17 | Rain

 

***

 

Seoul, South Korea - 

 

One man is currently in his leather seat, doesn't know what to think of the photos he is apparently staring at. Couple of photos of his daughter and another girl in Paris. It's not surprising she had been captured again by paparazzi but it's surprising for him that there's another girl involved he is yet to know who.

 

"His Majesty." A man entered his office bowing deep in respect for him. He averted his eyes for him.

 

"So who is the girl, Shin?" asks him softly and calmly.

 

The said man, one year older than him handed him a folder. "Im Yoon Ah is the crown princess' childhood friend, his majesty."

 

"Childhood?" By the mention of the term, he hastily took the folder and opened it - in which he discovers a profile of the girl. He recalled all his daughter's story about this girl he met in the hospital. "So this her after years."

 

"You heard it right, his majesty. She's the girl the princess have been longing to see after that encounter in the hospital. I thought this wouldn't happen but... It's happening. And It's ridiculous how it took so many years before they see each other again."

 

"Whoa, so she's a captain in Dongguk University's football team. Yeri had been talking about a football player in her school, is this the same girl?" He somehow got interested of her after reading her profile.

 

"Um... Apparently yes."

 

"What a small world, indeed." Looking back to the photos in the monitor of his laptop, a smile creeps in his lips. "So Peng and Yoongie meet again. Isn't this some kind of a fate or what? I mean, for two persons that barely know each other... it looks like someone is making efforts to give them another chance to know each other. Although it took years, the wait will be worth. Because base in these photos, both girls haven't forgotten each other." He flashed the head of his palace a cheerful smile. 

 

Speechless, Director Shin just smiled. He thought the king would asked more about Yoona, but turns out not. He looks like he liked what he is staring. He's the father after all. He will always be happy whatever his daughter is currently happy.

 

"But these paparazzi are once again... a pain in the a**. They'll publish these photos if I won't pay them. Aigoo, my princess and her Yoongie, enjoying Paris... not knowing paparazzi are around."

 

"Our team is taking action on it already, his majesty. There wouldn't be any photos that will publish, I assure you that."

 

"Yeah, I know I can count you on that." The King smiled.

 

"Um.. So that's it? I mean, you will not ask more about Yoona?" Director Shin still can't believe. He feels like the king is already trusting the girl being near with the princess.

 

"I know this kid can be trusted. If my princess is smiling like this cheerfully, I'm with her. She looks like a decent girl. She doesn't have bad records in her profile to think... this is enough for me. But don't stop looking over the two. You know paparazzi will not stop." 

 

Nodding, Director Shin is now convinced. "Unfortunately, they're not together anymore. They separated in Paris, his majesty. I tried to trace her, but I can't anymore." Thus, he needed to tell the current situation as well.

 

"Chincha?"

 

"But I've heard from the princess, she's going the same country as her. I don't know if it's indeed fate as what you've mentioned, but I guess they'll meet there for sure."

 

Another big smile plastered in the King's face. "That's good then. My princess will not be alone. Looking forward to meet this kid soon."

 

"We have another problem, his majesty." Director Shin hesitantly mentioned, earning a blank stare from the King. "Your daughter, princess Joohyun... she's hiding her identity from Yoona."

 

"What?!" The King exclaimed, almost thought the princess had been known to Yoona. "What is she doing?!"

 

"Yoona-ssi. She looks like she doesn't know about the royal family, his majesty. I think that gives the princess a reason to hide her identity. But she promised, once she's ready, she'll tell her friend."

 

The King sighed as he looked at his daughter again through the photos. He chuckle softly, finding it funny for instance. "She's really doing something weird, isn't she? I didn't expect she would do this to someone she had been longing to see."

 

"I didn't expect it as well. However, it seems she wanted to also see to it that Yoona will be really a good friend, not because of her status in life, but as her - as Seo Joohyun."

 

"She sounds like she doesn't trust Yoona in that idea of yours. But I hope not. And I hope this will goes well. Good luck, my princess." The King sighed, leaning his back on his seat. Eyes couldn't leave from his daughter's photos. 

 

"By the way, Daniel will send his report again this Sunday, his majesty. Look forward to it." 

 

"Daniel had been doing well with his job, eh? He's not only just a good looking bodyguard, indeed."

 

"And the princess is getting comfortable with his new bodyguards, his majesty. Both are good in their jobs and in their relationship with the princess."

 

"That's good. I don't want any bodyguards to feel uncomfortable around my daughter. As long as they're doing well, I wouldn't worry much about my daughter's safety there. Otherwise, I'll fired them."

 

Bowing, Director Shin left the office peacefully. The King was left in his office, looking to the photos again. He wouldn't try to deny it, he's missing his daughter. He'd like to call her, but he decided to call after one month. That way, the princess and him will have a long chat. "Glad you've found your friend, princess." On a side note, he's happy the latter found her Yoongie, finally. He's always the happiest if he can see his daughter happy as well. He wouldn't dare taking it away from her. She already loss her mother, that was enough for her sadness back then. As much as possible, he wanted to see her always so happy.

 

 

***

 

 

Yoona is once again getting nervous in her seat when four aspiring cheerleaders have done so good in their audition. Almost everyone in the gym are roaring for them. She felt anxious, knowing that she hasn't seen really her friend dancing. Let alone doing an actual cheer, not the same what she saw when they watched a football game. Although she's confident with her body because she's tall and really has good curve, the fact that she's going to dance for the first time in her eyes bothers her. "Two more auditoners." But despite that, she's still hoping for a good performance. It's amazing though, she doesn't find others as pretty as her roommate. As if her eyes only have Seohyun as the most beautiful girl on earth.

 

Meanwhile in her locker, Seohyun's busy practicing on her own, so she won't miss a thing in her steps and to her cheer. It had been 15 minutes that has passed since the audition has started and she's more than confident now. With a short Yoona lend for her, it gives her another reason to be confident. Considering the girl have traveled from dorm to her University, she wouldn't like failing her. But out of a sudden, she was distracted when her mind averted to something that made her heart beats faster. Her cheeks are burning and she bit her lip, as she recalled the accidental kiss on the lips she did with Yoona. It was fast and that was out of her happiness that she got a new short. Seohyun felt like she owe Yoona an explanation. But somehow, as she thought of it, it felt right - for a first kiss? That was even just an accident, how could she think it's her first kiss? "Aish. Focus again, Seohyun." She shook her head in attempt of getting rid the thoughts about Yoona and her lips colliding earlier.

 

Other girls that noticed her talking to herself are giggling in amusement.

 

-

 

After like a long wait (at least for Yoona), she's finally watching Seohyun walking to the middle of the gym. Her anticipations got more hyper when she finds herself mesmerized by her beauty. The white short fits for her white and orange sleeveless. And the way she walks with all smiles just made it more appealing for her. Not to mention, her overflowing confidence.

 

Yoona's not anymore nervous - but more excited. Her constant prayers while waiting is paying off. "Seo Joohyun! Fighting!" And due to her excitement, she cheered on her so loud, gaining attentions from other students, because it's only her who cheered for her.

 

Seohyun searched for that very familiar voice until she saw her in her right, the girl is waving her hands in the air. She flashed her a bright smile before she returned to face the judges in front of her.

 

"Freshmen, Arts major... Are you ready Miss Seo?" The head of the judges panel asked her in her British accent.

 

With all smiles, Seohyun nodded her head. Her hands are in her waist and legs are parted, just like a cheerleader stands.

 

"You all have the floor."

 

Yoona clasps her hands after she heard the judge said the words. She held her breath, focuses on Seohyun and mutters 'fighting' on her own. As the music starts, Seohyun moves to the beat. But Yoona didn't expect it when the girl suddenly did flips after a couple of runs before she started dancing on the dance music. Her eyes just literally just widened. "Did she just flip?" And little did she realize, everyone was awed too.

 

Seohyun is dancing so gracefully in front of everyone's eyes, as if she's suddenly the star out of the other auditionee.

 

"Oh gosh, her body waves so.. ily." Yoona can't help it but feel like spazzing. She cupped her cheeks as she felt her cheeks burning. She never thought she could actually move gorgeously and at the same time y. It made her heart beats faster than usual. She continue watching intently. But would constantly jump in her seat every after flips, backflips, kick and jump, as if they're just so easy to do. Yoona feels like watching a professional cheerleader other than a beginner. She wonders, 'How long did she prepared such dance piece? It looks for long years and not just recently. Damn this girl will give me heart attack if she won't stop surprising the hell out of me.'  

 

After a few minutes, the crowd are literally on their feet now, including Yoona... Until at the last part...

 

"Oh my Goodness!" Yoona just held her head and eyes are widened, when Seohyun just split, as the her dance ended. The gym roared at the same time.

 

Seohyun is breathlessly smiling as she listened to the students noise. Getting up, she waves her hands to them in gratefulness. She made a special heart over her head towards Yoona who was also shouting already.

 

She then bowed and she was ask to calm herself in the side and the judges are scoring on her. Her Cheer will be the next after her cheer dance. Listening to crowd, her confidence over her own cheer for the school's football team has no more reason to die. Especially that at the moment, Yoona is in her sight, looking so proud with what she did.

 

-

 

Yoona keeps on smiling and sometimes bow to koreans that will pass at her, while she's outside the locker room of Cambridge's Union Cheerleaders. It's only been 15 minutes that passed since the audition ended. And right now, she's waiting for her Peng to go out. If she was the judge, I would call Seohyun immediately and tell her she passed the audition. But accordingly, the top 10 students who made the audition will be posted Saturday. So it still has half and a day of wait before they'll know who passed. She's pretty sure she passed, though.

 

"Ugh." Suddenly, she heard her phone ringing inside her pocket. She groaned and fished it out of it, just to find out it's her father calling. "Hey, Appa... what's up?!" answered her almost instantly.

 

[My daughter sounds so happy, eh? And why is that?]

 

Yoona giggles as she answers, "Guess what, Appa? My friend Peng is also here in U.K."

 

[Did you already told me about that?]

 

"No! What is mean is that, we're in the same dorm. We're staying in the same dorm." Yoona lowered her voice at the last words she uttered. "I and Peng are in the same room... we're roommates! Can't you believe that?!" cheerfully added.

 

[No way?!]

 

"You heard it absolutely right! Kyaaa... I'm really so happy Appa." Yoona squealed without any bothering of her surroundings.

 

[Yeah, that's really obvious. Well, that's good sweetheart. I hope you enjoy your stay there, besides your studies.]

 

"I am definitely gonna enjoy. But wait, why did you call?"

 

Mr. Im chuckle on the next line. [I just miss your voice, I can't call you?]

 

"Yah! I know you. It's not only about that. Tell me why did you call, honestly?" Yoona glances over the door of the locker room as she asks. So far, there's no hint for her Peng to come out.

 

[Alright, Iet's just say... I put an extra allowance to your card.]

 

Yoona's brows creased. "Wae?" as she find it random to know.

 

[Since I thought you have to save money, use the it to buy a bike. Or a scooter. Whatever vehicle that can make you save. Don't go to school always on a cab or a bus, it's more than expensive because it's euro! You're in London, not in Seoul anymore. So own a bike or a second hand scooter as much as possible. Do you understand me?]

 

"You. You're tracking my card, Appa?" Yoona fondly gasps.

 

[Your card is connected to mine, so you can't blame me. I think a bike is much better than in scooter. Because you have to pay for gasoline as well. You know, it's also an exercise. Do you remember your training in Dongguk? They gave you a bike to strengthen your legs. What do you think, hmm?]

 

"That's... " Yoona pause as she thought of what to say. Honestly, it touches her heart because even if her father is away, he's thinking about her. "That's a nice idea, Appa. It's indeed so expensive here compare back at home. Um... but... talking about 'saving', aren't you saving as well? For our dream house? I think I'll just walk from my dorm to my school. That's even a better exercise. I am saving here as well, I promise."

 

[Yoong, I know your concern. It's also my gift for you, for passing in Chelsea. Come on, the school is known all over the world. It's my pride to see you in that school... and to see you reaching your dream. Soon, we'll have ouur dream house too.]

 

Sighing, Yoona transfers her phone to the left side as she replied, "Okay. I'll buy a bike. For my ever so lovable Appa. I miss you already."

 

[Yeah, I miss you too Yoong. Don't forget to send me photos, okay? Amber told me I should too.]

 

"Ugh, I told her stolen shot of you, not you sending me personally." Yoona mumbles. But it never failed her father's ears.

 

[Well stolen or not. I love the idea, Yoong. I'll send you photos via email. Take care always there. Oh, take care of your roommate as well.]

 

"Wait--Aigoo... he ended it so fast when I was about to tell him about my problem. Love problem. Tsk,tsk." Putting back her phone to her pocket, Yoona noticed it had been 30 minutes since she had been waiting outside the locker room. So she decided to peek inside and she saw one girl just put on her jacket. "Um, excuse me. Can I ask you something?"

 

"Sure. What is it?" The girl asks without thinking twice.

 

"I've been waiting here for my friend to come out. But it looks like, you're the last person inside. Do you by chance saw Seo Joohyun entered the room? Or did I missed she come out?"

 

"Oh, Miss Seo. She's in the shower room. She hasn't comeback here." The girl informed.

 

"Shower? O-Okay. Thank You." Yoona mentally face palmed as she walks away. So she had been waiting for 30 minutes for nothing. "Aish! Why didn't I check her there, as well?" She literally ruffles her hair and eventually fixed it when someone passes at her. She sighed and decided to jog all the way to the shower rooms. Likewise, she can see girls on their towel only. And others are already in their pants and shirts. As soon as she arrived, she peeked her head behind the ajar door. Her eyes widened automatically when caught Seohyun just walked out the room on her towel. "Omo." but before she could relax, Seohyun slipped on a soap, which she instinctively pushed the door and she steps in, catching her in her arms before she'll hit the floor. That very moment, she finds herself staring to a pair of beautiful eyes, inches away from her, leaving her breathless and mesmerized. Not to mention, her flawless skin. It's incredible. She's just so perfect.

 

Then her heart beats are so wild and noisy. As if the gravity have dropped, she feels like floating in the air and she can see butterflies are flying around them in the corner of her eyes. It's an amazing feeling, she wanted to stay as longer as possible. Yet, How selfish she is, once she landed her eyes to her lips that was just inches with her pair of lips, she was reminded by the kiss -- eventually snapping her back to reality. As she quickly pulled back and slowly let go of the girl's waist.

 

Seohyun sighed in relief, but cheeks are as red as a tomato. "Ta-Thank you, for saving me again Yoongie." thus, couldn't miss and thank the doe-eyed girl.

 

Picking up the soap in the floor, Yoona looked at Seohyun suspiciously. "You. Is this your mess again?"

 

"What? Of course not!" Seohyun hits the doe-eyed girl's arm. "How could you accuse me that! I didn't even saw it was there!" she defended herself.

 

Yoona grinned. "I was just kidding. Go change now. I'll wait for you outside." She pinched her cheeks and walks out the room almost instantly.

 

She made sure the door is close as she, 

 

"KYAAAAA THAT WAS CLOSEEEEE!!!!" scream like another fan girl that made a good encounter with her idol.

 

Inside, Seohyun is fanning her heated cheeks she doesn't know why it's happening. That wasn't the first time their faces are close, but it made her this hot. Perhaps being reminded by the accidental kiss is the cause.

 

"Well, I just have to help her again. That wasn't intentional." Yoona soon calmed down. She rested her back against the wall and waited for another round of minutes. 

 

As soon as Seohyun walked out the shower room clad again on the short she borrowed, her eyes widened. "No! No! No!!!"

 

"What?" Seohyun was surprised.

 

"Go back and change into your pants or skirt - whatever you wore earlier!" She firmly stated. Without any warning, she took her arm and drags her inside again. "Change but don't wear the short." She instructed and close the door before the girl can answer.

 

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