1. Flashbacks
It's Me!
Chapter 1: Flashbacks
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“Yeongji-ah!” he shouted from across the hall. In an instant, she answers with a “Ne” and comes rushing
towards him with her usual excitement whenever he needs her.
She smiles as she reaches him, “Do you have the homework for Math, I need it now” he asks and she
nods. “Yeah, it’s here” she hands him his notebook with two hands.
“Komawo” he gives her one of his plastic smiles, she nods in happiness, not really seeing the real bad side
of him.
---
“Byunghun-sshi, can you help me with something?” she asked in a meek voice, not really wanting to
bother him but she had to ask someone.
He turns to look at her, irritation etched in his face. “I’m kind of busy right now” he said as his feet were
propped up on the table, earphone plugged on his ears.
She bit her lip, “It’ll just be quick, I swear it will only take a couple of minutes” she begged. He glared at
her, pulling out the earphones he then said, “Aish, you’re annoying” as he stood up from his seat and
walked out the room.
She pouted, she didn’t like seeing him in a foul mood. Snickers followed as the other students saw the
whole thing, some were even murmuring things and giving her cold stares.
She pushed her glasses up and exited the room in disappointment.
---
Byunghun was walking down the stairs from practice when he spotted her waiting outside. Upon seeing
him she jumped in happiness and waved at him.
He rolled his eyes and walked off not even acknowledging her presence.
She was left there feeling sad, “Maybe he’s just tired…” she thought to herself as she made her way back
to her own classroom.
---
“How’s the part-time job going?” Chorong whispered, not really wanting to get caught by the professor.
Yeongji turned away from the lecture and looked at her friend, “It’s okay, I’m learning a lot of new
things” she replied back in whisper as well.
Her friend nodded, “Found any cute guys yet?” she asked, trying to . Yeongji looked at her
friend weirdly but Chorong just rolled her eyes. “What, still thinking that you’ll see ‘L.joe’ on one of the
sets?” she guessed knowing that it was probably true, the main reason why Yeongji took the part-time
job.
She sighed which meant what Chorong said was indeed true. She shook her head in disbelief. “You
know, from the stories that you’ve been telling me, he’s an ” she said with confidence and
Yeongji immediately opposes, obviously siding with the boy.
“He’s not like that” she defends him completely. L.joe, as most people knew him had just recently
started out as a singer together with the group called ‘Teen Top’. Obviously, Yeongji supports him and
immediately becomes their fan since they’ve been classmates in middle school and they knew each
other.
“Whatever” Chorong spoke, “I still don’t like him, he was mean to you” she frowns not really liking the
guy one bit. How could someone use other people for their own benefit and in return, even have the
decency to ignore and treat them like strangers.
The bell finally rang signalling that classes were over. They pack their things and make their way out of
the building. “Where are you headed to today?” Chorong asked and Yeongji replies, “There’s a shoot
today for a cosmetic line so I’m off to a studio in Myungdong”
“Want me to drive you there?” she offers but Yeongji waves her hands, “Aniya, I’m fine” and smiles
appreciatively for her friend’s offer.
Her freshman year in university has been going great so far. She met Chorong in their first day and the
two of them have been close ever since. Chorong had that ‘unni’ feel to her and she had always felt
like she needed to protect Yeongji. In this case, from people who take advantage of others. Yeongji had
always admired Chorong for being so out-going and confident, that she wanted to learn from her.
She had always been too distant from others and maybe, it was because she lacked confidence in
herself, though she had been trying hard to change that ever since she started going to college. Slowly,
she tries to change herself for the better and try to open up to other people. So far, everything’s going
great for her.
She’s excelling in her studies, Chorong and her are both taking up Fashion Design as their major so
they’ve got pretty much all their classes together. She has quite a number of friends now compared to
when she was in high school and she loves her part-time job.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then” Chorong bid her goodbye, “Alright, see you!” she waved with a smile as
they part ways.
---
“Annyeonghaseyo!” she greets everyone in the set as she came. The people inside said their usual
‘hellos’ and went back to their tasks.
“Yeongji-ah, I need you to do his make-up right now” Shin-ae told her in a rush as she was carrying
random props.
“Ne?” she asked in surprise not sure if she heard everything right.
“Hyun just called a while ago and told me she won’t make it” she explained, “Aish!” an exasperated tone
came out as some of the things she was carrying fell.
Yeongji helped her pick up the things, “I saw some of the projects you did for school and it was good”
she said as they walked together over the main set.
“But, that was just for school” she tried to talk her way out of it, “This is a real photo-shoot, what if I
mess up?”
“Then learn from this, just think of it as an experience” Shin-ae tried to talk her into it, “It’s okay, I know
you can do it”
“And!” she added, not letting her make another excuse, “I took you under my wing to make you my
apprentice, remember?” she reminded her.
“I see a lot of potential in you so don’t make me think otherwise” she said with finality, once again the
great Shin-ae had left her speechless.
Yeongji had no choice but to head on towards the dressing room. She knocked twice before opening the
door.
“Annyeonghaseyo~” she greeted as she came in. “Finally!” the girl screamed with glee as she was in the
middle of fixing his tie.
“Unni…” she didn’t know what to say at the moment as it felt awkward. She never came close to him
before. Usually she would just assist his stylists and bring this and that so it felt kind of weird to be in
one room with him.
As their eyes met she bowed in greeting and he did the same, “Annyeong~”
“There all done!” the girl fixed his collar one last time and he thanked her, “Komawo noona”
She smiled, “I’ll be back okay, you can start doing the make-up” she motioned for Yeongji to go on
ahead.
Yeongji watched her with a helpless expression as she went out the door and left the two of them alone.
He made his way towards a seat and turned to look at Yeongji with a smile.
“Yeongji, right? Nice to meet you” he greeted her and put out his hand. She shook it shyly and then a
wave of shock followed next, “How did you know my name?” she asked.
He chuckled lightly at her reaction, “I’m actually a stalker” he teased and this made her laugh finally. The
awkward air slowly ebbing away as the minutes passed. Joongki was really very talkative and friendly so
it helped her ease up.
They finished preparing in about half an hour’s time and when they got to the actual set everyone
acknowledged them.
Shin-ae was satisfied with Yeongji’s work and gave her thumbs up and she bowed with gratitude in
return. She was really happy that Shin-ae was pleased with what she did.
The shoot carried on and by the end of the day, they finally finished. Everyone got ready to go and was
just finishing up on packing all the equipment.
“Nice work there kiddo!” Vin, Joongki’s stylist, said as the two of them were packing all the clothes and
make-up. Yeongji grinned happily, “Komawo unni” she thanked the older.
“See you around!” she turned back to see Joongki waving at her with a smile. Yeongji beamed in return
as she bowed, “Annyeonghi gaseyo~”
Today had really been a great day for her. It felt like her perseverance was finally paying off. Little did
she know that fate was just lurking around the corner ready to give her a surprise.
---
TBC
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