Most Valuable Player (Part 1)
Most Valuable Player
By Oceanus88
Midterm Exam Scores
Mathematics
11th Grade, 2nd Semester
1. Taeyeon Kim 95
2. Sunny Lee 90
3. Tiffany Hwang 88
4. Mina Lee 85
5. Jessica Jung 83
6. Chaesun Park 83
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Yesh! I made it again.
“Damn! What are you, Tae? An alien?”
Taeyeon turned to see a tall brunette who was her best friend with a slight disbelief expression in her face. She just grinned.
“Seriously, what are you eating?”
“Come on, let’s have lunch.” Taeyeon tucked her bestfriend, ignoring her with a big grin in her face and pulled her towards the school cafeteria. Once arrived in the cafeteria, they immediately grabbed what they want and sat near the window.
“What did you get?”
“80”
“Hey, that’s good, Soo!”
“Still. Not good enough to be in the top five.” She pouted. “Anyway, I’m happy for you girl! You top almost all subjects in class! Like usual.”
“Yeah, except gym class.”
“…and English.”
Wait, what? “What?”
“English. You were on the second place.” Sooyoung nonchalantly replied, while munching on her lunch.
Again? Taeyeon silently thought. She didn’t comment further. To be honest, she was a little disappointed.
Ever since she first got into school, Kim Taeyeon had been known as the smartest girl in school. She was unbeatable. She got the first rank in every subject (except, of course, gym class) every year in school, earning her the title “The Invincible Kim Taeyeon” from her fellow class mates. So, no one had seemed so surprised when she’d got a full scholarship to go to Seoul All-Girls High, one of the most prestigious, and most expensive, high schools in Korea. Together with her best friend Sooyoung, who didn’t need a scholarship to go to Seoul high, Taeyeon graciously attended Seoul High, as she passed the entrance exam with flying colors.
Even now, surrounded by smart, not to mention rich, students from all across South Korea, Taeyeon made sure she kept her title firmly in her shoulders. It was certainly harder with the competition between the students, but she took it as a challenge. Finishing the second semester of the 10th grade acing all the subjects, Taeyeon proved that she was worth the full scholarship to Seoul All-Girls High.
Kim Taeyeon had once again lived to her title... And she planned to keep it until the end.
So when this one particular girl broke her record by beating her in English last semester, it had surprised her. She got good score in English, but this girl was better. This girl had scored 97 out of 100, which was 2 points above her. Maybe it’s just a flux, she had thought. But still, it bothered her.
And Taeyeon remembered her name well.
I was so sure I’m gonna ace it this time. Who is it? Is it her again?
Sooyoung secretly eyed Taeyeon’s expression since she told her the news. “Disappointed?”
“What?” Taeyeon was startled from her own thoughts.
“Disappointed. Are you disappointed that you’re not on the first place?”
“Wh-what?? N-no, I-I’m not. I was just…”
“…wondering who got the first place? Oh, come on, Tae. I know you. Just say it.”
Taeyeon looked around and then whispered, so no one could hear her. “Who is it?”
Sooyoung couldn’t help but laughed at her friend. “Oh, come on, Soo. Who is it?”
Is it…
“I’m sorry; you’re just too funny when your obsessive side kicks in.”
“Who is it?!” She lightly slapped Sooyoung’s hand. Is it her?
“It’s the basketball captain.”
“Who?”
“The basketball captain.”
The basketball captain? “Who’s the basketball captain?”
“Okay… You really need to go to a game sometime.”
“Awh, come on. You know it’s not my thing…”
“…and you think it’s mine? Seriously, you need to get around sometime. You don’t even know our basketball captain for god’s sake!” She shook her head. “She’s so popular these days, you know.”
“Well, if I don’t know her, it means that she’s not popular.”
“Well, if you don’t know her, it means that you’re not popular.”
“Hey!” She hit her, “I have a lot more important things in my mind than knowing our school’s popular kids, okay?” I have to maintain my studies so I can get that scholarship that I want. “I don’t have time for that.” She emptied her box of juice, acting like she didn’t care. Wait… She’s popular?
“Still…” Sooyoung said nonchalantly, ready to continue eating.
“Okay, okay… Fine.” Taeyeon said in defeat, “Who is she?”
“I thought you have more important things to do?”
“Don’t play that on me, Soo.” Is it-? “What’s her name?”
“You’re sure you have time for them?” teased Sooyoung.
“Oh come on, just tell me her name, Soo!” She hit her for the second time. Don’t tell me it’s-
“Fine, fine… Geez…” Sooyoung rubbed the spot where Taeyeon hit her. “Her name’s Tiffany. Tiffany Hwang.”
It is her!
#
“Yuri-ah!”
Number 27, Tiffany Hwang passed the ball to Kwon Yuri, Seoul All-girls’ shooting guard. She easily passed opposite team’s defense and scored two points to their team.
Yuri made a little celebration throwing her fist in the air and ran alongside Tiffany. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now, get back to your position.” Tiffany quickly got over the celebration.
Yuri only smiled. She knew how her friend could become so serious in a game. As a point guard and a team captain, Tiffany had responsibilities in her shoulders, and Yuri understood how her friend took them very seriously.
Tiffany Hwang and Kwon Yuri met on the first practice of basketball in the 10th grade. There was a little competition at first, but after a few games being in the same team, they discovered they made a great team and became great buddies ever since. Eventually, they both made the team. Now, Tiffany Hwang and Kwon Yuri had become the heroes of the school’s pride, the basketball team. Their friends admired them, the rest of the team respected them, and the whole school cheered for them. All was well.
“Tiffany!” Yoona, a 10th grade student and the team’s small forward successfully stole the ball from the other team and passed the ball to Tiffany. Seeing Yuri already on the right position, she passed the ball to her and made a fast break. “Yuri!”
Yuri easily scored and soon after, the referee blew the whistle, ending the game. The sound of the supporters of their school instantly filled the indoor court. Seoul All-girls High won.
A bright smile finally came to Tiffany’s face, indicating the success of the team. She came to the opposite team to shook their hands telling them how good of a game that had been and she finally went to gather with her team.
“Girls! We’re officially on the final!”
“Yeah!!!”
The team cheered and hugged each other. Tiffany went to Yuri and patted her shoulder, “Great play, Kwon!”
“Thanks, Capt!” Yuri patted her shoulder back. “You were great too.” She nudged her then left her to join the celebration jumps.
Tiffany glanced over to the supporter side, secretly looking for a particular face, like she did each time every game ended. She’s not here…
She smiled to herself. Well, she had never been to any of the game, why would she be here now, stupid? You think she’ll watch you? Why would she-
“Tiff!” Someone called her from the supporter side. For a moment she froze, thinking that it might be that person calling her. But as soon as she remembered that only one person calling her that name, she rolled her eyes in her mind to herself. Fool.
“Jessie!!” Tiffany ran to Jessica Jung, her dearest best friend.
“Congratulation!!!” They hugged and jumped. “You’re on the final! Finally!”
“Yeah!! Oh my god, I’m so happy, Jessie!” They let go.
“I know. You guys worked so hard for it. Now, it’s only one step ahead to triumph!” They side-hugged each other. “Where’s Yuri? I want to congratulate her too.”
Tiffany called Yuri and she went to them. “Hey, Jessica.”
“Hey. Congratulation, MVP!”
“MVP?!” Tiffany turned her head in disbelief.
Yuri only chuckled, “Thanks, Sica. I-I mean, Jessica. What did I say, Fany?” She grinned.
“Hey! I’m sure I’m going to get it next time, Kwon!”
“You always say that…”
“Hey!” Tiffany was ready to snap at her.
“Okay, jocks… Stop it. What’s important is that you guys made the final… and that you guys stink! So, clean up. I’m taking you to Tony’s Grill. You too, Yuri. My treat. I’ll wait in the car. Move, move…” She pushed them to the side of the court.
Tiffany and Yuri were going to the changing room when suddenly Tiffany caught a glimpse of a blonde at the corner of her eyes. Is that-
Unfortunately, her back was facing her so she couldn’t tell who it was.
“Fany-ah, let’s go!” Yuri yelled.
“O-oh, yeah. I’m coming!”
Nah… It’s not her.
#
“Here, your book!”
Taeyeon shoved Sooyoung book right to her stomach.
“Ouch! Yah! What’s wrong with you? And how can you just arrive? The game’s ended!” said Sooyoung while still rubbing her stomach.
“I don’t ca- wait… Is that why you insist I give this book now? You little…” Taeyeon was ready to snap when Sooyoung pulled her to sit to the bleacher.
“You miss such a great game, Taeng! It’s okay. She’s still here.” She ignored her friend and pointed at the court, “You say you wanted to know her. You see that girl on the court? That’s Tiffany Hwang.”
“Hey, what are you do-“Tiffany Hwang? Her curiousity got to her. “Which one?”
“Number 27, the one who’s jumping around hugging her friend. That’s the one.”
“Isn’t that Jessica Jung?”
“You know Jessica Jung?”
Taeyeon rolled her eyes. “We’re in the singing club together, you know.”
“Oh yeah, right. Sometimes I forget you’re on the singing club. Anyway, she’s her best friend.”
Ignoring her friend’s remark, Taeyeon watched Tiffany from afar.
So that’s Tiffany Hwang.
Tiffany Hwang was not as tall as the usual basketball players, but she was still taller than Taeyeon. She had long black hair which was tied in a ponytail with a side bang in front. She was also looked a kind of girly. She sure is pretty. No wonder she’s popular.
Since the incident, Taeyeon had learnt more about Tiffany from Sooyoung. Like a fan girl that she was, Sooyoung explained to her how Tiffany was one of the most popular and respected girls in Seoul All-Girls High. She was also famous of being nice towards everyone, unlike most of the popular girls in school. Tiffany Hwang was first recognized as the one who lead the school’s English debating team to win such a prestigious debating competition last year, earning her admirers from all over the school, not to mention from the brother school, Kang-Dae All-Boys High. Now that Tiffany was appointed for being the school basketball captain, her popularity skyrocketed, so far as being called Captain Hwang by admirer and the students in the school.
Captain Hwang, huh?
“So, are you coming to my house or not?” Sooyoung’s voice brought her back from her thoughts.
“Huh?”
“Are you coming or not? I have this math problem and I need you to teach me. After that I’m going to tell you all about this oppa I met last week!”
“Uuughh, what?” Taeyeon turned her body to Sooyoung, “Another oppa?”
“This one’s different! Come on!”
###
“… So I told him to not bother to come. I can’t believe he forget our 100 days! He’s such a…”
“Jerk?” Tiffany answered loosely.
“Yes!”
“Well if you think he’s a jerk, why are you still dating him?” Tiffany took her lunch and went to their usual table in the cafeteria. She put down her tray and purposely taking a strategic seat to view the cafeteria.
“Well, it’s not that simple Tiff. He’s not always like that. I can’t be impulsive and just broke up with him you know.” Jessica reasoned.
“Well, but it seemed to me that he forgets a lot. You said that yourself.” Her eyes started to roam the cafeteria. She’s not here yet.
“Yeah, I know. But, still… Anyway, how’s that guy who asked you to go out with him? Did you decide to go?”
“Who? Oh, him. No, I didn’t. I told him I’m busy with basketball practice.” She started to eat her lunch, while her eyes still sneaking to find a particular person.
“Right. Basketball practice. You can skip once or twice, you know.” Jessica said nonchalantly.
Tiffany immediately turned her head to her best friend. “What? You know, I can’t!” She gave her a disbelief look. “I’m the captain, Jessie!”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, Captain Hwang. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a love life with all those things in your shoulders.” She lowered her voice. “You don’t really date, Tiff.”
One of the secrets that Tiffany and Jessica shared between each other is that Tiffany doesn’t really date. There was once a rumor that she dated one of the basketball players in Kang Dae All-Boys High. But rumor was just rumor, and only close friends like Jessica and Yuri knew that Tiffany didn’t date him. It wasn’t like she had never dated anyone before. Tiffany had a few dates back in junior high school, but soon after she found out she got into Seoul All-Girls High, she knew she had to work harder to compete with those girls to get the best university later. So she let her ambitious-self took over. Besides, she wasn’t really interested in any of the offers.
“I’m just… not interested, Jess.” She tried to reason.
“You’re never interested in anyone.” You have no idea. “Just try once, maybe you’ll change your mind.”
I already am.
The thoughts brought Tiffany back to her previous search. There she is!
For the last few months, Tiffany’s mind had been preoccupied with this particular blonde in her school. She had first met her when she’d gone to the school’s library in one afternoon. The basketball practice was cancelled and a test was coming up so she decided to study in one of her favorite place. Yes, the library was one of Tiffany’s favorite places. No one seemed to know about that fact. Not even her best friend, Jessica. The library, especially the 2nd floor, was so quiet in that time of day because the students didn’t really hang out in there, and that’s why Tiffany loved it. The library had become her secret spot.
So when she saw this petite girl, with shoulder length blonde hair, sitting in one corner of the second floor of the library, she wondered to herself, who the hell is studying in this time of day here?
Of course, the curiosity got to her. She easily learned that the girl’s name was Kim Taeyeon and she soon found out that the girl was Seoul All-Girls High’s top student with a full scholarship on her shoulders. Wow, full scholarship? To this school? She must be really smart!
Since then, Tiffany had been secretly watching her from afar. She knew it sounded creepy, but she found that Kim girl was really interesting. Somehow, she really wanted to be her friend.
But after watching her for a while, Tiffany knew Kim Taeyeon wasn’t like any other student in her school.
Unlike other students who were constantly trying to be in the top of the social ladder in her school, Taeyeon didn’t even care a bit about that. She only had one friend who Tiffany knew as her closest friend in the school named Sooyoung . She also never tried to suck up to the popular ones, unlike the others. Heck, Tiffany didn’t even think she knew her because she didn’t even go to any of her games, which one of the most anticipated events in school.
So, become Kim Taeyeon’s friend wasn’t really an easy task.
After casting a glance to Jessica who was busy texting with her phone, Tiffany continued to watch the blonde girl from afar. Fortunately, Taeyeon sat facing her, chatting happily with her best friend in front of her. She looked like she really enjoyed the conversation. As far as I know, she never really shows that side to everyone. I wish I’m the one in front of her…
“Are you done?”
“What? No!” Jessica threw a confused look at her. “I mean… My drink’s not finished yet.”
“Oh, okay. I’m just going to pay these. You can pay me later.” She got up to go to the cashier.
Phew! Tiffany nervously finished her drink. When she got back to see the blonde, her heart skipped a beat.
Kim Taeyeon was looking straight back at her.
Is she… Looking at me?!
###
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A/N: Hey guys… Please don’t throw bricks at me. I’m sorry I haven’t updated NCSG. Really, I am. I found it surprisingly hard to write the last part of it. But, hang in there, I’m still writing it. Meanwhile, I had this idea for the longest time, so I decided to just write it. It’s lighter than the previous one. Besides, I feel bad for making you guys wait, so yeah, this is for you.
This time it’s a high school story. I don’t know why but I always love high school story. The first times, the sneaking around (,…the raging hormones) and everything is kind of interesting to me. :p
I hope you guys like it. Thank you for reading. :)
Comments are always welcome. Let me know your thoughts or maybe something you like or didn’t like about it.
PS. A friend suggested me to make a twitter account, so I made one. It’s @oceanus88 if any of you would like to reach me.