In New York City

chapter two

Kim Heena leads their way to the practice room where NCT 127 is currently practicing for the tour.

Jian is about to be introduced to them for the very first time. This is also going to be the first time for Jian to meet Mark Lee in a really proper way.

Haeyeon holds Jian's hand, "You don't have to be nervous. They are honestly really funny."

Jian chuckles in embarrassment, "Is it really noticeable? I've tried my best not to show how nervous I am, Eonnie."

It's not about the boys. It's only about Mark Lee. She's not ready to talk or even face him.

Yeah, as if Mark would remember her.

"Taeyong-ah," Heena calls Taeyong to come over, joining the stylist team who is currently gathering at the corner of the room. "We're going to introduce our new stylist, can we take some time?"

"Oh, yeah, of course," Taeyong response before smiling politely at Jian. "Let's go, Noona."

Jian raises her eyebrows in surprise as she gets up. He literally just drops honorifics between them right away when this is their first meeting.

Taeyong turns around when he hears the other stylists snort.

"Why?" he asks. "She's younger than you. She was born in 1999, Taeyongie," Daeun explains, causing Taeyong to apologize in embarrassment.

"Everyone," he claps his hands to gather his members' attention. "I would like to introduce you to our new stylist."

He gestures Jian to step forward and do her introduction.

"Hello, everyone," she bows. "My name is Lee Jian. I am 21 years old. I'll be your temporary makeup stylist for your tour to North America. It's nice to meet you, guys, please take care of me."

The members clap their hands in response. Then, Taeyong asks them to introduce themselves one by one.

Jian actually has spent her whole night studying about them ㅡ like their names, nationality, age, and also the complicated system of their group. She knows she has to learn more about the latter though.

The introduction goes well until it's time for Mark Lee to introduce himself.

"Hello, Lee Jian," he raises his hand to greet her. "I am Mark Lee. We're actually the same age, so I hope we could be good friends."

Eleven years ago, in front of the classroom door, Mark Lee said the same thing.

"My name is Mark Lee. I heard you're Korean? Me too! I hope we could be good friends."

She can feel her heartaches. Same people and same situation, but with different memories.

What she thought was right. Mark really didn't remember her at all. Of course, who would remember your childhood friend, especially when you never saw each other for eleven years?

It's just Lee Jian.

Why? Because Mark Lee isn't just her childhood friend. He was her first love and first heartbreak. And even today, she still can't forget about him.

"Wait, I wanna ask a question," Haechan raises his hand. "Are you not going to college?"

"Ya, why are you asking an unrelatable question?" Mark complains right away. "It's her privacy."

Jian chuckles as she looks down. "I do," she raises her face. "I go to college through an online class."

"You do?" Jungwoo asks in surprise. "Wow, that's cool. What major are you studying?"

"I am majoring in Communication."

"What? That's really cool!" Johnny shouts in amazement. "What makes you interested in it?"

Jian glances at Mark before she looks down. "Since I was a kid, I want to be a storyteller," she explains.

Eleven years ago, while they were studying in the school's library, Jian said the same thing.

"Then, I'll be a book author and you'll be the one who read my books to the world through storytelling, Anna."

She can feel Taeyong pats her shoulder. "Then, let's not burden Jiannie with our stupid actions, shall we?" he asks his members.

But, they start to get up one, concluding that the introduction has finished, so they should continue to do whatever they were doing.

"Can't promise," Yuta make a peace while wiggling his eyebrows at Jian.

A second after that, he trips over his shoelace. He looks at Jian again.

"I told you that we can't promise," he says before giggling.

ㅡ scribblesoasis
03/04/21