“Soonyoung, is something up?” Jihoon stumbled to the ground next to the older boy, hair sticking to his face and breathing heavily.

Looking down at the patch of grass next to him, Soonyoung shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone about his Chan problem right now. Eventually, he knew he would but not at this moment. It had been about a week since they returned back from school and Choyoung and him hadn't talked since. Sure they would see each other on the way to school, after school, and on the way back, but they didn't say much to each other.

Then again, it's not like they had the time to anyway. Now that the school year was almost over, everyone was getting busier and busier. Choyoung was always caught up in scheduled and unscheduled practices with the rest of the play crew while he was busy getting used to the soccer routine once again. His hematoma had completely healed now, and Jihoon would help him after school before play practice to drill him. After that, they would both go to play practice and head straight home. There wasn't much time for talking anyway.

Laying his arm against his forehead, Jihoon stared up at Soonyoung, “There's obviously something wrong if you failed both of our last two Japanese quizzes. Spit it out. I know it's about Choyoung and Chan, so might as well say it now or forever hold your silence,”

“It's 'forever hold your peace', idiot,” Soonyoung rolled his eyes, the corners of his mouth raising a little at his best friend's forgetfulness. Jihoon never failed to amuse Soonyoung even in the most difficult times.

Annoyed, he younger boy lightly punched his thigh and clicked his tongue, “Yah, hyung! That's not my point!”

Lying back on the field grass next to him, Soonyoung rested his head against his arms and looked up at the dimming sky. Even though it was fairly dark out, it was still scorching hot and disgustingly humid. For the past three days, Jihoon and him would arrive to play practice late and dripping wet because they would take showers right after soccer practice. Of course, Soonyoung wouldn't get reprimanded as much as Jihoon did because he was just the understudy.

“It's no big deal really. Something just came up,” he closed his eyes, and focused on his breathing. They had stopped practice half an hour earlier because they wanted to get a few minutes of sleep in before practice. Friday practices were always the worst since Director Jang would always keep them up until seven or eight. She insisted that they had all the time in the world to sleep on the weekends, but we all know that's not true because teachers gave a boatload of homework for the weekends.

Jihoon shot up from the grass and smacked Soonyoung's stomach with the back of his hand, making the older one roll over and groan in pain, “What do you mean 'no big deal'?! If your lover's ex-crush starts intruding in on your love story by kissing and confessing to said lover, you're just going to let him?”

“Where did you hear all that from?” Soonyoung peeked up at Jihoon who looked like smoke was going to come out of his ears pretty soon.

Stuttering, Jihoon cleared his throat and looked away, “Bee might have told me a few things,”

“Good Lord, Bee really can't keep shut,” he rolled over onto his back once again, frowning.

Bee had been bugging him for the past week, trying to squeeze the story out of him, and finally got what she wanted yesterday. She constantly asked him why Choyoung was so out of it, why she seemed to be sad, and lastly, why Choyoung and him seemed to be avoiding each other. Again, it's not like he meant to. They didn't have the time to, and he really wanted Choyoung to sort out her feelings properly without any interference. He didn't think it would help her figure out anything if he was always around her.

“Well aren't you mad?” Jihoon asked, “If I were you, I would already be planning my revenge on Chan!”

Soonyoung shook his head, “That's not right. That would only get her more mad at me,”

“Mad? What's there to be mad about?” the other boy had no idea what Soonyoung was talking about.

Wasn't Choyoung the one who was in fault? The way he understood it was that Choyoung was the one that kissed Chan, and was the one who went to Chan at the campfire. Of course, maybe he was wrong because Bee talked fast and sometimes her weird accent would come out. It surely wasn't Busan especially since he came from there. It sounded a lot like the Daegu dialect.

“What if her feelings start to change for Chan? You know that boy can't get a hold on his hormones!” Jihoon exclaimed, “If you want to get your girl, you must do everything you can to win her heart! Something extravagant so that she won't ever forget you! Or something so bold that she has no choice to run after you!”

Soonyoung stayed quiet. He didn't get why Jihoon was literally just rehashing what happened in typical Asian dramas. Obviously his best friend had been up too many nights, watching them on his laptop when he should have been sleeping. Jihoon always had to go to the extremes. Maybe that's why he didn't have a serious relationship with anyone at least once in his life. He remembered Jihoon once telling him that, “I have an ideal type of girl, but I have yet to find her. In order to find her, I have to experience all types of girls and see which one suits my tastes,” Although it didn't sound like it at first, it screamed 'player' all over.

Since Soonyoung didn't say anything, Jihoon continued on with what he thought was the right thing to do in this situation. Moreso, it was what he would do if he were caught up in a problem like this, “Take her out on a seriously romantic date, scare her with your seduction skills and take her virgi-!”

“I'm not going to take her V-Card before marriage just so I can officially make her mine,” Soonyoung quickly interrupted, knowing what Jihoon was going to say next. Even though that would truly make her 'his Choyoung' that wasn't right for him to do without her consent. Besides, she was underage and there are hundreds of other ways to win her heart that aren't by physical means. Sad that Soonyoung had rejected his plan, Jihoon pouted, “It's a flawless plan,”

“What I'm saying is, I want her to properly think about it for a while, you know...if she likes Chan or me. It's not easy to decide who you like more when your ex-crush confesses to you,” “It , yeah, but I'd rather have a happy Choyoung than a Choyoung who likes me only because I played dirty...literally. Besides, I already told her dad that I'm not that kind of guy,”

Jihoon deeply exhaled as he laid back down, “Wow, Soonyoung. You're truly amazing, you know that? You're so...selfless, it's almost terrifying,”

“Well, I don't know if what I'm doing is right, honestly,” Soonyoung admitted. All this time, he was just going by his gut feeling and what he believed was morally right. He sighed, “Choyoung is my first crush, first love, first kiss, first date - first everything!”

“Everything but your first girlfriend,” Jihoon reminded him, but once he did, his eyes went wide and he immediately took it back. That was a rude thing to say especially since Soonyoung wasn't even in the brightest of moods, “No wait! I mean, she will be though! And you'll be hers too! Her first boyfriend, I mean,”

Amused, Soonyoung laughed at Jihoon and patted him on the arm. If there was something about Jihoon, he spoke before he thought about what he was going to say. Jihoon was just lucky that Soonyoung wasn't a rash kind of guy and would punch anyone in the face if they said something insensitive. They laid there for a while, both with their eyes closed and took in the last rays of the sun against their skin. Although Jihoon was always underneath the sun, he always managed to have the milkiest skin in the school; probably even better skin conditions than all the girls in the school!

“Soonyoung?”

Soonyoung stiffened against the field at Choyoung's voice. He wasn't expecting her to drop by the soccer field – she never did unless she desperately needed something from him. A while back, she promised him that she would only go there when it was necessary. She didn't want the cheerleaders o the rest of his team to think that something was going on between them since she wasn't the type to be interested in soccer anyway.

Getting up from his spot, Soonyoung dusted himself off and saw Choyoung standing by the fence, holding the straps of her backpack a bit nervously. She was still in her school uniform but instead of the blazer, she wore the navy button-down vest. It completely slipped his mind that the girls now wore the summer uniform. Her hair was now tied up into a messy bun instead of the low ponytail she had it in this morning. And considering that her vest buttons were undone, with only her Peter Pan collared blue shirt underneath, she was hot too.

“I see you're back to playing soccer,” Choyoung shyly smiled at him as if this was the first time she was ever talking to him.

Deep down, she was disappointed in herself for not coming to visit him earlier. Stupid unscheduled practices with Seunggwan were eating away at her free time. Honestly, he was so full of himself that he didn't even realize that he was the reason why Beast wasn't looking as manly as he should be. Looking him up and down, she ended up just staring at him in his uniform. He always looked so clean in his uniform. Clapping her hands together, she forced herself to look up at him instead of his body, “Congratulations, you look great as usual. The haircut is nice too,”

Even though he knew that she was just being nice, he still couldn't help but get but butterflies in his stomach when she said that. In fact, he almost forgot that he even got a haircut! It wasn't that different really, just a little shorter so that it wasn't in his line of sight all the time. Although he might not be showing it, he was really glad that Choyoung stopped by before heading over to play practice. Slightly smiling, he rubbed the back of his neck, “Thanks, you're the first one to have noticed actually,”

Soonyoung was surprised that Jihoon was staying put on the ground. Usually, Soonyoung was the type of guy who would jump up at this time and start talking nonsense about how cute they were even when they were supposed to be fighting and mad at each other. His eyes caught her wrist where she still was wearing the heart rate watch he had given her. His heart fluttered, knowing that she didn't just put it away after he yelled at her.

“I know this is sudden, but I feel like I shouldn't just let this pass by without telling you first,” Choyoung walked up to him, standing just a few inches away so that she was looking up at him. Her eyes were still sincere and warm towards him; no longer scared and hurt like it was the other day. She bit her lip, unsure how he would react, “Saron unnie asked me if I could give Chan a chance and let him take me out sometime”

Pursing his lips, Soonyoung slightly nodded, “I see,”

Choyoung bit her lip, wondering if he was going to just brush it off or get mad at her again. She didn't like it when he was mad; he was intimidating and just one glare would make her frozen on the spot. Watching him look bring his eyes down, she could sense that this was making him uncomfortable but she continued anyway, “I just wanted to ask if it was okay with you to say yes if he does ask me,”

“Why are you asking me for permission?” Soonyoung chuckled, lifting the tense atmosphere. Choyoung's eyebrows slightly raised at his reaction; she wasn't expecting him to say that. She didn't know whether she should smile or whatever so she just stood there with a rather confused expression plastered on her face. He placed his hands on her shoulders with a friendly smile playing on his lips, “You act like I'm your dad or something,”

Scoffing, Choyoung turned her head and looked to the left but didn't bother swatting his hands away like she normally would have done. How could he just like that? It took her all of her courage to actually go to him today and ask, and all he did was about it. So much for trying to be a nice person and letting him know first that she would be spending time with Chan at one point. Her eyebrows furrowed together, “I was trying to be serious here!”

Still chuckling, Soonyoung slid his hands off her shoulders, taking her hands in his. He still felt that same sensation that always ran through his body whenever Choyoung would let him hold her hands. They were still petite, dainty, soft as ever, and warm – just the way he liked them. Choyoung looked down at their hands before staring back up at him, still confused to why he was reacting this way. Although she wore a puzzled look, her watch was starting to say otherwise. As Soonyoung continued to stare deeply into her eyes, he heard the first beep of her watch, meaning that her heart rate was starting to change quickly. Eventually, they were both listening to a steady pace of beeps as her rate gradually increased.

“You still like me?” he smirked, watching her cheeks slowly become tinted pink.

Why was he doing this? Soonyoung knew that now wasn't the time for joking, but for some reason, he still felt the need to be himself around her. It was a side that usually came out only when Choyoung or someone he was close to was around him. He wasn't ever this casual even around his parents. Usually he kept things secret from other people, but with Choyoung, he could tell her anything. No matter how many times he may have made her annoyed, she wouldn't do anything to bring him down. He trusted her. But even so, how could he be such a tease when she was nice enough to go out of her way and ask him for permission? Soonyoung ran his thumb along he back of her hand, looking at them longingly. They weren't going to be just held by his hands anymore, but also with Chan's. It broke his heart.

Choyoung looked down, trying to hide her glowing red cheeks from Soonyoung so he would stop teasing her, “Just answer the question, will you?”

Suddenly pulling her into a hug, Soonyoung rested his chin on her head, wrapping his arms around her waist. Surprised, Choyoung could make out his heart beating quickly as she rested her head against his chest. It wasn't a dominating hug, but instead, it was an embrace filled with hope. Almost as if he were saying that he wasn't going to give up. She breathed in the familiar, and comforting scent of soap and grass, feeling her lids starting to close. It was the perfect condition to suddenly fall asleep: warm, comfortable, and in someone's arms. Ever since they had left camp, Choyoung longed to be in his arms again. It was different to wake up without him.

Soonyoung felt a tugging in his chest as he hugged Choyoung, knowing that soon, he would be sharing her with someone else. Even though it was for the better, he couldn't help but feel like what he was going to do was terribly wrong. Right now, he had never felt their hearts closer they ever had before. It brought justice to that saying 'you never really know what you have until it's lost'. Choyoung heard his voice waver in the beginning, “Stupid, of course I'll let you,”

Speechless, Choyoung's eyes widened, astonished that he actually agreed to it. A part of her was thrilled after being given his blessing, but something deep down was pulling her down because she sort of wanted for him to say no. She brought her arms around him, and pulled him closer when she felt her heart starting to crumble at his kindness. This wasn't the first time. In fact, he had given her way so many times before. So many times when he would call in defeat and let her do what she wanted. Like he wanted to let her her learn something for herself. Her bottom lip quivered as she tried to keep herself from crying, “How can you be so patient with me?”

“I love you, that's why,” Soonyoung chuckled, rubbing her back when he could feel her tears starting to soak into his soccer uniform. He could tell that she still wasn't sure about who her heart desired, and it was alrgiht. It took him many years to finally find someone he truly loved, and he didn't want to pressure her to decide right now. No one should have to make a split decision on something like that.

Slowly rocking her back and forth, he couldn't help but smile at Choyoung, acting and crying like a little kid in his arms. She seemed to be crying a lot nowadays, and honestly he didn't like it. He wanted her to be happy, not sad. But maybe these were tears of happiness? He really couldn't tell at this point. She would often put up a cold front to hide away, but really, she was just lost. Soonyoung knew that she had never expreienced something like this, and it was normal to cry, but he promised himself that this would be the last time she would shed tears. Chan was a good guy, and he knew that before Choyoung were able to shed a single tear, Chan would already be there to comfort her. That he was sure of.

Soonyoung could hear her whimpers, as she tried to stop herself. She didn't know what to think right now. She felt terrible for having to put him through this, but at the same time she promised Saron that she would give Chan a chance. Choyoung believed that she was nothing but trouble. Pulling back, he lifted her head up to look at him; her eyes already red and puffy from shedding just a few tears. Taking a blue handkerchief from his back pocket, Soonyoung wiped away her tears, whispering to her that she shouldn't be crying.

Smiling, Soonyoung held her hands once again, ignoring a crawling Jihoon who was already halfway underneath one of the bleachers, trying to listen in on their conversation, “It's okay if your heart hasn't made a decision yet. I can wait. No matter how long I have to wait for an answer, I'll wait,"

author's note : i'm sorry that the chapter was really short and uneventful! don't worry though, will probably be the last of any heartfelt, serious talking for now. everything has been so tense in the story lately ;A; i promise that it'll get better from here on in.

hahaha - this is only the beginning ;)