CHAPTER 12

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I had practically fallen asleep the second my head hit the pillow. However, I felt severely sleep deprived the next morning. Minseok had woken up before I did and started going about his routine. I listened to the floor creek as he walked across the room to his dresser and slid the drawer out. I couldn’t even open my eyes to see what he was doing or to look at the clock. All managed to do was roll over on to my stomach and burry my face in the pillow.

“Hey bud, I’m heading over to the dining hall. You want me to get you anything? Breakfast is only being served for another hour.” Minseok’s hand came down the back of my leg and gave it a quick shake.

I groaned into the pillow. If breakfast was almost over that meant it was around ten o’clock. I was surprised I’d slept that long.  

“I’ll take that as a no. I’ll save you some eggs and a juice anyway. We’ve got practice this afternoon, so you should eat something.”

There was no way I was getting the chance to be lazy this summer. “Orange juice please. I’ll be down in a little bit,” I gave a muffled reply.

After Minseok left, I decided to take my time getting ready. Knowing that I had food waiting for me didn’t encourage me to move any faster. The clock wasn’t working against me. I didn’t need to worry about Minseok walking back through the cabin door any time soon. I could breathe easy. I relaxed on the bed for another ten minutes before finally flinging my sheet back and sliding my legs off the side of the bed. Since I knew I had soccer practice this afternoon, I figured I’d get ready early. It would save me from sneaking around to change later. Plus, I’d have more time to securely wrap my chest.

Breakfast was relatively stress free. It was so late in the morning that almost everyone had already finished eating. Minseok was almost done when I got there. He had saved me some food, like he said he would. He then told me that I should arrive at practice early since I had the day before. I apologized and said that I would.

As I made my way to the field after eating, I could see a few people already running around on the field, Minseok, Taekwoon, and of course Luhan. I wanted to turn around, but I had already made a promise to come early. I awkwardly waved to them as I approached.

“Hey, Jisoo. I got some extra equipment for you. Shin guards and some socks,” Minseok pointed to a bag sitting on the edge of the bench. Can you two help me get the stuff for practice really quick?” he asked Taekwoon and me.

We followed him over to a little shed. He unlocked the door and opened it up. The smell of must and grass was overwhelming. I immediately regretted agreeing to help.

“Leo, can you find Jisoo some cleats? There should be a box of extras on the back shelf,” Minseok instructed.

I held my breath and followed the boys inside. “What size show do you wear?” Taekwoon asked.

“245,” I croaked out trying to save my oxygen.

He gave me a strange look. “Just breath normally. You’ll kill yourself before the air in here does.”

I released my breath and let out a weak laugh. He saw through me quite easily. Taekwoon turned his attention back to his task and dug guickly through a box before moving onto another. I heard him sigh a few times before he turned around and motioned for me to go out.

“These are the only 245s I could find.” He held up a pair of silver and purple cleats.

I could feel a lump form in my throat. Clearly they were girl’s cleats. How was I supposed to respond? Should I act offended? Would he think that was too childish of me? I thought it was childish.

“Um… those should be fine. My feet are small, so I usually have this problem. As long as they keep my feet safe.”

Taekwoon nodded in understanding. He accepted my reasoning easier than I thought he would. After that, we helped Minseok set up some cones around the field while Luhan stood to the side, flipping through papers on his clipboard.

“Lazy,” I muttered under my breath. I couldn’t help myself. Just the sight of him standing there infuriated me.

Slowly the soccer club member started to arrive. I decided that was as good a time as any to put my new gear on. I sat at the far end of the bench. I took a second to observe what the others were doing, trying to figure out how to put the shin guards on.

Leo jogged by, already starting his warm up. I desperately wished for him to stop and offer me some help. It would have been too much if I asked directly.

I slid into the shin guards, frowning at the way they felt on my legs. I pulled at the Velcro strap across the top, not sure what it was for. I decided to just leave it alone. I pulled on the socks and put my feet into the borrowed cleats. They didn’t feel awful.I walked out to the center of the field where everyone was gathering. Leo was standing at the back of the group with Baro. It was the perfect opportunity to ask for help, so that’s what I did.

“Can either of you tell me if I’ve got these things on right?” I rolled down the top of my socks so they could get a better look.

“The part at the bottom should be covering the sides of your ankle.” Baro crouched down and inspected my work. “That looks fine, but you have to secure the top around your leg too,” he instructed. He pulled at the straps I neglected.

Leo shot me an annoyed look.

“I’ve never played soccer in a formal setting, okay?” I defended myself. “I don’t know how this stuff works.”

“These should be tied tighter too and double knotted.” Baro pulled at the laces on the cleats before standing again. “Are those girl’s cleats?”

Leo spoke up before I had the chance. “His feet are small. I couldn’t find anything else in his size.”

“Well, at least you’ll stand out on the field,” Baro laughed.

“Guys! Centerfield!” Luhan yelled for all team to gather. The speed at which everyone moved was amazing. Luhan either had a ton of respect or everyone feared him.

“For warm up, we’re going to play a little game. It’s going to focus on ball control, so everyone needs a ball. You’re going to navigate the field with your ball, avoiding others and keeping possession. What you want to do is try to knock the ball away from someone else without losing your own. If you lose possession, do ten push-ups on the side, and then you can come back in.”

We all dispersed, grabbing a ball and going to an open spot on the field. Luhan blew his whistle an