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jjkarmy091 · 1 month ago

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The boyfriend Game- Jungkook (1)

synopsis: You never thought that fighting for a position in JV's team would end up with you falling for the guy who was helping you out with it, especially since he had the same rule as you: no date, no romance, just socceer

> pairing: Soccer playerJungkook x (f) reader

> genre: romance, strangers to friends to lovers; angst; fluff

> word count: 13.727

> Author's note: this is an adaptation of one of my favourite books. A couple days ago I came across it again I thought it'd be perfect for a Jungkook adaptation, since I can see him behaving like this. Hope you like it as much as I do <3

The afternoon sun was beating down on my shoulders as I watched an evil leer light up the face of my best friend, Jennie Kim. Her long legs were like sticks below her shorts, and there was the faintest gleam of sweat over the upturned nose that she swore was her only decent feature.

“Just try and stop me, Y/n,” she taunted, her dark curls bouncing with each step.

“Just try and get by me,” I shot back, grinning as she got closer. It might be just a routine one-on-one drill on a Thursday afternoon of JV soccer practice, but it was always a lot more than that when I was going one-on-one with her.

Jennie was better than me at soccer even tho she didn’t even try. I busted my butt of and she was still better. She hated the fact that over the summer, I’d gotten a real figure and she was still as skinny as ever, so we were even. Especially since we’d totally make the trade if we could. She’d take all the attention I got from guys in a heartbeat, and I’d give that up in a minute if I could have her soccer skills. Actually, I’d give it up in a minute for free, if I could. Only six weeks into my freshman year of high school and already I was tired of the boys treating me differently than they used to.

Jennie’s smile faded into concentration, and I focused on every angle of her body, trying to anticipate what move she’d pull to try to get past me. My muscles tensed, and I felt the zip of adrenaline that I loved, the sensation of power that had me running for the soccer field every afternoon, totally pumped to sweat and yell and forget about all the baggage of my day at school. On the soccer field, it wasn’t about boys and girls or how I looked it was about how good you were. It was my favorite place to be.

“Hey Y/n. Looking good out there!”

Jennie sucked in her breath, and I scowled at the sound of Taehyung’s obnoxious voice, not even bothering to glance at the sidelines where I knew he’d be standing with his loyal shadow, Jimin. Probably wearing Nike sunglasses, baseball hats, and faded jeans, like they always did, knowing just how to dress to look good.

Well, they were cute, but they were also idiots, so I shut them out and concentrated on Jennie. Her gaze flicked towards Tae and I grinned. Oh, she was so busted. Keep yelling, Tae. One little distraction was more than enough for me to take her out.

“Y/n! Hey, Y/n Perkins! You gonna come to Pop’s tonight with me or what?” Tae shouted.

Jennie scowled at me. I bit my lip and quickly adjusted to her sudden increase in intensity. Great. So now she was going to take it out on me that he was yelling my name and not hers. Classic Tae, always screwing up my life.

Jennie'scheeks turned pink and she shot a quick look in his direction. I lunged forward to take advantage of the distraction, my cleats grabbing the turf as I plucked the ball from between her feet. She spun around and I dodged her, making a snarky face at Tae, who was yelling something about how he liked my new haircut. He should be shouting about my great steal, not making some stupid comment about my hair. It was then when I noticed a guy standing next to him and Jimin.

He was way taller than them, had short dark hair and a few tattos on his arm. He was wearing soccer cleats and shorts that showed off his oh-so-muscular soccer legs. He was holding a soccer ball against his hip, his arm hanging loosely over it. Who the heck was he?

Before I knew it, Jennie was next to me, her feet were on the ball, then I went flying. I threw up my arms as I went skidding on my left hip and wound up in a face-plant in the grass. She crowed in victory and I rolled to a sitting position, spitting grass out of my mouth. Tae and Jimin howled with laughter, and I immediately glanced over to them. To the mysterious guy.

Who was gone.

I made a quick scan of the fields, but I didn’t see him anymore. Where’d he go?

My other best friend, Sana, walked up and peered down at me. She was wearing cleats and a tee shirt like I was, but she was still clean. No sweat, no dirt. Not that it was a surprise as she only played JV soccer to hang out with us. I played to play for real. Jennie played . . . well . . . I was never quite sure with her anyway.

“You almost had her,” Sana said. I sighed.

“I know.” It was always almost when it came to beating Jennie at soccer.

Sana held out her hand and pulled me up. “I mean, you did have her, and then you let her come back and get you. What was up with that?” As if I were going to tell her that I’d let a boy distract me. That was their move not mine. Actually, it was totally embarrassing, so I shrugged.

“I felt bad for her. Didn’t want to show her up with Tae watching.” Sana snorted.

“Yeah, right. You have no mercy on the soccer field.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” My thigh was burning big-time, so I hiked up my shorts and inspected the raspberry that started up by my hip and went halfway down my thigh. It was already bright red. I grinned, loving the badge of honor it gave me.

Despite what Tae might think, there was so much more to me than what I looked like. I was a warrior! “There goes my plan to wear a miniskirt tomorrow,” I joked.

The guys yelled and whistled so I pulled my shorts back down to cover my leg, my cheeks suddenly hot. Guys were so annoying!

Sana raised both her eyebrows. They were carefully shaped to augment her bright blue eyes, courtesy of a makeover by Jennie last weekend that had ended up with all of us sporting highlights and new haircuts. Not that you could tell with me, except for the fact that some of the layers weren’t staying in my ponytail very well. Well, you could see the auburn highlights in the darker brown of my natural hair color, but that was it.

“You’ve never owned a skirt in your life,” Sana said. I grinned. I definitely wasn’t a skirt girl.

“Nice raspberry.” Jennie flounced toward us, shooting a flirtatious grin in the direction of the sidelines. “Totally uncool to take advantage of me when Tae distracted me. If I hadn’t beaten you in the end, I’d make you kiss my toes.” A reference to when we were little and dorky, and we used to make the other one actually kiss our toes when we made up from a fight, or after one of us did something mean to the other.

“There would have been no toe kissing,” I shot back. “It’s your own fault for not paying attention.”

She was wearing a fitted tee shirt and spandex shorts and was having a successful trial with her new water-proof makeup. She was tall, thin, and had thick curly hair—everything that Sana wasn't, with her short, stock-ier figure, although she was blond and we knew Jennie would kill for Sana’s straight, golden locks.

They were both totally cute and into the guys. I mean, Jennie had dropped her notebook last week and I’d seen that she’d written Taehyungs name all over the inside cover, not that she’d ever admit it out loud. And Beth was right there with her in checking the guys out. They both spent ten minutes doing their makeup before practice, in hopes of getting guys to yell at them.

Coach Merrill blew her whistle. “I have an announcement to make everyone. As you know every season at the end of October, I pick two girls from JV to move up to varsity for the rest of the season. Two weeks from this Friday, we’ll be having tryouts with the varsity practice. The top five girls on JV will be invited to that practice but only two will move up.”

No way! Varsity, how great! My heart started racing as I inched closer so I wouldn’t miss any of the details.

“So, I wanted to announce the five short-listed players, so you can tell me if you’re interested in being considered.”

I stole a glance at Jennie. She was better than I was, but she didn’t work nearly as hard. Would Coach take that into account? Five spots weren’t many when there were over forty girls on the squad. Lookig at my best friend I notice her paying more attention to the guys looking at us than to coach Merryl. I adored her but honestly I don’t think she should be one of the selected.

“The players I’m considering are Kathleen Hoffman , Heidi Maxwell , “Vicky Conant . . .”

Jennie leaned over. “Sana, I think Jimin is checking you out.” She smacked her on the arm. “No way! Really?” She turned bright red and immediately turned her back on the boys.

“Y/n, you look at them and tell me if she’s lying.”

“Shut up!” I stepped away from them, straining to listen as the other girls on the team started whispering.

“Jennie Kim . . .”

I bit my lip against the sudden swell of jealousy as I heard Sana squeal behind me. Great.

“And Y/n Perkins.” Yes! Sana threw her arms around me.

“That’s so awesome! You guys are too cool!”

Coach said something about practice being over for the day, but I didn’t hear her. My heart was pounding too loudly. It was going to be two long weeks, but you’d make it. It was your dream . You had to get it.

Jennie got quiet as Tae leaned over us. “Competition among friends,” he teased. “Who’s going to win? Y/n or Jennie? Are we going to have a girl fight?” I rolled my eyes.

“Shut up.” See? This is why I avoided guys like him. Total idiots. Where were the congratulations? The appreciation for being picked for the short list?

“You wish, Taehyungie.” Jennie giggled. “But we’ll be sure to call you if we do.” Sana and I exchanged a groan, then he grabbed my hand and tugged me to my feet before I could jerk away from him.

“How about going to Pop’s for a little celebration, Y/n? A little dancing, maybe?” His gaze flicked to my hair.

“A quick shower and a change of clothes and you’ll be smoking.” I yanked my hand out of his grip.

“No, thanks.” Pop’s was the local hangout for the kids at our high school. They served great pizza, had free refi lls on soda, and owned a sweet jukebox stocked with all the best tunes, including the newest JamieX CD.

I’d been so psyched to start going there once we were freshmen, but lately it totally bummed me out. It was all about guys being loud and obnoxious and checking out the girls, and girls worrying about their hair and their makeup and giggling at the guys.

“I’m going to practice some more.”

“Practice?” he laughed. “Are you kidding? It’s Thurdsay night. Time to party.” Jennie fluffed her hair and smiled at him.

“I’ll go to Pop’s with you. Y/n might be antisocial, but I’m not.” I frowned at her remark. She hadn’t made comments like that before this fall, when Taehyung had started noticing me.

“I take soccer seriously. That’s a good thing.”

“Unless it gets in the way of fun,” she said. “Come on, Sana, let’s go shower.” She gave him a special smile.

“We’ll be ready in twenty minutes. Can you wait?”

“Sure.” He took another look at me, then headed off toward the gym with Jimin. I leveled a look at Sara.

“I’m not fun?”

“If you pick soccer over hanging out with Tae at Pop’s then yes.” I folded my arms, a sudden hope flaring in my chest.

“So, does that mean you’re going to turn down Coach for the varsity thing?” She glanced at wher the guys were then met my gaze. “Do you want me to?”

“Ha. Of course not.” But even as I said the words, I realized I was sort of lying. If she dropped out I had a much better chance at making varsity. Iwas probably tied with Heidi as the third best on the team, behind Jennie and Kathleen. But I wanted Jennie there with me. Together, but if it came down to her or me . . . No. She was my friend. I wanted her to get it too. I swallowed hard and managed a smile.

“Why don’t you stay and practice with me? I could really use your help to bone up on my skills in the next two weeks.” She cocked her head, actually considering it, then Tae ruined it.

“Hey, Y/n. I’ll save you a seat in case you change your mind. You know you can’t resist me forever!”

Jennie hesitated. “I’m going for varsity, but I’m not going to miss out on fun by staying late to practice. I’m going with them” Then she turned away and broke into a jog to run after the guys.

It was going to be a lot harder if I had to practice by myself. I couldn’t help but watch as the girls caught up to the boys. I didn’t want them going out without me. I mean, I didn’t want to go, but I wanted them to stay with me. All girls, like it used to be.

I could hear their laughter all the way across the field and I coun’t help but sigh and started to get majorly depressed, then suddenly realized that the varsity girls were jogging toward me on their way to take over our field for practice. I forgot all about my friends as I watched the varsity players start drilling. For a few minutes, I was in awe of their footwork and their ball handling skills.

They were joking around and having fun, but they were totally serious too. I’d miss JV, but this was so my world.

I belonged.

Then I realized how much better they were than I was, how much I needed to improve to have a chance with them. Shoot, I didn’t belong. Not yet. Not by a long shot. Even Jennie needed to get better, and she wasn’t practicing, was she? I should run to the gym and tell her.

I should.

But I didn’t. She’d made her choice, right? Instead, I snagged a ball and headed over to the smaller practice field behind the equipment shed. I wanted varsity and giving up a little time with my friends rotted, but it was worth it.

They didn’t get me, not this part of me. The part of me that loved to have grass stains on my shorts and sweat rolling down my temples. Thepart that loved being out there with the ball, in a world where nothing mattered except how you played.

I broke into a jog, dribbling the ball in front of me, a sense of rightness settling over me as my muscles started to work. No Tahyung around to judge me and make me feel stupid for not caring about my hair. When I rounded the corner I saw the guy I’d noticed during practice. I immediately tripped on my soccer ball and went down. I popped back up, watching as he dribbled two balls through an obstacle course of cones.

His head was down and his body loose. He had the great build that all soccer players have, with strong legs and fit upper bodies. His hair was dark and stuck to his head.

Why hadn’t I seen him before? I knew everyone who played soccer. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like I was going to talk to him. I picked up my ball and started to turn away to find somewhere else to practice, when the misterious guy lifted his head and looked right at me.

And I totally forgot what I’d been about to do.

He stopped drilling, flicked one of the balls up with his toe, then bounced it off his knee, then flipped his foot behind him and caught the ball off his heel. Damn, he was good. He bounced the ball high off his thigh, let it land on his forehead, then headed it straight up in the air, then did it again, dribbling off his forehead arms out for balance, feet moving quickly to stay under the ball. He was definitely showing off.

I rolled my eyes and started to turn away, then saw him head the ball at me. Reacting instinctively, I spun back toward him and blocked it with my foot. He grinned and nailed the second ball at me. I headed it back toward him and he trapped it with his right foot. He fl ipped the ball up at me again with his toe and I caught it as he walked up.

“Nice reactions,” he said. No comment about my hair or my looks? That alone was almost enough to redeem him from showing off with the hackey sack moves.

“Thanks.”

“What’s up?” He raised his brows in question and I noticed his eyes. Big brownished eyes and intense gaze. This guy was simply waiting for an answer. Like he actually wanted to know what I had to say.I relaxed a little bit.

“Soccer.” Like anything else mattered, right? He was out here practicing. He might actually understand where I was coming from.

He nodded. “Me too. I’m Jungkook, just transferred here a couple weeks ago. You are ?” There were trickles of sweat dripping down the sides of his face. He didn’t smell bad, though. He just had the scent of sports. I liked it, I mean, I didn’t like it, like it. It just made me feel comfortable.

“Y/n”

He used his toe to tug my ball out from under my foot and I let him. “So what are you doing on the fields at this hour?” he asked.

“Trying to find a place to practice. You?” He started in on the hackey sack thing again, and this time I realized that he was paying more attention to the ball than to me. Maybe he wasn’t showing off, maybe he was just doing it because he liked to do it.

“Same here,” he said. “I need to beat out Jung Hoseok for center forward so I’m taking a little extra practice.” He bounced the ball off his right knee, then his left, then right, then left again.

“You any good?”

“I can’t do that,” I blurted out. He grinned, showing a dimple, his gaze flicking briefl y to me before focusing on the ball again.

“So, that’s why you’re practicing? Because you’re terrible?” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, I’m not terrible. Why? Are you terrible?”

“Never.” He caught the ball and eyed me. “You staying around for a while?”

“’Til it’s dark.”

“You want to drill, or what?”

A flash of nervousness ran through me. I swallowed, suddenly very aware that he was a guy. Was this his way of making a move on me? Yeah, not interested.

“Um, I kinda . . . was going to do some on my own.”

“Suit yourself then.” He turned, dropped the ball, and dribbled away. Instantly I felt a stab of regret as I watched him maneuver the cones. He’d been totally normal with me, and he was way better than I was.

It would’ve been awesome to drill with him. Awesome because it would help my game and that’s why I was here. He peered back over his shoulder at me.

“You coming or what?” I hesitated. “Afraid you can’t keep up with me?” He stopped and started doing the hackey sack thing again. I smiled.

“No way.”

“Don’t believe you.”

I thought of the girls on varsity practicing around the corner and of my friends fooling around with the guys, leaving me behind. This kind of practice was exactly what I needed and he hadn’t seemed to even notice I was a girl.

“Well?”

I can handle this. “Fine.” I dropped my ball to the field, then dribbled toward him.

“I’m in.” He flashed me a grin and then spun back toward the cones. “Follow me.”

Five minutes later, he’d reset the cones so there were two lines. One had about twice as many cones as the other, but it was the same setup. He pointed to the one with more cones.

“That’s my course. We’ll start at the same time and race through it, to the end and back. Loser has to run a lap.”

I bit back a complaint about the fact he had more cones than I did. If he wanted to give himself a handicap, I’d make him pay. “Fine.”

“If you knock down a cone, ten push-ups.” I chuckled. My adrenaline kicked in.

“Be prepared to run a lap.” He laughed back.

“You’d better beat me. You have half the cones I do.”

“Oh, I will.”

“Let’s see it, then.” He took his ball and lined up behind the start line he’d set up. I moved next to him, my muscles relaxed and my mind focused. He was so going down. Guys didn’t take girls seriously on the sports field, and he was going to learn he’d made a mistake.

“You call it” he said. I nodded and took my stance.

“Ready.”

He set his gaze on the cones.

“Set.”

We both tensed.

“Go!”

I took off, burning through the cones, listening to him breathing heavily right beside me. I pressed harder, determined to leave him behind, but he didn’t go away. The cones blurred past my feet, and I hit the end, spun around the cone and headed back, digging in as hard as I could, even as I was aware of him pulling ahead of me.

My quads were screaming, but I pushed even more and blew through the last six cones, giving a whoop as I crossed the finish line. He was already done, his chest heaving and a big grin on his face.

“Not bad,” he said.

“You beat me.” I bent over, trying to catch my breath. He gave a snort of amusement.

“If it bugs you, beat me next time.”

“Oh, I will. Just give me a second.”

I was pretty sure I’d never run that hard before in my life. And it rocked. He hadn’t taken it easy on me, and I loved that and as soon as the ground stopped spinning, I’d kick his butt. Then I remembered to check my cones. All standing but two of his were down. I shot him a look and he glanced at his course.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face and I felt a smug sense of satisfaction. He’ d been concentrating so hard on beating me that he’d messed up.

“Drop and give me twenty, big guy.”

“You still owe me a lap,” he grumbled, even as he dropped to the turf and started pumping.

“Count ’em.” For a second I forgot to count as I watched his arms flex with each push up. His triceps were glistening with sweat, and the muscles were corded under his skin. He shot me a look.

“Six,” he prompted.

“Right. Sorry. I was gloating.” Then I realized what he’d said.

“Nice try Jungkook. Two.” He chuckled.

“No mercy.” But there was a respect in his voice that made me feel good.

“Like you’re going to let me skip my lap.” I was glad when he grunted his refusal.

“Not a chance.”

“Didn’t think so.”

I sat back on my heels and counted him down, already working on a strategy for my second trip through the cones. Jungkook was pushing me and I was challenging him and it was awesome. He was intense and funny and he took me seriously.

He treated me like one of the guys, and it was the best feeling ever. None of that girl/guy stuff, just sweat, sports and competition. Exactly how I wanted it.

An hour and a half later, it was so dark I could barely see the ball, but I wasn’t about to call it and neither was Jungkook. I’d never practiced with someone who was as intense as I was, and it made me try even harder. He’d even set up the drills so it didn’t matter that he was a better player, he was still working as hard as I was.

I’d done more laps than him, but he’d had to do three and we’d both done so many push-ups that I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to lift my toothbrush by the time I got home. Even my legs were trembling but I wasn’t about to admit it, not with Jungkook treating me like a real athlete instead of a pretty ditz.

I eyed him as I approached him for a little one-on-one, then faked to the left and split right, then tripped. It was too dark to see. I yelped as I landed on the ball, the leather smacking me like a gut punch. I groaned and rolled onto my back, letting my arms flop out to my sides.

“Ouch.” Jungkook bent over me.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” I struggled to sit up, not wanting to be a wimp, but I was so tired all I wanted to do was lie there in the grass.

“Want a hand?” He held out his hand, and for a minute I hesitated. Was he trying to make a move?

“Come on, klutz. Off your butt.” I grinned and grabbed Jungkook’s outstretched hand and let him pull me to my feet.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” He flipped the ball into his hands with his toe.

“Call it a night?” I didn’t want to, but I knew it was too dark and I was totally beat.

“Yeah, I guess we should.”

“Aren’t you tired?” He scooped the other ball up and tossed me one.

“Not at all,” I lied. “You?” I rested the ball on my hip and we walked back toward the equipment shed. Just me. In the dark. Alone. With a boy.

I cleared my throat and peeked at him, but he was bouncing the ball off alternating knees with each step. I shook my head. Like I had to worry about anything with him when he was just as single minded as I was when it came to soccer.

“Not tired” Jungkook said. He still wasn’t looking at me. “You stay late much? I’ve never seen you out here before.”

“Actually, this is my first time. Coach told me that she was considering bumping me up to varsity in two weeks, so I decided to stay late and do extra practice.”

“Really?” He caught the ball and started tossing it from hand to hand as he walked. “Sweet.” I felt a swell of pride at his tone. He got it.

“Yeah, I’d be stoked to make varsity. I’m going to practice every day ’til she picks.”

Man, I would love to practice with Jungkook again I’d never been pushed as hard as I’d been tonight and he’d given me some great tips. A few more sessions with him, and I’d be better than Jennie. Well, as good at least.

We neared the building, the small fl oodlight lighting up his face. The shadows made his cheekbones prominent and his jaw look really angular, kind of strong.

I suddenly felt intimidated and realized there was no way I’d ask him to practice again. He was on the varsity boys team. A million times better than me, no way was I going to be dumb enough to invite myself into his practice sessions.

“So, well, thanks for tonight. It was. . .” Was what? Awesome? Hard as heck and the best night of my life? “fun.”

“Yeah, it was good. It’s good to have some competition.” He caught the ball and gave me a thoughtful look. Not checking me out, not plotting, just normal.

“You going to be out here again?” I eyed him, trying to figure out what he was asking.

“I won’t get in your way.” He laughed softly.

“I meant, do you want to practice again? It helps me to have someone to go against.”

Oh, wow. He wanted to practice again? With me? I almost shouted my excitement and then thought of how manic Jennie got around guys. I didn’t want to be like that, didn’t want to make Jungkook suddenly start thinking of me as a girl, so I gave a casual shrug.

“Yeah, that’d be all right.” He tugged open the door and held it for me.

“Same time, then?”

“Works for me.” I slipped past him, then tossed the ball in the corner. Jungkook added his to the pile, then we walked out. He locked the door behind us and we headed toward the gym. We were about halfway to the gym when Jungkook spoke.

“So, how come you’re not at Pop’s? I thought that’s where everyone went after school.”

“Not everyone.” I thought of my friends there without me and scowled. He nodded.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. The guys on the team head over there to check out the girls. I’d rather play soccer.”

“Really?” I jerked my gaze to his face to see if he was making fun of me.

He looked totally serious, and my heart soared. “That’s how I feel! My friends just go to hang out with the guys acting really stupid around them. I’d so much rather be out here.”

Jungkook laughed again, a low sound that rolled through my bones.

“They can’t be as dumb as my teammates are. It’s like they lose their brains around girls.”

“What’s up with that?” We laugh at the same time. It was such a relief to talk to someone who thought like I did. I reached the gym door first and I hauled it open. He reached over my head and grabbed the edge.

“Who knows? I can’t imagine choosing a girl over sports.”

“I know what you mean!” I ducked under his arm and caught another whiff of his scent. It was all guy, with an undercurrent of soap or something. I liked it. Not that I liked it . . . okay, fine, I sort of liked it, so what? That didn’t mean I was going to turn into Jennie and Sana.

I appreciated him as an athlete and a guy who treated me like an equal, that was it. I took another quick inhale before I moved out of sniffing range.

“I’d pick soccer over the scene at Pop’s any day.”

“I hear you.” He let the door shut behind us.

“I guess that means I’ll see you tomorrow?”

I shoved my sweaty bangs off my face and grinned up at him.

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m thinking I might go to Pop’s instead. . . .” He laughed.

“Yeah, right.” He jumped down the four steps leading to the boys’ locker room, then saluted me.

“See ya around, Y/n. It was nice meeting you.” Then he shoved open the door to the locker room and disappeared.

I ran all the way down the hall, dancing with excitement. Not only did I have a practice partner, but he felt the same way as I did about our friends and the dating scene.

Jungkook was just like me in everything, about Pop’s, about dating, about guy/girls relationship, with him I didn’t have to worry about any of that intimidating stuff.

I could even make fun of it and he didn’t think I was a freak. Plus, I was going to seriously improve my soccer if I kept practicing with him and that was what really mattered. I was so going to call my dad tonight and tell him about my chance at varsity, and how I was putting in extra practice time.

I slammed my hip into the locker room door and shoved it open, feeling truly happy for the first time in months.

Friday night, I found myself sitting between Sana and Jennie at the football game, listening to them detail their night at Pop’s with Jimin and Taehyung. I managed a grin. It did sound like it had been fun but honestly all I could think about was Jungkook. How he was so good with the ball and never missed a beat when it came to it. Obviously they started saying how I should have gone with them

“Yeah, well, I was practicing and I met this—” All of a sudden Jennie elbowed Sana and pointed at the entry where they saw Tae and Jimin walk in. For a split of second Jennie looked sad

“Tae was checking the door for you all night,” she said, almost managing to sound like she didn’t care. “Sana how many times did he ask if Y/n was coming?”

“Like, a zillion,” she replied. “He was sitting next to the seat we were saving for you and he wouldn’t let anyone sit there.” The thought of Taehyung waiting for me ended all regret I had at missing out.

“What’s his problem? Why won’t he stop bugging me?”

“Because he likes you” Jennie said. “What’s your problem? Why won’t you give him a chance? You’re so lucky. Guys adore you, and you don’t even appreciate it.”

“Yeah,” Sana sighed. “If I had half your chest, my life would be so much better.”

I snorted. “Get real, the only reason Taehyung likes me is because I don’t like him back”

“Shut up Y/n. You’re hot as hell. I’d try to smash you if I was a guy too.” Sana said and I felt my cheeks heat up like they always did when she started talking like that.

“Shut up.”

Jennie leaned on her elbow, twisting around to look at me. “Seriously, do you like him or not? I mean, he seems to think you’re playing hard to get.”

I rolled my eyes and took a bite of my hot dog. Some questions simply didn’t deserve an answer. She bit her lower lip and looked at Sana. I eyed them, realizing they were hatching some plan. I swallowed too soon, choked, and started coughing.

“Smooth move, Y/n,” Taehyung hollered from down below. “You want me to give you some lessons on how to eat?”

I quickly wiped my mouth as Jennie ran her fingers through her hair. “Is my makeup okay?” she whispered.

“Perfect,” Sana said.

“Hey, Y/n.” Tae was wearing jeans and a brown leather jacket that was actually pretty sweet. He swung his leg over the bleacher in front of me and straddled it like some cowboy wannabe sitting on his metal horse.

“Missed you last night at Pop’s.”

“Yeah, well, sorry I missed out. I heard you were a dead ringer for Britney.” I popped the rest of the dog in my mouth and gave him a ketchup-smirk.

“I practiced instead you know, that thing where you run around and kick soccer balls? Much more fun.”

Jungkook and I had practiced after school today as well and it had been awesome. A great workout and nothing else. None of this stupidness. I seriously doubted Jungkook had even noticed I was a girl which was fine with me.

Tae gave me an obvious once over. “Well, you might have been sweaty yesterday, but you clean up good.” I snorted and rolled my eyes. Didn’t he get that he had a much better chance with me if he appreciated my soccer talents and not my hair? Not that I cared what he thought of me or especially how I looked.

“So, Taehyungie, when are you going to do a karaoke duet with me?” Jennie tapped his leg with her toe. “You’ve got some serious dance moves.” He grinned and leaned toward her.

“Anytime, babe. I think we’d be a perfect match.” He slanted a calculating leer at me, like he was hoping I’d be jealous. As if. If she really wanted him, and I couldn’t imagine why she did she could have him.

I sighed and turned back to the game. Jennie was nearly hanging over my lap in her attempt to flirt with her crush, and Sana had apparently lost her ability to speak.

Whatever. I totally should have stayed home, watching some Major League Soccer on television or something. I averted my gaze from them, scanning the bleachers for someone to go sit with but then my heart jumped.

Jungkook was sitting in the next section, a few rows in front of us. It looked like there was a group of guys and girls with him, but he was sitting one row behind them, by himself. He was stretched out, his feet up on the bench in front of him between two girls and he was leaning back, propped up with his elbows on the bench behind him.

He seemed to be ignoring everyone around him, focused intently on the game. His jeans were faded, his sneakers were hashed, and he was wearing a Red Sox cap backward and a red sweatshirt. It was the first time I’d seen him in anything but shorts and cleats.

As I watched, he turned his head and looked right at me. I was so surprised that I forgot to turn away and pretend I hadn’t been staring, then he grinned and gave me a nod. Relief rushed through me and I waved back.

“Who’s that?” Sana asked, sitting up to stare at Jungkook.

“Who are you waving at?” Tae twisted around to see who I’d waved at. “That guy’s a sophomore. How do you know him?” Jennie shot me a weird look.

“Have you been holding out on us?”I jerked my gaze off Jungkook and fixed the cuff on my jeans.

“His name’s Jungkook. I practice with him. It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? He’s freaking hot.”

Hot? I took another look at Jungkook, who was watching the game again. Really?

He sweats a lot,” I admitted. “That’s cool, I guess.”

“He sweats? That’s all you can say?” Jennie whistled. “Are you blind or something? He’s a total smash!”

“Are you dating him, Y/n?” Tae inquired

“No! Relax you guys. He plays soccer. So do I, that’s all it is. It is possible to just be friends with a guy, you know?”

Jennie raised her brows and Sana snorted her disbelief, but Tae grinned and relaxed, then Jennie scrambled over me and plunked herself down next to him. She ran her finger along the sleeve of his leather jacket. “This leather is so soft. Where’d you get the jacket? I love it.”

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. I loved Jennie but she was a total maniac around guys. But Tae didn’t buy into her thing. Instead, he looked up at me.

“You going to Pop’s after the game?”

“No. I’m going over to my dad’s.” Well, I was supposed to spend every Friday night at my dad’s, but I hadn’t heard from him this week, even after I’d left him the message about varsity. I had a feeling I was going to be stood up again. He’d been busy lately. Really busy. Maybe I should go to Pop’s. Might be more fun than sitting home being ditched again and having my mom make chocolate chip cookies . . . again.

Tae rested his elbow over my knees. “How about tomorrow, then? Want to hit a movie?”

Jennie made a noise of distress and I felt bad. I knew what she was feeling because that’s how I felt about her and soccer: We both had what the other wanted. Maybe if I helped her with him, she’d cut me some slack with practicing. So I leaned down and looked right at Tae.

“I’m not playing hard to get, pal. I’m just not interested in dating you.”

Everyone seatted a the table turned their attention to us. Tae stared at me for a long minute, and I didn’t blink. My eye itched, but I refused to give in. Then a slow grin appeared on his face.

“Nice try, Y/n, but it’s not going to work.”

Argh!

“I’m serious!” I said. He just gave me a sly look, like he was totally on to me, then he turned back to the game and pressed his shoulder against Jennie’s whispering something to her. She immediately bent her head toward him and I felt a flash of sympathy. He wasn’t ever going to like her, was he? She needed to forget about him.

Taehyung casually leaned back against my knees, like they were a backrest. I pulled my knees to the side and he almost fell over. He raised his brows at me, and I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Go lean on Jimin.”

He smirked, then turned away and slung his arm over Jennie’s shoulders, bending his head next to hers so they could whisper. She giggled, he laughed, and Sana sighed.

I peeked at Jungkook and he was watching us. I pointed at the back of Tae’s head and made a face and Jungkook grinned at me. I smiled back, then realized Sana was looking at me.

“What?” I asked. “He’s a friend. That’s it.”

“No guy who’s that cute can be only a friend.”

“He’s not that cute! He’s just a guy.” When she rolled her eyes at me, I decided to check out Jungkook again to see if I could see what she was freaking out about, but when I looked down at him, he was standing up talking to Winter, one of the cutest girls in the sophomore class. She had this long, blond hair, a perfect figure, huge blue eyes and so, of course, all the guys loved her. She was also one of those girls who always had perfect makeup and clothes that were right out of the pages of Cosmo or something.

What was Jungkook doing talking to her? I thought he wasn’t into the girl scene. As I watched, she turned and started walking away while he followed her right down off the bleachers toward the concessions. No way. How could he be into her? She was as girly as they come.

“So that must be his girlfriend.” Tae sat down next to me with a thump and I turned away from Jungkook and Winter. He brushed his shoulder against mine.

“I think I’ll sit up here for a bit. You don’t mind, do you?” Jennie was sitting with her back to us, her arms folded over her chest. Her shoulders were tense and I could practically feel her being mad at me.

“Get away from me.”

“Because you don’t want him to think we’re together?”

“Ha. As if I care what he thinks.” At his grin, I suddenly realized I’d given the wrong answer: By telling him I wasn’t interested in Jungkook, he could take that to mean I was available. I felt like smacking myself in the forehead.

I’d had it with the guy/girl thing. It was going to give me a brain freeze! Tae scooted closer.

“Give it up, Y/n. You know you like me. Stop fighting it.”

“Ew.” I shoved him off me and stood up, nearly tripping over Jimin, who was sitting there like a dork, just listening and staring at Sana, who was pretending not to notice he was watching her.

“I’m going to get popcorn.” Tae stood up. “I’ll go with you.”

“No!” I started to walk away, then stopped when he started to follow me. “Jennie has something she wants to talk to you about.” Her eyes widened in panic, and I shoved him toward her.

“She’s been waiting all night to bring it up. Sit and listen.”

“Um, yeah, see I had this question about . . . um . . . English. Yeah, English.”

I bailed before Tae could get away from Jennie, jogging down the metal bleachers and heading toward the concessions, my sneakers squeaking with each step. With any luck, the line would be long and I wouldn’t return to my seat until the game was way over.

I headed for cotton candy, because, well, what was better than cotton candy when I was in one of those moods? I took a quick glance around for Jungkook and Winter, but didn’t see them. So maybe they’d left. Together.

What was up with that? I folded my arms over my chest and scowled at the back of the head of the girl in front of me. Dark hair, cropped shirt, and low-slung jeans. I felt my eyes widen as I saw the edge of a tattoo peeking out from under the waistband of her pants. There was blond hair and a halo. An angel. My parents would flip if I did that! Unless it was a soccer ball. My dad would probably support that. Assuming I ever saw him again to actually get his permission.

“Hey, Y/n.” I spun around. “Jungkook?”

He was standing right behind me, a navy letterman jacket from what must have been his old school slung over his shoulder. His hair was sort of spiky, which was new. It was a good look. I took a quick peek behind him. No Winter.

“What happened to your girlfriend?” Fuck, had I actually asked that? Like I cared about his life on any level except soccer.

His brow furrowed and he looked behind him, like he was trying to see what I’d been looking at.

“What girlfriend?”

“Winter. I saw you guys talking and . . .” I suddenly realized it sounded like I’d been spying on him. So I shrugged and turned back so I faced the front of the line. “Whatever.”

He moved next to me, his shoulder brushing against mine and I caught a whiff of the scent I was beginning to recognize as his own. This time, there was no athletic undercurrent. He just smelled clean, sort of like the woods, pine-scented. I grinned to myself. A pine-scented practice partner. How fun.

“She’s not my girlfriend. Are you kidding? A girl like her? Way too high maintenance.” He grinned. “Plus, she hates sports.”

“She’s insane.” I suddenly felt much better than I had a few minutes ago, probably because the line was finally moving. He took a step forward as I moved with the line.

“What about the blond guy sitting with you? Boyfriend?”

“Ha. He wishes.”

“Humm.” We were silent for a few minutes, and I watched as a guy came up to tattoo girl in front of me and put his arm around her waist, making some comment about how pretty her hair was. She giggled and leaned into him, fluttering her mascara-laden lashes at him. I snorted and I heard Jungkook stifle a laugh next to me.

I’d been right about him after all. He was like me. Soccer was our world and dating was for people who didn’t have enough other interesting things to talk about.

“You getting some cotton candy or what?”

“No, actually, I’m heading out.” He glanced at his watch. “Got a family birthday to attend. I just wanted to say hey.”

“Hey back.” I grimaced at how wistful I sounded. So what if I hadn’t had a family since my parents had split up at the start of the summer? Didn’t bother me. “Well, have fun.”

He nodded. “See you Monday?”

“You bet. Prepare to run a lot of laps.”

“Back at ya Y/n .” Then he looked past my head and frowned. “Winter spotted me.” He sighed. “She needs to get a life.” He winced visibly when she shouted his name. “I gotta bail. See you later.”

And then he was gone. I chuckled as I saw Winter run past me, trying to get Jungkook’s attention. He didn’t run away from me, did he? Nope. Because I was cool and not girly. When I got back to my seat, Tae’s attention didn’t bug me nearly as much as it had earlier in the night.

Go figure

When we were walking to the soccer field for practice on Monday afternoon I was so busy thinking about Jungkook that I totally wasn’t paying attention to where we were going.

“Wait a second.” Jennie stopped suddenly. “I thought we were practicing with varsity a week from Friday.”

“We are.” I took advantage of the moment to drop to one knee and crank the laces on my right cleat tighter. My shoes were getting a little too broken in. My dad was the one willing to cough up the dough for the really good cleats, so I’d texted him that I needed a new pair. He must be out of the country or something, because I hadn’t heard from him since before the whole varsity thing had started.

“Then why are the varsity girls on our field? During our practice time?” I glanced up at our field.

“Holy cow.” She was right. Varsity girls were there. Now. It was too soon. I wasn’t ready. “They must be finishing up.” Tell me they’re finishing up.

“God, they’re good,” Sana muttered. “I had no idea how much better they were than us.”

“They’re not that good,” Jennie scoffed but there was a slight waver to her voice. “I’m right there with them.”

Coach Merrill was standing next to the varsity coach, and she pointed toward Jennie and me. She and Coach Young turned to look at us, then Coach nodded and wrote something down on a clipboard she was carrying.

“Oh, no. Not today.” My lungs got tight and a trickle of sweat dripped down my back. I wasn’t ready yet.

“I think today,” Jennie whispered. “Kathleen and Heidi are already out there" Our competition was already on the field? Not fair. I grabbed Jennie’s wrist.

“Come on. Let’s find out what’s up.”

“Right.” We stalked forward, side by side, and I was vaguely aware of Sana running after us. We reached Coach Merrill, but before we could ask, she introduced us to Coach Young, then said,

“Coach Young wanted an early look at you guys.This isn’t an official tryout, but she wanted to get a sense of where everyone was and see if there was anyone else she wanted to add to the list of potentials.” She nodded at the field.

“Why don’t you all head down to the goal and take some practice shots?”

All I could manage was a nod, then I spun around and started jogging toward the goal. My hands were actually shaking.

“See, it’s not a tryout,” Sana said as we made our way out onto the field.

“Today doesn’t count for you guys. You’re already on the list.” Jennie and I exchanged glances.

“Of course it counts,” I said. “It always counts.” A varsity girl jogged up to me. “You’re with me. Come on.”

I shot a nervous look at Jennie, who gave me a thumbs up, then I followed the varsity girl. She dropped the ball between us.

“I’m Lisa.”

“Y/n.”

“Hey. I’ll play defense. Try to get past me to kick a goal, okay?” I nodded and wiped my palms on my shorts. My footwork was way better after two days with Jungkook. I could handle this. Lisa backed up about ten feet and settled into a defensive stance. I carved the ball with my foot and headed toward the goal. I’d just lean to the right to make her think I was going that way and then I’d go left. . . . She was there and stole the ball in less than a second.

Crud.

Lisa grinned and kicked it back to me. “Again.” I tried again. She stole it again.

And again.

I wiped the back of my hand across my forehead and glanced over my shoulder. Coach Young was watching us. Come on, Y/n. I lined up again, drew deep on what Jungkook and I’d been working on, and went for it. I made it fifteen feet before Lisa stole it for the fourth time.

Crud.

I looked up just in time to see Jennie kick a goal, her varsity defender grimacing as she picked herself up off the turf. Great, just great. As Coach Merrill and Coach Young disappeared into the gym behind the last of the girls, I plunked myself down on the field and dropped my head between my knees. I was beat and completely frustrated. I’d been totally hosed by Lisa the entire practice and I knew it. I was sunk.

Jennie was bouncing all over the place, fi red up after her great performance. “You weren’t that bad.” I lifted my head to look at her. She gave me a sheepish smile.

“You’ll do better next time, at least. You still have next Friday.” Sana sat next to me and put her arm around my shoulder.

“And even if you don’t do better and don’t make the team, you can hang out with me on JV. That’s not so bad.” I let out a deep breath.

“I love hanging out with you, but I want to make varsity.” I wanted it even more after practicing with the varsity team today and seeing their intensity, but it seemed so much further away now. Like, out of reach. Totally.

“What’s the big deal with varsity, anyway?” Jennie grabbed her shirt and rubbed the hem of it under her eyes, wiping off her smeared mascara. “I mean, either way, it’s still soccer.” I frowned at her.

“You’re kidding, right? They’re totally different.” Jennie dropped her shirt back down and started running her fingers through her hair, trying to untangle her dark curls.

“Yeah, because varsity practices later and if we make varsity, we’ll miss out on time at Pop’s.”

“Really?” Sana sat up. “You’ll stop going? But what about Jimin. . . and Taehyung?”

“Well, I was actually thinking about that, you know?” Jennie sat down in front of us and crossed her legs. “I mean, the whole point of doing soccer is to hang out, so if the three of us get split between two teams, then where’s the fun?” She leaned forward, her gaze pinned to my face.

“I was actually kind of thinking that maybe we should both drop out, since Sana’s not going for varsity. What do you think?” I was too surprised to answer. Drop out of contention for varsity so I could be social? She grinned, a twinkle in her eye I hadn’t seen before, winking at Sana.

“I saw Taehyung earlier today. He said he and Jimin are going to Pop’s tonight at six to study for the history test tomorrow. You want to go?” I stared at them in disbelief.

“Are you guys serious? You’re worried about hanging out with them instead of soccer?”

“Face it, Y/n,” Sana said. “You’re not going to make varsity. Those girls are so good.” I clenched my fists.

“I can make it. I’ll just work harder.” Jennie rolled her eyes.

“Y/n, you have to mellow out about soccer. It’s just a game. Who really cares if you make varsity?”

“I do!” I stood up, unable to take their attitude anymore. How could they not understand how important this was?

“I’m going to go practice with Jungkook. I’ll see you guys later.”

“But what about Pop’s tonight?”

“Can’t do it.” I grabbed a ball and left them in the field, too frustrated even to feel depressed about them going out without me. I mean, I didn’t want to lose them as friends but I wanted varsity too. Why couldn’t they understand it? Jungkook would understand . . . not that I was going to go complain to him, a guy wouldn’t get all upset over a bad practice, and I wasn’t about to go pathetic and girly on him. I’d seen him run away from Winter and there was no way I could take that kind of rejection today.

He was already on the field when I got there. He’d set up a bunch of cones all over the place in front of the goal. He smiled when he saw me.

"We’re practicing at this end today. Cool?”

“Yeah. Great.” I dropped my ball at my feet and sighed. Did I really have what it took to make varsity, or was I kidding myself? Was I wasting my time? Suddenly became aware of Jungkook waving his hand slowly in front of my face.

“What?” He chuckled.

“You were totally spacing out. What’s up?” I bit my lower lip to keep myself from blurting it out. I would not become a high-maintenance chick. I was going to be like a guy. Cool.

His left eyebrow cocked. “Y/n? What’s wrong?” I studied his face for a second, but he didn’t turn away or start doing his hackey sack thing. He was actually waiting for me to answer him. Maybe I should. He would get it.

“Can I ask you something?” He nodded.

“Do you think I really have a chance to make varsity? I mean, we had to practice with them today and they were so much better. This one girl kicked my butt all over the field and my stupid friends think it’s not a big deal if I don’t make varsity, and it’s driving me crazy!” He opened his mouth to answer and I smacked my hand over his lips.

“Tell me the truth. I need to know... Am I wasting my time with this varsity thing? Tell me the truth or I’ll sic Wintr on you, I swear I will!” His skin was warm under my hand, and it sort of distracted me from how upset I was making myself. I cleared my throat.

“Do you promise to tell me the truth?” At his nod, I moved my hand away. He was smiling again, almost laughing. I scowled.

“What’s so funny?”

“You.” I set my hand on my hips. “Why?”

“Because you’re all insecure and I didn’t think you ever got that way.” Oh, great. Now he was going to blow me off. Too wimpy. Too girly. Too annoying.

“I’m not insecure,” I snapped. He simply cocked his head and looked at me

“Honestly, I think a lot of the varsity girls are better than you. . . .” He caught my arm as I started to turn away. “But that’s to be expected. There aren’t any freshmen on the team, are there?”

I eyed him. “No. Not unless some of us get moved up next week.” He nodded. “See? So, of course, they’re going to be better than you right now. But that’s not the issue. The question is whether you’re one of the top two JV girls, right? Because two girls are moving up, right?”

“I guess so.”

“So, that’s all you need to think about. Once you make varsity, you have the rest of the season to catch up to the other varsity girls.” I pursed my lips while I considered his comment.

“I guess . . .” He did have a point. I could be top two on JV, couldn’t I? He slung his arm around my shoulder and messed up my hair.

“Y/n, relax. You’re a great player and we have almost two weeks to train.” I froze at the feeling of his arm around me. My shoulder was pressed up against his side, and his whole body was warm against me, and my stomach did a little flip flop. This wasn’t how it felt when Sana or Jennie put an arm around me, this was different.

He started walking toward the cones he’d set up, keep-ing his arm around my shoulders. Why was he doing that? Had he suddenly decided he liked me? That would be bad. I didn’t like guys like that. Not even Jungkook, who the girls thought was so hot. Was he hot? Were they right? I mean, he wasn’t ugly for sure . . . but hot?

He dropped his arm, and I sighed with relief. Yeah, relief. But then he put his hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him. Um, hello? Total eye contact. Was this the moment? Was he going to change our relationship and force me to run away from him?

“Y/n.” I swallowed hard.

“What?”

“How bad do you want varsity?” Varsity? That’s what this was about? Good. That’s what I wanted it to be about. Um, yeah.

“Y/n?”

“Varsity’s all I want.” He nodded with satisfaction, like he totally heard me. Like he got me. Like I’d said what he wanted to hear.

“You can make it. I know you can.” I met his determined gaze and felt all the pressure and frustration fall away from me.

“Yeah, I can.” He grinned. “Then we better get to work, huh?”

“You’ll help?”

“Of course.”

Of course. A warm feeling settled in my belly. Jungkook did get me. Soccer was just as important to him as it was to me. We were a team, kinda.

“I’ll owe you.”

“No sweat.” He turned away and headed toward the cones. “Practicing with you helps my game, you know?”

Of course that was why he was helping me. Because it helped his game, made sense. That was how it should be. See? We were good. It was still just us, doing soccer. I lifted my chin, realizing that I wasn’t feeling bummed out and frustrated about soccer anymore, thanks to Jungkook and I jogged after him.

“I’ll kick your butt today,” I announced. He shot me a grin as he moved the cones.

“You’re so going down, Y/n.”

“Not even!” I gave him a friendly hip check. “No mercy.” His eyes glittered at me. “No mercy,” he agreed. Then he tossed me a ball.

“You have to get through all the cones and then kick a goal. Timed, as usual.”

“Got it.” I took my ball and headed toward my end, not even bothering to get upset that he had a longer course than I did. He was better than I was and that was okay. It didn’t bother him and it didn’t bother me. It simply gave me motivation to kick his butt so he had to make his course shorter.I dropped the ball.

“Ready?”

“Set.”

“Go!”

And then we were off. Adrenaline surged, my mind focused, and I charged forward, pretending Coach Young was watching me and I was going against Lisa with my varsity spot on the line. Around this cone, that one, to the end and voilà! I slammed my ball into the upper right corner of the net a full half second before Jungkook’s ball did. It was by far the most I’d ever beat him, and I threw my arms up in victory. I laughed at the disgruntled look on his face.

“What can I say? You inspire me. Take a lap, buddy.” He chuckled and smacked me lightly on the back of the head as he ran by.

“I’m going to have to stop taking it easy on you.”

I laughed as I watched him take off. He’d been breathing hard after that run. I’d pushed him, and I’d beat him legit. As I watched him jog around the field, I felt the tension from JV practice ease from my shoulders. Not only did Jungkook get me and help my soccer, but he hadn’t even cared when I’d sort of wigged out on him. He was good for me.

Then my smile faded as I realized I was watching his quads flex with each step. Watching the ripple of muscles under the skin. I immediately cleared my throat and yanked my gaze off him, totally flustered as I hustled over to take a couple of his cones away. What was wrong with me? We were soccer partners. He didn’t like girls, and I didn’t like guys. That’s why we got along so well, there would be no changing of the rules, even if I wanted to change them.

Which I didn’t because if I did, soccer practice would be over. I’d seen how he ditched Winter. There was no way I was giving him a reason to do the same to me. I needed him, at least until the tryouts, which meant we were soccer buddies only.

Which meant no more noticing his quads. You had this Y/n

It was almost dark when I walked out of the locker room after our practice session, after a quick shower. My hair was still wet, but why bother to dry it if I was just going home. Who was going to see it? I jumped down the stairs, humming to myself as I hit the street.

“Wait up!” I immediately stopped and turned around in time to see Jungkook jogging up behind me. His backpack was over one shoulder, and his gym bag over his other one. His hair was sticking up straight from the shower.

“What’s going on?” I shifted my weight and fiddled with the strap on my bag.

“Where are you headed?” He fell in next to me and I started walking again.

“Home. You?”

“My brother's picking me up at the ice cream shop down the street. He’s going to be late today, so I figured I’d grab some food there and study ’til he gets here.”

“That’s on my way home. I walk right past there.” How often did he go there? Had I walked by him other times and not noticed? How weird would that be?

“You walk all the way home?” he asked. I nodded. “It’s only a ten minute walk. Works for me.”

We fell silent and I became aware of the sound of his sneakers crunching on the leaves, and I realized I was matching my steps to his. I immediately shifted my gait to a different tempo.

“So, I liked that new one-on-one drill we did today.” He caught my arm as I was about to cross the street, nodding at a car that was coming.

“My brother plays college soccer and he told me about it. I asked him for some drills the other night.”

His hand was warm around my arm and I couldn’t stop myself from noticing. The car passed, he dropped his hand, and headed across the street, still rambling on about soccer. I jogged after him to catch up, trying to focus on what he was talking about. But all I could think of was the fact that Jennie and Sana thought he was hot.

And he’d been holding my arm, but who would care about that?

He stopped suddenly and I almost ran into him. “So we’re here. You going to stop for some ice cream or head home?”

“Ice cream,” I blurted. “I’m going to have some ice cream.”

He dropped his bags on the one open bench out front. It was crowded inside, mostly with families and little kids. All the tables were taken both inside and outside, and all that was left was the bench. There was music being piped out from under the green and white striped awning, but I didn’t recognize it. Sounded like the kind of music my parents listened to.

“I’ll get the ice cream. The guy behind the counter has a brother on the soccer team, and he lets us skip the line. What do you want?”

“Chocolate with Reese’s peanut butter cups would be awesome.” He grinned as he frowned his brows.

“No protests of how you’re on a diet and just want water?”

I snorted. “As if! You really think I’m that kind of girl? I’m totally offended.”

He batted me softly on the head. “Don’t worry, Y/n, you’re not like other girls. Why do you think I’m hanging with you and practicing with you? If you were like other girls and all into that kind of girl stuff and stalking me, I’d be gone. You’re like . . . a guy with highlights.”

A surge of warmth went through me. A guy with highlights had to be the highest compliment Jungkook offered. Guess I didn’t have to worry anymore about whether he liked me. Question answered. I felt so much better knowing he didn’t like me. Really. I felt better. I was pretty sure of it.

“Swear,” he said. “Now, are you going to save my seat or what?” I put my foot up on the bench as he stood up.

“I’ll take out anyone who dares take your spot.”

“Thanks.” He gave me his cute little salute, then ducked inside the store. I sighed and let my head fl op against the wood, but my cell phone buzzed before I could get my thoughts in order. I jerked it out of my pocket, my heart skipping when I saw who it was. I flipped it open. “Dad?”

“Hey, hon. Sorry I missed our date last weekend.” I picked at a loose paint chip on the bench. “No, that’s fine. Whatever.” It wasn’t like I’d expected him to be there. “Did you get my messages?”

Jungkook sat down next to me and handed me a ginormous chocolate dipped waffle cone the size of my head.

“Thanks,” I mouthed. He nodded and took a bite of his equally huge Oreo cookie cone.

“I didn’t listen to your messages,” my dad said. “I just saw you called so I called you back. Figured it was faster.” I scowled.

“I left those messages days ago.” Jungkook watched me as he took another bite.

“Now, Y/n don’t get all defensive on me. I’ve been busy and this is my first free moment. Why’d you call?” I took a deep breath and told him about the varsity thing. By the end, I was all excited again.

“So, anyway, the tryouts are next Friday. You think you can come?”

“I’d love to, hon. I’ll see if I have any meetings.” My throat tightened. “I really want you to come.” My dad sighed.

“I know, hon, but you know it’s difficult for me to take time off work during the day.”

“Yeah, and you can’t take time off at night, either. When can you ever take time for me anymore? You move out of the house and it’s like you moved out of my life. Don’t you even care anymore?”

“Honey, I said I’ll try to make it, okay? I just can’t promise, you understand” Oh, I understood. “Forget it. Forget I asked. Bye, Dad.” I slammed my phone shut and shoved it in my pocket.

“Problem with the ’rental units?” Jungkook grabbed my ice cream, which I’d forgotten I was holding, as it tipped precariously to the side. He smiled and held up my waffle cone.

“Ice cream solves all problems.” I glared at it. So he angled it and popped the end of it against my nose.

“Sorry.” I snickered and wiped the ice cream off. “You are not.”

“Sure I am. You better take it before I eat it.”

“Pig.” But I took the cone and took a bite. It was smooth and chocolaty and tasted awesome. I sighed and let the ice cream roll over my tongue. So what if my dad didn’t care enough to come? Jungkook leaned back next to me, his shoulder against mine as we ate our ice cream.

“So, I’m the seventh kid out of seven,” he said after a while. I looked at him to see if he was kidding.

“Really? That’s a ton.”

“Swear.” He took another bite of ice cream. “My parents never made it to any of our games. Seven kids was too many, you know? So they said if they made it to some and not others, it would be like playing favorites, so they never went to any.” I swirled my tongue around the ice cream.

“So?”

“So, it didn’t mean they didn’t care. That’s all I’m saying.” He broke off a piece of his cone and popped it in his mouth. I bit my lower lip for a minute.

“You think that’s all it is? That he’s busy?” He shrugged.

“Once my parents forgot my birthday.” I thought of my birthday next month and wondered if my dad was going to forget.

“Did you freak?” He grinned. “I made them feel so guilty for forgetting that they gave me a huge party a week later. I was the only kid in our family ever to get a huge party.” I couldn’t help but return his smile.

“So, that’s cool.” He nodded. “So, don’t take it personally. Parents have stuff going on. Keep harassing him. He’ll come around.”

“You think?” I took a bite of my ice cream and thought about it. My dad had said he’d at least try to come.

“I know.” He raised his brow. “You ever done tears on him? My brothers were brilliant at it.”

I lifted my chin. “I don’t cry.” He gave a nod of approval.

“Good. Girls that cry drive me nuts.” He shot me a look, like he was trying to see if I was still bumming. I managed another smile, but it was a little weak. He looked thoughtful for a second like he was planning something. “Is your ice cream good?”

“Yeah, it’s . . .” I hadn’t even finished talking when he grabbed my wrist and pulled my cone toward him, dropping his head to take a huge bite out of my ice cream.

“Hey!” He lifted his head, licking the ice cream off his lips.

“It is good. Want to trade?” I eyed his cone. Oreo cookie was my second favorite kind of ice cream.

“Can I try a bite first?”

“Go for it.”

I bent over and took a bite, but as I was pulling away, he moved the cone suddenly and smushed it against my cheek.

“Jungkook!” I batted his hand away, then saw the mischievous look in his eye. “You did that on purpose!” He grinned.

“Oops. Didn’t mean to do that. Sorry.”

“You are not!” Oh, this was a battle now! I grabbed his cone and shoved it upward, smashing it into the bottom of his chin and his throat before he realized what I was doing. I cracked up as he jumped to his feet and danced out of my reach, ice cream dripping down his chin and over the front of his sweatshirt.

“That was so overkill,” he protested. “I barely got you.”

“What can I say? I’m competitive.” I grinned as I wiped a napkin over my cheek, clearing off the Oreo cookie ice goop.

“Now that your cone has been shoved in your neck, I don’t really want to trade, but thanks for the offer.” His eyes dancing, he pointed at my throat.

“There’s some on your shirt.”

“Really?” Still laughing, I tugged my collar out from my neck and saw a little ice cream around the rim.

“Good. I’ll snack on it later when I’m hungry.” He chuckled and sat down next to me, crunching on his cone.

“You know, as girls go, you’re not too bad.” I grinned. “You’re not bad for a guy.” Yeah, like, so not bad. He helped me deal with my dad. Practice soccer. And he bought me ice cream. And he made me laugh. And he made me feel good about myself. And he was cute. Not that I cared.

A red pickup truck suddenly pulled up in front of us and honked its horn. Jungkook jumped to his feet.

“That’s my ride. Gotta go.” I snickered at the ice cream still dripping down his shirt.

“You’re just afraid to take me on in an ice-cream battle. Wimp.”

“Never.” He paused with his hand on the door. “There’s a Major League Soccer game on Thursday night. Any interest in watching it? We can learn a lot from watching their strategy. It’s on cable. We can watch it at my house. My older brother can pick us up after your regular practice and we’ll skip our drilling session. Cool?”

If he hadn’t already told me that I was a guy with highlights, I might’ve wondered if the invitation to go to his house was actually a pseudo date in disguise. As it was, no biggie. Glad I knew what was up so I didn’t wig out. I nodded. “Should be fine. I’ll check with my mom and let you know tomorrow.”

“Great. See ya then.” And then he hopped in the truck and was gone. I had just leaned back in my seat and taken a big bite of ice cream when I heard a familiar voice from behind me. “Oh, my God.”

I turned around to see Jennie standing in the doorway of the ice-cream shop with her little brother. Her parents were still inside, cleaning up the table they’d been sitting at. Even though Jennie was out with the family, she was still dressed up. Makeup, hair, and a cute outfit. I forced myself not to run my hand through my still damp, unstyled hair.

“Hey, Jen. What’s up?”

“Did I just hear what I think I heard?” Her blue eyes were wide like, really wide, not just mascara enhanced wide. I shifted against the hard bench and tried to think of what she was talking about. “What?”

“A date! You have a date with Jungkook!”

“Oh, that.” I snorted and turned back to my ice cream.

“Not at all. It’s soccer. We’re going to watch a game.”

Jennie plunked herself down next to me and yanked my cone out of my hand.

“Y/n, a guy does not ask a girl to his house unless he likes her. I saw the way he looked at you.” She grinned. “You, my friend, have a date, with a very hot guy.” She took a bite of my cone for emphasis, grinning wider when I scowled at her.

“Sorry, Jennie, but you’re wrong. We’re just friends.” She cocked her head.

“You sound like you really believe that.”

“I know it. He just told me I was like a guy with highlights.” Her eyebrows went up.

“Really?” I sighed. “Uh-huh.”

“Ahhhh . . .” She leaned back against the bench. “So that’s it.”

“So what’s it? Can I have my ice cream back?” She took another bite and then handed it back. “You like him.”

“Jungkook? No way.” I shook my head hard. Then did it again. “Not a chance.”

“Give it up, Y/n. How could you not? He’s totally cute and I saw him making you laugh. You guys have been spending how much time together?” She giggled.

“Y/n has finally noticed the opposite sex. It’s about time! i'm so happy for that!”

“No.” I said it firmly. “Our friendship is based on the fact that neither of us is into the dating thing. If I liked him, then he’d bail on me, so even if I was thinking of liking him, it would be stupid and I wouldn’t do it.”

Would I? No. Of course not. The fact that I could still remember what he smelled like didn’t mean I liked him. Jennie was wrong. So what if he was cute and made me laugh? I didn’t like him.

I. Didn’t. Like. Him.

She gave me this look that told me she wasn’t buying it, but all she said was,

“Want to come to Pop’s Friday night? The boys said they might be there, so I’m trying to talk Sana into going, but she’s been wigging around Jimin ever since I told her he likes her.” She must have noticed my expression, because she added, “Please? I bet Tae will come if you’re there. Just stay ’til he comes and then you can leave, if you want.”

I couldn’t keep from grimacing. That didn’t sound like my favorite way to spend a Friday night. “I don’t think so. Why don’t you and Sana just come over to my house and we can watch movies?”

“Please?” She put her head on my shoulder and sighed. “I’ll owe you forever.” I snorted at the tone in her voice.

“Why are you so into Taehyung?” Her face immediately lit up.

“I like how he makes me feel.��

“Really? But he barely even talks to you.”

She lifted her head, shaking it vigorously. “Only when you’re there. When it’s just us, he’s so nice. He makes me laugh, he compliments me and makes me feel good about myself, and he even listens when I complain about whatever’s bugging me.” I stared at her, an eerily familiar feeling coming over me.

“He does?” That was how it was with Jungkook, but that was because we were just friends, right? She got this dreamy look on her face.

“Totally.”

“Wow.” I sat back, my fingers tight around my cone. “I had no idea that it was like that between you guys.” I also had no idea that it was the same as it was between me and Jungkook. Did that mean I liked him? No. It didn’t. It couldn’t. I would lose everything if I were stupid enough to like him.

“So, you’ll help?” She sat up suddenly, an eager look on her face. “Will you tell Tae that you’re dating Jungkook?” I jumped up in horror. “No!”

“Why not? You said you don’t like Tae. But you do, don’t you?” I shook my head. “No, no, that’s not it. It’s just that I don’t want to say I’m dating Jungkook. What if it got back to him? He’d flip!” She relaxed and gave me a speculative look.

“Maybe he’d start thinking of you as more than a guy with highlights.”

“Which would be bad.” She lifted her brows.

“Would it?”

“Yes.”

It would. So how come I suddenly couldn’t stop thinking about it?

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