The Project 'Buddy'

~25~

"You just said you didn't skate," Jungwon threw at Jay, and the older rolled his eyes.

"I know the basics! Blame Sunghoon for that. Do you know how to even move?" Jay sassed and Jungwon rolled his eyes now. He nodded before letting go of the wall and standing, his feet in a 'v' shape. Then, ever so slowly, he pushed his foot forward, one by one, and pretty soon, he was skating.

He turned around swiftly and faced Jay, who scrunched up his nose and Jungwon stuck out his tongue. Luckily, the latter could skate too, and they both started moving along the ice rink, making sure to be careful to not bump into a speeding Heeseung or Jake.

The two were having fun, doing occasional turns and trying to skate backwards, and Jungwon really didn't want the moment to go. But suddenly, he saw Sunoo sitting on the bench alone, his head down and looking extremely upset.

Jay must've noticed that because he nudged the younger. "Go, I'll be with Heeseung hyung." Jungwon nodded, thanked Jay and skated towards the exit.

"Hey," Jungwon said gently, sitting down beside Sunoo, who had surprisingly been sobbing quietly. Sunoo wiped away his tears and faced Jungwon. His eyes were red and poofy, and Jungwon frowned. Why was he like this?

"Sunoo? What happened? Did you hurt yourself?"

Sunoo bit his lip, heaved out a breath, and blinked away the tears forming in his eyes. He looked ahead and stared at a particular spot somewhere around the ice rink.

Jungwon followed his gaze and it landed on Sunghoon, holding hands with a girl that was outside the rink. He was smiling down at her, and she was doing the same. Jungwon squinted slightly and recognised the girl....

Gen?

She was dating Sunghoon? Since when? Jungwon's thoughts got even more mixed up when he saw Sunghoon placing a kiss on the Gen's forehead. Gen blushed and pushed his away playfully, while Sunghoon laughed.

"Oh Sunoo! I'm so sorry!" Jungwon exclaimed softly and gently pulled his best friend into a bear hug. Sunoo just broke down then, letting his tears fall onto Jungwon's shoulder as the younger patted his back slowly, cooing to calm Sunoo down.

Slowly, Sunoo started breathing properly and his sobs turned to sniffles. His eyes were red and puffy but at least he wasn't crying anymore. Jungwon gave him a pat on the back and whispered, "I'm so sorry," once again.

Sunoo shook his head and smiled. He sniffled and sat up. "It's ok. I knew something was up anyway. He looked like he seemed into me but I think really, he just didn't want to hurt my feelings..." Sunoo trailed off, glancing at Sunghoon.

Jungwon felt so bad for his best friend. He had known how badly he crushed on Sunghoon, and he knew the excat feeling he was feeling. Sunoo sighed one last time, and stood up.

"Do...you want to leave?" Jungwon asked gently.

Sunoo shook his head. "I'll stay, it'll be rude to just leave like that," Sunoo explained, and went on the ice, leaving Jungwon to think alone on the bench.

I need to cheer him up...he looks so down right now, I bet the whole mall would notice.

He was thinking of a way to make Sunoo smile again, when he heard footsteps beside him. He looked up and saw a panting Niki, heaving in short breaths.

"Sorry," he sighed, sitting down, "the guys made me practice with them a few more times before letting me go."

Jungwon waved a hand in his direction. "Nah, it's fine. They guys here are just in their own worlds. Though look out for Heeseung and Jake, they're racing-ah, never mind," Jungwon stopped midsentece when Heeseung passed by them, Jake following quickly behind.

They left behind a gust of wind, strong enough to mess up their hairs. Niki chuckled and headed towards the staff to get his skates.

A few minutes later he's back, ready to skate. Jungwon lead him onto the ice, thinking he has no experience, bit surprisingly, Niki moves swiftly on the ice, as if he was some hockey player.

"Come on hyung! Why are you so slow?" Niki exclaimed, beckoning Jungwon over to where he was, already a few metres away from the older. Jungwon glanced beside him, where Sunoo was staring longingly at Sunghoon.

He then got an idea.

"Yah! Niki!" He called the younger over and whispered, "Sunoo hyung needs someone to play with. Wanna cheer him up?" He jerked his chin towards the gloomy sunshine and Niki salutes Jungwon.

"Aye aye, sir!" He then quickly skates over to Sunoo and surprised him, causing Sunoo to jump. That, almost caused him to slip and fall, and he ended up in Niki's arms when Niki caught him. Jungwon smirked slightly, watching the scene.

Sunoo was blushing furiously as Niki teased him for being clumsy. Jungwon quietly left the two to their moment.

He'll definitely forget about Sunghoon now