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The big game was a month away and you were already nervous. This game would determine if your team would make it to the state championships or not and the pressure was weighing you down. If your team made it, it would be the first time in nearly ten years for your school! It would be such a great accomplishment and just for that reason, you wanted to win ever so badly. That's why you practiced every chance you got, your teammates and you would meet up after school and practice on the field as often as you all could.
With the championships being just around the corner, you began putting everything else aside except for baseball. It had gotten to the point that your grades were dropping. And this... well it posed quite a few problems. First, your parents got onto you for the drop in your grades, then your teacher, and finally your coach.
"Y/N, I know you love baseball and want to make it to the state championships, but I can't let you play if your grades are this low," The coach said shaking her head in dismay.
"But coach, the game is in four weeks! We need to practice, I don't have time to work on my homework! It's not even that important!" You said pouting at your coach hoping she'd understand. But she merely shook her head.
"No Y/N, school is just as important as baseball. I know you plan to get an athletic scholarship someday but having an academic one too, doesn't hurt. And to even get an athletic one you need to be doing well in school, and you my dear are most certainly not. You're close to failing three classes and are failing chemistry, Y/N, that isn't good. I suggest you take a break from practices for the week till you get your grades up. Maybe look into getting someone to tutor you as well. Come by on Monday and if your grades are up I'll let you join practice again," The coach said with finality, leaving absolutely no room for argument. She patted your shoulder empathetically before shooing you out of her office.
This wasn't fair. All you wanted to do was make sure your team won the game and you had only a month left to practice! You didn't have time to work on some stupid homework and now you couldn't even practice until you did? How was that fair? ....Ok, you actually knew perfectly well that you shouldn't have let your grades slip so much, but still, you weren't exactly in the mood to admit it was all your fault.
Sighing, you made your way to the library to work on your overdue homework. You should be thankful your teachers were letting you make it up, but honestly, you wished they would have just forgotten about it. With a heavy heart, you pulled out your homework and sat down with a thump, startling the boy sitting next to you. He gave you a peculiar look as if asking 'What the hell is your problem' but you ignored him letting out an irritated groan as you looked at all the homework you had. How in the world were you going to get all these done in a few days when you didn't understand what any of it was asking you? Still, it wasn't like you had much of a choice other than to work on it and so you looked through the science questions and tried to figure things out.
Not even five minutes later you gave up. You let your head slam onto the table (even though you regretted it right after) as you began to feel absolutely pathetic. None of what you'd read made any sense and so you couldn't answer any of your homework questions. You pouted at your homework, hating it for existing. You wanted to scream at it but refrained because 1. You were in the library and 2. What good would that do? You groaned again trying to think of a new strategy.
"Excuse me, could you please be a little quieter?" The boy next to you asked looking irritated. You glanced up at him properly this time, taking in his features. The boy was tall, had chocolate brown eyes, midnight black hair, a sharp jawline, and a muscular build. He wore dark blue jeans that hugged his legs along with a loose white shirt. You looked at the male disinterestedly before scoffing at him and ignoring him yet again. This seemed to irritate the other even more as he set his pencil down and glared at you.
"Ok, seriously what's wrong with you? You've been groaning and sighing for the past five minutes," The boy said with narrowed eyes.
"None of your business," You mumbled returning your gaze back to your homework. The male glared at you for a moment longer then turned back to his own work. But not even two minutes later he was back to glaring at you since you sighed yet again.
"Look, I don't know what's got you so down but could you please just shut up?" The boy asked with a dark expression.
"If we didn't have homework I'd be glad to do just that. But alas the world isn't so nice and we don't always get what we want," You replied in a sarcastic tone.
The boy looked down at the homework assignment you were currently working on and then said, "Your answer to number 2 is wrong. The word you're looking for is symbiosis... To do number 5 you have to know that the mass of the atom gets heavier as you go down and to the left on the periodic table of elements... and for number 6 you got to..." and the boy went on pointing out your mistakes and helping you solve each question. An hour later you were done with all your chemistry homework and the best part? You actually understood it! This boy must be some sort of genius to have been able to explain everything to you so easily.
"Thanks... um.. sorry for being so irritating earlier," You said as you put away your homework and pulled out a notebook.
"Apology accepted. Anything else you need help with?" He asked curiously gazing down at the notebook you'd pulled out.
"Well... those were all the homework from last week... I haven't really started on this week's homework," You answered.
"Ah, I see. How'd you get an extension for last weeks work though? The teachers here aren't exactly lenient," The boy muttered.
"Yea... um, the coach convinced him, explained how I needed to work on my grades or I wouldn't be able to play and I'm kinda needed since I'm captain of my team," You say rubbing at the back of your neck.
"Oh... lucky," was the response you received, it didn't sound judgemental but you knew he probably was judging you anyway. It was a well-known fact that athletic kids got certain special treatment from time to time at your school, and some (many) students resented athletic kids for that.
"Yea... so um.. .could you help with this weeks work um... what's your name?" You ask just now realizing you didn't even know his name.
"Jungkook. Jeon Jungkook. And you are Y/N right?" The boy responded and your eyes widen as you nod, not surprised he knew you since many students did. What did surprise you is that you'd heard his name before. In fact, the whole school probably knew his name. Jungkook was known for being smart and athletic. The boy was always at the top of their grade and he was part of the wrestling team. He was well known and liked by practically everyone, though many people described him to be a little reserved and quiet in nature.
"Well now that we're finally been acquainted with one another, shall we start on your homework? I gotta leave soon, so it's best we finish this quickly," Jungkook said. You nodded quickly and pulled out another worksheet which Jungkook helped you complete.
"Thank you for all the help. I really really appreciate it. Is there any way I can repay you?" You asked while smiling down at your completed homework. Now you wouldn't fail the class and even had a chance at doing well.
"You're welcome, and you can repay me by giving me your phone number," Jungkook said with a sly smile.
"My phone number?" You asked wondering why he'd want that.
"Yea. So you can text me if you ever need help again. And it doesn't even have to be science related," Jungkook said with a shrug.
"Oh... ok," You responded, handing him your phone so he could input his number and shoot himself a quick text.
"Well I gotta go now, see you around Y/N," Jungkook said getting up and gathering his things before waving goodbye as he headed towards the library exit. You waved back and watched him go before returning your attention to your notebook which was now filled with notes that you actually understood. With a small smile, you gathered your things and began to pack up, intent on going home and actually studying for once.
Over the course of the next few days, you actually managed to get your grades up by retaking tests you'd failed and doing a lot of extra credit. Where your time had been consumed by baseball only a few days ago, it was now consumed by studying almost nonstop. But all your success could not be attributed to only you. Rather most of the credit would have fallen on Jungkook who was helping you whenever you asked for it.
By the end of the week, you two had actually grown closer having spent a lot of time together not just studying but also getting to know each other. You found out a lot of things about him like how his favorite colors were red, black, and white, he liked to sing and dance, he was good at practically everything, and he loved drawing. You also learned that Jungkook's aim was to go to college and get his degree in architecture so he could become a civil engineer and design buildings for a living even if the job market for them had become a bit scarce.
You also revealed a lot about yourself to him, telling him your hobbies and interests. Explaining how your passion for baseball came to be and also mentioning you wanted to get a degree in criminology and become a forensic analyst.
"Well that's ambitious, you do realize you're probably going to need to understand chemistry really well to be any good at that job?" Jungkook pointed out when you told him about that dream.
"Yea, and with you, as my charm, I have a chance," You said smiling widely as you answered another chemistry question on your own with relative ease.
"I'm your charm?" Jungkook asked surprised and confused.
"Hmm hmm. Ever since I met you, learning things has actually become easier and I can understand what the teacher says in class now. So yeah... you're my lucky charm," You replied a bit shy as you realized exactly what you were saying. Jungkook didn't say anything for a few seconds before he finally chuckled and shook his head.
"Well then I guess I should continue being your lucky charm and help you," He said with a smile as he checked over your answers and grinned when he found they were all correct.
After the weekend passed you visited the coach's office on Monday with a proud smile as you had managed to get all your grades up. The coach looked down at the progress report you had brought her, with a smile.
"I'm impressed, I didn't expect you to turn things around so well and so quick. Ok, you can join the others during practice again," The coach said handing back your progress report and giving you a pat on the shoulder. Smiling you texted Jungkook the good news. His reply was swift and he seemed happy for you. The rest of your week went by wonderfully as you were back on the field playing and getting ready for the game, and it looked like you were on a steady incline with your grades as well.
Another pleasant thing about the new week was you still got to hang out with Jungkook from time to time. You two had become something akin to study buddies and you enjoyed this new found friendship you two had. And from what you could tell, so did Jungkook as he brightened whenever he was around you. Seeing him seek you out from time to time during lunch also made you happier and also... feel special. You weren't sure, but you had a striking suspicion that Jungkook may have a crush on you (you hoped he did as you were falling for him rather quickly).
As the time passed and game day grew closer and closer, you became more and more anxious again. Jungkook noticed your growing anxiety and decided to try and help you relax by inviting you to the fair the Saturday before the big game. You accepted his offer while wondering if maybe this counted as a date? You wanted to know but didn't dare to ask lest you ruin a good thing. So on Saturday, you decided to get dressed up but still stay cautious and wear an outfit that didn't scream 'I hope this is a date'.
You met Jungkook at the fair gates and the two of you greeted each other before going in. You walked around exploring and going on various small rides, working your way to the tougher ones. You enjoyed your time with Jungkook and found yourself smiling and laughing often. But you weren't the only one as Jungkook was laughing and talking much more animatedly with you than ever before.
"It's almost time for the fair to close so let's go on one last ride?" You suggested when you noticed how late it was getting.
"Yea... hmm how about the Ferris wheel? It's cliche but I think it's a good way to end this date," Jungkook said with a shy smile.
"So this was a date?" You asked laughing a little as you both walked towards the Ferris wheel.
"Well... I'm hoping it could be considered one," Jungkook replied looking into your eyes hopefully.
"I was hoping it was a date," You admitted blushing slightly and looking away.
"Great, then it's a date. And I have to say it's been a wonderful one," Jungkook said taking a hold of your hand as he helped you into the Ferris wheel. You smiled at him and nodded in agreement as you took your seat and he got in sitting across from you.
"So I'm going to be cliche once more and ask, do you want to be my girlfriend/boyfriend, Y/N?" Jungkook said as they approached the top. Blushing more you nodded your head.
"Yea. I'd love to," You replied with a satisfied smile. Jungkook smiled as well leaning forward and kissing your temple quickly.
"I'd kiss your lips but I think I should wait for a better time," He said as he pulled back. You giggled and nodded in agreement, it was a little too early for that, but you wouldn't mind kissing him at a later time. The date ended nicely and Jungkook walked you home promising to see you at the game tomorrow to cheer you on.
"I'll be your charm like always, and you'll surely win the game so don't be nervous ok?" Jungkook said as he walked you to your front door.
"Ok, I'm counting on the luck you're supposed to bring me then," You said giggling. Jungkook nodded and kissed your right cheek before bidding you farewell and good luck. You went to sleep that night feeling very elated and ready to take on the world.
Finally, it was game day and you were ready. You're family, friends, classmates, and newly acquired boyfriend were all sitting in the bleachers cheering you on. It was the final round of the game and the two teams were tied. You were up next to bat and so the game would depend on you. Win or lose, it would be your doing and that made you nervous but also determined.
You watched the ball fly towards you in slow motion, your body and arms reacting on their own, the movements practically muscle memory by now since you'd practiced so much. Your brain didn't need time to comprehend what needed to be done as you swung your bat at the ball and managed to hit it, sending it flying towards the opposite end of the field. Before you knew it, you found yourself running for home plate determined to make it and score for your team. The crowd was screaming at you, encouraging you on, but you were lost in the moment, the only thing you could focus on was the home plate which was only a few feet in front of you. Everything was still, going in slow motion for you, though in truth it had probably been more than thirty seconds. You slid into home base before the ball has a chance to reach the person standing there and so you made it. You scored and your team had won!
You stood up with a huge grin on your face, as you raised your arms above your head and watched everyone break out into whooping cheers and laughter. You're team surrounded you and they were all so elated to have won. You yourself were elated to have won, you hugged it out with your teammates before you made your way to the stands filled with cheering classmates and parents. You found your family who were waiting for you with smiles decorating their faces as you walked up to them and they congratulated you on a job well done. You drowned in the praise and overall happy feelings you got from winning. You then saw your boyfriend and he smiled at you as he came over and hugged you.
"Great job Y/N, I knew you would do great," Jungkook said to you with a fond smile.
"With you as my charm, I'll always win," You whispered back to him, content with how things had turned out.