Them

Their eyes were bewildered to the reality that they were currently in, with Donghae asking Eunhyuk and Hyoyeon to pinch him a few times to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Sem too, although he should already know the usual surroundings of a popular idol, was still dropping his jaw and acting like a tourist with his students, pointing to the props, staff, the cameras – the four people found it unbelievable to be on the music video set for Kwon Boa’s comeback song.

“Director Han!” Sem called and waved from afar at the busy man.

Director Han smiled as he approached Sem and his students, eyeing each one of them carefully with interest.

“Hello Park Sem, and the three who danced magnificently at the Gae In Arts Annual Festival.” He greeted.

The three students immediately bowed and were overwhelmed by the unexpected compliment from a music video director.

“Okay, so I’ll get you three to change quickly and put on some make up so that we can get to rehearsals!”

With that order, they were quickly pulled away by different fashion and make up coordinators into their dressing rooms. When they had finished changing into their new clothes, what seemed to be highly expensive and exploded of gold studs and black leather, the make up artists slapped on some foundation, powder, thick eye liner and mascara.

“Wow Hyoyeon!” Donghae exclaimed as he saw that Hyoyeon had finished her make over after him and Eunhyuk. “You look so y today!”

Hyoyeon was disturbed by the comment and wink by the man-child whereas Eunhyuk nudged him hard in the stomach.

“Okay guys!” Director Han appeared with none other than the best of Asia, famous Korean pop singer. “I’d like to introduce you guys to Kwon Boa, to which whom you’ll be acting as back up dancers with.”

The three students were awestruck by the presence of Boa. Despite that they knew they were dancing for her, seeing and meeting her in real life left them to be stunned.

“Hi guys, it’s nice to meet you.” She smiled friendly.

“Hello Boa-ssi!” Donghae started first and shook her hand furiously. “I’m Donghae! Please don’t forget that name!”

She chuckled at the embarrassing man-child’s actions and moved onto Eunhyuk. 

“H-Hello Boa-ssi … I-I’m Eunhyuk, it’s a b-big honour to meet you.” Eunhyuk greeted next, with a slightly flushing face and avoiding eye-contact with her and his sudden nervous behavior was noticed by Hyoyeon, rather, it was questioned as to where his cool character had disappeared to.

“And you are?”

Hyoyeon then broke her gaze from Eunhyuk and faced Boa in front of her.

“Ah! I’m Hyoyeon!” The blonde girl shook hands and bowed immediately. “I’m a really, really, really huge fan of yours!”

The famous star had grinned and when she was called off to get prepared, she giggled in having to come across some unique fans who remind her of herself when she was once still a rookie in this world. Although those three look as though they’re of similar age to her, she can’t help but to notice their childish behaviours and enthusiasm, a sign of new opportunities about to bloom.

“I didn’t know you were a big fan of Boa, Hyoyeon,” Donghae spoke as the three waited at some seats. “Hyukkie here had been a fan of her since she debuted!”

“Really?”

Hyoyeon looked over to the sudden restless Eunhyuk beside her, surprised that such a renowned cool guy at Gae In Arts would act like a shy five-year old boy in front of Kwon Boa. Even though she found that side of the Monkey-boy cute, she couldn’t help but to feel her heart itch to which Donghae was aware of, curving his lips greatly, accomplishing his help for the two stubborn kids next to him to stop playing the push-and-pull game.

 “I’ve been a fan of Boa too kids!” Sem appeared suddenly beside Donghae while the three had rolled their eyes, trying to pretend that they do not know the creepy e beside them. “She’s so beautiful and gorgeous and talented and I – I – can’t believe that I’m seeing her like this today!”

While Sem began to weep on Donghae’s shoulder, Donghae pushed him away and went to rehearsals, leaving the teacher by himself as he wiped his tears, staring at his three students that he raised up.

“You’re all growing so fast … Ugh! I’m going to cry again!” He then quickled hugged one of the cameramen who was simply walking by. “Everyone’s leaving me!”

The camera man didn’t know how to respond and simply patted his back awakwardly.

“It’s okay?”

“Okay so Eunhyuk, is it?” Director Han called as all the back up dancers gathered. “You’re going to be Boa’s partner and—“

“—Me?” Eunhyuk pointed to himself instinctively, despite the obviousness that there was no other Eunhyuk available.

“Yes! And you will be with him, you be with her …”

The rest of the director’s orders began to empty out from Hyoyeon’s ears as she looked back at Eunhyuk, getting another itch from her heart again, and it was a feeling that she didn’t like at all. The people around her were all envying Eunhyuk for being able to dance with Boa, saying things like “He’s so lucky!” … “I wish that was me.” … “They’re going to be feeling each other and all! Damn!”

Her heart fell heavier when she heard the last line, and seeing the embarrassed Eunhyuk chatting it up with Kwon Boa now, assumingly that they were discussing the routine, she bit her lips from trying to distract herself from the jealousy.

“Looks like we’re partners for this Hyoyeon!”

The girl then blinked away from her thoughts and back to Donghae who was already in his position.

“R-Right! Let’s get to it!”

Hyoyeon had already seen Eunhyuk practice with one of the female dance teachers during their practice lessons but why was it that as soon as he rubbed his fingers against Boa’s hips and having his face graze against hers, did she start to feel angry and disappointed? Donghae, Hyoyeon and Eunhyuk had practiced the dance routine with three separate teachers but now that it was real, she disliked seeing him be with a top star. Maybe it was because Hyoyeon knew who Boa was, maybe not personally, but well enough to know that she’s the best of Asia – beautiful, talented in both dancing and singing, friendly – as opposed to the dance teacher during practice whom she didn’t know.

“Hyoyeon,” Donghae whispered as Hyoyeon rested her head onto his shoulders as part of their moves. “Don’t let these things get to you, and focus.”

She was confused as to why he would say the right things at the right time, not knowing that the well known DongDong is quickly aware of a situation that calls for jealousy. Fortunately, with his help, she was able to concentrate on the steps again and yet after about the tenth shoot, the pain in her feet were beginning to rise. It was bound to happen soon, kill heel boots tend to be pretty and famous and that was only the first part of the dance routine.

‘It’s okay Hyoyeon,’ The blonde girl thought to herself after the director called it a break. ‘There’s only three more parts to go, you’ll be fine!’

Luckily she had brought some relief patches in her bag for emergencies like this. The only way to survive from those heels from hell was to relieve the muscle pain. How super models do this all the time she’ll never know.

While she was about to go to the toilets to place it on, she passed by an open room to which she heard some loud grunts and upon her entrance, there laid a Monkey-boy on the side on a couch.

“Is it your back again?” She asked worriedly as she approached closer.

“No – ugh,” He groaned as he tried to turn his back towards her. “My back’s fine – AH!”

The screech was the response from Hyoyeon’s slap on his back. She took the opportunity of his pain to push him over so that he was laying on his stomach.

“What’re you doing?!” He yelled as he tried to get up but Hyoyeon just slapped him down again.

She began to uncover his tank top upwards and not forgetting to gulp at the back muscles that were slowly revealing.

“Yah, yah, yah!” The blonde haired boy quickly shouted out of embarrassment. He feared that if anyone entered the room, that they might see the scene in an ‘unpleasant’ way, and the fact that she was initiating such actions, made him blush and his heart pound.

“Calm down Monkey-boy,” She said as she too, tried to remove her erted thoughts away. “This is the best invention of all times for people like you.”

She placed the patch on smoothingly and slapped it one more time just for fun in being able to hear the Monkey-boy’s pain.

She bobbed down to reach his level beside the couch, not realising until he turned over were their faces close to each other. Now she was able to clearly see him closely. With his make up on, the intensity of his eyes were emphasizesd with the dark eyeliner drawing her eyes into his. The spiked up fringe uncovered full features of his face, and it was as if time had stopped as she began to analyse all other facial features.

He on the other hand was also surprised to see her face to face, the closest that they’ve been so far. He saw how her eyes widened and as if her pupils showed a reflection of his widened eyes too. He saw the way her face flushed slightly and although invisible to the two, both their hearts were beating as great as ever, as if they wanted to be pushed out of their chest to reach each other.

It was to both their surprise that Eunhyuk had lifted his hand and gently caressed her skin. Hyoyeon instantly pushed his hand away and stood up.

“W-We should get going now.”

When she had wanted to walk away from the situation, Eunhyuk had clutched her wrist quickly and stood up from the couch. He turned her around to face him again and saw that she had still evaded eye contact.

“Look at me.” He demanded.

“W-Why should I …” She muttered under her breath, but not quite enough as he heard.

As a result, he grabbed her head and tried to position it so that it would face him and not the ground but she closed her eyes immediately. She pushed him away and stared back into space again.

He let out a heavy sigh at her action and let his hands dropped to his side.

“Sorry,” He apologized as he rubbed his temples. “I didn’t know that I scared you … I’ll leave now.”

When he had exited the room, she immediately dropped to the ground, suddenly feeling her heart sink deeply as she felt guilty. Even so, she had to breathe in and out a few times to let herself so that she was able to concentrate again for the next dance parts. She couldn’t let her confused heart stand in the way of her dancing.

Donghae noticed Eunhyuk’s sudden bad mood as he arrived back to the set and not long after, Hyoyeon followed behind from the same direction.

‘Ah really!’ The friend of the two thought to himself. ‘These two kids are so annoying!’

The time had finally finished for the back up dancers and while Eunhyuk greeted farewell to Boa.

“Good work everyone!” Director Han applauded and patted Eunhyuk’s back. “You all did well today!”

Eunhyuk had politely thanked him and from the corner of his eyes, he saw that Sem was rushing.

“Sem!” He called. “What’s wrong?”

“Aigoo! It’s Hyoyeon, she—“

With no other words, Eunhyuk had grabbed the ice pack out of Sem’s hands and rushed to the dressing room areas.

“Aish!” She spoke as he stopped in front of one of the rooms and peeked in. “I told you I’m okay!”

Donghae had begun to wrap bandages around her legs.

“How can you say so?!” He retorted. “When your legs turn to jelly and you fall, you’re not okay! What happened?”

“It’s because of those stupid heels from hell!” She pointed to the high heels on the ground. “I’ve never danced in heels before, especially when they’re that high and uncomfortable.”

“Then why didn’t you just say that to the coordinators?”

“Because …” She paused for a second. “Someone told me that we always have to be confident in dancing … with strength and persistence …”

I stepped back and stopped peeking, but continue to eavesdrop on their conversation whilst reminiscing during the period to which I met her.

“This is probably the last dancing rule I’ll give to you.” I spoke and turned the music on. “Good dancing requires strength and persistence.”

 “Well that person is stupid!”

It felt as though Donghae just shot me with an arrow at that time.

“Persistence and strength is a good thing, but when you push yourself too hard, there will be consequences.” He said. “Your legs will break if you keep doing this.”

“I know … but I just wanted to dance …”

“You could’ve at least put some patches on.”

“Ah … I didn’t have any …”

He then remembered back to when Hyoyeon had placed some patches on his back.

“Aigoo,” He sneered. “Stay here okay? I’m going to go find Sem.”

She remained silent and when Donghae walked out, he jumped in shock to see me standing next to the door.

“Hyuk! You—“

He covered his mouth immediately. “I’ll take care of things, so you can keep going.”

“What?” He questioned the man-child’s silly grin.

“Nothing~”

Poking his tongue, he ran away like a little girl.

When he had eneterd the room, Hyoyeon was shocked and quickly tried to hide her feet away.

“W-What’re you doing here?” She asked.

“I should ask you that question. What’s wrong with your feet?”

“I-I’m wearing white socks!”

He cocked an eyebrow and stare suspiciously at her. “Socks that don’t even cover your entire feet?”

“… Y-Yeah, they’re in style now idiot!”

Bending down to her level, he pulled out her feet while she gasped in pain. He rested the ice pack on her feet and the two stayed there silently for a few minutes. She didn’t know how to begin a conversation with him since she was worried if he’ll get angry at her again and he too, couldn’t think of any words to say and only concerned with her leg.

“Can you stand?” He asked as he removed the ice pack.

She then placed her feet on the ground and attempted to push her body up but failed and dropped back on the couch.

“Get on.” I sigh as I positioned myself for her to get a piggy back ride.

“It’s really okay—“

“—Get on.”

She hesitantly climbed onto his back and encircled her arms around his neck while he locked her legs with his arms. Donghae had told them that Sem will take them all home, stopping at Hyoyeon’s apartment first.

“Thanks for the ride Sem, and sorry for the trouble!”

Sem looked back at Hyoyeon with concerned eyes.

“You sure you can go in by yourself?” He questioned. “Dong—“

The moment Donghae had heard his name, he quickly shut his eyes in order to feign his sleep so that Eunhyuk will offer his help. When he had heard Eunhyuk and her exit the car, he couldn’t help but to smile to himself, as if he felt successful being the cupid of the stubborn children.

Eunhyuk let Hyoyeon drop off from his back as they arrived at her apartment.

“You sure you going to be okay?” He asked again to clarify, knowing that the clumsy girl can overwork herself even in these situations.

“Y-yeah,” She stuttered, still feeling slightly agitated from today’s earlier incident. “Thanks … and sorry for—“

“—You idiot.” He finally blew up as his fierce eyes attacked hers. “Don’t you ever care for yourself Kim Hyoyeon?! Sure, persistence is good and all but when your legs are going to break then what’s the point?! Will you be able to dance now in your condition?!”

“Why are you so worked up today?” She retorted back. “Even before …”

“Cause you weren’t looking at me in the eyes!” He blurted. “Is it that hard to just look at me? Was I that scary to look at?!”

“It’s because you look at everyone the same way!” She yelled back, making him silent. “So many girls like you and I wonder if I’m any different from those girls! I don’t want to be one of those girls you accidentally lead on and stupidly like you! Just before you freaking made my heart beat like a freaking idiot but next thing you know you’re with Boa—“

“—What …” He intruded, trying to repeat her words in his head. “What did you just say?”

She then widened her eyes and covered , blushing in red from embarrassment. He then curved his lips upward and smirked whilst he grabbed her waist, quickly pulling her body into his.

As he drew his head closer to hers, he asked again. “What did you say Kim Hyoyeon?”

“N-Nothing …” She said, trying to avoid eye-contact as much as possible, thinking that it would hide her red face.

“I’ll give you one more chance to tell me.”

She bit her lips frustratingly and hated the fact that even at times like this, her heart refused to listen to her mind and continued beating like crazy drums.

“If you don’t tell me Hyoyeon,” He whispered in her ear now. “I’m going to kiss you.”

“I like you!” She stated now, with her eyes on Eunhyuk as he grinned happily, feeling a life-long accomplishment all of a sudden.

He then let his hands fall from her waist and slipped them into the gaps of her fingers whilst landing his lips on her forehead. After having done so, he rested his forehead on hers and brushed his nose against hers, sharing an Eskimo kiss together.

“I like you too, fool.”

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