The sunlight waned. Soccer practice began right after the awkward banter between Myungsoo, Woohyun and me. I had plenty of time on hand, seeing that Woohyun has dragged me all the way to the field. I took the time to analyze the soccer team’s formation, avoiding Myungsoo. I was afraid. Terribly afraid. I didn't want him to fulfill his promise to have a 'one on one' soccer training with me, Park Niel. All that I could think about was by how easy it would be for him, to recognize Park In-Na. Myungsoo has an eye for such details, and most probably be able to recognize my footwork. I shuddered by the thought, distracting my mind to something else.

Since I was after all the studious freak and have earned the term, the water-boy, I’ve enumerated them.

• Myungsoo (striker and captain)
• Woohyun (left forward)
• Hoya (right forward)
• Sungjong (center midfield)
• Sungyeol (center midfield)
• Junghan (left midfield)
• Taehyun (right midfield)
• Daeryong (right wing defender)
• Soryong (left wing defender)
• Sunggyu (center defender) 
• Dongwoo (goalkeeper)

Eleven players in total. Comparing them to the miniature-sized female street soccer team, back in Seoul High, instinctively - I felt pathetic.

Hopeless. How was I supposed to save my team when I'm trapped?

Dreams remained unfulfilled.

“Woohyun, go work on your foot drill and warm ups,” Myungsoo ordered the left forward striker to get started on his drills. “Guys, we need to get our heads in the game. We are left with exactly two more weeks before the big game against Seoul High.”

Myungsoo averted an intensifying gaze to the rest of the team, expressing his worries. Given by the look on his face, the pressure was in for the team. Myungsoo especially. I was watching by the sideline, attentively picking up the drills used that would be beneficial for the girl’s street soccer team.

Woohyun rammed a ball to the concrete wall that's situated at the side of the field, practicing his passing. Sungyeol was happily chatting with Sunggyu, sharing the latest sports news. Dongwoo, the team’s goalkeeper looked half-awake. Hoya being the right forward striker was already set in working on his tackling with Sungjong. Sungjong, who takes the role as the center midfield, was equally focused.

“Daeryong and Soryong, pair up with Sunggyu-Hyung and Sungyeol. Defender against midfielder. Individual warm ups and drills for now. We will begin with five versus five drill in twenty minutes.”

"Welcome back, captain," Sungyeol grinned, followed by boisterous cheers. "Get your head in the game. Ballerina's out of the picture."

"We have to freaking win this!" Woohyun shrilled in excitement from his dribbling position. "Myungsoo, I'm proud of you!" 

My lips curled. I found myself smiling at the scene.

 

Myungsoo scrunched up his face, lightly pouting as I refused to answer him. He has been bugging me about the whole ‘what time did you wake up’, ‘did you remember’ and ‘who woke you up’ topic. Underneath that cold, I-don’t-give-a-care image that Myungsoo has, oh boy, you wouldn’t imagine the diversity. Somewhere in that nutshell, lies a motor mouth. He talks – a little too much.

Being the strong-headed Park In-Na, I chose to remain silent, hoping with all my might that he would shut his gap.

“Did you tell him?” Myungsoo questioned, grabbing the water bottle that has been placed on the wooden bench. He spoke in a low tone, sheltering his eyes from the glaring sunlight. I squirmed in the heavy sweat suit, my mouth twitched into a faint snarl.

“Tell who?” I responded, having this urge to slip away from his eyes. His eyes were trailing my annoyed expression. Reason being? He has dragged me to the far end of the soccer field, insisting that I should be keeping the promise. I didn’t remember making any promises. That boy – has issues. Myungsoo has serious issues. Oh wait. I too, have issues.




Myungsoo dribbled the soccer ball, shifting his gaze from the ball towards my feet. He did an instep kick, passing it over to me. I halted my steps, moving away from the ball.




“Woohyun,” he chuckled. “Did y