18. 

    Friday.    The big match day, the second game of the season, the home opener, the first home match for the Eagles, was imminent. The whole town seemed to be affected by the upcoming game; the teachers gave them less homework so they could watch the game, and everyone seemed to talk faster, eat faster, walk faster.    Kyungsoo's team had gone from nowhere in the league all the way to the countries' twenty top teams, and excitement poured out of him like sunshine through fine white linen; he glowed from the inside out. The smile that cracked his face was brighter than it had ever been before. He just had a good feeling about the day, nothing that felt this right could possibly go wrong. It just couldn't. They had trained hard and today their hard work would will pay off.    The anticipation which engulfed him, however, was a nervous kind of energy. It tingled through him like electrical sparks on the way to the ground, gathering in his toes. Before he knew it he was under starters orders and he positioned himself for the huddle, taking in the familiar surrounding.    Kyungsoo was dreaming with his eyes wide open. The roar of the fans before him became the roar of his dream wave, magnified, sending his spirit soaring. He savoured the fresh air; his was his place, his time. He scrunched his toes in his shoes, fixing his attire. A few hours before the doctor had allowed him to play, but advised him to be careful and not to do risky maneuvers.    The  Wolves Quartback was resting against the wooden bench with a face of utter nonchalance, as if he were merely waiting for the game to start. He's almost smiling - smiling as if something good were about to happen.    Jongin, since he was an official member of their team, was allowed to stand next to his team mates on the field. He was only a few yards away, watching his movements.    A couple of minutes left until the opening whistle, he could feel the nausea creeping up. His breath became hitched. They could do it.     "Kyungsoo!", Jongin called out, getting immediately the attention from the Middle Linebacker.    "Y-Yes?"   "If your team wins, we have a date."    Sometimes mere words can motivate you to achieve the impossible; words do have that kind of impact.     "Good evening, folks! This is the first premier league game staged in Busan. The Eagles had a bad start, but it was expected against the current champions. Coach Park is going to introduce ourself a new Defensive End, Hyungsik."    Kyungsoo faced the green grass, waiting for the referee to open the game. A date with Jongin, his favourite football player.  The whistle echoed through the arena, the match has officially begun.    "Down, Set, Hut!", the Quarterback of the opposing team screamed and his players launched to the uncovered field behind him.  The Wild Receiver stood a few metres away from him, in order to catch the ball from his teammates. Analysing the play, Kyungsoo jumped to capture the ball.    Safety points. They were leading.    As the game progressed, they used every opportunity to get the ball - Kyungsoo used all of his willpower to run as fast as he could and tackle every opposing player with his body.                                        *"*   "They were rumoured to be the underdogs for this match, however, they have proven their worth to us. The Eagles won. Congratulations on winning!"    There is a hint of the victor in the smile surrounded by stiff cheeks; not the supple grin of a friend, but the joy of the enemy after the battle is won. "You better have planned out our date very well, Jongin."    "I did", Kai replied, watching the football player. He was mesmerising in every way. The faint glimmer of the lights ghosted over his pale skin and eyes as deep as the heart of the sea, lips as sweet as strawberries.    Kyungsoo stood in front of him, hopping from one foot to the other like a little girl, and he was not ashamed one bit. He was deliriously happy, giddy even. This day had been the best of his life, the best in his eighteen years on earth. He felt pumped, excited, more alive than he had ever thought possible. All the mundane worries of his life had been muted and all there was to know about was this moment. They had won, the first three points and their position was now currently number thirteen from twenty.    "Don't you want to celebrate your triumph with your teammates?"   "No, I would rather enjoy my victory with you, Jongin," Kyungsoo reach up and pecked his cheek.    It was just a kiss. Not a passionate one on the lips, but a simple cheek kiss. It was just a kiss, but it was one that made his heart beat a million miles an hour; one that left him weak at the knees; one that made his brain freeze. It was in this moment that he realised he loved him.   Poets often described love as an emotion that we can't control, one that overwhelms logic and common sense. An emotion which overcomes differences. That's what it was like for Jongin. He didn't plan on falling