23 | A Date

 

After so many times of convincing, Seohyun finally walks into the infirmary, quietly. She glanced back to Xiao Xiao, the girl signals her to continue on her walk. She took that as a sign and continue. Being a non student in Chelsea somehow felt a little uncomfortable. But it was someone she's close with in the room, she felt the need to see her no matter what.

 

Upon stopping at the room the doe-eyed is in, She heard faint voices inside. 

 

"Just keep that still until the swell will subside. And don't forget to take the medicines I required so it won't get infected."

 

"For how many hours?" It's Yoona's voice, that sounds weak but concerned for her knee. Seohyun bit her lip and pouted sadly.

 

"Probably for the next five hours."

 

"Chincha? There's no less for that?"

 

"Don't worry, it's just a swell. It didn't broke any of your bone. It would be the worse if it broke your bone again."

 

There was a puase before Yoona's voice was heard again. "Okay. T-Thanks Doctor."

 

Seohyun stepped back instinctively as she expectantly watches the curtain being parted, revealing a doctor who walks out the room casually. She bowed a little and quickly walks into the room after he just pass and left. There she saw her girlfriend sitting on the bed with her right leg straight while her left is bending. It broke her heart seeing an ice pack on top of her knee and there goes Yoona, hanging her head low while a face towel is on her head.

 

"Hey." She softly called out, tried to bring it light for her but she failed miserably. Her heart tells otherwise, it's hard to fake a smile this time.

 

Yoona sighed upon hearing the very soft familiar voice. She slowly looked up and meet her gazes towards her. Her heart automatically tugs. "I did well, didn't I?" she beamed.

 

"You did well but I didn't expect someone would do that to you." Seohyun sighed. She approached the bed and take a seat to the chair next to it. Her eyes landed almost instantly to her knee, just within her reach.

 

"It will subside later. Don't worry. It's not even aching anymore." Yoona grinned trying to lift up her girlfriend's mood. She felt uncomfortable watching her like that. The least she wish to see.

 

Seohyun slowly gazes back to Yoona, showing a pouty sad lips. "This is the knee you had an accident the last time right? It must be painful."

 

"At first... but not anymore now because you're here by my side." Yoona still couldn't stop and tried another attempt.

 

However, Seohyun still can't buy her girlfriend. She pulled herself closer to her bed through the chair and gently but surely put her hands on top of the ice pack. She slowly hold it up and saw the swell that was so red. She gasps and her heart fell. "Yoongie... this is..."

 

"Aish, put the ice pack back." Yoona hissed.

 

Seohyun carefully put the ice pack down again. "How could that girl kick you here, Yoongie? Doesn't she knows about your injury? And doesn't she knows that was a foul she did earlier?" She couldn't hold back anymore and let out her disappointments and care for her girlfriend.

 

"I..." Yoona was stunned. Doesn't know how to describe Seohyun's face at the moment. 

 

"I hope your coach or the school's management will take action about this. That was clearly a red card." The younger girl's gazes averted back to the latter's knee. "What is wrong with her though? She seems to have something... I can't understand." She saw it clearly how Jungyeon just angrily kick on her girlfriend, as if she had some problem about her. She thought she wouldn't see someone as worse that, but she did. "But I'm glad you didn't broke any bone. Otherwise, you couldn't play anymore."

 

Sigh. Yoona put on a small smile. "Thank you."

 

"Huh?" Confused, Seohyun looked back to the doe-eyes.

 

"Thank you for... the concern." Yoona's voice is so soft while eyes are genuine towards the girl. "I didn't know this is how it feels like... to see someone so worried about me. It flutters my heart. But of course, I don't want to worry you a lot. So I promise, this would be the last time."

 

Seohyun blinks as she grasps the words from Yoona. She blushed the moment the girl what was she talking about. "You know if it were the other person, who is close to you, they would be feeling the same." she instantly explained herself.

 

Yoona let out a chuckle. "I know. But you're different." 

 

"How am I suppose to feel about that?" Seohyun giggles.

 

"Well, you have my heart, it should be different - It's more like special to be honest. No, more than that." Yoona firmly said.

 

"You think so?"

 

"Yah! Just can't you be sweeter?"

 

Sticking out her tongue, Seohyun shrugs and shot up from her seat. She take a seat in the edge of the bed and without warning, she opened her arms and leaned in, wrapping them around her girl's waist. Chin rested on her shoulder. Yoona was a bit surprised but she slowly hugs her back. "This is the only sweet I am up for now." She whispers. 

 

Yoona's heart flutters even more - loving the gestures and affections from her girlfriend. But she certainly knows this girl is not yet over with what the incident, so she can't play around a lot. A comfort is the best she thinks she needed the most at the moment. It's as if she's her energy too, she need the warm comforting hug from her girlfriend.

 

"Are you going out after five hours only?" Seohyun suddenly thought about what she heard earlier. She leaned out a little to see the girl's face.

 

"Nope. I'm going home after An hour." Yoona said. "So... the date seems to be cancelled?"

 

Seohyun nodded. She sighed and rested her head on top of the girl's shoulder again. "Then let's stay like this for the next hour."

 

"Are you kidding me?" Yoona mutters.

 

"What will we do here? Staring to each other?"

 

"Aigoo, there's a called 'conversation'."

 

"And we're doing it right now." Seohyun let out a soft giggle.

 

Yoona grinned. "Okay. I get what you mean now."

 

"What do I mean?"

 

"We will be hugging while talking. I like this." She felt giddy inside.

 

"Exactly." Seohyun felt exactly the same. "But what if... someone will get inside?"

 

"Can they stop you from hugging me?"

 

"Hmm... " She pretended to think. "Nope. Unless they'll force me." 

 

Yoona chuckled at their silliness. "That's my girl. But what if it, it's the doctor? And he will check on me? You won't still let go?"

 

"Then I have to pretend... I can't let go of you." Seohyun giggles.

 

"Ugh, does that actually mean something?" Yoona groaned playfully. It never failed to ease her heart. it brings a big smile in her face.

 

"Nope. I just thought so."

 

Yoona's smile faded, disappointed. She thought the cheesiness from her girlfriend will continue, but she has to ruin it immediately. "Fine. Just-"

 

"I can't let go of your heart that's why I have to cling into you until this hour will be over." Seohyun bit her lip afterwards. Cheeks are reddening.

 

Flustered, Yoona made a few blinks. "I thought you don't have any sweet words right there?" and so she wonders what came to her girlfriend's mind.

 

Seohyun pulled back and kiss Yoona's forehead. "I can be sweet too you know." she completely let go of the doe-eyed, taking her seat back.

 

Yoona felt empty right than instant. But thought it must be tiring for hugging the younger girl. "I'm just surprised." she smiled.

 

"By the way, do you have exams tomorrow?"

 

"Hmm? Nope. Why?"

 

Seohyun pause to gather her thoughts before she replied, "I was... wondering if I can bring you with me... tomorrow."

 

"What is it tomorrow?" Yoona's brows creases.

 

"Prince Harry. You know about him, right?"

 

"Yes." She nodded.

 

Sigh. Seohyun reaches for her girlfriend's hand and intertwine them. Yoona held her back. "I received an invitation. He invited me to his fund raising event. Horse back riding, do you know about that?"

 

"Chincha?" Yoona exclaimed. "So you don't go to school tomorrow? Wait, horse back riding? Wow, that's one of the thing that I wished to ride. Or to just even mount on it. So you're inviting me too?" 

 

Seohyun smiled and nod her head. "I don't think I can no longer keep that from you. I mean, I go to events the British royal family are organizing. As what you've seen in my phone the last time."

 

"Wow... this must be the first time." Yoona paused. "I felt... anxious out of a sudden." as she finally grasps about being in the same place with one of the most powerful person in United Kingdom. Not to mention, the world.

 

"You don't have to. You're with me." Seohyun is amused with her girlfriend's sudden anxiety. She squeezed her hand to give her reassurance.

 

"Wha-what will I wear?" Yoona thought of it frantically.

 

"It's an outdoor event. You just have to be casual."

 

"And you?"

 

"The same." Seohyun chuckled.

 

Giggling, Yoona felt anxious and the same time comfortable to say, "Okay, I'm going then." knowing that she will always be with her in the event though. "It's going to be exciting." she felt excited somehow.

 

"That's why I'm inviting you."

 

Just then, the curtains was parted, Seohyun and Yoona instantly turned their heads. A nurse came in with a tray. Yoona gasps to see a syringe.

 

"Wae?" Seohyun didn't missed and saw the horror in Yoona's face.

 

"N-Nothing. But what is that for?" Yoona asks the nurse rather. When the later approached her and stood the other side of the bed.

 

"It's a vaccine for your injured knee." The nurse replied. "The doctor told me to inject this to you after 30 minutes."

 

"Yoongie? Are you alright?" Seohyun couldn't help but giggle. Her girlfriend looks like she's afraid of it. She's holding her hand tight, more reason for her to think she's really afraid of it.

 

"I'm okay. I'm just surprised I need to have it too." Yoona denied what's obvious in her face.

 

"Your hand is telling me otherwise." Seohyu teased.

 

Yoona sighed in defeat. "I hate syringe. Even though I'm used to it ever since I was a kid. I couldn't really like the way it would insert my skin. It's like some bad souls will enter me." She pout like a kid.

 

"Don't worry, I'm here. I'm holding you." Seohyun whispers, earning a small smile from the nurse who had been watching.

 

Yoona felt relieved a little somehow. "I know." As she caresses the girl's hand through her thumb. Seohyun smiled sweetly at her, which she also mirrored.

 

The nurse then casually opened Yoona's arm from the other side and rubs the cotton against her skin to readying the latter.

 

Yoona close her eyes momentarily as she hold her breath, knowing what will be the next thing she'll felt.

 

Seohyun couldn't careless and holds her girlfriend's hand in both hands. She is watching as the nurse slowly injected into Yoona's pale skin.

 

Yoona gasps upon feeling the pain. It made her grit her teeth and she couldn't help but recalled every injection she receives from her childhood down to where she is now. She couldn't count how many times she received them. How many times she cried for it and how many times she also shouted her mother' name. Ironically, in Seohyun's touch and support, she did not cry nor cry. She's brave to take it. Like the way she's brave to pass all the challenges she encountered.

 

"Yoongie it's done."

 

She snapped out from her trance after she felt a tug on her hand and that soft voice. Opening her eyes, she sighed in relief that it's done. She didn't even noticed it until her girlfriend says so.

 

"You can also leave after 30 minutes." The nurse said, leaving the room in the process.

 

"I felt weak in front of you now." Yoona lowered her gazes. She felt shy because of her fear. At the same time, not strong out of a sudden.

 

"It's okay Yoongie. You know, not all the time a person can be strong. We have weakness too. But.. it's cute." Seohyun praised rather. Watching Yoona is just so adorable to see. But she understands. The girl had tough childhood. It's not easy.

 

Slowly, Yoona meet her gazes with Seohyun. She smiled and gives the girl another squeezed on her hand. The latter smiled back reassuringly.

 

 

***

 

 

"Pe-eng~" Back in the dorm, Yoona still can't freely go around as her knee is apparently on a massage therapy again after 5 hours of it. And since the swell have already subsided. She's like a kid calling for her mother asking for milk at the moment.

 

Seohyun is from downstairs as she hurriedly runs upstairs, checking her doe-eyed girlfriend. "Do you need anything?"

 

"When are you going to bed?" Came Yoona's question that made the younger girl come downstairs without even a word. "Yah! I'm already sleepy! I need you by my side!" She yelled frustratingly.

 

"I'm still cleaning the kitchen!"

 

The answer made Yoona pout. Apparently, she's had been there baking cookies as a present for that Prince Harry. "So you love the kitchen now more than me." She mumbles to herself, lowering her body to the bed and sighed. "But at least you bought me a cupcake." Her smile went back, recalling the sweet cupcake her girlfriend gifted especially for her. She couldn't get jealous over Seohyun's effort to bake the prince personally because she's only doing it as a present and gratefulness for welcoming her in the country.

 

Sighing again, she reached for her phone and frowned to see miscalls from her coach. She was about to call him back when she received a message, still from him. She gradually sat up and reads the message.

 

Coach: Let me know if you can play tomorrow or not.

 

Instantly, she replied back.

 

To Coach: I'm afraid I can't. I mean, the doctor have advised me to monitor my knee in the next 24 hours. If it will ache again, I will have to contact my previous doctor. Coach, I'm not yet out of the team, or what?

 

It wasn't long enough and she received his reply.

 

Coach: That's sad. But your safety and health is more than important. Rest well.

About your stay in the team, I can't tell the future but I hope and pray your knee has really healed. You know how good you are. It's a pity you can't reach your dream just because of that.

 

Yoona doesn't know what to feel about the reply. She glance over her knee and could only heavily sigh. She put her phone back to the night stand and slowly lied back, blanking staring to the ceiling. "That can't be. I came all the way from Seoul to reach my dream. There's no point for going back without getting there yet." She close her eyes and let herself fall asleep. She should be waiting for her girlfriend but her eyes and what happened is draining her. Not to mention, she had a shot.

 

A couple of minutes later, she fell asleep indeed. Seohyun who finally finished cleaning the kitchen saw her girlfriend is serenely sleeping. She knew it would happen. But it's good she now fell asleep other than waiting for her still. She needed a good rest after all. 

 

After changing into a comfortable pajamas, she was about to climb to her bed when she reminded herself about Yoona's request of sharing the same bed. She turned off the night clamps near to her bed and also turned off Yoona's, before she cautiously climbed to the girl's bed. She slowly pulled the covers and tuck herself in with her girlfriend.

 

A small yet sweet smile formed in her lips, watching Yoona sleep. Her heart is fluttering while she's ridiculously couldn't look away. Scooting closer, she carefully intertwine their hands without even looking away. It's soft and warm, fit so well with hers too. After a while, her eyes are slowly closing. "Good night."

 

 

***

 

 

Mr. Henney: It's cancelled. 

 

Seohyun almost dropped her phone after reading the message from her bodyguard. She has already changed her clothes and have excuse to her professors about her absence for the entire morning class. "Wow, I can't believe this."

 

"Hey, what's wrong?" Yoona walked from the bathroom already clad in a black jeans and white top with a snap back when she saw the horror in her girlfriend's face.

 

"The event is cancelled." Seohyun sat at the edge of the Yoona's bed with sigh.

 

"Chincha?" She exclaimed, surprised. "But... I have already excuse myself for the morning class. That can't be!"

 

"Either me. And Look, we're already so late for the first class. What will we tell them? We're not sick anymore? And that, it was a false alarm or something?" Seohyun huffed. She crossed her arms and stared up to her girlfriend standing in front of her. She seems to be surprised with something. "Wae?"

 

"You-You told your professors you're sick?"

 

"Yeah. I have no more ideas on how to... be absent for the day. On how to convince them. What did you tell to your professors?" Seohyun creased her brows.

 

Yoona chuckled. "I just couldn't believe. I mean, you haven't tell them about your status in life... have you?"

 

Seohyun slowly shook her head. "Didn't I told you... I want to be free from everyone's eyes? Because I want to live normally in this country?"

 

"Well, that make sense." Yoona nodded. "As for me, I just told them that I need to rest my knee after what happened yesterday. They are all convinced somehow."

 

Seohyun dropped her back to the bed with a bounce. Yoona instantly lied next to her. "So what are we going to do now? We can't go out... can we?"

 

"Hmm, that's actually the problem. It's going to be boring, right?" Yoona sighed. She put her snapback from her head to Seohyun's face, covering it.

 

Seohyun eventually transferred the snapback to the owner's face. "Are we going to stay here then? Or do you have something in mind?" She grinned. Her mind says, their date should be pushed today. She shift her body to the right, facing her doe-eyed girlfriend.

 

Yoona wore the snapback back and crossed her arms, blankly staring to their ceiling. "Hmm, something tells me to... go out and enjoy the day... but the other half also tells me to rest... but it's going to be risky if we're going out. Coz you know, a professor or our classmates will catch us."

 

"So what do you propose?"

 

"Should I be the only one deciding this?" Yoona stared tilted her head to face the younger girl. She's in disbelief her girlfriend is just asking her about it.

 

"I want to know yours too before I could share mine." Seohyun giggles.

 

"Really?" Yoona put on a poker face. Seohyun sure is playing, or what? "So I propose you also share yours, because I'm confused on what to do with this day. Except going to school but that's really impossible. Because we're obviously lying to them."

 

"You really don't have?" Seohyun felt a little disappointed.

 

"Do you want to study in advance instead?" Yoona shot up and pulled her girlfriend up to a lying position.

 

"No way. I mean, I just had exams the other day. I wan to relax first."

 

Yoona grinned. "So what?"

 

Rolling her eyes in annoyance, she got up and walked to her bed. She took that movie tickets from her drawer and went back, handing it to her obvious flustered doe-eyed girlfriend. "You really don't have any idea about going out to a movie date! Do you?! Aish! I can't believe you!" she frustratingly hit Yoona's arm.

 

"Hehehe, It didn't cross my mind." Yoona sheepishly chuckled. "But what if-"

 

"Everyone are in school! I don't think we'll see someone familiar to our eyes in movie theaters." Seohyun instantly put some sense in Yoona's head.

 

Yoona thought for a moment and replied, "That's actually a brilliant thinking. Hmm, Okay. Let's go then." She beamed, getting up. Seohyun also did, but before going out, she head to her drawer and took her purse, messenger bag and keys to the dorm.