CH 9: December 11, 2012

Staff members were gathered behind the curtain, taking my mic and cooing over me. As they finished and I began to walk away, a body pounced on mine. 

“You were so good!” Sixiao crooned in my ear. I laughed, moving my arms to wrap around hers. 

“Thanks, kiddo. I didn't get to hear yours, but I bet it was, too.” She hummed, offering me an affirmative nod. 

“You know we get an after party?” She unwrapped her arms from around me, instead linking her arms with mine as we walked aimlessly out the door. 

“They told me. Apparently some artists are gonna be there, too?” 

She shrugged. “Maybe, I don't know.” She smiled shyly. “I hope Luhan will, though.”

I smacked her arm. “Shut up,” I scolded her. “You're three years old. It's not even legal.”

Sixiao pouted. “I can dream, can't I?”

                     ***

“So please give a round of applause to our trainees, who worked very hard for the showcase.” Polite applause sounded as the trainee director finished talking. All of us bowed at the front of the room, some more awkwardly than others. 

We dispersed as the attention towards us was diverted. 

Sure enough, artists did come. Most of everyone who had come to the showcase came to the party. It was held in the lobby of the artist building, spilling out into the rest of the first floor. 

I stuck with the trainees as we talked about the showcase, praising each other with snide remarks (mostly from Minseo). 

Ahra poked my side as Taeil talked about Hyerin's performance. 

I looked at her questioningly. I hadn't even known she was next to me. She leaned in to whisper in my ear. 

“They're staring.” She leaned back and subtly moved her head towards the right. I turned to look where she told me. 

The 12 boys of EXO sat together, some talking with each other, but others looking at us unblinkingly. I looked over at them, not subtly. I leaned behind Ahra, blatantly looking back at them. 

Most looked away, striking up a conversation with each other. The big eared one, Chanyeol I think, didn't. He stared at me, eyes widening as they made contact with my own. 

I offered him a smile, waving as I did. Ahra grabbed my hand. 

“Don't do that!” She hissed. 

“Why not?”

“Because, because, well, just don't!” I laughed at her adorably lame logic. 

“You're so cute, Ahra-ssi.” She blushed. 

“I'm older than you.”

“Doesn't mean you aren't cute.” She smiled as I retorted this. 

“Well, thank you. And, Lani, you can call me Unnie. Or just Ahra, that's fine, too.” I beamed, proud for some reason. 

“Okay, Unnie.”

“Okay.” We smiled at each other before turning back to the conversation. 

I looked back at the bunny eared boy, subtly this time, out of the corner of his eye. 

He was still staring. 

                  ***

“Johnny-ah!”