The Prodigy Series

"And we have a winner! Better luck next time!" the voice of the person making the announcements said, filling the small hall with his echoing announcement. Ben's robot had pushed its opponent to the corner, giving it no room to move about. The blonde girl at the corner rolled her eyes, pocketing her controller before heading into the ring to retrieve her robot. She cradled the silver spray painted contraption to her c.h.e.s.t, giving Ben a sour look before walking away.

"God, she's so bitter," Aiyana laughed beside me, tiptoeing to wave over the crowd in hopes that Ben could spot her from the other end.

I didn't respond to Aiyana's comment. I tried to concentrate on anything that wasn't the crowd that was squashed about me. I felt Ji-Hun take my hand, making me blink in shock but I accepted his gesture anyway.

We stood there for three more rounds until I decided I was tired of standing in the crowd.

"Guys, I think I have to go outside for some fresh air," I muttered over the noise and cheers of the crowd. Aiyana didn't answer me. She was talking excitedly to the blond lean boy that had somehow found his way beside her in the crowd. I looked from her to Ji-Hun, glad that he'd nodded in response.

"I'll come with you," he said, giving my hand a squeeze.

I thanked him, before running my free hand through my hair as my eyes narrowed in stress. The noise in the hall was giving me a headache, and I couldn't think properly. I hated crowds so much; everything from the smell to the noise was nauseating. It didn't help much that the lack of proper ventilation was making me sweat bullets which made my clothes stick to me.

"Come on," Ji-Hun muttered, tugging at my hand. I blinked, coming out of my thoughts as I tried to think of anything other than the crowd.

He pulled me through the crowd, making way so I didn't have to slip through or bump into people on the way to the exit.

I sighed in relief when we busted through the crowded two-way door and out into the cool night. I took in a deep breath, as I let the cool air wash over me.

"Do you feel any better?" I heard Ji-Hun ask as I bent over to catch my breath.

"Much better, thank you," I muttered, standing up straight before looking at him. Ji-Hun had a small smile on his face. He was wearing a loose wine colored tee-shirt with three-quarter shorts. He raised his index finger, signifying that I should wait before he put his hand in his pocket. I watched as he searched before eventually pulling out a handkerchief.

"Thanks..." I trailed when Ji-Hun handed it to me. I wiped my face clean before pocketing the handkerchief to wash it later.

"Are you sure you're okay? Do you need water... anything?" he asked as we walked about the surrounding area.

I shook my head, rubbing the edge of my eyes as we came to a stop at the back of the building. I watched curiously as Ji-Hun headed for the stairs of the closed entrance, He sat down, tapping the space beside him. I stared at the concrete stair for a while before heading to join him.

He gave me a smile when I sat down, reaching into his pocket to retrieve his android phone. I watched him dial a number, listening for the dial tone. The person didn't pick up and he tried again. The person still didn't pick up the call, and after three more tries Ji-Hun gave up.

"I guess Aiyana is busy flirting," Ji-Hun laughed, locking his phone before shoving it back into his pocket. I chuckled, remembering the blond guy that had implanted himself between me and Aiyana.

"When does this thing end?" he suddenly asked, looking over at the night sky. We've been the building since six and it should be eight in the evening my now.

"I'm not sure. It depends," I started, following his gaze to the sky. It was painted in shades of black as well as the colors of the night lights from nearby establishments and residential buildings. "I'm guessing we leave when Ben loses a round."

I watched Ji-Hun nod at my words from the corner of my eyes. "I doubt he's losing anytime soon," he said turning to face me.

"I guess so." I agreed, resting my back on the stair behind me. "He seems to have put a lot of thought into this one."

The conversation faded like a match flame under a fan after that. We stayed silent and just watched the sky as the crickets in the nearby bushes made cricking noises.

"Do you feel better? Can you go back in now?" Ji-Hun asked all of a sudden. I turned to him, shaking my head as I thought of the crowded hall and all the noise.

"No. Can we just stay here a little longer?" I asked, drumming my fingers against the concrete stair. Ji-Hun nodded, looking away.

After a while I spoke up, "we can go back now. I'm feeling better."

"Are you sure?" Ji-Hun asked as I got up from the stair before heading down to the dirt floor. I nodded at his question, watching as his brows bent into a frown. He didn't look convinced but he got up as well.

"If you say so," he muttered with a small smile. I felt myself blush at how much I was staring. Ji-Hun laughed, pulling me out of my thoughts, which I seemed to be slipping into much more often than not.

"Are you going to stand there and stare at me or are we actually going to head back?" he asked, watching my face redden even more. Damn him and his smile, it was all his fault. He smiled often, but I wasn't sure why I was acting weird now. Maybe it was because I was a bit disoriented from being in the crowd for so long. Should I really be heading back now?

"Laugh all you want," I grumbled, only succeeding in making Ji-Hun chuckle even more.

"By the way, thank you for staying here with me," I added, running a hand through my hair. Ji-Hun's chuckles subsided and he was soon just smiling at me.

"It's not a problem as long as it's you," he muttered in a low tone. I raised a brow, wondering if I was imaging what he just said.

"Err..." I trailed, frowning at him. Did he mean it in the literal sense or... I'm not even sure.

"What did you say again?" I asked, hoping I didn't come off as prying. I watched Ji-Hun roll hid eyes under the lamplight before taking a hold of my shoulders.

"You heard what you heard. I'm doing it because it's you..." He trailed. I watched his gaze soften before he let out a nervous sigh. "I really like you, Wyatt."

I felt my heart race as my mind buzzed with multiple questions.

"I'm freaking out, aren't you?" Ji-Hun let out in a low awkward laugh. He took his hands away before putting them in his pockets. He looked down at the floor, his sudden confidence from just moments before fading away.

"I guess we should start heading back. Aiyana might be looking for us," he mumbled, his voice almost inaudible. I studied his figure, taking a hold of his hand when he made to leave.

"Wait," I muttered, taking my hand away when he stopped. He turned, looking at me with a puzzled expression.

"I... Can you be specific?" I asked, fidgeting with my fingers. Ji-Hun looked at me with an expression that told me he was deciding whether to speak or not. He sighed, raising his head to look straight at me.

"I like you like you... I like you in the way that I want to kiss you... God, now I'm just being weird..." Ji-Hun trailed as his voice shook.

"Ji-Hun?" I called when he started to blink furiously as he rubbed the edge of his thin eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm just being... are you just going to stare at me? Are you mad? Disgusted? Just tell me..." Ji-Hun said, making me look away from him. I stared at the dirt floor, wondering how to react. I was far from mad and disgusted. I was just a little shocked- Yes, but a happy shock if that makes any sense.

"I..." I trailed before closing my mouth again. "I really don't know how to put how I feel into words..." I mumbled.

"You're not disgusted?" Ji-Hun asked. I paused, thinking about before shaking my head.

My eyes widened when I felt Ji-Hun's hands on my cheek. I felt his thumb rub over my cheek experimentally. I let myself look at him. His expression was set, but it had a sort of uneasiness attached to it like he wasn't sure what he was doing.

I wasn't sure what took over me. Maybe it was the look in Ji-Hun's eyes. I reached out, pushing his bangs away from his face before letting my palm settle on the back of his neck.

"Wyatt?" he mumbled as I let my thumb rub his skin. "What are you doing?"

In all honesty, I wasn't sure. I was just working on instinct and doing what I felt made the most sense, what would calm Ji-Hun down.

I leaned in, pressing my lips gently over Ji-Hun's. I stayed like that for an awkward few seconds before pulling away to look at his eyes that had turned into pools of confusion. His lips had felt soft, smooth, and I wouldn't have pulled away if I wasn't completely oblivious to what I was doing.

Ji-Hun stared at me with shock. I looked down at the floor, but I didn't take my hand away from his face. "I really don't know what I'm doing," I mumbled.

I felt Ji-Hun's hand raise my face by my chin. We were soon looking at each other as if wondering what we should do. Ji-Hun broke the stare, biting his bottom lip before leaning in and pressing our lips together again. He moved his lips against mine; igniting the oddest sound I've ever heard myself make.

"I'm sorry... I... I don't know what that is..." I found myself mumbling as I pulled away. I heard Ji-Hun let out a small laugh before he took my face in his hands again. He pressed our lips together, making me shudder at the contact.

I was doing everything from shuddering, flushing, and making that odd embarrassing noise as we kissed. It didn't feel as embarrassing since Ji-Hun was making the exact same noise. It was messing with my senses- the noise that is. As well as the way he was running his hands over my face and sides as he moved his soft lips against mine.

I let out a low w.h.i.n.e when he broke the kiss, shivering as he kissed my neck. I let myself run a hand through his hair as I looked over his shoulder.

What am I doing? I suddenly thought. What was I doing kissing Ji-Hun at the back of an event hall? Why, why was I kissing a boy... kissing anyone for that matter?

I shook my head when Ji-Hun made to connect our lips again. He gave me a confused look. His reddened face and lips only making me to shake my head more before untangling my hand from his hair and taking a few steps away from him.

"No. I — Let's stop," I mumbled, looking at anything but him.

"Wyatt..." he trailed, giving me a worried look.

"I... I just... I don't know, I'm going home," I mumbled, not sure of how to arrange my words in a way that they'd match with my thoughts. The cool air made the spot on my neck Ji-Hun had kissed cold. A wave of want, confusion, and embarrassment all washed over me at once. I wasn't sure how to feel anymore.

"I'm going home," I said more firmly this time, glad I could make some sort of decision.

"Wyatt..." Ji-Hun trailed as I walked past him.

"I can make it home by myself. Please don't follow me," I said, hurrying my step until I was at the start of the pavement. I looked back, not seeing any sign of Ji-Hun. I had told him not to follow me but it also made me sad that he hadn't.

Shaking my head, I tried to put my thoughts together before speed walking all the way home.