eclipsed | sim jaeyun

16.

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The following week felt different—hectic, yes, but more balanced. Between classes, festival preparations, and stolen moments with my friends, my life didn't feel as suffocating. 

The dance audition results were announced during the lunch break on Wednesday. Yunjin burst into the cafeteria, waving a printed list in her hand. 

"We're in!" she squealed, practically dropping her tray on the table. 

Giselle's eyes lit up. "What'd I say? We're unstoppable." 

"I think Haeri carried us," Minjeong teased, nudging me. 

"Hardly," I said, feeling the tips of my ears heat. "It was a team effort." 

We spent the rest of lunch discussing our next steps. The competition was in three weeks, and while we were thrilled, I could feel the pressure mounting. I had to balance practice with school, and I couldn't let it take over my life—not again. 

Still, it felt good to focus on something that was mine.

---

On Friday, Jungwon invited me to the basketball game he had mentioned. Niki was already hyped about it, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to tag along. 

The stadium was packed with energy. I wasn't exactly a sports enthusiast, but I could appreciate the camaraderie in the air. Jungwon's friend group was scattered across the stands, and I spotted Jake sitting a few rows away, laughing at something Sunghoon said. 

He hadn't noticed me yet, and I wasn't sure I wanted him to. 

"What's with that look?" Niki asked, nudging me with his elbow. 

"What look?" I snapped, snapping out of my daze. 

"You're staring off into space like you've got some deep existential crisis going on." 

"I'm just thinking," I lied, brushing him off. 

"Uh-huh," he said, clearly not convinced. 

The game itself was surprisingly engaging. Jungwon was unusually animated, yelling at the players and groaning at missed shots. It was refreshing to see him so relaxed. 

During halftime, I excused myself to get a drink. As I waited in line, a familiar voice called my name. 

"Haeri." 

I turned to see Jake, holding a bottle of water. He looked effortlessly casual, his hair slightly ruffled from the humidity in the stadium. 

"Hey," I said, keeping my tone neutral. 

"You into basketball now?" he teased, leaning against the counter. 

"Not really. Jungwon dragged me here," I admitted. 

His lips twitched into a smirk. "He's got a habit of that, huh?" 

We stood in silence for a moment, the noise of the crowd filling the gap. 

"By the way," he said, breaking the tension, "you never told me how your audition went." 

I blinked, surprised he even remembered. "We made it through." 

"Congrats," he said, his voice warm. "Let me know when the competition is. I'll come watch." 

I laughed lightly. "I don't think it's really your thing." 

"Maybe not," he said with a shrug, "but I wouldn't mind making an exception." 

Before I could respond, someone called his name from the stands. He gave me a quick nod before heading back, leaving me standing there with a strange mix of emotions. 

---

When we got home, Jungwon was still buzzing with energy from the game. 

"You were into it," I teased as we sat in the living room. 

"It was a good game," he said with a grin. "Niki and I are going to play some pickup tomorrow. You should come." 

"Me? Play basketball?" I asked incredulously. 

"Why not?" he said. "It's good exercise, and it's not like you've got plans, right?" 

I hesitated. My weekends were usually reserved for catching up on schoolwork and unwinding, but maybe a change of pace wouldn't hurt. 

"Fine," I said finally. "But don't expect me to be good." 

---

The next day, I found myself at the outdoor court with Jungwon, Niki, and a few of their friends, including Jake. 

"You're really dragging Haeri into this?" Jay asked Jungwon, his tone playful. 

"She needs to learn," Jungwon replied, tossing me a basketball. "Don't embarrass me." 

"Gee, thanks," I muttered, rolling my eyes. 

It turned out I was terrible at basketball, but the boys were surprisingly patient. Jake, in particular, seemed to take it upon himself to help me. 

"You're too stiff," he said, moving behind me to adjust my stance. His hands hovered near my arms, and I could feel the warmth of his presence. 

"Like this?" I asked, focusing on the hoop. 

"Better," he said. "Now try again." 

The ball bounced off the rim, and I groaned in frustration. 

"Close," he said with a grin. "We'll make a pro out of you yet." 

By the end of the game, I was sweaty and exhausted but oddly content. 

"Not bad for your first time," Jake said as we walked off the court. 

"Thanks, Coach," I said dryly. 

He chuckled, and for a moment, things felt easy between us. 

But as Jungwon called me over, Jake's expression shifted, as if he remembered something. He gave me a small wave before turning away, leaving me wondering, once again, what was really going on in his head.

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cockblocker jungwon back at it again🙂‍↔️