10mins into the game, the ball was in our possession. Hyoyeon dribbled towards the opponents by the side. Me and Taeyeon run forward while Yuri stayed back to defend. As Hyoyeon approached the semicircle, she looked up and crossed the ball towards Taeyeon but the ball was too high for her. I then saw an opponent pushing Taeyeon aside as she came down from her jump and a few seconds later, the referee blew the whistle. The player was shown a yellow card for the foul on Taeyeon as I rushed to her side.

"Taeng, gwenchana?" Taeyeon was holding on to her left ankle. She must have landed the wrong way when the opponent pushed her earlier.

"Jae, I still want to play. Even though it hurts a bit, I can still play. At least let me score a goal." Taeyeon grabbed my arm as I frowned. I turned to see Sunny getting ready to enter and also Tiffany who had a worried look on her face.

"Taeng, get it treated first. I'm not going to allow you to aggrievate the injury. Sunny!!!" I signalled to Sunny to come in as she ran to my side. She saw that Taeyeon's ankle had swollen a bit as I helped Taeng up. Both of us then brought Taeyeon to the reserve bench.

Ms Lee called for a time-out as all the girls gathered together. Sunny informed her that Taeyeon might not be able to play at the moment as she had sprained her ankle. Ms Lee then asked Clara to take over my place and I'll play as the pivot. As the rest of the girls ran back to their positions, I saw Taeyeon looking upset. I was determined to score at least one goal before half time for Taeyeon's sake.

5 minutes later, we were surging forward with Clara running to the centre of the pitch. She heard Hyoyeon asking for the ball from the corner and she quickly lobbed the ball to her. The moment Hyoyeon received the ball, she crossed it low into the semicircle as I flung myself forward. With a flick of my head, the ball spun into the bottom corner of the goal post. I felt a sharp pain near my right temple but when I heard them screaming 'goal', I stood up immediately. That was when I felt liquid trickling down my face and was shocked to see drops of blood on my kit. It seems that after I flicked the ball away, the goalkeeper was not able to withdraw her tackle in time, causing her boot studs to hit me on my temple which resulted in a cut.

The rest of the girls panicked as they saw the blood flowing down and ran towards me. At the same time, I heard Yuri shouting for Sunny to come over. I tried to stop the bleeding by putting pressure on the cut as the referee instructed me to go to the side to get it treated since the game needs to continue. Sunny arrived and dragged me to the reserve bench. Ms Lee came to our side and asked Sunny about my condition. Ms Lee then asked Yoona to go on to the pitch immediately to take over my place as our team was currently down one player. Sunny cleaned my cut and bandaged my head as Ms Lee walked back to her place near the sides of the pitch.

"Yah, pabo!! Don't tell me you didn't see the goalkeeper making a sliding tackle towards the ball? How could you still continue to head it?" Taeyeon was nagging at me as I just meronged at her.

"It was a chance I need to take Taeng. At least we have a goal advantage now." I teased Taeyeon by brushing my ankle against her injured ankle.

Suddenly, I felt a sudden coldness in my spine as I slowly turned behind to find Jessica staring at me with a deadly glare and her arms folded across her chest. Taeyeon saw it too and whispered to me.

"I think the Ice Princess is going to freeze you to death." She chuckled at me as I smiled nervously at Jessica who was walking towards me.

"You saw the tackle coming but you still wanted to put yourself in danger. What if your injury was worse than this?" Jessica asked me as she continued to stare but I saw a glint of worry in her eyes. I pouted and looked down, feeling guilty. "I understand that this is a big game for all of you but you shouldn't endanger yourself in this manner. Your team still needs you and that includes you, Taeng."

Taeyeon who initially was gigglingly at me being nagged at by Jessica, stopped giggling. She realised that she had also tried to be stubborn by wanting to stay in the game and would have aggrievate her injury if not because of me. Tiffany who was seated beside Taeyeon all this while nodded her head as she agreed with what Jessica said.

We heard the referee blew the whistle and the 4 of us turned to look at the pitch. Our team had conceeded a penalty due to a late challenge by Yuri. The opponent scored the goal and the score is now level at 1-1. Both me and Taeyeon sighed as we watched Ms Lee facepalming herself. 1 minute later, the whistle was blown for half-time. The cheerleaders went in to perform while the rest of us gathered around Ms Lee.

Everyone was looking upset after losing the goal advantage. Yuri kept apologising for giving the penalty as all of us assured her that it was not her fault. With Taeyeon and me injured at the moment, the girls were not confident of getting the winning goal. Furthermore, the opponent look like the better side at the moment. Ms Lee's instruction was to defend well and counter-attack. Soon, the match resumed as the girls return to their position. The next 10mins, both team kept passing the ball around as they tried to break the defensive wall of each other. Since Yoona and Clara had not played with each other before, the understanding between the 2 of them was not that smooth. Ms Lee was getting restless as she kept walking up and down.

I stood up and walked towards the side of the pitch. "Ms Lee, let me play. My injury is just a minor one and Sunny already bandaged it well."

"In that case, let me play too." Taeyeon said as she wobbled slightly towards us.

"Yah, Taeng! How do you expect to play when you can't even walk properly?"

"But.. but.." Taeyeon was not able to complete her sentence when Tiffany came and pulled her by the ear.

"Taetae, how could you even think of aggrievating your injury?" Tiffany frowned at Taeyeon.

"Taeng, it's okay. Listen to Tiffany." I said. Taeyeon nodded her head as both of them walked back to the bench. I turned to Ms Lee who seemed like she's thinking of something.

Ms Lee then gave a signal for a time-out. The girls gathered as I stood beside Ms Lee. When Ms Lee said that she's going to replace Yoona with me, Clara suddenly volunteered to be substituted. She said that she's thankful of the chance to play in the finals but she thinks that the team has a higher chance of winning with Yoona and Jae in it. As I get ready to enter the pitch, Jessica came up to me and asked me to be careful. I smiled at her and nodded my head.

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

Everyone was starting to get anxious as the game showed a remaining of only 4 mins while the score remains at 1-1. The opponents were rushing forward as they kept passing the ball around. As they tried to pass the ball across the pitch, Yoona managed to intercept the ball as she rushed forward. Seeing Yoona moving forward, Hyoyeon and me ran slightly behind her. The opponents needed to take some time to get back in position as Yoona, Hyoyeon and me were really fast runner.

I saw Yoona kicked the ball hard towards the goal but the goalkeeper manage to punch it out. The ball ended up at Hyoyeon's feet as she was the first one to react to the ball's movement. I quickly called for the ball as Hyoyeon lobbed it towards me. I forgot that I had a head injury as I stopped the ball with my head. I felt the stinging pain again but I continued playing as I brought the ball down to my feet. By then the opponent had already re-group as Yoona and Hyoyeon each had an opponent guarding them. Due to the earlier hit by the ball, I could feel blood trickling down the side of my forward. The bandage must have shifted a bit. I had no choice but to send a cross in as I hold my temple and prayed for a miracle.

"Gooaaaallll!!!!" I opened my eyes when I heard Sooyoung shouted. I saw all the girls runnng towards me as I was still cofused about what had happened.

"Omo omo omo.. You're bleeding. Sunny!!!" Hyoyeon shouted as she was the first one to reach me. The rest of the girls told me to sit down on the floor as we waited for Sunny to arrive. Sooyoung then explained that when I was about to cross the ball, Yuri had actually surged forward with no one guarding her, scoring a volley from the cross.

As Sunny redressed my injury, my head was spinning not because of the injury but due to Taeyeon and Jessica who took turns to nag at me. I stood up when Sunny was done and flicked Taeyeon on the forehead before turning to face Jessica. She looked scared as she closed her eyes thinking that I was going to flick her too. I bend down slightly and whispered in her ear.

"Should I give you a kiss instead?" I smiled at her as Jessica suddenly opened her eyes and blushed.

"Yah!! What was that for?" Taeyeon pouted as she rubbed her forehead.

I heard Ms Lee calling us for the award giving ceremony. I put my arms around Taeyeon's neck and dragged her away as I continued grinning cheekily at Jessica who seemed to have frozen in the same spot.

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

Jessica's POV:

I was so upset with Jae when I saw that her wound had started to bleed again. I've already told her to be careful. I started nagging at her while Sunny was changing her bandages. Taeyeon joined in as both of us let out our worries. I saw her standing up and flicking Taeyeon's forehead. Omo, did both of us made her angry by nagging too much? I was preparing myself to be flicked when I felt her hot breath near my ear. 'Should I give you a kiss instead?' My heart starts to beat very fast when I heard her asking me that as I could feel my cheeks burning. Did she mean what she said? Is she really planning to kiss me? I was about ask her but she had walked away to attend the award ceremony. 

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

Ms Lee informed us that they will be a mini celebration held for us on Monday at the school sports hall as we gathered in front of the bus the moment we reached our campus. She said that even though the summer break officially starts on Monday, she hope that everyone would be able to attend the gathering to celebrate the team being crowned as champion in the competition. Everyone then went their separate ways except for the 10 of us. All of us decided to proceed to the cafetaria to have our own mini celebration. We sat at our usual round table while Sooyoung and Sunny had volunteeed to get us some cakes and drinks. 

"Hey Jae, why did you flick my Taetae's forehead earlier? I don't like it when you hurt her." Tiffany pretended to glared at me before she broke into a smile.

"That's because she nagged too much at me earlier." I meronged at Taeyeon.

"That's not fair. Jessica nagged at you too but she didn't get a flick like me." Taeyeon folded her arms across her chest, trying to show her unhappiness.

"She's different." I answered as the rest of the girls began to tease me and Jessica.

"Wae? Where you planning to kiss her instead?" Yuri teased me as I looked at her with wide eyes. "Omo omo omo.. Your expression looks like you've actually thought about it, Jae. Am I right?"

I glanced at Jessica who was seating beside me, trying to keep a poker face with her pouted lips while I was rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly. Sooyoung and Sunny came back with the food and drinks so for the next 5mins, I was saved from any teasing but I didn't expect it to continue.

"Jae must be an expert in kissing girls then." It was Hyoyeon's turn to tease me.

I saw Jessica looking at me with skeptical eyes as I quickly shook my head. "Anni.. anni.. I've never kissed a girl before."

"Don't lie, Jae. Remember during one of our confessions in middle school, you admitted to me and Yuri that you've given your first kiss away to a girl before. The one that you said looked like an angel." Taeyeon said as she gave Yuri a high-five.

"Yes, yes. The angel with leopard prints was what you said." Yuri added on as they both laughed at me.

"Angel with leopard prints?" Sooyoung asked as she stuffed a piece of cake into .

"The girl was wearing a leopard prints top." I replied.

"Where did you meet her and how old were you when you gave your first kiss away?" Sunny asked as she distributed the drinks to everyone.

"I was 7yrs old when I went back to the States to follow my parents to attend a Christmas party. There's where I met her and... " I couldn't finish my sentence when Taeyeon intercepted me.

"And she can clearly remember all of it since she told me and Yuri about it when the 3 of us were already 13yrs old, around 6yrs later. Can you believe it?"

"Yah!! Stop it. Enough. Just for the record, she's the only girl I've kissed so far. Let's just not talk about something in the past." I said as I sighed and looked down while the girls laughed at me, except for Jessica who seemed lost like always.

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

I had just finished my shower and was lying on my bed when my phone rang. I sat up and grabbed my phone from the table.

Jae: Annyeonghaseyo.

Dad: Hello, Jae. Are you busy now?

Jae: Appa!! How are you? I'm just lying down on my bed. Nothing to do.

Dad: I heard about your team winning the championship. Congrats to you. I believe you and your team deserve it.

Jae: Wow, Appa. Did you put a spy on me? How did you know about it when I haven't even tell you?

Dad: Well, the school called to invite me for the celebration on Monday. That''s how I was able to know but I had to reject them since I'm quite busy at the moment.

Jae: I understand, Appa. By the way, since you've already called, I guess it's a good time to tell you about the issue that I need your help with.

I started to tell my dad about the whole situation with regards to whatever that is happening to Jessica. When I finished talking, I heard my dad sighed.

Dad: I understand that you want to help her, Jae. Even though it's only 500 million won, I'm actually reluctant for you to withdraw it from your savings account. I've already said before that you can only used the money once you've reached the age of 21yrs old.

Jae: But Appa, that will only be next year. She's already suffering a lot right now. How can I allow her to continue suffering for one more year? Appa, can't you reconsider it?

Appa: I'm sorry, Jae. It's a promise that I made with your Omma with regards to your savings account. I could help if it was something else but not this. I've got some work to do right now. Get some rest okay. Good night, Jae.

I hung up my phone feeling dejected. If only Omma is still around, I believe she could help me to persuade Appa. But since she's no longer around, there's no one to do that. Wait a minute... There is someone who could persuade Appa. But I don't have his number. Aiisshhh.. What should I do now.

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

Jessica's POV:

Tiffany and Sunny had asked me if I wanted to go up to to their girlfriends' dorm for breakfast and I quickly agreed. It's not because of Jae but because I was scared that I'll be bored alone in the dorm. Well, maybe meeting Jae is a small part of the reason too. The 3 of us arrived soon at their door and Taeyeon was the one who opened it for us. As I walked into their living room, I saw Sooyoung already seated at the dining table with Yuri. Taeyeon told us to have a seat first while she brings out the kimchi fried rice that she had cooked from the kitchen. My eyes were looking around to look for Jae as I thought she was in the kitchen but Taeyeon came out alone. Soon the 6 of us were eating quietly as I restrain myself from asking about Jae.

"Taetae, where's Jae? Don't tell me she's still sleeping?" Tiffany asked.

"Jae left for the States today morning around 4am. She didn't tell anyone of us, only leaving a note saying that she needs to fly back urgently." Taeyeon replied.

"Did something happen back home that she needs to return urgently?" It was Sunny's turn to ask.

"Not that we know of." Sooyoung answered as she continued eating.

"Does that mean she won't be attending the celebration tomorrow? And I wonder if her injury is okay?" Everyone turned to look at Jessica as she waited for any reply.

"She didn't say how long she would be there so we are not sure about that and I think she should be okay. So don't worry." This time round, Yuri was the one who answered it.

Jessica sighed and slumped in her seat. Yuri noticed that Jessica didn't finish up her food as she stood up and walked to the living room. Jessica waited for the rest to finish up stared out of the window.

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

I took a cab straight away the moment I exited the airport. I told the driver my destination and 45mins later, I was standing in front of a familiar looking building. 'Ken Fitness Studio' was clearly shown on the front door. I smiled as I rushed into the building to look for the only person that I hope could help me.

"Uncle Ken!!" the old man turned around with a shocked look when he heard my voice. He stopped teaching the boy in front of him who was running on the treadmill.

"Jae? I thought your dad told me that you are in Korea and what's with the bandage?"

"I was. Until a few hours ago. I had a cut in my temple during a game yesterday but I'm fine." I smiled cheekily at him before hugging him. He turned to his assistant to say a few things before he gestured me to follow him to his office.

"So tell me, what are you doing here, Jae?" He sat down on his chair and leaned back.

"Uncle Ken, I need your help to persuade Appa." I sat down in front of him and showed my puppy eyes.

"Persuade your Appa? Wae?" He looked confused with my request as I started to tell him about Jessica's situation.

"So you're saying that you want to help this girl who is a good friend of yours to get out from this arranged marriage by clearing her family's debt with the guy's family. You couldn't wait until next year because the guy doesn't treat her well and she's suffering in silence." 

I kept on nodding my head as Uncle Ken tried to understand the whole situation.

"What makes you think that I can persuade your Appa, Jae?"

"Because my Appa listens to you and treat you like a brother-in-law. Appa always tell me that he will forever be indebted to you because if not for your help to assist Omma in doing well in her studies, Appa won't have the chance to meet Omma in the university."

"Aisshhh.. That man. How can he think that way? Your Omma worked hard to achieve all that she deserve. I only assisted her by looking after her in the orphanage." He sighed.

I smiled at him as I recalled the story that Appa told me before.

Uncle Ken and my Omma grew up together in an orphanage in Korea. Uncle Ken was 3yrs older than Omma and has always treated her like a dongsaeng. Staying in an orphanage was not easy at all. Financially unstable, the kids there need to learn to be independant. Food and school supplies were limited. The chances of orphans leaving the orphanage to be adopted is almost to zero. Omma was a bright student unlike Uncle Ken but he was the one who worked hard to do a lot of part-time jobs to get the money to support my Omma's studies. He wanted Omma to do well in life since he himself was not good in studies. Omma managed to further studies until university where she met Appa.

I only knew the story until the part where Appa and Omma got married after graduation where both of them moved back to the States. Come to think of it, I didn't really know much of Uncle Ken's past history except that my Appa really looked up to him. By the way, Uncle Ken is also my boxing instructor. Coming back to the States after Omma's death, Appa was the one who asked me to take up boxing to fill up my time and that was when he introduced me to Uncle Ken.

"Jae, this girl that yo're talking about. She's not just a good friend of yours right?"

"She's... she's a.. a special person to me." I shyly smiled at Uncle Ken who started to laugh.

"If you have feelings for her, just say it out. Love is a beautiful thing that shouldn't be kept hidden." Uncle Ken ruffled my hair as he continued laughing.

"But.. but.. she's a girl. I didn't mean to hide it from you, Uncle Ken. I'm just afraid of your reaction."

"Even though I've only watched you for the past 3 yrs that you were here, I can guarantee that you can take care of any girl as good as a guy. Maybe much better than them. Furthermore, your late Omma already told me about you liking girls way before we met. You forgot that me and your parents still keep in contact all these years, is it?"

I grinned dorkily at Uncle Ken. "So will you help me Uncle Ken?"

"Hhhmmm... Let me call your dad 1st and at the same time, let's have dinner together. By the way, does he know that you're here?" I shook my head and scratched the back of my head. "Aigoo this kid. Coming all the way here with a bandaged head, just to ask for help for a girl. I wonder how great that girl is."

2hrs later, Uncle Ken and I were waiting for my dad at a restaurant when I saw him walking in. He was ushered to our table by the waiter and I saw Appa staring sternly at me. I gulped down my saliva and looked down.

"Soo Ri-ah, are you trying to swallow up your daughter with your stare?"

"Anni, Hyung. I'm just upset that she came all the way here without informing me and didn't even tell me that she had an injury." Appa shook his head as he sat down to join us. Soon the waiter came and took our orders.

"Appa, minhae. I was in a rush to look for Uncle Ken that I came straight away from the airport and it's only a small cut." I tried to explain my actions.

"Soo Ri, Jae had already explained everything to me. Why can't you just allow her to withdraw the money from her savings account?"

"Hyung, I've already promised her Omma that I would only allow her to do that once she reached 21yrs old. If she really needs the money, she will have to find a way to get it. But is it really worth it, Jae? I know you have feelings for that girl which is why you really wanted to help her but what if she only treats you as a friend? I don't want you to get hurt."

"Soo Ri, the real reason why you don't allow Jae to withdraw the money is because you're afraid of her getting hurt right?" Uncle Ken asked to which Appa nodded.

"But Appa, even if she treats me as a friend..." I about to continue talking when the food arrived.

The 3 of us ate our dinner in silence as everyone was busy with their own thoughts. I didn't have the appetite to finish my food as I put down my utensils and slumped into the seat.

"All I want is for her to be happy again. With all that had happened in her past, I think she deserve to at least be happy from now on. Even if her happines is not with me, as long as she's happy. " I looked at both my dad and Uncle Ken.

"I can see that she really means a lot to you. What's the name of this girl who had managed to capture your heart, Jae?" Uncle Ken asked as he smiled warmly at me.

"Her name is..." We were interrupted by the sound of Uncle Ken's phone. He excused himself for a while before coming back with a wide grin. 

"Jae, I think I have a way to help you to get the money that you need."