Chapter Text
After Wonpil left the party, I dragged Jamie home as well. She was hammered, to say the least - too drunk she even skipped work the next day.
As for me though, I drove home that night feeling happy about seeing Wonpil again after years, but I've come to a realization that he and I will remain nothing to each other. I'm a mere fan of his who happens to be a schoolmate, and vice versa.
So maybe I was exaggerating a lil bit when I said that's how Wonpil and I's love story began. Because nothing started, and I doubt nothing will ever happen between us. I mean it's only been, what, three days since then; but I firmly believe he just asked for my number for formality. It's very unlikely that he'd actually call me; not today, not tomorrow, not in a million years.
"What the hell are you doing there?" Jamie said, sneaking up behind me.
"Seriously, you have to stop doing that to me. Don't creep up on people's backs, it's not nice." I said slapping her arm.
"Oh please, you're just too engrossed in your thoughts. What are you thinking of anyway?" She said, sitting down beside me, dipping her legs in the water.
"Nothing."
"It's not nothing, Hana. You're thinking about Wonpil aren't you?"
"What? No, I'm not. Pfft, Wonpil who?"
"Wonpil who, my ass. Seriously Hana, just text him. Or call him, I don't care." She said rolling her eyes at me.
"Well I do! We're not exactly friends for me to call him. Besides what am I supposed to say to him? Hi, I'm Hana remember me? I used to have a huge crush on you and now that I have your number, please date me, I'm single."
"Okay, I was thinking maybe along the lines of let's have coffee sometime but that works too." Jamie said laughing.
"You're not helping."
"He gave you his number for a reason though, just try giving it a chance. Text him!"
"I'll think about it. Anyway, I need to do laps; can you time me?"
"Yeah sure, I'd love to."
For the next two hours or so, I did laps. Slowly easing back to my routine. Since the accident I haven't been able to swim butterfly as it takes more pressure on my shoulders. And to be honest I'm actually scared I'll tear something again if I try to swim on it. So now I'm stuck doing freestyles, and improving my time records.
Before the accident my record time was 1 minute and 59 seconds. And I'll be damned if I went back into the game without at least improving that record.
"That was a good lap, Hana! Doing good!" Coach said as I got out of the water, removing my goggles.
"Barely, I'm still at three minutes. That's not a record time of a national athlete." I said downing the bottle of water Jamie gave me, as she helped me massage my shoulders. Sometimes I feel a bit of pain on it, I'm not even sure if it's just psychological or there really is still pain.
"Baby steps, dear. Don't push yourself too much, you can't afford another injury."
"I know Coach, I won't. I'll have to train harder for the next few months though. Asian Games is next year, that's the goal if I want to make it to Paris 2024."
"Good to know you haven't lost sight of our goal, Hana."
"I never did, Coach. I could've gotten that gold if I went to Tokyo, you and both know that." I sighed.
"Let's not dwell on the past, it already happened. I'm sure you'll do great next year, and the next Olympics. Now go home and rest, or go out see a movie or something." She said patting my arms.
"Oh don't worry Coach Joy, I'll make sure our Hana lands a date soon." Jamie said turning towards her, earning a laugh from Coach before she retreated back to the lockers.
***
Hi Hana, it's Wonpil, we met at Yoona's party last weekend.
I read the text again and again and again, but I still can't believe my eyes. I must be dreaming, right? There's no way that Wonpil actually sent me a text.
"Jamie!" I said shouting from the living room. She and I share a two-bedroom apartment three bus stops away from her clinic.
"I'm in the shower!" She shouted back, the sound of the water almost muting her voice.
"Help, Wonpil texted me!"
"What?" She said finally emerging from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her body and another on her head.
"Wonpil! He sent me a text!" I said, handing her my phone. Obviously still panicking.
"Oh my God, reply back!" She said handing me back the phone.
"What do I say though?"
"Just say hi, that's always a good start."
"Alright alright, wait gimme a minute."
"You don't have a minute, dumbass, every second counts. Just reply already!"
"Fine...there I sent it. Happy now?"
"Very" She said smirking at me.
Okay so maybe I spoke too soon when I said that nothing's ever gonna happen. Maybe this time my long time unrequited love for Wonpil will be reciprocated.
***Wonpil's POV***
"She replied!" I screamed as I stood up and ran over to Dowoon who was sitting on the table eating some kimbap.
"Who replied?" Jae hyung asked as he got out of his room.
"Hana." Dowoon said with a mouthful.
"Ooooh, you finally had the guts to text her huh? Good job buddy." He said sitting down beside Dowoon, grabbing a piece of Dowoon's kimbap.
"It's only been three days, hyung, I didn't want to look like I was too eager to see her again." I said sitting down across from them.
"I don't think a national athlete like Hana, would actually have the time to dwell on whether or not you're actually going to text her. So I'm betting she doesn't really care." Jae hyung said.
"Rude." I said rolling my eyes at him. "Anyway, so what do I say?"
"Call her! At least you know it's a working number." Dowoon suggested.
"Yes that's a good idea, just call her. And win her over with your cute laugh and shy voice."
"You openly said I'm cute, I'm flattered Jae." I said smirking at him, catching him off guard with my comment.
"I said your laugh is cute, not you." He said defending himself.
"Shame on you Jae, how dare you call me cute, what would Riley think of that?" I said teasing him.
"Oh will you shut up and just call Hana."
You see, ever since that party last Saturday, I couldn't shut up about Hana. I mean it's the first time I've seen her in years. I only ever saw her up close whenever we pass each other in the hallways, but that was way way back. And my God, she grew up to be more beautiful than I can remember. And trust me, a face like hers? You don't forget.
"Hello?" Oh my God, she picked up.
"Hi Hana, it's Wonpil. How are you?"
"I'm good, thanks for asking. Why'd you call?"
"Well, I was wondering...maybe you want...are you fr...do you have time to go have coffee sometime? Or dinner? Or maybe a movie? I'm good with anything." Smooth. That was really smooth Wonpil, wow. Not.
"Oh, um..."
"It's okay if you can't though, I mean I'm sure you're busy. So uh, never mind I asked. Anyway goodb..."
"No wait, um, I'm free this weekend."
"You are?" I said squealing excitedly, my voice going an octave higher. Jae hyung hit my arm warning me of my voice.
"That's great, can I pick you up 7-ish then?" I said clearing my throat, speaking in my normal tone again.
"Alright, I'll text you the address. See you." She said and hung up the phone.
"Seven-ish? You really said ish? The heck was that?" Jae hyung said looking at me with a smirk.
"I panicked!"
"Clearly. Where are you taking her though?"
"I've no idea. Suggestions?" I said looking at them with pleading eyes.
"Take her bowling!" Dowoon said nonchalantly.
"She's probably tired from training, I don't wanna do anything that involves being physical with her."
"Ooof, so you won't be getting some huh." Jae said.
"What? Oh my God no, that's not what I meant! I..."
"Oh so you do want to."
"Yes, go get your girl hyung!" Dowoon said cheering, Jae a laughing mess beside him.
"You're both useless!"
I retreated back into my room, leaving my two useless friends in the kitchen.