The moment I closed her bedroom door, Taeyeon grabbed me by the collar.

"Explain." Her expression has change to calm but her tone of voice was still firm.

I sighed as I explained to her about what Ms Lee informed me earlier. After all the explanation, Taeyeon walked to her bed and sat down.

"For you to be in this state, she must have meant a lot to you, Jae. I've never seen you losing your focus ever before in any game even if it was a practice match. I don't even have to worry about your commitment to the team because you are always dedicated to the game."

"Taeng, I'm really sorry if I disappointed you. I promised that this is only for a short while. At least until Jessica gets well."

"Do you love her, Jae?" Looking at my blank expression, she continued talking. "Don't tell me you don't have any feelings for her?

"I... I don't know, Taeng. I don't even know if I have the right to have feelings for her. I mean she's already in a relationship."

"But she's better off with you. That is a fact that I'm sure of."

I heard Yuri's voice and  turned around to see her and Sooyoung at the door. The two of them walked in and Yuri flicked me on my forehead while Sooyoung did the same to Taeyeon.

"Yah!!" Both of us started to rub our foreheads while Yuri and Sooyoung just glared at us.

"How could the two of you hide this thing from me and Soo? Jae, I thought you promised that you'll keep us updated about your progress with Jessica and you, Taeng. After knowing about Jae's feelings for Sica, why didn't you inform us about it?"

"It's not Taeng's fault. She asked me before but I wasn't sure about it yet. But the past two weeks, spending time with her made me realise that I might have fallen for her. But she only sees me as a friend I guess."

"I don't think so, Jae. Me, Taeng and Yul has been friends with her since last year and we've never seen her so close to anyone else except Tiffany and Sunny. But it's obvious that they are going to be close since they are dorm mates but you're not even her dorm mate and she's been messaging you almost everyday. I bet she messages you more than Taecyeon."

I look at Sooyoung and pondered about what she said. It' kind of true that she's closer to me compared to the 3 of them even though they knew her longer than me. I sighed and looked at them. "I don' want to put my hopes up. Like I said before, she's someone else girlfriend."

"Okay. We understand that. But let me ask you one question. If she was still single and available, would you go after her?"

I looked at Yuri who asked me that question and nodded my head.

"Guys, we are running away from the main reason as to why I called Jae in to my room. She's been dropped out from the first team. How are we going to get first place without her?" Taeyeon had a worried face on her.

"Taeng, I'm still part of the team except that I'm on the reserves. Furthermore, as the vice captain, don't you think that you should've more faith in your team members. Hyoyeon is a good player and she's been working hard to improve herself. Give her a chance to prove herself."

"But Taeng does have a point, Jae. I know that Hyo is good but she's not as good as you."

"Don' worry, Yul. Starting from tomorrow until the competition, I will train with Hyoyeon every Saturday morning and try to teach her some skills so that she can improve her game."

"If that is the case, why don't we all train together? As the reserve goalkeeper, I also need to improve myself and always be ready to take over the position any time." I looked at Sooyoung and gave her a thumbs up for her idea as all 4 of us agreed to train together.

********************************

I was just about to lie down on my bed when my phone vibrated.

From Jessica:

Are you already asleep?

It has become a habit of mine to smile automatically every time I received a message from her. I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost to midnight.

To Jessica:

Not yet. Why aren't you asleep yet? Too excited about removing your cast tomorrow? :P

From Jessica:

Actually, I've got a favour to ask from you. Initially, Taecyeon had agreed to accompany me but he just messaged me to inform that he had to go back home tomorrow. Tiffany and Sunny already made plans to go out with Taeyeon and Sooyoung since they thought that Taecyeon would be around tomorrow. So if you are free, could you accompany me to the hospital?

Before I could type out my reply to her, I received another incoming text.

From Jessica:

I'm really sorry to have to trouble you especially at a late notice. If you are not free, please don't force yourself to cater to me.

I tried to remember the time for Jessica's appointment tomorrow. I'll be having my training session with the girls from 9am to 11pm tomorrow and after that I won't have anything else to do.

To Jessica:

Your appointment is at 2pm right? I should be free. Don't worry. I'll accompany you tomorrow. So get some rest and have a good night sleep, okay. I'll see you tomorrow then. :P

From Jessica:

Thank you so much, Jae. You are really a good friend to have. Good night to you too.

As I read her message, I felt a sharp pain in my heart. Just like what I predicted. I'm only a friend to her. I put my phone on the side of the bed and sighed. I guess it's better than nothing.

********************************

The 5 of us arrived at the school's sports hall around 8.45am. After changing into our training kits, we proceed to the gym at the second floor to do some warm up exercises and stretchings. I was expecting to see some students there especially the mens futsal team since Jessica told me before that Taecyeon had told her that he has extra practices every Saturday morning. But the gym was totally empty. I was standing there looking confused when Sooyoung called me.

"Hey Jae. What's with the frown? You seem to be in deep thoughts."

"I was just thinking about what Jessica told me before. She said that Taecyeon told her he had extra practices every Saturday morning but I don't see anyone here. Or maybe there's no training since he's going home today."

"I don't remember Eunhyuk telling me that he have extra practices on Saturdays."

I turned to Hyoyeon with a confuse looked. "Who's Eunhyuk?"

"He's a good friend of mine and part of the mens futsal team." Hyoyeon explained to me.

"Wait a minute. Did you say that Taecyeon is going home today? But Fany told me that he was suppose to accompany Jessica to remove her cast. Don't tell me that we've to cancel our double date today, Soo?

"But Sunny didn't inform me of any changes today. Did Tiffany message you of any changes?" Taeyeon shook her head.

"I'll be accompanying her later so you guys can go ahead with your plans. By the way, Yul. I need a favour from you. Can I borrow your car later to send Jessica to the hospital?"

"Sure. But you'll have to accompany me home later since my car is at home. I'll ask my driver to pick us up later. Maybe we'll pick Yoona up too along the way. It's been sometimes since me and her had lunch with my parents."

"How I wish I had a girlfriend too."

All of us turned to look at Hyoyeon who had a poker face on as we about Seohyun since we knew that she's got a thing for that girl. We stopped teasing after about 10mins and start focusing on our training. By the end of 45mins of exercises, all of us were drenched in sweats. We then went down to the pitch to start our ball practice. Sooyoung as the goalkeeper will practice with Taeyeon and Yuri while I'll train with Hyoyeon. Using our duffel bags as replacement for cones, we place it accordingly.

Since Hyoyeon is a fast runner, I try to make use of her strength to overcome her weakness in ball control. I played a one-touch game with her so that she'll be able to at least improve on her passes. After 45mins of going through the drills, I asked Yuri to play as Hyoyeon's partner while I'll be the opposing player. Sooyoung will then continue to train with Taeyeon who wanted to improve her shooting skills. As Hyoyeon and Yuri were passing the ball to each other, I went in to try to steal the ball away from Hyoyeon. At first, due to her nervousness, she kept losing the ball to me. As we progress and after giving her a few pointers, slowly Hyoyeon was able to calm down and gave better passes to Yuri even though she still needs to improve on the direction of the passes.

It was 5mins past 11am when we decided to end the practice. All of us were exhausted but we were happy to be able to improve ourselves.

"Jae, thanks for your help earlier. I still need to improve myself but I'll work harder for the coming competition."

"Hyo, you are improving a lot already. Just be more confident of yourselves and have faith in your skills. Next week we can work on your dribbling skills. One thing I notice about you is that you know your strength is speed so you tend to run around wating for the ball but when it comes to you, you get too excited running with it that you tend to lose the ball easily. We need to work on your composure too."

"Maybe I can ask Yoona to join us next week so that we can have a 3 vs 3 match."

"That's a good idea Yul. Come on, let's go back to the dorm and freshen up."

********************************

It was almost 1pm when I got back to the dorm after taking Yuri's car. After we all freshen up earlier, Yuri's driver came over to fetch me and her. On the way, we picked Yoona up and proceeded to Yuri's house. I greeted Uncle and Aunt Kwon before taking the car keys from Yuri and  drove back to the dorm.

Tiffany, Sunny and Jessica were all gathered at the living room when I arrived at their dorm. I smiled at all the 3 girls and went up to Jessica.

"Ready to go?" Jessica nodded at me but I notice how nervous she was.

"Jae, thanks for your help. After Jessica told us about what happened, I wanted to cancel my date with Taetae but she said that you'll be accompanying her."

"It's okay. You and Sunny could go and enjoy your dates. Taeng and Soo have been looking forward to the date the whole week. Don't worry about Jessica. She'll be in good hands."

"Do you need us to get a cab for you?" Sunny said as she passed me one of Jessica's crutches.

"It's okay Sunny. I borrowed Yuri's car to save us all the hassle. Let's go then." I smiled at Jessica as I wrapped my right arm around her waist to support her while she uses the other crutch on her right arm.

"Bye Tiff, bye Sunny. Enjoy your dates. I'll be fine with Jae so don't worry, okay."

We left the dorm and proceeded to Yuri's car.

 

"Wow.. I didn't know Yuri owned such a posh car."

I helped Jessica into the car, putting on the seatbelt for her before walking to the driver's seat. "Do you like posh cars, Jessica?"

"I like any form of transport as long as there's aircon." She giggled at her own statement as I just chuckled at her.

We arrived at the hospital 10mins before her appointment. As the nurses escorted her into the doctor's room, she gave me a nervous look. I asked her if she wanted me to go in with her and she nodded her head instantly. She was asked to lie down on the bed while the doctor took a small saw-like equipment to cut open the cast. I was standing by the side of the bed and when Jessica saw the mini saw, she quickly grabbed my arm tightly.

"It's okay. It's not going to hurt. Trust me."

Jessica looked up at me with her puppy eyes and pouted. I unconsciously her hair and I think it calms her down even though she was still holding on to my arm tightly. I tried to divert her attention away from the process and within 10mins, it was all done. Even Jessica didn't realise thet her cast was already off. I slowly guide Jessica to the doctor's table to hear for further explanation from the doctor. She's advised not to participate in any kind of physical activity for the next 4 weeks and also to come for her weekly therapy session. She's also advised to be careful since her ankle is still not fully heal yet.

We thanked the doctor and left his room. Jessica was walking as slowly as she could since she's been in a cast for past 2 weeks. When we reached the car, I opened the door for her and waited for her to sit inside before closing the door for her.

"So is there any place that you want to go or do you want to go back to the dorm?"

"Hhhhmm.. Can we go somewhere to eat because I was too nervous earlier that I didn't had my lunch."

I nodded at her and smiled. I drove us to the shopping mall and we went to a western restaurant. After we were seated, we looked through the menu and decided to just order the special set meal each. I called the waiter to have our order taken.

"Can I have two sets of your special set meal along with two glasses of mango juice please. By the way, does the meal have cucumbers in them?"

"They do have cucumber slices in them but not that much."

"Okay, in that case, can I request for both of it to have no cucumber in them. Thank you."

The waiter walked away after taking our orders and I saw Jessica looking at me with a frown. We were seated facing each other.

"Wae? What's with the frown?"

"You don't eat cucumber?"

"I do. But I know you don't and I also know that you hate even the smell of it so that's why I requested for both of it not to have cucumber in it. I don't want you to have to endure the smell when you talk to me later."

"Thanks, Jae. You're really thoughtful. If it was Taecyeon, he won't even bother to do all this."

I just smiled at her and talked about other things just to stop her from talking about Taecyeon. After eating, we went around the shopping mall before we decided to get back to the dorm around 7pm.