Chapter 15: 2. GAP(5)
Ogden, Utah. Kingston Drive.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Eh, nothing."
"…"
I didn't know what to say.
The game of WSU versus Idaho State ended at 67 : 54. WSU took the victory with a 13 point lead. Considering the game was 40 minutes long, it wasn't that many points, but the level of play was beyond your imagination.
What stood out the most to me was how tightly the defense was played. Although they had amazing stamina and skill, the possessor of the ball would never let his guard down to anyone.
What's even more amazing was the fact that WSU and Idaho State were playing in the minor leagues.
Even when you consider Division 1, it's a league that's strictly divided into 3 divisions. However, there were over 200 teams that play at such a high level.
"Let's just go eat something and rest up."
"Oh, David."
"What?"
"I'm gonna go run for a bit."
I was already wearing workout clothes and running shoes anyway.
I didn't want to go inside like this, but David said it wouldn't be a good idea for a new Asian person to walk around outside so late. Even Sally told this to us, so he seemed to be a bit worried.
"Can I just go outside for some fresh air?"
There were a few stores that were open until late near Stanley's house.
"Huh. Do you have your phone?"
"I have it. I'll be back soon."
"Don't go anywhere too dark! If someone strange tries to talk to you just walk the other way! Got it?!"
"Okay!"
I'm not a little child and I've heard more than enough.
Utah may be a quiet place, but I knew that I still had to be careful.
I put my hands in my pocket and exhaled mist as I breathed.
["Look, Minhyuk. These are NBA officials."]
In order to watch Damian Lillard, there were many NBA scouts at WSU.
Damian Lillard showed himself why he was one of the best guards in basketball. He scored 22 points, had 6 assists and easily ripped through Idaho State's defense.
"…"
Honestly, it was a big shock.
At times, I did feel that if I worked hard enough I could succeed, but at times things seem debatable. I wonder what's the first thing I have to do?
David said that I have too many thoughts, but that's just who I am.
I'm going to be too busy studying to touch a basketball starting tomorrow, but will that be okay?
It still wouldn't be enough if I was in the gym every single day until the semester started in August.
I was stopped at another crosswalk. A few guys across the street started talking with each other as they saw me. As one of them fiddled with their jacket and motioned me to come over, I turned around and headed back to the house.
I started to feel uneasy as I heard someone giggling behind me.
"Huehuehue."
Was it a good idea for me to come here? Although I thought through it a lot, it's a bit more difficult than I thought for me to adjust to being in a new environment.
As the cold fall wind blew at me, it made me feel even more uneasy.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
February 8, 2012. Ogden, Utah. Harrison Blvd. Café Vilebella.
*RING RING*
"(Hey, I said focus.)"
This is a bit of a weird situation. Why am I the one telling her to focus?
"(But I'm hungry.)"
"…"
Seriously. What's in this girl's stomach?
"(I want to eat a muffin. Could you buy me one?)"
"…"
Sally's gaze was on the counter as she swirled the sleeves of her oversized sweater. It's been a while since Sally started teaching me.
Every day, Sally would ask me to buy her a muffin.
Ah… what the hell.
"(What flavor?)"
"(Hmmmm. Blueberry.)"
I let out a heavy sigh and headed to the counter. I felt like I became a bread delivery boy.
"(Your girlfriend is pretty cute, huh? Blueberry?)"
"(I told you she's not my girlfriend. Yes, please.)"
Café Vilebella's owner, Tamika, would always say the same thing.
Café Vilebella's scones and muffins were the most popular, but I heard that Tamika's homemade muffins won the town's best for 3 years straight. Muffins would usually sell out by 2 P.M.
"(Oh yeah, Freddy's asking about you.)"
"(Freddy?)"
"(You know, that skinny and creepy guy?)"
"(Oh.)"
As Tamika talked more, the harder it was for me to understand what she was saying. Especially now, when she started to talk fast.
If it was more than simple words, I needed to use my phone or electronic dictionary to figure out what she was saying.
"(Oh, I messed up again, didn't I?)"
"(Haha. If you write it on paper, I'll read it. And the muffin?)"
"(Oh, that's right!)"
As she slapped her hands and came back with 2 muffins, she said they're on the house. It would be better if she just gave me one.
Here's why.
"(What took you so long? Ooooooh!)"
It's because this woman, Sally, is going to take all of them for herself.
"(So, shall we begin?)"
"(Haha, yep. Last time we stopped here…)"
Everyday life in America seemed to be more boring than I thought it would be.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ogden, Utah. Kingston Way.
"Wait, isn't this that?"
"What is it?"
My studies that started this morning just ended around dinner time.
Sally, who was 3 years older than me, was on a vacation and continued to surprise me in many ways. Stanley and Claire fell in love at the age of 16 and got married at 18.
Isn't that quite amazing? The culture may be different here, but it was still amazing. Anyways, 2 years after that, they had Sally.
Another thing that came as a surprise was how smart Sally actually was.
Although I know you're not supposed to judge a person by the outside, but when considering her makeup and raunchy clothing, you'd never assume she was a scholarship student at the University of North Carolina.
That's probably why she was able to help me with my SAT's.
"Apparently the flea market is opening this Saturday."
"So what?"
"Oh yeah, that's right. It's similar to Korea's byul-ook market."
It was set up at the nearby Liberty Park and I was told there was going to be a small charity game in order to arouse the interest of people.
I have been invited to play at that charity game.
"Who the heck is Freddy?"
"There's this older man that's there whenever we study. He's black and is totally cool. But for some reason, Tamika doesn't like him."
"Maybe she just likes him but she is trying to hide the fact?"
"Why should I care? I'll go wash up first."
"Okay-"
I grabbed my change of clothes from the room and headed to the shower.
But how on Earth does Freddy know that I play basketball? We did greet each other a few times, but we've never exchanged a conversation.
Just to be sure I leaned over and grabbed my cell phone. I was going to text Sally. But, how do I write it?
Ah. That's right.
<Did you tell Freddy I play basketball? - From. Kim Minhyuk>
*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT*
*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT*
*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT*
Dangit.
It seems like Sally sent multiple messages. I'll just wash up and read them.
*CLICK*
"Huh?"
"(It's me. I'm just going to use the toilet, don't worry.)"
"What?"
I turned my body and moved the shower curtain and cringed when I saw who was.
The person who was speaking to me was Anna Wokowitz, the girl who was using the other room on the 2nd floor. She had a vicious attitude and there's not a single thing about her that made her seem like a girl.
Before we arrived, she had the 1st floor bathroom to herself. So now she would come and go as she pleased, whether there was someone in the shower or not.
At least she doesn't walk around the house naked?
Even Minzy doesn't do that.
*PSSSSSSSSSH* *PST*
"Woah, what the heck?!"
"(Oooh, I was told you were an athlete, but I guess it's true, huh?)"
"Y-y-you! Are you crazy??"
"(Well, see you later, honey.)"
"…"
Did she just call me honey?
Although I learned this when we were intoxicated with alcohol, Barron has had a similar experience as me. Another girl named Scarlett Harper went through it as well.
Ah. Compared to the routine, boring daily life, the people here are quite diverse and exciting.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
February 9, 2012. Ogden, Utah. Harrison Blvd. Café Vilebella.
"(Huh? Hold on.)"
As I went to Vilebella the next day, I noticed Freddy walking into the café.
"(You there. Excuse me.)"
"(Huh? Oh. What did Tamika teach me? Wassup, homie-)"
"(Homie?)"
"(Haha. It's like brother. Since we live in the same neighborhood, we're brothers, yeah?)"
I learned a little later that the word "homie" is a hip-hop slang word that combines "homeboy".
All I knew at the time was that homie was similar to brother.
"(You asked me about basketball…?)"
"(Yes! I knew the moment I saw you. You're all over the Ogden Magazine. WSU recruited an Asian player and soon enough you appear. Not only that but with Stanley's daughter, Sally. You may not know this, but Stanley would never let you into his house if you weren't the real deal. How do you put it, he's a very insightful man.)"
"…"
From the moment Tamika gave us coffee, Freddy did not stop talking even once.
But what can I do? I felt bad, but all I could reply with was yes. As if she noticed how uncomfortable I was, Tamika held something out that looked like a newspaper.
"(I saved this for you to sign it one day.)"
"(Hehehe. How many newspapers have you saved?)"
"(Shut up, Freddy!)"
"(Oh, fierce. That's kinda sexy. Ain't that right?)"
Freddy snickered away with Tamika who was just jerking her head side to side.
But still, she didn't really seem to be upset. Just as David said, she may be enjoying this? But that didn't seem to matter at the moment.
Freddy put the coffee on the counter and started to speak as he flipped through the newspaper.
"(Ogden is a small city. But it's a town with a lot of passion. Everything may be on the internet nowadays, but for a small place like this, all you need is a newspaper.)"
"…"
"(Oh! Here it is. You see? This is your article.)"
To my surprise, there was a small article in the corner with my name on it.
Min Hyuk Kim From South Korea.
"(Damian was supposed to come that day too.)"
"(What? Really?)"
"(That's right! All the kids who play will be there. There's going to be a 5:5 game against them. And as a spectator fee…)"
I once again was only able to understand his first few words, but that didn't matter.
Damian Lillard was going to be here?
I will officially start practice with WSU after I finish the SAT1. This will be around the time March Madness will conclude, and when the players would leave to play in the NBA.
Therefore, that meant I wouldn't get to play with Damian Lillard.
But out of nowhere, an opportunity was right in front of me.
"(I will play too.)"
"(Really? Hahaha. Very well. People here are very interested in freshmen.)"
"…"
Freddy flashed a smile as he massaged my back and walked out by putting his thumbs up. As I went back to my seat, Sally spoke to me.
"(You just made a big mistake.)"
"(Hmm?)"
No wonder I felt her smile was emotionless.
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