“Hey,” I stared at the mismatched tacky, fluorescent shoelaces of the soccer player in front of me before looking up from the floor to see a winsome, cheeky grin, smiling eyes and a whole lot of brown hair. “Choi Haerin-ssi, right?”

If he knew my name, he must be my classmate, together with Somi. I generally did not have a single friend outside my clique because the only person I interacted with on the first day was Somi in my homeroom. I glanced unsteadily at Somi for assurance, but she was already striking up a hearty conversation with Minhyun.

“We’re classmates, if you didn’t know that.” He crossed his arms over his jersey, an amused smile hovering on his lips.

I felt my cheeks getting pink. “Yup, of course I know.” My eyes flickered to his jersey, but damn, their names are written on their back, ugh! I merely shot a -eating grin back at him. “Sorry dude,  I kind of need the toilet right now, talk to you later ‘kay?” I quickly excused myself and stepped past him — towards freedom, the burden lifting from my heart and a little dance in my heart from not having to continue small talk.

Before I stepped away fully, I quickly turned and tried to avert my eyes to the back of his jersey to get his name but to my surprise, he had turned around already, the same teasing look in his eyes. “It’s Park Jihoon.” he grinned cheekily. “You’re welcome.”