Archive of Our Own

Hanni thinks she's pretty much on top of the social hierarchy at their school, Captain of the Cheerleading Squad and all that- with that being said, she knows everybody, nerds, jocks, any social group you can imagine, she probably has some connections with them.

She could put names to almost every face she walked by in the halls, she wasn't buddy-buddy with everyone, but they knew each other well enough to exchange smiles during passing period or make small talk in the lunch line, it came naturally to Hanni- people liked her, and she liked the people.

So you could imagine her surprise, when she walks into her joint cheer practice with the schools Girl's Basketball team- just to see a new, unfamiliar face.

Every November, during the start of basketball season, the cheer squad shared the gym with the girls basketball team, since the boys team with much more budget- occupied the main court next door, it was cramped and loud- and every year, their Coach complained about it without making any effort to change it.

Hanni barely noticed it anymore, she tossed her duffel bag onto the bleachers, greeting people as she walked- business as usual.

The basketball team had already begun warmups on the courts, their shoes squeaking loudly across the polished hardwood while the thump of basketballs echoed rhythmically through the gym.

Hanni made her way over to Danielle- her best friend she had met years ago at Junior Cheer, who hugged her tightly in greeting, before quickly jumping into conversation about something Haerin did the other night.

She nodded along, not really listening before sitting on the ground besides Danielle, stretching out her legs before practice started.

Until, Hanni's eyes caught on a somebody's silhouette,- someone she'd never seen before.

Standing near half court was a girl, her hair slung into a ponytail, wearing the school's white practice jersey over a black compression shirt, black shorts, white Nike crew socks, and worn-out basketball shoes that looked like they've seen better days.

Hanni's eyes looked upwards, she was tall- or maybe it was just from where she was sitting on the floor, but definitely tall, broad-shouldered too, she listened intently as Coach Tung explained a drill, spinning a basketball against her hip.

"Huh," Hanni frowned to herself- she knew every girl on Varsity, Junior Varsity, and even the Freshman team- she's cheered at enough games to recognize everybody.

"Danielle," She called, ripping her eyes away from the delicious eye-candy and onto her best friend.

Her fellow cheerleader looked up from her stretch,

"Who's that? The girl with the black compression?" Hanni asked, gesturing over to the basketball court.

Danielle followed her gaze, "Oh- she's the transfer."

"A transfer? From when?" Hanni put forward, leaning over closer and lowering her voice.

"Like…" Danielle paused- thinking for a second, "Probably three weeks ago? She came after Fall break, I'm pretty sure."

Hanni looked back toward the court, how had she missed someone transferring into the school? That spread around school in less than a day- especially if they were joining a varsity sport!

Hanni swallowed, a lump in her throat suddenly developing, "What's her name?"

"Uh, Minji- I think… or something along the lines of that." Danielle hummed, tying her cheer shoes.

"That's pretty weird," Hanni began- stealing one last glance at Minji, "how do you get onto Varsity if tryouts happened before she even came? Sounds like a nepo baby to me."

Danielle payed little attention to her friend, standing up and dusting off dirt from her knees- before Hanni could ask anything else regarding Minji, Coach Yoon clapped her hands loudly.

"Cheer! Mats! Now!"

Eventually, basketball practice shifted onto 3 on 3 scrimmages, and cheer practice moved to sideline choreography.

The corny music coming from Coach Yoon's speaker was almost loud enough to drown out everything else.

"Minji! Box out in the paint! You called iso for a reason!"

Well, maybe except for the basketball coach's voice- cutting through the music as he yelled, his whistle blowing every few minutes.

Hanni counted under her breath- refocusing herself on the stunt, "Five, six, seven, eight-"

She landed the final count with a practiced smile, her pom-pom snapping sharply through the air before Coach Yoon called for another run-through.

"Again! Cleaner this time!"

Her squad-mates groaned around her, but Hanni rolled her shoulders- taking the brief pause to steal another glance toward the basketball court, Coach Tung paced the sideline- his whistle clenched between his teeth.

"Move the ball!"

The ball zipped across the perimeter, and Minji caught it on the wing- right in front of where the cheer squad was on the sidelines.

Now- Hanni isn't a basketball connoisseur, but she could tell Minji moved differently than everyone else- not as flashy as her teammates, more so deliberate- as if she never wasted movement that wasn't needed.

Minji jab-stepped over her defenders top foot, and they bit, she drove into the paint- her larger frame easily overpowering the opposing teams center.

"Shoot it, Kim!" The coach yelled.

She pivoted on her right foot, going for the mid-range shot- the shot went up, the defenders hand missing it by mere inches.

Clang.

It smacked hard against the rim, the ball launching off the rim at an awkward angle. Minji fought for the rebound, exploding upwards- her fingertips grazing the leather, but it wasn't enough, instead of dropping back onto the paint, the ball shot sideways with force.

Straight onto the sidelines.

"Heads!"

The shout came a moment too late, and Hanni turned instinctively towards the sound, for a split-second, all she saw was an orange blur spinning impossibly fast, growing larger in her vision as it got closer.

Right at her face.

"Oh shi-!" Hanni yelped- barely having time to flinch, her eyes squeezing shut- her shoulders tensing, already imagining the impact.

Except, it never came.

The impact happened not against her face, but against somebody's palm.

Hanni's eyes opened when she didn't feel anything, a large hand suspended in the air less than six inches in front of her- long, slender fingers wrapped securely around the basketball, the force of it had pushed the girl's arm back slightly, her muscles tightening beneath the black compression sleeve before she absorbed the momentum completely.

The ball never reached Hanni, it had been stopped cold- by Minji.

"…You okay?" Minji asked after a beat, her dark eyes examining Hanni's face for any sign of injury.

Her voice was much lower than what she had expected, almost cold- Hanni looked up from the basketball still trapped in Minji's abnormally big hand, then up to her face. Up close, she looked different- in a good way, a few loose strands of dark hair had escaped her ponytail, clinging onto her forehead with sweat, her breathing was elevated from the sprint- her chest heaving as she stood.

"I-… I, uh, yeah." Hanni answered after a beat- forcing herself to meet Minji's gaze.

Minji gave one small nod, straightening her posture and tucking the ball under her elbow, she glanced back towards the basketball court, where Coach Tung was already waving impatiently- then back to Hanni.

As she straightened her back, Hanni had to crane her neck to look up at Minji- proving that she really is that tall.

"Sorry about that," Minji shrugged, "I should've made that shot in the first-place."

Hanni pointed instinctively between them, her brain short-circuiting, before snapping back into reality, "Yeah- nice one, loser." she huffed, her heart not really in it.

"I just mean… the ball," Minji confirmed with another nod of her head, not seeming to be phased by the insult, "It got away from me."

"God, I know. No need for you to mansplain!" Hanni groaned.

Minji simply stared at the unfamiliar girl, but i'm a girl- on the girl's basketball team? She thought, but decided not to comment on it.

Minji extended the ball towards her with one hand, Hanni stared at it for a moment before taking it. The leather ball was still warm from the play, or maybe from Minji's hand.

"Uh, thanks? What do I need this for?-"

Minji shrugged again, "No problem. Might wanna keep that for memorability."

Before Hanni could call her a big headed bigot, she turned on her heel- jogging back towards the court, and slipping seamlessly into a three-man weave as if she'd only stepped away for a second.

Hanni remained standing exactly where she'd been, basketball still warm in her grasp.

"Hanni?" Danielle called, wandering over, "you good?"

"What a jackass…" Hanni whispered, earning a noise of confusion out of Danielle.

"What kind of… she saved me then gives me the game ball? Who the hell does she think she is? Fucking Lebron?" Hanni spat- her eyebrows furrowing in frustration.

"Hanni-!" Danielle tried- glancing over toward the court.

"God, she pisses me off! I hope she retires just like him!" Hanni stormed, placing the ball on the floor and stomping back over to the rest of the cheer squad.

To Minji, the girl she still didn't know the name of, just seemed like a bratty little girl, probably an only child who was spoiled growing up- but as she continued practicing, her thoughts were flooded by feisty attitude- and it's must be a coincidence how she played greatly whenever thinking of her.

That Friday, Hanni was invited to a house party after Friday Night Lights, and obviously- she was going, not without Danielle- however.

The party was already in full swing by the time Hanni and Danielle arrived, somebody dragged two speakers into the living room, the bass of some Mike Sherm song shaking the picture frames on the walls- despite it being a party to celebrate the schools win, there wasn't a single football player in the vicinity.

Red plastic cups littered every flat surface, and the kitchen smelled of laced fruitpunch and cheap soda they finessed from two towns over- it was the same after home game, win or not, someone had parents out of town.

Luckily for the schools football record, they'd won tonight- which explained why like half the school had crammed themselves into one suburban house.

As Hanni stepped through the front doors, someone wrapped her in a quick hug before she'd even gotten both feet through the doorway- three different conversations pulling her in opposite directions.

She floated through the crowd like she always did, chatting, (more like flirting,) with sports players she'd been cheering for all week- congratulating the march band on halftime- she loved everything about it.

She'd barely finished sinking the final cup in a game of beer pong when Danielle appeared besides her, grabbing her wrist.

"Have you seen Haerin?"

Hanni frowned, "Nope- didn't even know she was coming, she seems a bit shy."

Danielle groaned, running her hand through her curls. "Her and Minji are supposed to bring more drinks…" she huffed- opening her phone and typing a tad too aggressively.

Minji? That big-headed piece of shit basketball player? Why would Haerin associate herself with… well, her?

Just as Danielle began typing- the front door swung open, and somebody began hollering in excitement, they had clearly arrived.

"Finally!" Danielle borderline yelled, her face brightening- leaning in closer to Hanni, "they're here!"

Hanni followed Danielle's gaze across the room, the crowd of people parting just enough for her to see them.

Minji stood just inside the doorway- two twelve-packs of modelos balanced effortlessly in her arms as though they weighed nothing to her, a backwards trucker hat sat crooked on her head, a pair of sunglasses tucked upside down through the mesh despite the fact the sun had gone down hours ago.

In Hanni's eyes, it made her seem even more like a douche bag.

Who even wears sunglasses at night?

Over her shoulders, hung an unbuttoned varsity jacket, but she'd shrugged in halfway off, revealing the sleeveless basketball jersey underneath, years of lifting and intense practices had carved lean muscle into her arms- her veins faintly visible beneath her forearms as she shifted the cases onto one hip.

Haerin stood beside her, or… actually behind her, as Minji talked animatedly to somebody else in a matching basketball jersey, probably a teammate.

"How did Haerin end up becoming friends with that jackass?" Hanni hissed, her voice barely audible over the music.

Danielle looked over, "Jackass?"

"Just look at her!" Hanni insisted, gesturing dramatically towards Minji.

Danielle squinted, "She looks just like any other basketball player at our school, Hanni."

A moment later, Haerin finally escaped the crowd of people surrounding Minji and made her way towards them.

After greeting Danielle with a kiss, Hanni asked- "Haerin, how did you end up with Minji?"

Haerin only looked at Hanni funnily, squinting her big cat-like eyes, "What do you mean, 'how did I end up with her'?"

Hanni sighed- raising her voice to be heard over the loud ass music, "I just mean- she seems like a piece of shit! And you're like the sweetest soul ever!"

"A piece of shit? Hanni- she's more of a loser than I am!" Haerin retorted, laughing softly.

Huh, Minji- a loser?

Danielle turned to her girlfriend, "Haerin- are you sure you wanna stay? We can leave and go somewhere else if you want to!" she fussed.

Hanni tapped out after that, she was not trying to hear that couple shit- not tonight.

Instead, she made her way over to the kitchen, hoping for some liquid relief- but Minji was there, helping stack drinks in the kitchen- lifting two cases at once while somebody else struggled with one. (How did they even acquire this much alcohol as teenagers?? like genuinely what was i thinking writing this no party ive ever been too had this much)

What a show-off… Hanni thought- pouring herself another cup, taking a long sip before turning away.

She distracted herself with the people around her, slipping into conversation with them but her eyes… kept falling back onto Minji.

She wasn't looking for her, there were over 300 people packed into the house, normally- she would be floating from group to group, taking photos on somebody's digicam to post on her Instagram, or catching up with people she hadn't talked to all week, but her eyes kept wandering to her.

Minji had settled into the backyard, sitting at the firepit with a circle of girls that had naturally formed around her, some were teammates from basketball, a couple girls from soccer, and even a volleyball player or two- there had to be at least eight people surrounding her, from what Hanni could see from inside.

Hanni watched one of them reach up without hesitation, plucking the backwards hat from Minji's head before settling it onto her own, Minji just laughed- shaking her head as she reached to take it back, only for another girl to tug playfully at her jersey, saying something that sent the entire group into another fit of laughter.

Nobody seemed to think twice about leaning against her shoulder, stealing her hat- or just invading her space altogether, this was something Hanni could see herself in- like everyone already knew exactly where they fit around her.

Minji had transferred barely a month ago, surely- surely she hadn't formed a roster already!

She never seemed to initiate it, but it wasn't like she was pulling away either- it was intimate enough to make Hanni raise an eyebrow, "Huh."

That was her game, isn't it? A girl who acts all shy and loser-ish until there wasn't a single girl left at the party who wasn't wrapped around her finger.

What a player, seriously.

The thought sat in her head longer than it should have, mixing poorly with the cheap beer she'd been nursing all night.

Eventually- Hanni gave up on trying to socialize altogether.

It was quieter upstairs compared to what was happening downstairs, the bass still pulsed faintly through the floor beneath Hanni's feet, but it was muffled by layers of hardwood and drywall.

She found a secluded spot on somebody's parents balcony, leaning against the railing overlooking the foyer- her red solo cup resting on the banister next to her, from up here- the party looked smaller, like she was watching Project X instead of being in it.

The glass balcony door slid open behind her, but Hanni didn't bother turning around.

"Danielle, if you're coming up here to drag me back downstairs-"

"It's not Danielle," a low voice said, one that could only belong to…

Hanni glanced over her shoulder, met with the sight of Minji standing awkwardly, one hand still resting on the handle of the door- the backwards hat she was wearing earlier gone now, her dark hair falling messily onto her broad shoulders, without the crowd around her- she seemed more like a loser.

"Oh," Hanni let out, straightening her posture slightly, "Hey…"

Maybe it was the alcohol in her system, or maybe it was cause she just needed to unwind after a long week- but Hanni couldn't bring herself to brat at Minji.

"Hanni, right?" Minji asked, stepping out onto the balcony fully, letting the door slide shut behind her, "I wasn't interrupting anything, was I?"

"No, you're fine… It was just loud downstairs." Hanni sighed, rubbing the back of her neck timidly.

She watched as Minji nodded in understanding, resting her forearms against the railing a respectful distance away, her eyes weren't on Hanni, they were fixed on the backyard below, the girls she was surrounded by earlier messing with a new guy now, crowded around the fire pit beneath strings of white lights.

"You transferred here recently, right?" Hanni asked, eyes lingering on Minji's bicep before tearing them away reluctantly, "How're you liking it?"

"It's… it's different." Minji exhaled, her shoulders un-tensing.

"A good kind of different, I hope." Hanni commented, a soft laugh leaving her before she could stop it.

"Well, yeah- I'm just not that used to the attention I get over here." Minji hummed, tapping her foot to the music playing down below.

"Attention?" Hanni asked, her voice dripping with tease- "You're popular with the girls, aren't you?"

Hanni didn't even know herself why she was asking that, she saw Minji with her own two eyes, in her natural element - around girls!

Minji nodded shyly, "I mean, I guess, those girls are sweet and all, but just not my type."

Hanni rolled her eyes internally, having at least 8 beautiful women around you, and you don't like any of them? Is she expecting fucking Adriana Lima?

As if reading her mind, "Don't get me wrong- they're all beautiful, but just not my type… personality wise." Minji said thoughtfully.

That seemed reasonable- and Hanni let herself believe for a moment, one stupid moment- that Minji was surprisingly understated, the confidence she had downstairs seemed to evaporate whenever there weren't ten other people around.

Minji inhaled quietly, as though working herself up to something, "Can I ask you something?"

Hanni nodded wordlessly, picking up her red solo cup and taking another sip- the burn of alcohol running down her throat.

"Could I get your Instagram?"

Hanni instantly spit out whatever cheap shit she had been drinking, coughing furiously, "Wha- cough, what did you just say?"

Minji just looked at her blankly, "Can I get your Instagram? Digits? Snapchat works fine too." she repeated, her voice unwavering.

Hanni blinked, turning fully to her, "You must be…" she paused- laughing to herself, "one cocky piece of shit, if you really think you're getting my number."

Minji squinted, taking a step forward, looking down at Hanni- "I know, everyone says you never give it out." she smiled, her index finger coming up to Hanni's jaw to tilt it upwards, forcing eye-contact between them.

"I've had my eye on you for quite some time now, Pham- i'll do whatever it takes to get you with me." Minji admitted, a stupid grin on her face as she did so.

Hanni scoffed, pushing Minji away from her chest, "Get off of me, weirdo!" Hanni shoved her once more for good measure, "And you haven't even been here for a month, get it right- idiot!"

Minji sighed, her hands flapping pathetically at her waist- "Come on, Hanni- please?"

Hanni groaned, "Don't push it, jackass!"

With that- Hanni turned sharply, hair whipping over her shoulder dramatically as she shoved the balcony door open aggressively, the music from downstairs crashed into her ears again just as she crossed the threshold of the room, good- she needed it, she needs literally anything to scrub the memory of the absurd conversation she just had.

"Hey-"

Footsteps followed behind her.

"Oh my God." Hanni muttered to herself- spinning around in the hallway, "Are you seriously following me?"

Minji stopped immediately, holding both hands up in surrender.

“I- I’m not following you!" She sputtered, face flushing underneath the dark light.

“You are!" Hanni pushed, leaning closer into Minji.

“I was going downstairs!" Minji defended.

“Yeah right." Hanni scoffed, "And you expect me to believe you had to leave right after I did?"

“…Okay," Minji admitted after a beat, "Maybe I was following you."

Hanni rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt, what a jack off.

Hanni pointed a finger accusingly into Minji's… weirdly muscular chest, "Be glad I even decided to be kind enough to let you be in my presence, loser."

Minji's shoulder sank for a fraction, looking past Hanni towards the staircase, where laughter and music echoed loudly from downstairs.

"Listen, Hanni- I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable, I didn't even know you were." Minji sighed.

Hanni folded her arms, scrunching her nose. "You come to this school, save me from a concussion and give me the ball like your some kind of bigshot in a sports movie, then you ask for my socials while touching my face, and you wonder why I'm uncomfortable?" she spat.

A sheepish smirk tugged at the corners of Minji's lips, before disappearing just as fast, "I guess when you put it like that…"

"No, Minji. It's not how I put it, it's you." She hissed, her finger jabbing at Minji's sternum.

Hanni turned again, stomping down the hallway furiously.

"I didn't plan any of that, you know!" Minji called after- but it was no use, Hanni was already making her descent downstairs

Hanni took the stairs two at a time, every step pounding harder than the music vibrating through the house.

"Hanni!" Came Danielle's voice, catching her by the wrist before she disappeared into the crowd.

"There you are," she frowned, clearly tipsy- examining Hanni head to toe, "I've been looking everywhere for you, you okay?"

Hanni nodded too fast for it to be truthful, "I'm fine."

Danielle raised an eyebrow, "You sure? You look like you wanna fight somebody."

"I do want to fight somebody." Hanni admitted, pursing her lips then raising a red solo cup filled with water, she had seemingly got from thin air up to her lips.

"Let me guess, Minji?"

Hanni sighed dramatically, her free hand running through her hair, "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, what happened?" Danielle pressed, pulling her and Hanni to a more secluded area.

"She-" Hanni paused, no way was she repeating that conversation to Danielle- she would never let her live it down.

"She's annoying," Hanni finished.

Danielle glanced over to the staircase, where Minji had finally made her way down- smirking to herself, "You disappear for 15 minutes with her just to say shes annoying? You know- when you two come downstairs at the same time…"

"You sure you guys didn't…?" Danielle leaned in and whispered, making an inappropriate innuendo with her hands before bursting into giggles.

"God, Danielle- I think you've had too much to drink, wheres Haerin?"

Before Danielle could argue again, a short girl Hanni barely knew stumbled over to her, Yeojin? Yvesjin? Whatever-

"There she is!" she slurred, tugging on Hanni's wrist, "Come play Never Have I ever with us!"

"I'm good." Hanni tried- but within seconds she was dragged into the living room.

Somebody had pushed the coffee table against the wall to make space, beanbags and couch cushions scattered haphazardly across the hardwood floor.

The music had been turned down just enough that conversations could compete with it, though every few seconds another burst of laughter swallowed whoever happened to be speaking.

“C’mon, make room!” Danielle called out, despite there being less than 20 people in the circle.

Someone tugged Hanni by the sleeve before she could object, stumbling into the loose circle forming on the floor.

Danielle had already claimed a spot against the couch, patting the space beside her.

Hanni groaned, resting her elbows on her knees before freezing.

Sitting right across from her in the circle was Minji, of course.

A junior stood in the middle, handing out plastic shot glasses to everybody in the circle- before raising up a half-empty bottle of Patron Tequila and shouting into it like it was a microphone.

"Alllright! We're playing Never Have i Ever! Rules are simple, if you've done it- you drink!"

The circle erupted into cheers, hoots, and hollers.

It started with harmless questions, "Never Have i Ever… broken a bone."

Most of those involved in sports sighed wistfully, before downing their shots.

"Never Have I Ever… skipped school!"

Almost everybody drank, including Hanni, who knocked it back effortlessly- the liquor stinging her tongue before settling in the pit of her stomach.

Laughter rolled around the room, and Hanni found her shoulders un-tensing, maybe this wouldn't be so-

"Never Have I Ever, kissed somebody at a party."

The room erupted, and someone wolf-whistled as nearly a third of the circle raised their shot glasses proudly.

Hanni stayed perfectly still, and so did Minji- not that she cared, of course.

"Never Have I Ever… gotten rejected."

The reactions were even louder, the people around her beginning to drink after one another amid the teasing.

Hanni glanced around the circle absentmindedly, counting the amount of people drinking.

1,

3,

6,

8,

Then- 9.

Across the circle, Minji quietly reached for her own glass, wetting her lips hesitantly, debating on whether if she should do it or not.

Her dark eyes slid over to where Hanni sat, there wasn't a trace of cockiness on her face now, she smiled before throwing it back with ease- heat blooming across her chest as she swallowed, tipping it back without breaking eye-contact.

Heat lurched into the Vietnamese's girl's face, stomach twisting in her guts- she frowned, seriously? Her rejection had only happened like… 20 minutes ago, is she really counting it?

Danielle noticed Hanni hadn't moved, nudging her shoulder, "You not drinking?"

Only then did Hanni notice that the room had gone strangely quiet, a handful of them following Minji's gaze to Hanni.

Her untouched glass sat between her shoes, she glanced at it- then back to Minji, who still hadn't looked away, "…No."

Hanni deliberately pushed her the cup farther from herself, "I'm not, never been rejected."

The people around her hollered, some muttering complaints about her being cocky- while some whispered things about wanting to be her, it didn't matter- all Hanni could focus on was how Minji's expression softened, looking down into her empty glass with the tiniest smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Hanni's eye twitched, God.

She was going to kill that unbelievably annoying loser before the night was even over.

Sunlight leaked mercilessly through the gap in Danielle's curtains, landing directly across Hanni's face- right, she was staying at Danielle's place. Her mouth felt dry enough to be mistaken as sandpaper, and she could already hear Haerin and Danielle talking in the next room over.

"Fuck, man…" she groaned- burying her head deeper into the pillow, but immediately regretted it.

Her head seemed to throb more with every thought she formed, a dull, rhythmic pounding behind her eyes that reminded her to never go to another party, which she would ignore- of course.

Eventually- she dragged herself upright, hair sticking out in every direction imaginable, like she had gotten electrocuted, she squinted at the digital-clock on the guest room's nightstand,

10:47AM.

Well, at least she got 8 hours of sleep.

Her phone buzzed against the nightstand, and her hand flung out to grab it- bringing the screen inches away from her face, way to fry your dopamine receptors right after waking up…

9 Notifications,

3 Texts from her Mom.

4 missed calls from Hyein, who probably had FOMO from not being invited to the party- (too young!)

and 2 unread messages, both from an unknown number.

Hanni frowned- who…? She opened the conversation, no contact- no profile picture, no previous messages, just the number. Did she get wasted last night and give her number out to somebody-?

Haerin!?

Haerin had spoken maybe 6 words the whole party, but still, that cat- seriously!

 She closed messages with a sigh, fingers flying to her contacts, hitting Danielle's name furiously.

The call connected after one ring, and Danielle's sleepy voice came over the speaker, "Hello?"

"Haerin is in your room, right?" Hanni asked- feigning calmness, her voice itching with anger. She knew Danielle brought Haerin back, freaks…

"Uh, yeah." Danielle answered after the beat- the rustle of sheets audible through the speaker.

"Put me on speaker."

"Uh- why exactl-?"

"Put. Me. On. Speaker." Hanni cut her off.

Danielle complied, another of rustle of blankets could be heard- probably her passing the phone to Haerin, then Haerin's softer voice drifted through the phone.

"Morning, Hanni…" She yawned- clearly half-asleep.

"Don't give me that, 'Morning!' bullshit- Kang, did you give Minji my number?" Hanni spat, emphasis on morning.

In the next room over, Haerin almost shit herself- clenching Danielle's hand tightly before answering, she already knew Hanni was gonna blow up.

"Yes…" Haerin admitted, her voice as quiet as ever.

"You what-!? Haerin, what went through your mind!" Hanni exploded, eyebrows furrowing- clenching her phone tightly.

"Hey, in my defense- I owe her! She paid for the drinks and gave me a ride there."

"Oh, so my number is worth a few bucks for drinks and gas money? Nice one, Haerin!" Hanni groaned, running a hand down her face.

Danielle cut in instantaneously, defending her girlfriend, "Hey! She looked like… super sad, Hanni- like on the brink of tears! I was there when Haerin gave it to her!"

The line went quiet for a good 3 seconds, before-

Hanni dragged out a groan- borderline screech, "God! She's such a piece of shit!" she barked- standing up despite her shakiness and pacing the length of the guest room, so aggressively the hardwood beneath her feet shook with every step.

One hand clutched her phone so tightly her knuckles had gone white while the other gestured wildly through the air as though the person she was talking about were standing directly in front of her. “Who does that, actually? She meets me once, somehow gets my number overnight because of SOMEBODY, and suddenly I’m waking up to a text from an unknown number?"

Haerin and Danielle collectively flinched at the tone in Hanni's voice, exchanging a glance, "Did you not hear when Haerin said she owed Minji..?" Danielle whispered, trying her best to lay it down gently.

"That doesn't make it any better, Danielle!" Hanni retorted- throwing herself on the edge of the bed before immediately standing back up again, too restless to sit still- she resumed pacing, dragging a hand through her bed-head.

"I don't care if she asked, I don't care if she asked politely- we all know she's just trying to get in my pants!"

Haerin inhaled sharply, "Well- people usually ask for your number if they like you… that's kind of how it works?"

"Or maybe because shes just trying to get in my pants!?"  Hanni repeated.

Danielle finally spoke again, voice still rough with sleep, "She was really polite about it… she really doesn't seem like the fuckboy type when you talk to her more, more like a loser dog who needs to be babysat."

Hanni let out an incredulous laugh, "Oh my God- Dani, who's side are you even on?"

"I'm not taking sides for anybody, Hanni- I'm just trying to tell you what happened-"

"What happened," Hanni paused- raising her voice, "Was that you guys betrayed me by giving her my number!"

Haerin groaned, putting an end to both of their arguing, "Calm down, it's too early for this- and we're all hungover."

Haerin could hear Hanni pacing again through the phone, each step accompanied by an irritated exhale, it was almost impressive how much energy someone could dedicate to being angry before breakfast.

Haerin spoke again, "Hanni- just come to our room… we're literally in the same house, did you forget?"

"Come to mine, I don't feel like walking the 4 steps there."

25 seconds later, Danielle was unlocking the guest-room door with her key, Haerin standing quietly holding a tray with three waters, balancing it carefully in both hands.

The lock clicked softly before the door swung inward, revealing Hanni standing exactly where they’d expected her to be- in the middle of the room with her arms folded so tightly across her chest it looked like she had a strait-jacket on, her hair was hastily gathered into a lopsided ponytail that had already begun falling apart, loose strands framing a face that looked equally exhausted and irritated. She’d clearly been pacing while waiting for them; the path she’d worn between the window and the bed had become almost comically obvious.

Haerin followed quietly behind Danielle, she nudged the door shut with her heel before setting the bottles down on the dresser one by one, each making a soft plastic thud against the wood.

Unlike Danielle, who immediately claimed the edge of the bed as though she’d been invited to lounge there all morning, Haerin naturally drifted toward the floor, sitting cross-legged beside the wall with her hands folded neatly in her lap.

Nobody spoke for several moments, maybe minutes- well, the room itself felt strangely still. The air conditioner hummed softly overhead, pushing cool air around the room while thin strips of sunlight squeezed through the gap in the curtains, stretching across the carpet in warm golden lines, It was almost jarring how normal the house sounded compared to the tension hanging inside the guest room.

Danielle reached for one of the water bottles, twisted the cap open with a loud crack, and took a drink before looking up at Hanni

“…You done throwing a tantrum?” She hummed- breaking the silence.

"It wasn't a tantrum." Hanni shot- shooting Danielle a glare sharp enough to dull knives.

Danielle nodded, feigning thoughtfulness, "Right, right- so remind me why were here?"

"I called you guys over cause Haerin betrayed me!" Hanni huffed, gesturing to the sitting cat.

"I said I was sorry, Hanni…" Haerin muttered apologetically, keeping her eyes to the floor

"I know you are."

Danielle looked between the two of them, “So are we going to keep apologizing and accepting apologies, or are you going to tell us why you hate Minji so much?"

Hanni scoffed as the paced,the heel of her socked foot tapping against the hardwood every time she pivoted. She wasn’t even looking at where she was going anymore- the room had become too familiar after the first dozen laps. "Don't be dramatic.”

“I’m the dramatic one here?" Danielle gasped, her hand going up to her chest defensively.

“Yes.”

“Do you even hear yourself, Hanni? You called her a piece of shit over a good morning text- and you're calling me dramatic?"

“Because she’s annoying, how many times do I need to say this?"

Danielle raised an eyebrow, “What has she actually done that’s annoying?”

Hanni opened her mouth immediately, fist clenching. “She-" Only, nothing came out.

Danielle's voice remained calm, "Hanni- you don't have to get this worked up over somebody you don't have a reason to dislike."

"I don't know why, truth be told- it's just, something about her!" Hanni sighed- fingernails digging into her palms hard enough to nearly draw blood, "Something about her stupid face, or her sleazy attitude, it pisses me off! Shes a total fuckgirl!"

"And how do you know that?" Haerin called from the floor, "You've talked to her for like what… 30 minutes give or take?"

Hanni paused her pacing to stand in front of Haerin, "I get that- but I have eyes! I've seen how she acted at that party! She had girls all over her, and she seemed to be in her natural element- like fucking Avatar Aang or something!"

Danielle rolled her eyes, watching as Hanni continued pacing, "I just don't get it, Hanni- she seems genuinely interested in you!"

"I'm interested in her, too- honestly, she's kinda hot." Hanni admitted- talking really fast in hopes Danielle and Haerin didn't hear her, "It just- I don't know if I should stay or if I should go, I just really wanna know, would I lose or win- If I tried and loved again… you guys know what happened with my ex." Hanni blurted.

Both Haerin and Danielle stayed quiet- they clearly weren't expecting that, the same girl who was calling Minji a sleazy fuckgirl saying she's interested in her too?

"Minji's pretty nice," Haerin remarked after some time, "She can come off as overconfident sometimes, and from what I've seen- quite a lot of people like her too."

Danielle huffed, "Haerin- now's not the time to mention how many girls are all over her, we know already, no need to rub it in."

"She's one of those people," Hanni said out of nowhere, as if the thought just clicked in her mind- putting emphasis on those.

"Enlighten me,"

"She's attractive, and people like her, obviously, so she has options. People like that don't just randomly becoming infatuated with somebody!" Hanni rambled, it's actually insane how she can think this all up- hungover at that.

"Somebody?"

"Come on, you know what I mean, in this case- the 'somebody' is me." Hanni huffed, "These people- they don't just pick just one person, they flirt- move on, keep people around." She continued, hands coming up to the sides of her head, Hanni was really starting to look like a crazy person.

Haerin watched her carefully, choosing her words even more so, "She hasn't done any of this, so why assume that she will?"

Hanni stopped walking so abruptly the room seemed to stop with her, "Because that's what happens."

"That's what happens," she repeated, her voice on the brink of cracking- "I don't know, what she wants- I don't know if shes serious, and I don't know if she wants me or just likes the attention I can give to her."

"I don't know if I'll end up just being another person she ends up being bored of." She finished.

It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Danielle's face softened, "Hanni- you don't know any of those things, so why are you acting like this is a given?"

Hanni rubbed both hands over her face, "Because I'd rather assume the worst now, than find out later that I was right."

Danielle leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, "This isn't about Minji anymore, isn't it, Hanni?"

"It never was," Was all Hanni could rasp out- voice barely above a whisper, hands quivering, "I just-" she inhaled sharply, "I just don't think… think I can commit anymore."

Haerin looked up from where she was sitting, the words came out so quietly they almost disappeared into the room.

"I was stupid," Hanni laughed once, bitter and humorless, "I used to think if someone said they loved you-" Her jaw tightened, "that it meant something."

"I'm ashamed- I was an idiot," The words felt heavy against her tongue, "I rearranged my schedule for one person, canceled on friends, yet they still cheated."

"I kept wondering, what did I do wrong?" She paused- tears welling up slowly in her eyes, "As if there had to be any reason."

Another long pause settled over the room- “So no," She crossed her arms again, "I’m not interested in finding out if Minji is different.”

Haerin spoke gently- voice barely above a whisper, “Because?”

Hanni looked toward the ceiling, swallowing the lump in her throat, "Because if I never believe her," Her voice cracked ever so slightly before she cleared her throat- “…then she can’t disappoint me.”

When Danielle finally broke the silence in the room, her voice was quieter- void of the teasing tone she had before, "Hanni, loving someone is nothing to be ashamed of."

"That- that's easy for you to say!" Hanni spat, gesturing between the two other girls, "You have Haerin- she wouldn't hurt a fly,"

Haerin perked up at the mention of her name, batting her eyes innocently. (Bro😭 .)

"You.. you shouldn't let one selfish person convince you that your ability to love is a mistake." Danielle continued gently, "You have to let her be herself before you decide who she is."

Hanni glanced back down to her phone, where Minji's unread message sat quietly, "But what if she turns out to be exactly what I'm afraid of?"

"Then block her and cut her off?" Haerin said simply- and Hanni couldn't hold back her smile.

Hanni didn’t text back immediately, she made it all the way home first.

The drive back felt strangely quiet without Haerin and Danielle filling the car with conversation- their words lingered in her head anyway, refusing to leave no matter how loudly she turned up the radio. By the time she pulled into her driveway, she’d convinced herself at least four separate times that replying had been a mistake.

She unlocked her front door, kicked off her shoes carelessly into the hallway, and wandered into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator more out of habit than thirst. Her phone buzzed in her hoodie pocket before she’d even twisted the cap open.

Her stomach sank- she already knew who it was.

Hanni stared at the messages for few seconds, contemplating if she should even respond- before another notification popped up.

Image received.

Hanni opened it hesitantly, her thumb shaking above it before finally pressing.

Minji had clearly taken the picture between sets, one sleeve of her t-shirt had been rolled up to her shoulder, her arm bent just enough to show the definition in her bicep. It wasn’t a mirror selfie or some overly posed gym photo-just an awkward angle with a slightly embarrassed thumbs-up visible in the corner, as though she’d immediately regretted sending it.

Hanni bit down on her lip, fuck- she definitely wasn't skinny.

Hanni stard down at the last message for a long second, "Baby…?" she whispered- saying it aloud to the empty room, her voice somewhere inbetween completely offended and flattered.

"Who the fuck does she think she is?"

Ah, right. Hanni still had to cheer for the girl's basketball team against their rival- this upcoming Friday.

The week passed faster than usual- full of Hanni and Minji playing delivered wars and leaving each other on read, but it happened to Minji more than it happened to Hanni- by the time it was Friday every hallway seemed louder than usual- students wandering through the building draped in school colors, faces streaked with blue paint they weren’t supposed to have on until after lunch.

Posters for that night’s opener covered nearly every wall, homemade signs taped crookedly over lockers and classroom doors.

The gym sat at the center of it all, even from the academic building, the rhythmic squeak of basketball shoes echoed faintly through the open courtyard, punctuated every few seconds by the sharp blast of a whistle. The team had been practicing since before school even began every day this week, and everyone knew why.

Sierra.

Hanni slipped her notebook into her locker and exchanged only half-hearted greetings with the people passing by. Unlike most of the school, she wasn’t particularly interested in basketball, she’d be at the game because the cheer squad had rehearsed all week for it, not because she cared who dropped twenty points or who made the highlight reel.

She had barely shut her locker before another one closed beside hers- just enough to pull her attention sideways, Minji.

Practice had clearly already left its mark on her, the sleeves of her gray warm-up shirt were damp around the shoulders, loose strands of dark hair clinging to her forehead. A basketball rested beneath one arm, her other hand absentmindedly rolling athletic tape around her fingers.

"Hanni," she hummed.

Hanni answered with a glance, before reaching down to zip up her backpack, "What now?"

"The game's tonight." Minji stated- and Hanni nearly rolled her eyes, no shit- captain obvious, "It's a big one."

Minji leaned against the locker beside hers, duffel bag slung over one shoulder, she had that stupidly relaxed posture that made it seem like she’d never been stressed a day in her life.

"It's a big game for people who care about basketball." Hanni scoffed, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"You should care, we're playing Sierra." Minji pushed, leaning in closer.

“I care about beating Sierra,” Hanni corrected. “I just don’t care about you beating Sierra.” She sighed- putting emphasis on you.

Minji pressed a hand dramatically to her chest. “That’s cold, even for you, Pham."

Hanni groaned, running a hand through her hair- “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

Minji stood up straight against the locker, “Actually, I was hoping to get your opinion on something, " Minji grinned. “Should I drop thirty tonight or save some points for the next game?” she asked, completely serious.

Hanni stared at her, then she laughed. Though it was pointed at Minji, she couldn't help but grin wider at the beautiful sound.

“You? 30? Wow." Hanni said after a moment- collecting herself, “Minji, what did you average last year?"

“8.6.”

“Oh, my apologies. Basketball royalty.” Hanni laughed sarcastically, throwing her hands up.

“I’m feeling a breakout season, it's my senior year- might as well go crazy." Minji replied, face serious as ever.

Seeing as that Hanni still wasn't her taking her seriously- Minji pushed off the lockers and walked backward down the hallway, still facing her. “Okay then. Let’s make it interesting.”

Hanni already didn’t like the look in her eyes, glancing around them- there were multiple of their peers around.

“If I drop twenty tonight,” Minji said, pointing at her, “you let me take you out.”

“Take me out?" Hanni scoffed- having to hold herself back from laughing, “Absolutely not.”

“Why not?” Minji whined- throwing her hands up in exasperation.

“Because you’re not scoring 20 points, Minji."

"I'm not hearing a no," Minji’s realized, her grin widening. “So if I score twenty, you’ll go out with me?”

Hanni crossed her arms. Around them, students were starting to slow down, sensing entertainment, “Fine then," she said finally. “If you score twenty points tonight, I’ll let you take me out.”

Minji pumped her fist into the air triumphantly, she was damn near about to jump up and click her feet together, "Be ready to clear your schedule, Pham!"

Hanni clicked her tongue, eyebrows furrowing- "For what?"

Minji smiled, that stupid easy smile- "Our date."

Students were already gathering outside the locked doors in clusters, the line growing longer by the minute as everyone waited for the custodians to let spectators inside. The marching band occupied one corner of the courtyard, running scales.

Hanni stood nearby one of the concrete planters with her arms folded tightly in her chest- she was already in uniform.

The blue and white cheer uniform wasn't exactly the built for waiting outside in the November breeze, and despite refusing to admit it to anybody nearby her, she was colder than she had expected to be. Every so often she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, rubbing a hand over her bare arm in a futile attempt to warm herself.

She refused to look cold, especially with half the school and a different one milling around her.

A familiar voice drifted toward her, “Didn’t know cheerleaders were immune to jackets.”

Hanni closed her eyes for exactly one second before opening them again- bro's trying to ignore it.

Minji was walking across the courtyard toward the gym with her duffel bag slung over one shoulder, her glasses still on. Unlike Hanni, she looked perfectly comfortable. She wore gray sweats, accompanied by her blue and white varsity jacket- the one she had worn to the party, the thick wool sitting loosely over a black practice shirt.

The white leather sleeves were slightly creased from wear, despite Minji only having it for a month- and the embroidered basketball patch on the chest caught the afternoon light.

Hanni hated how warm it looked, "I am,” she answered flatly.

"You're a really bad liar."Minji stopped beside her, “You’ve been rubbing your arms for quite a while now."

"I-" Hanni looked down, her hand halfway up her arm- "Fine, I am cold."

Minji let out a huff of triumph, "Glad to see you're coming around to the whole… admitting thing."

"I just didn't know it would be that cold out…" Hanni mumbled, rubbing her hands together to create warmth between them.

"Well- Coach said the gyms supposed to open in a few minutes." Minji advised, glancing down at the time on her phone.

A gust of wind swept around them, lifting the ends of Hanni's ponytail- sending a visible chill to her bare arms. She gave Minji a once-over, she seemed warm enough, didn't she? Already in sweatpants and layers… taking off her jacket wouldn't do much harm, would it?

"Minji, give me your jacket." Hanni demanded- tugging on the sleeve.

"Huh? Wha-"

"Hurry up, I'm freezing." Hanni urged.

Minji quietly slipped out of her jacket, holding it out for Hanni to take, a shit-eating grin on her face.

"Don't get used to this." Hanni remarked, slipping it over her arms.

The wool felt thick beneath her fingers, the inside traced with smooth quilted fabric that still held traces of warmth from when Minji had been wearing it moments earlier.

It was huge- at least 2 sizes larger than Hanni's size, the sleeves extended well past her hands, swallowing her fingers completely with room left over. The hem fell to the middle of her thighs, making it look less like a jacket and more like a blanket she had wrapped around herself.

Hanni huffed- trying to roll up one of the sleeves, but it unraveled anyway, her jacket smelled faintly of clean detergent with the lingering scent of By the Fireplace by Replica - it was warm enough for the chill to disappear instantly.

"You look…" Minji bit the inside of her cheek- trying, (and failing) not to smile wider. "… really little."

"I can't help it…" Hanni mumbled, zipping up the collar until it basically became a turtleneck- nuzzling herself further into the warm fabric.

"You basically stole it off me." Minji huffed, before her eyes glimmered, smiling with all 32 visible.

"Hey, Hanni." Minji snickered- already holding herself back from laughing, "What do you call a cold thief?"

Hanni already didn't like where this was going, "You're gonna say some stupid shit, aren't you?" she asked, raising her eyebrow.

Minji ignored her- "A brr-glar!" she revealed, bursting into a fit of laughter.

Hanni couldn't help but smile either, her idiocy was sort of endearing, "God- you're so corny."

Minji nudged her shoulder, still catching her breath from laughing," I guess… you could say, I was born on the cob!"

Hanni hit Minji with the excess fabric of her jacket, trying to hide the grin forming on her face with the collar of Minji's jacket.

After a beat of silence, Minji spoke again- "You can keep it till after the game." she said thoughtfully, her slender fingers coming up to Hanni's neck to adjust the collar.

"Won't you get cold too?" Hanni asked into the fabric, neck craning upwards to meet Minji's eyes.

"Nah, it's fine." Minji shrugged- feigning nonchalance- but we all know she's freaking out, shoving her hands into the pockets of her sweats, "I won't need it much anyways."

"If you say so.." Hanni mumbled, wiping off lint from the sleeve.

"Just make sure to give me my jacket back."

Hanni looked up at Minji again and smiled sweetly, “I’ll think about it.”

Then, before Minji could protest again, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the stream of students entering the gym, swallowed by a sea of blue and white uniforms.

Minji stood frozen for a moment, watching the back of her oversized jacket disappear through the doors.

The gym was already packed an hour before tip off, blue and white streamers hung from the rafters. The student section was painted in school colors, and the schools bear mascot was currently doing backflips down the sideline. Sierra's fans had filled the visitor bleachers with matching green shirts and enough noise to shake the bleachers violently.

Hanni adjusted the bow in her hair and tried to focus on stretching, unfortunately for her- Minji was making that impossible.

Every time Hanni looked toward the court, Minji seemed to be looking back, stretching? Looking at Hanni, in the layup line? Looking at Hanni- talking to her coach? Somehow still looking at Hanni, it was ridiculous.

“Why is she staring at you like that?” one of the other cheerleaders asked.

“Because she enjoys being an annoying piece of shit." Hanni replied, without taking her eyes off Minji.

“I heard about the bet.” Someone else chimed in, tapping Hanni on the shoulder.

“For what it’s worth,” the girl said, “I think you’re safe.”

“Thank you, at least somebody here has some common sense.” Hanni exhaled, clearly throwing shade to Danielle.

Right on cue, Minji pulled up from well beyond the three-point line during warmups- and made it of course.

The crowd reacted- but Hanni refused to. Minji definitely wasn't no fucking Lamelo Ball- she can't pull this off in a game!

“Lucky shot,” she muttered.

Ten minutes before introductions, Hanni was organizing pom-poms near the baseline when a basketball bounced to a stop beside her shoe.

She looked up, her eyebrows furrowing as she saw who was approaching her- Minji, and she was jogging over to retrieve it.

“You know,” Minji said casually, adjusting her headband- her breath a bit labored as she spun the ball on one finger, “you look really pretty when you’re doubting me.”

Hanni’s eye twitched in disgust, or maybe something else, "And you look really delusional all the time.”

Minji leaned in slightly closer. “Still confident?”

“Extremely," Hanni replied confidently- crossing her legs.

“Good," Minji hummed, smiling wider.

“How is that any good?"

“Makes it more fun for me."

Hanni was going to kill her, but before she could go through with her plans- the lights dimmed, forcing Minji to skedaddle off, player introductions began.

The crowd roared as each starter ran onto the court- when Minji’s name was announced, the noise level jumped another notch.

She slapped hands with her teammates, then-because apparently she enjoyed testing Hanni’s patience-pointed directly at her section of the sideline, right at her, shooting her a flying kiss.

Hanni covered her face with both hands, her face flushing red.Danielle, who was standing beside her, was laughing so hard she could barely hold her pom-poms, doubling over in laughter.

The referee stepped to center court with the ball, preparing for the tip-off.

The opening tip shot toward the ceiling in a blur of orange.

Sierra got to it first, their visiting point guard secured the ball and immediately pushed the pace, forcing Minji and the rest of the defense to sprint backward before either student section had even finished cheering- their sneakers squealed against polished hardwood, the echo filling the gym beneath the pounding drums from the pep band.

Hanni settled into formation with the rest of the cheer squad along the baseline, pom-poms tucked against her hips. The opening minutes of every basketball game always blurred together for her, shes watched enough to know when to start chants, when to react to a big play, when to prepare for a timeout.

She wasn’t actually interested in the game, or a player.

“…Defense!” The student section thundered the chant behind her- the bleachers rattling as if an earthquake had shook the ground beneath them.

Sierra's guard crossed over at the top of the key before firing a pass to the wing. A quick swing around the court-

Minji jumped the passing lane, reading it almost before the ball had left the passer’s hands, long arms extending into the gap as she snatched it cleanly from the air.

The crowd exploded, "Go! Go!”

Minji didn’t hesitate, sprinting down the court on a fast break, one defender chasing, she gather-stepped near the rim and laid the ball softly off the backboard, her attention never leaving it as it fell into the rim smoothly.

Bank.

The scoreboard buzzed loudly, 2–0.

The gym erupted with cheer, Hanni clapped automatically with everyone else before immediately catching herself.

Danielle leaned toward her with the smallest grin, “Only eighteen more till you're on a date with her."

Hanni didn’t even look at her, “It has been twenty-three seconds, Danielle."

Danielle pouted, "Hey! I'm just saying.”

“It has been twenty-three seconds.”

The game settled into an early rhythm, Sierra answered with a three- their center converting an offensive rebound, and one of Minji’s teammates buried a corner jumper.

For several more possessions, Minji barely even touched the ball, content to move without it, setting screens and cutting through the paint while the offense flowed elsewhere.

Hanni felt herself relax, this looked much more realistic! Minji had scored first because of a lucky steal- nothing more.

“See?” she muttered under her breath to Danielle.

Danielle arched an eyebrow, “See what?”

“She just made a lucky play- nothing more."

On cue, Minji curled around a screen- caught a no-look pass, and pulled up from the 3-point line, watching as it fell through the rim with a swish- the shot barely disturbing the nylon.

5 points.

“…” Danielle didn’t say anything, she didn’t have to- Hanni could already feel the smile on her face.

Midway through the first quarter, the game grew noticeably more physical.

Every rebound looked like a wrestling match, every attempt at locking up an opponent ending up in shoves- the referees let nearly everything go, Minji took an elbow beneath the backboard that snapped her head sideways.

No whistle, nothing called on her perpetrator- Minji clicked her tongue, simply rubbing her jaw and jogging back on defense.

A possession later, the ball found Minji near the top of the key, she jab-stepped left, trying to get her defender to shift her weight, then crossed right.

Her defender slid, letting Minji split two defenders and attack the rim.

Sierra's center stepped up, a much larger girl- denying Minji.

The collision echoed through the gym, gasps rippling through the crowd as Minji hit the floor hard, sliding across the paint- Hanni’s stomach tightened before she could think about it.

Minji stayed down for a moment, than another-

"She'll be fine," Hanni murmured- the gym becoming completely silent as a referee ran up to her.

Minji finally sat up, rubbing her shoulder before accepting a teammate’s hand, she rolled her shoulder once, winced almost imperceptibly, then walked to the free throw line- exhaling through clenched teeth, it was attractive, actually- not that Hanni would admit it. Her teammates swarmed around her, slapping the back of her head and shoulders.

The call finally came, defensive foul.

The student section had already started chanting, “M-V-P!”

Hanni rolled her eyes so hard it hurt, her pupils coming down just in time to watch as Minji stepped to the free throw line, the entire gym hushed, Minji spun the ball in her palm- taking in a deep breath,

One dribble, then two

She released it high off the glass, swish.

6 points.

The scoreboard still showed over four minutes remaining in the first, Hanni stared at the number for a second longer than she meant to.

Minji paused to clap hands with her teammates, taking the ball back in her hands for her second free-throw, she glanced over to where the cheerleaders sat, right at Hanni- before refocusing on the ball, dribbling twice and releasing.

The ball hit the rim, causing her teammates to fight for the rebound- but it was no use, the other team had gotten it.

During the next timeout, the cheerleaders ran onto the court, music blasted through the speakers as they moved through the routine they’d practiced all week- normally Hanni would be performing almost automatically.

Tonight she kept catching glimpses of the bench during counts, Minji sat there with a towel draped around her shoulders, sweat running down her neck- breathing hard while listening to her coach. Every few seconds she nodded, eyes fixed on the whiteboard.

As the cheerleaders cleared the floor, Minji stood to check back into the game- for half a second their eyes met, Minji smiled- her signature smirk, just a quick one.

Then she turned and sprinted back onto the hardwood- causing Hanni to frown before she could even make a face or gesture something back.

Sierra adjusted 6 minutes into the 2nd quarter, they had assigned their best defender to Minji, it was now 24-18, Sierra in the lead.

A tall senior with long arms who denied every pass and bumped her through every screen- for nearly three straight minutes, Minji didn’t score.

It was clear she was getting frustrated, biting her lip as another one of her layups got denied.

On her next possession, she dribbled hastily- tried driving to the left- she was already there, her defender shaking her hand in her face mockingly. Minji grit her teeth, sinking into a lower position on the ball, Minji sold the drive to the left to her defender, taking a heavy step and anchoring her shoulders to the left, the defender bit- shifting her weight and lunging.

With a sudden, explosive movement- Minji drove her shoulder to the right, manuvering past, the lunge of the defender was the only gap she needed, in a blur- she snapped the rock across her body, into her right hand. The defender's heels dug hard into the ground, but it was no use- Minji blew past her, finishing with an easy flick of her wrist, she smiled cockily- all frustration leaving her body.

8 Points.

“See?" Danielle whispered, folding her arms. “There it is, this doesn't seem like luck, does it Hanni?"

"Oh for the love of everything, please shut up."

On the next play, Minji faked toward the corner before planting her foot and exploding backdoor,her defender hesitated for a fraction of a second- but that was more than enough.

The pass floated over the top, Minji caught it in stride and finished with a reverse layup before the help defense could rotate.

The gym shook with cheer, 10 points.

Halfway there.

By the last few minutes of the 2nd quarter- Sierra was refusing to let Minji get comfortable, every time she had the ball in her hands, they would somehow knock it out, trapped her off screens, bumped her off her cuts, and forced someone else to beat them.

32-29, Sierra.

Minji finally ended the drought with a transition three, she found the ball on the right wing after a long outlet pass, catching it right on the seams in rhythm, rising before her defender could recover -

Swish.

The student section exploded- Minji had put them equal, 32-32 both and Hanni was glad to see her school doing good-, but Minji had a total of 13 points now.

She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to stop herself from saying something she would regret later.

Sierra answered aggressively with a run of their own, their senior guard caught fire- burying back-to-back threes from deep, putting an end to the short-lived tie. And with only a minute left in the 2ND quarter, they were down 6.

Minji drove hard into the paint, faking the mid-range shot and kicking the ball out to an open teammate on the wing, miss.

Sierra's center caught the rebound, sprinting down the court as fast as she could- but Minji was faster, chasing her down and slapping the attempted layup against the glass of the backboard like prime Anthony Davis, letting her teammate get the rebound and result in a three, 38-35- Sierra.

Minji had straps on the girl she was defending (pause?), every attempt at getting over her top foot was denied, she baited the trap perfectly- stepping directly into the passing lane just as the guard released the ball, she intercepted the pass mid-air, the leather smacking against her palm as she pivoted down court.

The sudden overturn left all of Sierra's offense in a state of confusion- creating a chaotic scramble as the offense flipped into an all-out fast break, Minji pushed the ball out into the open court- ears ringing with the frantic squeaking of sneakers and the roar of the crowd.

Cocky as ever- Minji paused right before three point line suddenly- causing the defender chasing after her to go flying, she watched, staring her down before finally releasing the ball, an easy- uncontested 3.

16 points.

The shot clocked buzzed- the first half was over, 38 all, Minji backpedaled before pointing towards the student section, raising her hands upwards, telling the crowd to get louder.

They happily obliged, but Hanni just folded her arms tighter, That's enough, she thought- 16 is good enough, just stop now!

The court belonged to the marching band now, both of the teams retreating to their respective sides of the gym, students in crisp blue uniforms filed into formation on the court, percussion echoing through the rafters.

And the student section buzzed louder than it had all night, because of Minji.

"Fourteen already? Damn- I thought Hanni was safe!"

"So did everybody else, theres still another half- I wouldn't be surprised if she dropped 30."

Hanni heard pieces of conversation as she walked with the rest of the cheer squad towards the corner of the gym where they always rested during halftime.

She sat on the lowest bleacher, pulling the ribbon in her ponytail extra tight, the routine before the game and throughout the first half had left the ends of her hair damp with sweat, and the gym felt warmer now that it was filled with what seems like to half the town.

Danielle dropped town beside her, twisting the cap off a bottle of water, "You alright?" she asked- taking a swig of water, "Seem a bit distracted there."

"I'm fine," Hanni got out through gritted teeth.

Danielle nodded, though she wasn't convinced in the slightest.

She let silence sit between them comfortably, both catching their breath and watching the band in front of them. The drums reverberated throughout, the trumpets blaring loudly as the color guard's flags swept through the air in synchronized arcs.

Hanni welcomed the noise happily, it gave her something else besides Minji to focus on.

Eventually, Danielle spoke again, "She only needs 4 points."

Hanni didn't answer immediately, drawing in a deep breath before responding- "You think I don't know that already?"

Danielle turned to look at her fully, ponytail swinging over her shoulder, "Still think she won't get there?"

"Sierra's going to keep doubling her- I'm sure she won't." Hanni laughed, glancing over to where the team's huddles.

Danielle let out a noise of surprise, "Just keep telling yourself that." she mumbled, folding her arms against her chest.

The band finished to loud applause before quickly clearing the court, a few minutes later- both teams broke their huddle simultaneously, whatever energy that had existed before halftime was replaced with focus, Coach Tung called a play while the team listened in silence, dispersing into their positions on the floor.

Minji walked near the back of the group, wiping sweat from her forehead with the bottom of her jersey, lifting it just high enough for her v-line to be visible, Minji's shoulders rose and fell with steady breaths, adjusting the tape around her wrist.

The third quarter opened exactly the way Sierra wanted, slowing the pace. Instead of pushing the pace like they had in the first half, they walked the ball up to the floor, draining the shot clock before finally making a move- every possession became a grind, forcing the home team to stay on defense for nearly 30 seconds at a time- it's not the most ethical basketball, but it was effective.

Most importantly, it kept the ball out of Minji's hands- Sierra had clearly spent halftime making one decision, let the ball get to anyone but her.

The moment Minji crossed half court, another defender shaded towards her, every screen was switched- and every passing lane disappeared before it opened, whenever she cut toward the basket, an opposing player would bump her a bit too harshly to simply be playing defense- when it wasn't that, her jersey would be grabbed, or step on her shoulder.

The referees let all of it go.

It wasn't as easy as it had been during the 1st or 2ND quarter, sure- Sierra had adjusted their defense to try and cage in Minji, but she had found a way out each time, and now it felt as if her wings were pinned down by something.

The home offense sputtered, and Sierra took a 4 point lead early into the 3rd, the crowd- so loud before halftime, grew noticeably quieter.

Coach Tung called timeout, the players gathering around the bench while he drew hurried circles across the whiteboard.

Hanni watched from the baseline, rolling the handle of a pom-pom between her fingers anxiously.

Minji stood at the edge of the huddle with sweat dripping from her jaw and the edges of her hair onto the hardwood, chest rising and falling heavily- she nodded at everything her teammates said, but there was something noticeably tighter about her posture now, her jaw remained clenched even when she seemed relax, and every few beats she glanced back towards the court as if she were already impatient to return.

When play resumed, the adjustment Coach Tung had worked, at least for one play.

Their point guard slowed near half court allowing everyone to space the floor before signaling with two fingers- Minji drifted casually towards the left wing, almost walking through the motion instead of sprinting- her defender relaxed her shoulders for only an instant, seemingly assuming she was clearing space for someone else.

That was all Minji needed, she planted hard off her right foot and exploded off her Achilles through the gap before the center in the paint could react, the pass met her perfectly in stride- and she gathered without breaking rhythm, switching hands mid-air to escape the defenders hand, laying the ball softly against the glass with the care of holding an infant. (If that makes sense…)

The gym exploded as the student section erupted into more chants, students jumping to their feet before the ball had even fallen all the way through the net, Hanni's eyes flicked toward the scoreboard almost automatically.

18 Points.

Sierra answered immediately, though not in terms of scoring- they sent a message.

The next time Minji came off a screen, her defender hooked an arm around her waist for the briefest second before letting go, seamless enough for nobody to notice- she glanced towards the nearest official, disbelief flashing across her face before she forced herself to keep playing.

On her next possession, she attacked the basket from the right- a defender's hand met her stomach instead, borderline pushing her, the contact forced a layup awkwardly high off the backboard, she missed, badly.

Sierra secured the rebound, leaving Minji to land on the court beneath the rim- simply staring at the referee standing less than ten feet away, "What?" she called- throwing her hands up.

The referee looked her up and down, pointing down towards the ground, "Play on."

Minji clenched her jaw so hard- that the muscle in her jaw visibly flexed before turning to sprint back onto defense, Hanni had never seen her like that before- usually even when Minji was being obnoxious or a loser, she laughed at herself almost as often as everyone else did.

There wasn't even the slightest trace of amusement on her face, only irritation- and it was clear it was continuing to build every play.

Sierra clearly recognized it, becoming even more physical deep into the 3rd.

The frustration began to seep into every decision she made- the next jumper she attempted came too quickly, releasing before she could fully plant her feet or fix her position on the ball.

It clanged hard off the back iron- loud enough for the entire gym to wince.

Coach Tung slapped the side of his clipboard, "Slow down!"

Minji nodded once- the acknowledgment lasting three seconds in her head, the following trip down the floor she caught the ball near the top of the key with two defenders already on her- an open teammate waited in the corner, waving both hands.

She never looked- or maybe she did, and chose to ignore her. Instead, she lowered her shoulder and attacked the gap anyway, one defender cut her off- she spun, another met her- she faded awkwardly off one foot, releasing a heavily contest mid-range shot that barely even grazed the front rim before bouncing harmlessly away.

Minji didn't chase the rebound, standing frozen for a fraction too long- staring up at the basket before turning and throwing both hands into the air in anger- "How am I supposed to play through that?"

Coach Tung's whistle cut sharply through the noise, "Kim!"

Minji looked towards the bench, one of the seniors had already removed her warm-up shirt and was standing at the scorer's table.

She was getting subbed out.

Minji furrowed her eyebrows- looked back toward the court as if trying to argue without saying anything, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.

Coach met her halfway, leading her to the bench, "Minji- you've got to settle down."

"They're grabbing me every time I touch the ball, how am I-"

"I know," Coach Tung cut her off, handing her a towel.

"These refs- they're not calling anything!" Minji exhaled- her voice rising.

Coach met her eyes, "They want you to get frustrated, Minji." he continued quietly, "Every time you miss- every complaint, you're just making it easier for them."

His hand rested briefly against her shoulder, "You've got sixteen points," Minji's breathing gradually slowed, "Calm down, and I'll think about subbing you back in.

Minji looked back at the court one last time where Sierra was already setting up their offense, she nodded once- then walked to the bench without another word, dropping heavily into the last seat, she draped the towel over her head, elbows resting on her knees.

The remainder of the 3rd quarter passed without ever truly swinging back into their favor.

At first, it looked like Coach's decision to sit Minji might settle everybody else down, the ball moved more freely around the perimeter- her teammates attempted threes instead of driving into the paint, the offense resembled back into the disciplined basketball they'd played in the first half.

Only, something was missing- urgency.

Nobody wanted to be the player to take over, her teammates had grown accustomed to letting Minji to that.

Every possession ended with hesitant shots as the shot clock dwindled into its final seconds- and every miss only strengthened Sierra's confidence, they could smell the uncertainty on the players, the way good rivalry teams always could. Their cocky point guard controlled the tempo masterfully, slowing down the game whenever the student section threatened to build momentum, forcing the home team to defend through long, exhausting possessions, before Sierra buried another mid-range jumper or found an open shooter after the defense finally broke.

Their lead grew quietly, two points became four, four became six.

By the time the 3rd quarter buzzer sounded, a corner three from Sierra's junior captain splashed cleanly through the net, silencing the home teams crowd.

58-50.

The home players walked towards their bench with their heads lowered, jerseys soaked through with sweat- shoulders rising and falling from three quarter of constant physical strain- nobody spoke, of course… who would be talking when you're down 8 in your own home court?

Minji remained exactly where she'd been since checking out the game, her fingers loosely intertwined- staring at the hardwood between her Sabrina 2s, the towel that had covered her head now hung around her neck, damp from sweat- she replayed every messed up play in her head.

Coach Tung let the assistants finish addressing the team before crouching in front of her, "You done?"

Minji looked up, "Yeah…"

"You sure?"

Minji nodded slowly once, "I'm sure."

Coach leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, "You know how many points I need from you this quarter?"

Minji stared at the floor again, "I know."

A murmur rippled through the home crowd as Minji stepped back onto the floor, she jogged towards her teammates- exchanging a few quick words before taking her place on the floor, there was no rush in her movements- bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet as she waited for the inbound.

The ball finally came, the first play of the quarter lasted nearly 25 seconds- down to the last moments of the shot clock, Sierra stayed attached to Minji with a single defender- the same senior who she had blasted by previously, nonetheless, Minji moved patiently along the perimeter, drawing her defender just far enough from the paint before cutting towards the baseline- the opening creating space for a teammate to slip around for a layup.

The deficit was six now, 58-52.

On the next trip down, Sierra slowed the game again- spreading the floor and draining the shot clock, with four seconds left on the clock, Sierra's guard finally drove into the lane, Minji slid her feet- jumping up and slapping the ball away before it could reach the rim.

The home bench erupted- students jumping to their feet, the sound rolled through the gym like a wave, shifting the momentum.

The next few minutes became a game purely of effort, of who wanted it more- and nobody else wanted it more than Minji. Now- you might be confused, Minji has been at this school for less than a month, why should she care about a rivalry game so much if she hasn't been around it for long enough? Minji's purely doing it for the love of the game, and the fact she wanted to go out on a date with Hanni- and I'm sure that says enough about her.

Loose balls skidded across the floor, and Minji was the first one to dive after them without hesitation, honestly It was starting to look more like volleyball than basketball- rebounds turned into battles between both teams centers beneath the rim, every defensive stop drawing louder cheer then the one before.

Minji didn't force the game towards herself, opting to keep the offense moving and move the ball- she grit her teeth, she only needed one more three pointer, or one more layup- then she would have twenty, glancing towards the clock- there was only 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

The 6 point deficit became 4, than 2.

From the moment her teammate sealed the deal and closed the gap between the team's score, every play felt amplified, the stadium pulse adding to atmosphere of it all, the crowd rose and fell silent whenever the ball was in the air, holding their breath.

Sierra finally answered with a contested mid-range, which resulted in a free throw after a foul on them, the lead stretching back to three.

38 seconds remained.

Their point guard pushed the ball up the floor and found Minji on the right wing, one defender met her immediately, crouched low- Minji held the ball in her palms, jab stepping once as if to test the waters, the defender held, Minji stopped, pulling the ball back and throwing a pass to the corner where her teammate stood open in one clean movement.

The ball went up for three- snapping through the net, tie game.

Sierra hurried the inbound amid the cheers from the crowd, trying to get the ball down the court before defense could settle, a pass downcourt was tipped- bouncing the ball loose across the floor.

Minji got there first, lunging for it- she cradled it in her arms before hurriedly pushing herself off the ground- pulling it back out to a teammate near half court.

Coach Tung signaled from the sideline, one shot.

The clock continued to run-

10 seconds,

The student section stopped chanting, the only sound was the basketball striking the floor.

9,

Minji stood near the top of the key, dribbling the rock calmly betwee her hands,

8,

7,

No screen came- nobody cut through the lane, leaving Minji with nobody to pass to.

6,

5,

Minji got lower, tween- behind the back, she crossed to the right, anchoring her shoulders and hips the same way the ball missed, the defender slid with her.

4,

She shifted her weight left and exploded horizontally, passing the ball to her left hand behind her back, the defender paused for half a beat.

3,

Minji stepped back just behind the three-point line, creating a narrow pocket of space between her and the defender.

2,

Her defender recovered and reached up, contesting the shot, but there was still only one body in front of her- only one body stopping her from making this.

1,

Minji rose straight up, shoulders squared- her eyes fixed on the rim.

The buzzer sounded just as the ball left her finger tips, and it seemed like time got slow, the ball climbed high above the outstretched hand, rotated backwards- then descended towards the basket.

It struck the front rim, bouncing luckily upwards- kissed the back iron of the backboard,

Then dropped cleanly through the net.

69-67, Home.

The horn was swallowed by the eruption that followed, students spilled over the front railing- the bench emptying onto the court, her teammates had sprinted towards her before seh had fully landed, surrounding her as the crowd roared.

Hanni remained rooted firmly to the baseline, pom-poms hanging forgotten at her sides.

Her eyes lifted to the scoreboard,

KIM MINJI - 20 PTS

Exactly twenty, the bet she'd accepted with complete confidence that morning has come true.

Before she could even process that fact and follow that train of thought, movement in her peripheral vision pulled her attention away from the scoreboard.

Minji had somehow broken free from the crowd surrounding her and the team, her teammates shouted after her, and girls tried unsuccessfully to pull her back towards the center of it all for pictures, but she ignored all of them. Her jersey and compression shirt was soaked through, clinging to her shoulders and biceps after nearly 34 minutes of basketball, damp strands of her had escaped her headband completely, every breath coming heavy.

Even from several feet away, Hanni could see the exhaustion written across her face- she'd never looked happier.

Minji slowed as she reached the baseline, a grin gradually spreading across her face until it became impossible to contain, "Told you-" she said between breaths, "I'd get twenty."

Hanni folded her arms tight, refusing to give her the satisfaction of winning the bet, "You just got lucky."

"Lucky?"

Hanni clicked her tongue, "The ball bounced around on the rim for a good 5 seconds,"