Chapter 4


He awoke the next morning alone in the spare bedroom.  Had it all just been a dream?  It had to have been there was no sign at all that Ina had been in the room with him.  Damn he thought to himself, I should have pinched myself last night to make sure that it wasn't a dream.  But that idea hadn't occurred to him till just now.  He had no idea what was reality and what was his fantasy.  He would just play it out and see where it got him.  He would confess to her.  He couldn't keep it in any longer.  He flung back the sheets and slowly swung his legs over the edge, but he didn't let his feet touch the floor.  If he let his feet touch the floor then the memory of last night would seem less real perhaps.  He sat there for what seemed like an eternity with his feet suspended just above the carpet, hovering between what he perceived as dream and reality.  Hearing a crashing noise downstairs startled him back into reality and he rushed out the door without a second thought.

Ina had been enjoying her shower and was so preoccupied with the memory of last night that as she was leaving the bathroom she completely missed the first stair and fell.  She only fell down eight stairs to the small landing but when she landed she knew something was wrong.  Her left foot was really sore and it hurt to move it.  Just then she saw Jae come running out of the spare bedroom.  She smiled when she saw him, then winced as she moved her foot without thinking.  The pain was intense now, like a burning.  

"Ina are you alright?"  Jae asked with genuine concern.
"I am now that you are here."  She replied.
It was an odd thing to say Jae thought.  Maybe last night hadn't been a dream.  "Here let me help you up."
"Thank you Joongie."  She reached up and took his offered hand.  She put her right foot down and was able to stand but as soon as she placed her left foot down she whimpered.  
"What's wrong Ina?"
"I am not quite sure but as soon as I put any weight down on my left foot I get this really sharp pain."
"Can you move it?  Or does it only hurt you put pressure on it?"
"Only when I put pressure on it."
"Well at least we know it's not broken.  You probably got a bad sprain, lucky you.  It could have been worse I should know last year while playing in the championship game I broke my right foot."

There were two minutes left in the championship game Jae's Team was down by five points and they were sitting at their own twenty five yard line having just intercepted the ball.  The clock had just stopped for the two minute warning.  It was a great time to look through the playbook.  Coach Farrell had called the team over to the sideline to set up the next few plays which would be critical as they had no timeouts left to call.  The first play called for a screen pass wide to Trevor who was one of Jae's best friends and who was also Korean.  Trevor upon receiving the pass was to get as far up field as he could before he was tackled and to go out of bounds if he could to stop the clock.  Play number two was a hand off to Jae who was to run wide towards the sidelines again to stop the clock.  Jae was normally a wide receiver like Trevor but with the star running back injured in the second quarter it was up to Jae to carry the team on his back.  Play number three called for a short pass towards the sidelines to Trevor again.  If they got a fourth play Jae was to go back on as a wide receiver and head for the end zone.  They broke on three and ran back on the field.

"HUT, HUT!"  Yelled the quarter back and the ball was snapped.
Trevor ran up the left sideline and the ball was thrown, it looked like it would be high over his head but he jumped up and caught the ball on his own forty yard line.  He was hit while coming down and couldn't get out of bounds as was originally planned.  The clock was ticking and they quickly got back in formation.  Twenty five seconds gone, down to a minute thirty five.  The ball was quickly snapped and handed off to Jae cleanly, he ran forward on an angle towards the sidelines.  To his left he saw a tackle coming in low and hurdled the opposing player and then stiff armed the next guy and ran out of bounds around the opposing forty five.  Gaining fifteen yards and stopping the clock at a minute twenty.  The players on his team were obviously quite tired and getting sluggish.  Then the skies opened up and it started to pour down rain.  The field was getting muddy quite fast and this didn't help anyone but the opposing team.  They lined up again at the forty five and the ball was snapped.  Trevor ran up about ten yards curled back and saw the ball coming, it  was slippery and it slipped between his hands and rolled towards the sidelines and stopped just short of going out.  The clock was still ticking they couldn't afford to waste time there was fifty eight seconds left when the ball was next snapped for second down.  They ran the same play again and this time Trevor made the catch and got out of bounds at the thirty five yard line, just enough for a first down.  Forty five seconds left.  Another snap and Jae ran with all his might towards the end zone the pass was almost perfect arcing through the air.  As Jae jumped for the pass the opposing defensive player swatted at the ball and knocked it down.  The clock ticked to fifteen seconds by the time the ball was next snapped.  Jae lined up on the opposite side of the field this time and cut across aiming towards the left side of the end zone.  Partially shaking off his cover he raised his hand to indicate he was as open as he would get and the ball was thrown.  The next ten seconds for Jae seemed like they went in slow motion.  He saw the ball as it arced gently in the rain.  His feet were fighting for traction on the muddy field he was five yards from the end zone when he caught the ball.  He didn't see the opposing player coming from his right, the tackle was low and he couldn't avoid it.  His cleat jammed into the ground but he didn't go down, he heard the audible pop the sound of his ankle breaking and then felt the concussion of it as the bones in his foot were grinding into each other breaking as well.  He fell forward and put his right hand down to stop his knees from touching the ground to keep the play alive and pushed up for a final lunge with his left foot into the end zone.  The ball broke the plane of the end zone and his team went up by one to win the game.  He was grimacing in pain as he sat up.  Trevor ran over to him and helped him up, Jae's jersey was covered in mud from the last dive he did but that didn't stop Trevor from hugging him.  His right foot never touched the ground he knew it was broken and he stood there with Trevor on his left foot.  The rest of the team rushed over and raised him on their shoulders.  Jae got the game ball for his heroic last ditch push into the end zone.  He was in a cast for more than a month after that day but for him it was worth it, his team won the championship and he broke it playing the game he loved.

"You never told me that.  I thought you told me everything."
"I didn't want to worry you with my problems.  Can you make it down the stairs?"
She tried taking a step and fell into Jae's arms.  "I guess that's a no.  Now what?"
Jae then picked her up and cradled her in his arms.  "That's now what."
"This works for me."  Ina said and put her arms around Jae's neck resting her head on his shoulder.  Jae carefully carried her down the stairs making sure not to hit the wall or jostle her in any way that might cause her more pain.  She adjusted her towel so that it covered her up.  Down in her room he placed her on the bed.  "Thank you Joongie."
"What are friends for."  
"Friends?"  She whispered to herself.  "Can you get my stuff from the dresser please?"
"And let me guess it had to be color coordinated.  Am I right?"
"Well it would be nice.  Don't dress me like a bum.  I got a reputation to uphold."
"Let me guess again, that reputation is best dressed in the house?  I don't know your mom was looking good last night."
"Joongie!  Grow up."  She said and threw the Kleenex box at him.
He ducked just in time and it hit the mirror behind him.  "You throw like a girl."
"That's cause I am a girl, you dip.  Now get me my clothes please."
"Even your um, well you know."
"Yes even my um you know, and you don't have to be shy about it."
"Okay whatever you say."  Jae said and started reaching into the dresser.  He pulled out a light blue halter top and from the drawer below he pulled out a white dress.  Now for the other things he thought.  He had no problem with the bra but when it came to grabbing the panties he froze.
"Something wrong?"  Ina asked.
He stood there looking in the drawer not knowing what to do.  "No, no problem at all."  He replied and reached in the drawer for the matching panties that went with the bra.  He didn't want to make it look like he was uncomfortable so when he turned around he placed the panties near his waist and made it look like he was wearing them.  He then said, "Oh look at me, I am pretty.  My name is Ina, don't you just love my panties."  He then giggled and took a few prancing steps before shimmying down and back up.  "Oh, I'm pretty, oh so pretty, so pretty and witty and gay and I pity anyone who isn't me today."  He sang.
She laughed at this and then said, "Do you really think I sound like that, and you certainly are gay doing that."
When he was done with his little show he gathered up the clothes he picked out and brought them over to her.  "Do  I need to help you get dressed to?"
"No you don't, but you can if you want to."  She replied and smiled.
"I think I will pass this is getting strange."
A frown crossed her face, the thought of him helping her put on her clothes actually excited her and she was very disappointed he said no.  After last night why would he say no to her proposition?  He left the room without another word being spoken.  Halfway up the stairs he stopped.  He came back down to her door and said that when he was done having his shower he would drive her to the hospital.  Turning around he headed upstairs to make the bed in the spare bedroom before having his shower.  She lay there in the bed not knowing what to do.  She took her pillow and screamed into it.
Upstairs Jae started making the bed and after straightening it out he noticed a small lump in the bed.  He pulled back the sheets and near the end of the bed he found a sock.  It certainly wasn't one of his he didn't have "Hello Kitty" socks.  He put the sock in his pants pocket and remade the bed.  He then trudged into the bathroom to have his shower.  Maybe last night wasn't a dream he thought as the water flowed over his body.  There was no other explanation for the sock unless she had slept there before and forgot it.  Then again there was no lump when he went to bed last night.  He didn't know what to think right now.  He quickly washed himself and stepped out of the shower.  That's when he realized he didn't have his towel.  He saw a hand towel on the rack and tried to dry himself off with it.  It wasn't enough he thought and tossed it in the sink.  Where was the linen closet?  There must be towels in there.  He looked around the bathroom and couldn't see another door.  He stepped to the bathroom door and looked out.  He saw it.  It was all the way at the end of the hall.  Just my luck he thought.  He decided to forget the towel and ran to the spare room and put his PJ bottoms on.  He grabbed his boxers and headed downstairs.  

When he opened the door she was still laying there with her towel on.  The clothes were still laying next to her untouched.  "Why didn't you get dressed?"
"Didn't feel like it."  She sulked.  "Why are you still dripping wet?"
"Forgot my towel.  Oh by the way I found this in the bed under the sheets."  He said and pulled the sock out of his pocket and showed it to her.
"I see you found it.  It must have came off my foot last night."  Ina said and smiled.  She knew it didn't just come off she left it there figuring he might think it was a dream.  That's why he was acting weird earlier.  There was no need for her to get upset, she screamed into her pillow for nothing.  She suddenly smiled.  She also noticed his muscles as the water ran down his chest and stomach stopping at the waist of his PJ bottoms.  She started to get excited again.
"What do you mean it must have came off last night?  It wasn't a dream?  Did last night really happen?"
"Yes it did.  That's what distracted me this morning as I was coming downstairs.  It's the reason I fell.  I guess you can say I fell for you."
"You mean because of me."  He corrected.
"Yes that's it.  Now can I interest you in helping me?"
"You don't even have to ask that.  Of course I will."
"Yay me!"  She said excitedly and clapped her hands.  He slowly walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge.  He was a little nervous, he had never done this before, she was his first girlfriend.  He wasn't quite sure how to go about this.  "You don't have to be shy Joongie.  After all we are an item now.  Do you want some help?"  She asked and reached for the top of the towel.
"No, no help.  I got this."  He said and gently grabbed her hand to stop her.  He placed her hand by her side and with his hand trembling he slowly reached for the top of the towel.  He stopped suddenly with his hand touching the towel.
She saw his hand trembling and she also saw that his eyes were closed.  She reached up again and placed her hand on top of his.  He opened his eyes and she saw a small bit of hesitation in them.  His lips were quivering.  He was really nervous.  "You don't have to do this Joongie."
He bit his lip and looked her in the eyes.  "No, I want to.  I just don't know what to do.  I have never been in this situation before.  There has never been anyone else in my life.  I never had time, I had to make sure Tomo was okay."
"He is Joongie.  You have been good to him.  But now it's your turn.  Stop denying yourself the pleasures of life."  She said and gently squeezed his hand to reassure him it was alright.
"I love you Ina.  You know that right?"  He asked.
"Of course I do, and I love you too.  You are my Joongie.  That's why I am not ashamed to let you do this.  That is why I want to let you do this."  She saw a tear run down his cheek and this emotion touched her, she started to cry too.  He then slowly placed his hand on the edge of the towel and with her help slowly unwrapped it.  When the towel lay flat on the bed under her he placed his trembling hand on her cheek and wiped away the tears.  Slowly his hand came down her cheek and down her neck.  He had never seen such beauty before he was mesmerized.  He started to pull his hand away slowly.  "Is something wrong?"  She asked him.  "Do you not like what you see?"
"No, nothing is wrong.  I love what I see it's the most beautiful thing I have ever beheld with my two eyes."  She grabbed his hand and placed it back on her face.  Again he wiped at her cheek as new tears flowed.  She was happy that he had said that.  Slowly again his hand came down her cheek and neck.  At the nape of her neck he paused, she gently touched the back of his hand and rubbed it.  Again reassuring him.  He then slowly ran a finger down from her neck to the top of her chest and then down between her breasts.  His finger then became a hand as it reached her stomach.  That's where he stopped, he dared not go further.  He didn't want to ruin the moment by going to far.  Her body felt like electricity flowed through it his soft and gentle touch greatly exciting every nerve ending in her.  She arched her back pushing up into his hand as it lay on her flat stomach.  She wondered why he had stopped.  He reached up with his other hand and touched her face, a smile of love on his face.  She placed her right hand on his left hand that was on her stomach and reached up with her other one and touched his other hand.  Her thumb caressed the back of his left hand and she too smiled.  She then pulled him down next to her and placed her hand on his chest.  She didn't want the moment to end so soon.  Their fingers intertwined on her stomach as he came down next to her placing his head on her shoulder.  She ran the fingers of her left hand through his wet hair and they lay there together.  "Ina, I wish everyday could be as good as this."
"They can be Joongie.  But one of us is going to have to make a tough decision."
"Ina, I love you but I could never leave Tomo."
"We don't have to decide right now.  We got seven days left to figure this out.  Until then we can enjoy every morning like this.  As long as you are with me, no matter where I am I will feel safe."
"You make it sound like I am Superman.  I don't want to give you false hope."
"You don't have to be Superman you just have to be my super man."
"Now that I can do.  There is nothing I wouldn't do for you."  Jae said and softly kissed her shoulder.  He raised himself up onto his elbow and leaned in to kiss her.  It seemed like the world was going by in slow motion and the kiss went on and on.  She pushed him onto his back and then rolled on top of him.  That's when the world came back into real time.
"Ow, ow ,ow.  My foot.  Joongie, my foot."  She cried and then lay down flat on top of him, her face buried in his shoulder.
"Sorry, sorry Ina.  We should get you dressed and to the hospital."  Jae said and gently rolled her back onto her back.  "Can you swing your legs off the bed?"
"Yes, I think so."  She replied and with great difficulty and a lot of pain swung her legs over the side making sure her leg didn't hit the floor.  He helped her with her panties and she put on her bra.  Then with great care he got the dress on.  He hesitated to put on the shirt drinking in her beautiful body one more time.  He saw a smile cross her face and she wiped a loose hair off her cheek and behind her ear.  Then he placed the shirt on her.  He grabbed her a brush and she did her hair as he went to change.  He dried his hair and then dropped his pants.  She couldn't see him in the front but from what she could tell his backside was pretty damn nice.  He quickly got into his clothes not caring what he looked like.  When he was done he stood there in a red GIA shirt and a pair of black Capri pants.  "You think you are going anywhere with me dressed like that?"
"Like what?  It looks alright.  It's not like I am trying to impress anyone.  We are going to the hospital, besides I got you the most beautiful person I have ever seen, aside from me.  Who am I trying to pick up?"
She flung a pillow at him and he caught it.  "You don't need to impress anyone but it would be good if we both dressed nice.  Like I said earlier I got a reputation to uphold.  I can't be seen with you wearing that."
"Okay then you can drive yourself to the hospital."
"Alright, alright.  You can go like that."  She said and laughed.  "Now please Joongie can you help me?"  Ina asked and made a puppy dog sad face.
"Well since you put it like that, how can I say no."  Jae walked over to the bed and picked her up again.  He carried her upstairs and  helped her get into the car.  He then went around and got in the driver seat.  He noticed she hadn't done her seat belt up and as he reached over to help her she smiled.
"I really do love you, my sweet and special little Joongie.  I want you from now till forever."
"I know and I feel the same way.  Saranghae Ina, saranghae."  Jae said and pulled the car out of the driveway and onto the street.  As he drove he knew that his life was going to change again, this time for the better and a smile appeared on his face.  Now what to tell Tomo.