simple right? Okay,

so Teddy was holding another envelop.

Letter.

Hi Sicachu, good job winning the first round^^ I had a feeling you would :3 and remind me to thank that friend of yours for

taking such good care of your poor hand, I know how much cramps hurt. Good luck in the next round.

-S.I.Y

p.s I'll answer your other question soon.

After reading his letter, or more like note, I placed it back in the envelop and in my bag, along with his other letters he's

given me. I didn't reply this time, because I really had nothing to say except good luck to you too, but I had a feeling he

knew I would say that, so I just decided to rejoin the others.

I was walking back towards the spot I left Taeny, when I noticed a figure on the dock. Curious, I walked over and realized

who it was.

“Penny for your thoughts?” I broke the silence using the same question Y.S and Stephen both had said to me.

“My thoughts are worth more than just a penny.” Stephen turned around and smiled.

Hmmm, why does that sound familiar?

“Ah, well so are mine.” I agreed and stood next to him.

Now I know, I replied the same thing to Y.S when he asked me that question, but how did Stephen know? Well it is a pretty

witty respond to that question, so maybe that's why.

“Jessica have you ever been afraid of the future?” Stephen suddenly asked after 7 minutes of pure silence.

“Nope are you?” I returned his question.

“A little.” He gave a small smile.

“Why?”

“Because in the future I have to show the public who I REALLY am.”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked confused.

“I've spent my whole life living freely and without much care. Sure I take part and have a lot of responsibility in my family's

business, but most of the time my life has been like every “normal” person. But soon, I'll be coming out from the curtain that

has shielded my identity and frankly, I'm afraid that I might change who I am, just to conform to what society might think of

me, and I don't want that to happen. I want to be myself from the beginning until the end. I know that we live in the corporate

world and not in the world of celebrities, but if you think about it, our way of life is parallel to that of the celebrities, because

like all the famous people in Korea and the world, we try our best to show the sides that society wants to see, but I don't

want that. Instead, I want people to know me for who I really am and not for who they believe I am.” Stephen explained.

Wow, he sounded just like Y.S, in fact, it's so similar to what Y.S told me about my own self. I wonder why Stephen and

Y.S are so similar?

“Stephen you don't have to change who you are to please everyone else, because the only opinion that matters about

yourself is yours. So don't be afraid of what's to come. Just let it happen, because you can't hide forever right? Someone

once said “yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.” So why not

cherish what you have right now and not waste a single moment of it, because with each new present, is another

yesterday, and with each yesterday comes a better tomorrow.” I smiled.

“Your right Jessica, I shouldn't be dreading over this. I mean what's going to come will come, so I should cherish every

moment.” Stephen agreed and finally gave me a cheerful Stephen trademarked smile.

“Hehe yup, so why don't we cherish this moment, by joining everyone else, and winning this competition?” I chuckled.

“Haha I couldn't agree more.” Stephen laughed along, before suddenly grabbing my hand leading me back towards every

one else.

While Stephen and I were walking or more like, fast walking almost running, back towards everyone, I couldn't help but

stare at our intertwined hands. It was like his and my hand were made for each other. And his hand emitted some sort of

warmth that I can't even describe, but it does make me not want him to let go.

“Oh there you guys are.” Tiffany smiled and then winked at me after noticing our intertwined hands.

“Yup, here we are.” Stephen smiled and let go of my hand. Awwww~~ why??

“Well it's a good thing you guys are back, the game will start soon.” Taeyeon said.

“Oh really cool. Did Mr. Lee or Ms. Seo explain anything about the next round?” Stephen asked Tae.

“Not yet, but I think he will now.” Taeyeon replied and nodded his head towards Mr. Lee.

“Alright everyone, we will now begin the 2nd round. For this round, each pair will have to retrieve a flag from the top of that

small mountain and bring it back. Mr. Kang and Mr. Jin have already set out and most probably reached the top of the

mountain ready to hand out the flags.” Mr. Lee pointed at the mountain behind him. “The catch is that there will only be 3

flags at the top. So each team will have to hike/climb fast. There are 3 trails on the mountain and for safety reasons, each

team must choose one and tell us which trail you will take. Okay so the 3 trails are each marked by a color: blue, red, and

white. The blue trail is the easiest trail up, but will take the longest time. The red trail is a bit harder, but also shorter than

the blue trail. And finally, the white trail is the hardest but the shortest of the 3 trails. Each team will now have a minute to

decide which trail to take, before me and the other teachers come around and take count on which trail you will take.” Mr.

Lee finally finished his explanation.

“Okay, so which trail should we take?” Stephen asked me.

“Hmm, well I kinda want to get this done quick so how about the white trail?” I suggested.

“Okay, we can do that, but are you sure, you can handle it? I mean it will probably take a lot of work.” Stephen gave me a

worried look.

“Yeah, I'll be fine. As long as we don't have to run.” I chuckled.

“If you say so.” Stephen agreed.

“Mr. Kim, Ms. Jung, which trail will you take.” Ms. Oh asked.

“We'll be taking the white trail.” I replied.

“Ah I see.” Ms. Oh nodded her head and wrote it down on her clipboard.

After a while, all the teams we're lined up in front of the marked trails. Well, it seems like everyone is too scared to take the

white trail, so only Stephen and I are going. While the majority are taking the red trail, and the small left over on the blue.

“Alright now that the teams are all ready. Everyone on your mark, get, set.......GO!” Mr. Lee blew the whistle and everyone

went off.

-2 hours later-

“Mr. Lee was not joking when he said this trail is challenging.” I complained while almost full on rock climbing with Stephen

just behind me.

The past few hours, Stephen and I have had to go across a small river, hike up multiple steep inclines, and now here we

are almost having to rock climb.

“Yeah, but I think we're almost there.” Stephen agreed.

“We better be, because I'm already tired.” I whined after we reached the flat surface, which again leads up a steep incline.

“Haha just a little bit more Sica.” Stephen chuckled.

“Wait, what did you just call me?” I asked.

“Oh, I decided to call you Sica, since everyone calls you Jessi, I decided to call you Sica.” He smiled.

“Ah I see.” I nodded my head.

“You don't like it?” He pouted.

“No no, I actually like it. It's cute.” I smiled.

How can a guy have a pout as cute as that?!? I mean I've seen Taeng's pout and sure it's cute but not as cute and adorable

as Stephen's. But don't tell Tiff I said that about Tae's pout or else she'll release hellfany on me keke.

“Great, well then let's keep going then Sica.” Stephen smiled and intertwined our hands again, leading me up the steep

path.

An hour or so of more climbing and hiking, Stephen and I finally reached the top of the stupid mountain.

“Ahh our first team is finally here.” Mr. Kang smiled and handed Stephen a pink flag. Yes, okay the flag is pink, don't know

why. But if Tiffany knew, I bet she and Tae probably would have won by now keke.

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