⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺
If a star fell each time I thought of you, the sky would be empty.
. ✦ .

Jungkook

Droplets of sweat trickle down the sides of my face as I clench my teeth tighter and throw a fierce punch on the punching bag that’s hanging in the back porch of our home. Shaking off the sweaty strands of hair from my face with a flick of my neck, I repeatedly punch it a few more times by which time my knuckles begin to hurt under the gloves and wraps. My forearm that was injured mildly a week ago hurts even more now, making me wince in pain.

The sheets of pouring rain have created small puddles along the outer edge of the porch deck, and the risk of slipping makes it really unsafe for me to continue practicing punching. I decide to take a break and resume after the rain slows down and after I wipe away some of the accumulated water from the deck.

It has been a while since I came down here to practice with my punching bag, and given that it’s a highly stress-relieving activity for me, I just had to do it today. Lately, there’s just too much on my mind that’s weighing me down, and the topmost on the list has to be the upcoming practical examinations.

I do not have a great score in my entrance exams, my attendance is just reaching the mark, and, having fallen in the ‘specials’ category, I am already ruled out for the spring semester which begins in May. That isn’t a big deal though. The part that gets me nervous is the actual scoring that’s done after the practical exams, the credits of which will decide my eligibility to enter a respectable university.

Exhaustedly dropping down on the floor beside the punching bag, I catch my breath as I pull out the gloves and begin to unwind the wraps covering my hands and wrists. My knuckles appear red and my hands hurt like hell, but I ignore the pain and grab the bottle of water that’s beside me. Then, I rip out the plaster that’s stuck on my forearm, grimacing as it painfully uproots a strip of hair strands on my arm.

Just as I discard the plaster and gulp down mouthfuls of water, my phone goes off with an incoming call. Rising from the floor, I pick up my phone from the porch rail. I answer Areum’s call while mopping the back of my neck with a small towel. There were a few messages as well that I decided to check out later.

“Hi, Areum.” I say as cheerfully as possible.

“Hey! What are you doing today?” She asks me in a quiet voice, the rain serving as a loud background music to her sweet voice.

“Nothing actually. I’ve now taken a break after a bit of practice. What are you doing?” Throwing the towel over my head, I grab the bottle of water and make my way inside the kitchen, making sure to close the door behind me.

“I- I’m with Miso. Right outside your door.” Her muffled words startle me, making me whip around towards the front door.

“Areum, what? It’s pouring outside.” I rush to open the door, and my jaw drops when I see her standing there, dripping wet, awkwardly balancing her phone between her ear and her shoulder.

Miso is inside a small basket that she’s holding safely against her chest, the puppy poking her head out from underneath a small blanket that’s covering her.

“Oh my God!” I reach out for the basket and her phone first so that she could use her hands freely.

Rubbing her phone over my shirt to dry it, I step aside and allow Areum inside, watching her as she takes off her shoes and socks near the front door. Her clothes are completely soaked through, clinging tightly to her slim body and leaving little to my imagination. There are fat droplets of water sliding down her cheeks and lips, and I force my eyes away from staring at her inappropriately. While I place Miso’s basket on the dining table along with Areum’s phone, she closes the front door and turns to look at me with a smile.

“You’re soaked through.” My voice comes out laced with concern, and the fact that she’s starting to feel cold is proved when she wraps her arms tightly around herself.

“Yeah. I never thought it would get so bad. It was just a light drizzle when I left home some time ago.” Her voice quakes a little as she eyes the towel that’s on my head.

I pull the towel away and toss it over my shoulder. “Sorry, it’s soaked in my sweat, and you’re not going to get dry if you use this.” I explain with an awkward grin, and Areum chuckles uneasily.

“Hey, come on. I’ll get you something to change into. You’ll fall sick if you stay in these clothes.” I don’t wait for her answer as I take her hand in mine and lead her to my mother’s room that’s beside the kitchen.

Areum follows me wordlessly, leaving little squelchy puddles on the way. Once we’re inside the room, I flip the light switches and turn to look at her.

“Areum, this is my mom’s room. Her clothes may fit you decently well. Please use this room and dry yourself up. Okay?” My eyebrows raise in question, and she gives me a few quick nods.

For a moment, I contemplate picking something out for her to wear, but then I decide against it and leave it to her because the priority now is to get her out of her soaked clothes.

Closing the door behind me, I leave the room and head upstairs, taking the steps two at a time, to take a shower myself. I keep it short, and it takes me just about fifteen minutes to get done, after which I run around my already fairly well-kept room, desperately attempting to tidy up the slight mess by picking up the few scattered clothes and my practice shoes.

My eyes scrutinize the computer and its surroundings which seem a little irredeemable now with the lineup of coffee mugs and the tangle of wires and controllers, given that I almost spent the entire night playing games like a maniac.

The totally unexpected hug and cheek kiss last night made my mind go completely blank, and my usually quite stable and focused thoughts went all wobbly and defunct after that. After returning home, I started the game last night just as a distraction from thinking about how soft, warm and perfect Areum’s body felt against mine, but finally, minutes turned to hours and I had to compel myself to log off when my mom had woken up and began emitting characteristic kitchen noises early this morning.

Sighing, I abandon the thought of trying to fix that area and I head back downstairs to find Areum at the dining table. She’s holding Miso in her hands and softly stroking the little puppy’s back.

A smile shows up on my lips, and any stress and anxiety that was picking my mind since morning suddenly seems to have evaporated in her presence. The sight of Areum with slightly damp hair, petting Miso right in the middle of my house seems too domestic and somehow it brings within me an inexplicable sense of calm and serenity.

I have imagined hundreds of scenarios involving Areum and myself, but never have I imagined something like this. Dragging a chair softly across the floor, I position it close to hers and sit down on it, my eyes fixed admiringly on her pretty face. She’s wearing a dress from my mom’s wardrobe, and it somehow fits her beautifully given that my mom herself is a slender woman who’s just about the same height and build as Areum.

“Did she eat anything yet?” I ask her, softly nuzzling my fingertips under Miso’s ear, the action making her rest her little head against my palm in a relaxed manner.

“Yeah, I gave her some rice and a few bits of egg for breakfast.” Areum answers me, her eyes moving to meet mine.

My stomach rumbles lightly at the mention of food, and I make a mental note to grab a snack in some time.

“We’ll check with my neighbor and find out a good diet plan for Miso. I’m sorry, Areum, I just acted out of impulse and didn’t even bother learning how to take care of a pup.” My sincere apology makes Areum smile softly.

“Don’t be sorry, Jungkook. We can find out and learn to raise her together. She actually slept so well last night, and I can’t wait to show her to my mom.” Areum’s voice sounds ecstatic, tinged with pride and eagerness.

“I hope she doesn’t scold you.”

“I don’t think she would.” She smiles. “Were you working out earlier?” She puts Miso back into the basket and sits more comfortably in the chair.

“Yeah, I was practicing with my punching bag.” I point with my thumb towards the back door in the kitchen.

“Oh, wow. Did I interrupt? I’m sorry, I only wanted to surprise you, and I thought we could go out to buy some stuff for Miso if you were free. But it looks like the rain has other plans today.” Her words, accompanied by an apologetic smile, come out in a rush, implying that she’s been wanting to tell that for a while now.

“I am truly surprised. But please don’t be sorry. I love having you over at home.” I admit with a big smile, causing her cheeks to turn a little pink, and it’s such a cute sight to watch.

“So do you practice boxing as well?”

“Not always. I only do it when I’m stressed out.” My honest confession doesn’t disrupt the look of tranquility on Areum’s face.

“Is it about the practical exams?” She softly reaches out to hold my hand in hers, slightly curling her fingers around my wrist.

My eyes drop to our hands, and my heart beats a little faster, my brain pleading with me to pull her into my arms and hold her tight once again. Swallowing all my thoughts, I answer her with a soft ‘yeah’, slowly raising my gaze to look at her.

“Jungkook, I believe in you.” Her encouraging words are punctuated by a slight squeeze she offers to my hand. “I know you’re going to ace it, future captain of ‘Seoul Knights’...” Areum doesn’t chuckle or laugh like it’s a joke when she says that, and the seriousness in her voice makes my shoulders rise in pride, a warm feeling spreading over my cheeks.

“I hope so…” I smile at her, and she smiles back at me—a warm and hearty smile that does something to my heart, distorting my thoughts once again. “Truth or dare?” My mouth seems to be on a different path altogether.

“Truth.” She answers without a spot of hesitation, sliding her hand away from mine and taking away the warmth as well.

“Tell me what’s been on your mind ever since we met last night.” My heart and mind are actually playing tug of war within me, and even though I sounded confident, I’m a little uncertain if it’s exactly what I should be doing now.

“You.” Though her answer comes out in a gentle voice, it makes my skin bristle; my stomach does a flip. “You’ve been on my mind all the time, and, honestly, I can’t stop thinking about you, Jungkook.” Areum’s eyes don’t shy away from mine after the heartfelt confession, and I can sense the growing tension between us.

“Truth or dare?” I ask again even though it’s her turn, my gaze unwavering.

She looks up at me, a little startled.

“Truth.” Areum confirms, her voice a little above a whisper as she gives me the answer I was hoping to hear.

“Will you do that once again?” I tilt my head a little to one side, implicitly hinting at the hug we shared last night, and I’m sure she understood.

“Yes.” She answers in the next heartbeat, confirming my instincts, and she beats me to it by quickly popping the question, “truth or dare?”

“Dare.” I exhale and sit up straighter, my anticipation of what’s about to follow shooting higher.

“Hug me.” Areum dares me, but it’s pretty much what I wanted to do, so in the next few seconds that ensue her request, I stand up facing her.

My legs feel weak for some reason, but I manage to hold up pretty well. She rises from her seat, too, her eyes stuck on mine as she shyly tucks away some strands of half-dried hair behind her ears. Taking two steps closer to her, I boldly hold her wrists with my freezing hands and pull her closer to me, reducing the space between us to a mere inch or so. I tower over her, and she lifts her chin up to look at me before I release her wrists and slide my arms around her petite shoulders, encircling her.

My heart pounds as if a thousand horses are thundering around with their hooves, and the slight tremble of my hands is somehow concealed by placing them on her back. Areum closes the small gap between our bodies by wrapping her arms around me, comfortably nuzzling her face against my chest, pressing our bodies against one another. Our clothes aren’t too heavy, and I’m surely not imagining this—I can feel everything through our clothes.

My hands are wound snug against her, and her soft hair is right below my chin. Unable to hold it back anymore, I place a gentle kiss on the top of her head, making Areum squeeze us together tighter if that’s even possible.

Kiss her now! Kiss her now! My mind begins whispering in a sinister way, and the moment does feel perfect and surreal to share our first kiss. But I ignore the pleas just so I could live in the moment and enjoy holding her like this for just a little longer. Our cold toes touch, making a shudder roll down my spine, and I squeeze my eyes shut, praying hard that my body shouldn’t react and ruin this perfect moment.

Areum’s hand offers gentle strokes to my back, running over the muscles under my thin shirt, making my tense muscles relax and my crinkled eyes to smooth out with the serene feeling of her hands pacifying me and subtly exploring me simultaneously. I’m encouraged to do the same, forgetting the possible physical side-effects of touching her.

Flattening my palm, I slowly stroke my hand up from the small of her back to the middle and then down again, feeling the slight bump in the way caused by the hook of her bra. My breath catches in my throat, and her hands freeze still on me, but that doesn’t discourage me from doing it once again and again.

God!

Her skin feels like silk under the fabric of the dress, and her entire body feels so soft, compact and warm that I absolutely do not wish to let go of her. Moving my hand with a little uncertainty, I gently stroke her upper arm, marveling at the way her skin feels under my palm—so soft and delicate. Her body shudders a little in my hold when I move my hand further up to the back of her neck and allow my fingers to glide inside her silky locks. My blood rushes to every corner of my body, and my skin bristles.

Shit!

Feeling overly conscious about the rising problem downstairs, I move my hip back a little, putting some space between us to safeguard my dignity and respect her space. Areum loosens her hold a little, and she is forced to move away further when my phone begins to vibrate on the dining table.

Pulling away from her, I take a moment to memorize the flustered and shy look on her face which seems a little too addictive at this point. Reluctantly turning my attention to my phone, I swipe to answer the call from Jin-Hyuk.

“Buddy, are you okay? Been texting you since morning. Match starts in ten minutes. Where are you now?” My eyes widen and my face pales with every word he says, and I can feel all the color draining out of my face.

“Shhhit!” I slap a palm on my forehead and run my hand over my hair as I stand frozen, feeling like the ground beneath me is shaking.

I begin to pace around the spot nervously, trying to figure out how to handle this dire crisis now.

Even though this isn’t the actual practical exam, it’s actually a big match today, and we’re playing against the experienced Gyeonggi province team. This was an opportunity that I was eagerly looking forward to all these months, and I have no fucking clue how it completely slipped my mind.

How the hell did I forget it? Shit! I should have set a reminder or at least read the messages.

“I’ll.. uhm.. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Is everything all set?” I stammer miserably as I fumble around and dash upstairs to fetch my duffel bag and shoes.

“Dude, yes. What were you doing? How will you even get here on time?” Jin-Hyuk sounds concerned.

“I have no idea. But I’m coming there now.” I end the call with him and toss my phone aside, mentally chiding myself for my carelessness.

When I turn around, I find Areum at the doorway to my room, appearing completely clueless and confused.

“I’ve got to go now. I’m really sorry. Please take the keys with you. I’ll get them later.” That’s all I manage to splutter out in one breath before I dash down the stairs and out of the house, having no idea if I’d even make it to the court before the first quarter halftime break.

Merry Christmas, everyone!
🎄 🎁 ⛄

Published on : 12/25/2024