Fourteen (1/1)

I was a bit surprised when Taemin woke up before. He seldom.. no, he never does that. Ever.I found him at the kitchen, cooking and flinching when cooking oil hits him. And I don't know who's more surprised when Taemin turned around gaping at him and I'm still wearing my PJs. "Hyung! You scared the hell out of me!""What are you doing so early in the morning?""Cooking.." He gives me the 'Duh' look with an eyebrow raise."I know that." And I give him the 'Duh' look with an eyebrow raise back. "Why are you cooking? Are you sick? Do I need to tell the Coach?""What? Hyung, you're overreacting. I just feel like cooking. Is that bad?""Yea. I think I'm still dreaming.""Go away." He pushes me. I laugh. I look at him and can't stop the smile forming in my face to see him smiling."Glad you're feeling better." I say in a very soft voice. "Did you say something, Hyung?""Nope." I ruffle his hair. "I'll wash first.""Hm. Okay." Before 8AM, we arrive at the venue and meet with the team. I check the players condition and have a meeting with the coaches. Before the first real game starts, there is an opening ceremony to formally open the year's tournament. I scan the crowd and am quite surprised to see lots of students and parents in the stand supporting their teams and schools. This made me just a little nervous seeing that there are a lot of people anticipating in this year's tournament.During the ceremony, the players and the coaches are introduced. Every minute that passes by, the nerves prove to be somewhat overwhelming. So I go out to catch some fresh air and try to control the nerves. I take a deep breath then look up at the beautiful blue sky above. It somehow relaxes me. "Jinx.." I turn around to see Jonghyun worry in his face. I smile at him and extend my hand. He reaches for it and holds it dearly."What are you doing?" He asks me."Just catching my breath.""Relax, baby. Remember, you're not going to play.""I know. Is it always like this? Man.. That's a lot of people back there. How can you manage to still stay calm?""It's charge to experience baby." I open my mouth to say something but I was cut when Minhwan calls to tell us to come back because our team is next. I try to release Jonghyun's hand but he just tighten his hold."Jjong..." He squeezes my hand and finally he lets me go. After another hour, the players are finally warming up on the court. I am busy monitoring the players' conditions and simultaneously helping the coaches in any way possible. During the passing warm up, a ball goes over to the opponent side so I run to get it. In my way to get the ball,  my feet got tied around the microphone wire so I slip. The microphone makes a loud sound. The whole auditorium fell silent in the process. And me, I feel like dying from embarassment. I just hope that the floor would eat me up right that moment."Are you okay?" A player from the opponent team asks me as he helps me stand.I could hear the crowd still laughing and among them is Kibum's. I could clearly distinguish his laughter among all the crowd's. It's difficult not to notice, believe me. Gosh, I swear I'm as red as a tomato right now and surely Kibum would tease me in this entire week."Y-yes. T-thank you." I said and bow to him to as a sign of gratitude."Be careful next time." Then he pats my butt as he pushes me toward our team's side.I walk slowly and the crowd seems to go back to what they were doing previously. Some are still laughing. I noticed that the atmosphere in the court changed. It is lighter than before which is really suffocating because of the mixture of feeling nervous for the players and excitement for the crowd. I hear the person whisper a "Thanks." Was it for me?As I return to the bench, I pulled Jonghyun's jersey lightly without anyone noticing. I hear him chuckle. Then he pats my ruffles my hair.The buzzer goes off as the signal for the game to begin. Jonghyun mumbles a "Thanks Jinx. Watch me." Then he goes off to join the huddle."SW!" The Coach shouts at the top of his lungs."Here we go!" The players shout with equal enthusiasm.With that, the first game of the team in this year's tournament begins. I know in myself that the team is going to be great. They practice so hard for this. They are all dedicated to the sport. They will be just fine. Taemin is in the starting five with Minho, Jonghyun, Minhwan and Yonghwa. Hmm. The two first years are both in the starting five. I wonder what the Coach is thinking for not making Joonie-hyung play. I sit beside him on the bench. Joonie-hyung is focused on the game so is the other players. They are watching the opponents move very closely. I feel a hand on my shoulder and when I look up to see, it is Mir. He winks at me and whispers "Don't worry. The Coach is just 'punishing' Joonie-hyung for being absent yesterday but I'm sure he'll play in the second quarter. We'll win." Then he raises his closed fist "Fighting!"After that, I focus myself on the game. I record the stats of the players. So far, we're ahead of the opponent and each players have scored. Taemin has been very consistent in the court. With Jonghyun's assist here and there, Taemin is able to find his momentum in the game. Minho would get the defensive rebounds then pass the ball to Minhwan who would always be quick to go back for a fastbreak play. Sometimes, Minho would get the offensive rebounds then just shoot the ball under the basket. Jonghyun would also sneak in a layup and some three point shots. The cheers are so loud after every good shots and disappointed remarks after bad shots. After another shot from Taemin, we are ahead by 8 point. Six minutes remaining in the first half, the opponent's team calls for a timeout. During the short break, I give them cups of water while the Coach is instructing them of what to do for the next play. After 30 seconds, the buzzer rang as a signal for the end of the timeout. The opponent's players are the first to enter the court. The crowd suddenly reacted. I noticed that the opponent's Coach substituted a player from their team."Damn. This is how they will play again. So be it. Just do what you need to do and focus on the game. SW!" The Coach said."Yes! Here we go!" Coach Kang did not substitute anyone from us.Before Taemin could leave, I hear Joonie-hyung whisper to him, "Be careful of that player, Taemin. He's dangerous." The game resumes. The opponent misses a shot and got rebounded by Minho who passes the ball to Taemin. Three players are defending him. One of them is the 'dangerous' player Joonie-hyung said. It is a good opportunity for a fastbreak play but then Taemin slips. The referees did not call for a foul. An opponent player gets the ball and scores. Taemin apologizes to the team. I am a bit taken back by it. Taemin never slips. So I watch the 'dangerous guy' very carefully. After another two minutes, I see what he did. Taemin is about to take a shot but 'dangerous guy' is really fast and good in defending. After a few seconds, Taemin is being guarded by two players. He needs to pass the ball because he has no choice. He passes it to Jonghyun then passes it quickly to Minho for a quick layup. "Coach.." I call for Coach Kang. "They're checking on Taemin.""I know." When the possession is ours again, Coach Kang calls for a substitution. "Lee Joon, come here. Do your job."Joonie-hyung is substituted for Taemin. Joonie-hyung is defending the 'dangerous guy' now. "Taemin, don't sit down yet. You're not done. Watch Joon very carefully."Before the end of the first half, the Coach instructed Taemin of what to do and enters the game while Yonghwa sits.Ten seconds remaining in the first half, Jonghyun makes a diversion and makes two players defend him while he attacks to the basket. But sidesteps then pass the ball behind him to Joon who fakes a shot and pass the ball to Taemin who is wide open to shoot a three-point shot. Loud cheers from both our team and the crowd is heard when his shot went in. Our side is really loud. Taemin obviously is glad and proud. Our team is ahead by 13 points at the end of the first half. "That was awesome first half!" The Coach exclaims. "Now, all we need to do is hang on to the lead and attack aggressively. This game is ours! Come on SW!""Yeah!!"  And they did just that. We won by 11 points difference with Taemin as the best player of the game. I am so proud of my baby. I just hope our parents could see him right now. Smiling and feeling proud. Doing what he loves to do. Kibum even texted me how he was surprised and proud of Taemin.On our way to the locker room, students from ours and other school gathered to take a picture with the team and with individual player. Taemin got fans too! Wow! Haha. How cool is that? I call Kibum to invite him for the congratulatory dinner at Jungshin's parents' restaurant. His mother told him she'll close the shop just for us if we win our first game."So, want to join us?""Sure. Minho invited me. Taemin texted me, too.""Oh. Okay. We'll be finished here then let's go together.""No need, Jinx. I'm coming with Minho."Then he ends the call. Gah! Wow. You've got yourself a good boyfriend so you forget all about your best bestfriend? Really, Kibum.I pout."Hey babe, stop making that face or we might start making up here and now."My face is red again. Gosh! Jonghyun!"Sssshhh! Someone might hear.""Haha. It's okay. So why the long face?""Kibum doesn't want to go with me now.. He forgets about me.""But that's impossible, Jinx.""It's true! I invited him tonight but he's still going with Minho!"Jonghyun sigh. "You're overreacting, Jinx. If Kibum doesn't want to, you know I'm always here." Then he winks at me. I could only hide my face on my hands as I hear him laugh out loud. On our way to the parking lot, Jungshin comes to us running and out of breathe."We've got a huge problem!" He says before whispering to Jonghyun's ear.I watch as Jonghyun's eyes widened as he looks at Jungshin's face."Just warning you, man." He squeezes Jonghyun's shoulder and he goes off.We started walking again. I tried to hold Jonghyun's arm to slow him down but he flinches and removes my hand.We are both surprised by his action."I.. S-sorry, Jinki. I'm just tired and all. Let's go."He walks again. without looking back even once.