As they left the arena, Yoochun got Jaejoong’s attention by slapping his arm playfully.


“Are you gonna give him a congratulatory kiss?” he said, followed by a greasy smile. Jaejoong punched his friend in the shoulder. Although he would never admit it out loud, he wished he could kiss him as soon as he saw him.

The friends stood together near the locker room as they waited for Yunho. Jaejoong and Yoochun watched everything that Changmin did and carefully listened to everything he said. Boa noticed and couldn’t help but to laugh quietly to herself. Suddenly, Yunho emerged from the change room and quietly made his way to the group, heading to where Jaejoong and Yoochun stood. When he was close enough, he threw an arm around the shoulders of his friends, accidentally hitting Yoochun with the helmet in his hand.

“Congratulations Oppa!” Jihye said as she ran around the group to give her older brother a hug. He dropped his things and hugged her back. When she pulled away, she pulled Yunho over to the new addition to their group. “This is my friend Changmin.” She said as she introduced the now quiet freshman that was facing Yunho. The boy bowed politely.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness.” He greeted. Yunho bowed back with a smile on his face.

“Please, call me Yunho.” He told the boy before directing a pointed glance ad Jaejoong. The older boy smirked in return.

“So, little brother, any celebrations tonight?” Taeho asked as he walked over and clasped a hand over his brother’s shoulder.

“No. Junho’s throwing a party Saturday night.” Yunho answered his brother before looking at his three best friends. “You guys are welcome to come.” He told them.

“Count me in.” Yoochun said with a smile.

“Me too!” Jaejoong added excitedly.

“Sounds like fun.” Boa said. The four of them smiled at each other before Boa spoke up again. “Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t we get haircuts tomorrow after school?”

“Are you kidding? I can’t get a haircut, that’s bad luck.” Yunho said. Boa shook her head.

“Yunho, it’s just regular season right now. If it were playoffs, I wouldn’t have bothered to say anything.” She said, trying to encourage him to agree. Yunho looked down as Jaejoong and Yoochun remained silent.

“Fine.” Yunho said after picking his things up from the floor. Jaejoong and Yoochun immediately looked over at Yunho.

“Speak for yourself!” Yoochun exclaimed. Jaejoong nodded in silence.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you three were girls.” Boa said, causing Taeho to stifle his laugher behind his hand.

“Especially Jaejoong Oppa.” Jihye said without thinking, covering her mouth with both hands when she realized what she had said. Everyone looked at Jaejoong as his face flushed bright red before looking down. “Oppa, I’m so sorry.” She apologized quickly. Jaejoong just nodded his head as he looked at the ground.

“Let’s just get them.” Jaejoong said quietly when he looked up. Yunho just looked at him, his heart dropping when he saw the look on his friend’s face. Because he wasn’t paying attention, the young prince didn’t notice that everyone had began to walk away.

“Hey! Dongsaengie! You coming or what?” Taeho called after his brother. Yunho snapped out of his trance and walked quickly to catch up with everyone. While he walked beside Jaejoong, the young prince gently nudged him with his helmet to get his attention. The older boy turned his head to look back at him.

“Don’t take Jihye’s comment too seriously.” He said with a warm smile. His friend returned the same smile.

“I know.” He told Yunho.

“Was that the Changmin you asked me about earlier?” The young prince inquired. Jaejoong nodded.

“I have a feeling that Jihye might like him.” He told the captain. Yunho nodded in acknowledgement.

“We need to see what he’s like.” Yunho said. Jaejoong chuckled lightly.

“How are you feeling? You must be sore after that hit.” Jaejoong asked, obviously concerned. Yunho smiled back at his friend.

“I feel fine right now. Tomorrow will be different story.” He said before laughing coyly. Jaejoong smiled back at him before the two walked in silence. Once they reached the front of the venue, they discussed how they were all getting home.

“My father is sending a driver for me so I don’t need a drive or anything.” Yoochun said.

“Same with me.” Boa added.

“My mother is on her way so I’m fine too.” Changmin said. Yunho and Jaejoong didn’t even realize that the boy was still walking with them.

“Okay, looks like I’m taking the palace crew home with me.” Taeho said cheerfully. As if on cue, two black vehicles pulled up, their drivers exiting their respective car and opening a door for their passenger.

“That’s us. See you guys tomorrow.” Boa said before smiling at the three brooding boys before walking over to Taeho and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. She waved and headed for her car.

“I really hate her sometimes.” Yoochun said before waving goodbye to his friends and walking to his car.

“Changmin-ah, we can wait with you until your mother gets here if you want.” Jihye said to her friend gently. Changmin politely shook his head no.

“That’s okay Princess. I can wait by myself. There are still plenty of people around. You guys should get going. I’m sure Yunho sunbae wants to get home and celebrate with you all.” He answered politely. Jihye smiled and accepted his words. Jaejoong thrust his hands into his jean pockets as he and Yunho exchanged blank glances.

“Alright, let’s get going. The sooner we get home, the sooner Yunho can shower.” Taeho said. Everyone laughed before saying goodbye to Changmin and walking to where Taeho had parked his black Land Rover.