Grow As We Go

XIV.

LISA

4th Floor, Bighit building

As I was nearing the studio, the lights inside were already on. I swear to everything holy, if they were pranking me again this time, I'm not gonna let it go!

I knocked on the door three times and waited for a response before I opened the door. I peeked my head inside only to see a guy sitting on the floor near the speakers. He was blasting a song from his phone.

He seemed to have been surprised as well when he saw me because he quickly turned his music down and stood up to greet me, bowing. I also bowed back at him as I completely entered the room, closing the door behind me.

"Hi, um Jaewon oppa told me they had some things to finish upstairs so I went here earlier." I shyly spoke, slowly approaching him.

"Yea, I also just knew about it a few minutes ago. Apparently, we're not early. They're just late" he said chuckling, trying to lighten up the awkward mood in the room.

I chuckled with him. True though, I've been waiting since forever downstairs, to be honest.

"oh right! um I'm Lisa, by the way" I hesitantly extended my hand at him and smiled at him.

He was just staring at me. damn, did I do something wrong? I think I was too bold

Just when I was about to withdraw my hand, I felt him hold my hand. I looked back up at him.

"I'm Hoseok, Jung Hoseok" he smiled so brightly at me.


I then went on to settle my bag at the floor beside his. I fixed myself in front of the mirror and saw him looking at me.

"You wanna join me stretch Mr. Hoseok?" I turned around and asked him.

He just chuckled and nodded before he stood up and joined me in front of the mirror.

"It's awkward if you keep calling me Mr. Hoseok the entire time. You can just call me Hoseok oppa." he said as we started to stretch. I nodded and readily complied.

I enjoyed my time with Hoseok oppa and knew a lot about him too.  He told me about his underground days, apparently he used to go to the underground too, together with Jaewon oppa and others. He also talked about his 6 other friends that were with him for about 10 years now. This made me think about my own members too, we've been through a lot for almost 10 years now too.

The door suddenly opened and the guys came bursting into the room.

"Well, if this ain't the legendary Blackpink and BTS in one room!" Jaewon oppa loudly exclaimed as soon as he saw us, followed by cheers from the other guys. I rolled my eyes and greeted them all nonetheless.

but hold up. Did he say BTS? HOSEOK OPPA??

I quickly whipped my head to look at Hoseok oppa with wide eyes. "You're an idol?"

He just laughed at me and nodded.

I just realized, he was part of the underground but stopped for a while now, he has 6 friends slash members with him all the time and he's really attractive too. 

of-fucking-course! He's an idol! ugh my idol vibe detector failed me today

"omygosh I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it sooner. All this time, I was talking with a senior in the industry!" I quickly bowed at him to which he hurriedly dismissed, waving his hands and leading me to stand up straight.

"No no, it's okay! I actually thought you were just feigning ignorance but it seems like you really didn't know me." he laughed, his eyes forming crescent moons.

"it's people like you who keep us humble, Lisa. It feels good for me." he said while ruffling my hair. This just made me feel worse about myself. I looked down, shaking my head and mumbling,

 "it's people like me who deserves to be called arrogant and all. I should've known! your group is practically everywhere, your songs play everywhere"

What's up with me meeting two BTS members and not acknowledging them, in two consecutive days!!! at this point, can the ground just please swallow me whole?

I looked up at him, and added "I swear I didn't mean to disrespect you. I respect you and your group a lot. I honestly thought the name Hoseok was not familiar among the idol names I usually hear but then again I just don't acquaint myself with a lot of idols and that's my entirely my fault... and umm I'm still not quite confident with my korean and I'm not so good as socializing with new peop--"

He just chuckled and held my fidgeting hands, stopping my rant altogether.

"Relax, Lisa. I said it's okay, it did not offend me in any way hmm? And you did a great job socializing with me just a while back. You're doing really well, Lisa" what an angel!

I gratefully smiled at him. I was supposed to reply but the sudden blast of loud music from the main speakers startled both of us, breaking us up from our small bubble.

"Let's start!!!"

HOSEOK

We finally wrapped up another routine and a bit of freestyle showdown at the end. Everyone in the room was drenched in sweat by the time we finished.

We were all trying to calm down from our own high, some were chatting in small groups and some were in their own spaces. It was definitely what I needed for a while.

I'm glad I joined them today. I didn't expect to see her again after the first time because she wasn't present in the meetups after that.

I glanced at Lisa who was all smiles and laughter while chatting with the twins, Jaewon and Taewon. She didn't look like she just did a hardcore routine. She was quick to catch up too, not just on the steps but also on the vibe and the attitude to approach the song. I figured she started young 'cause her basics in dancing were really good.

I just noticed she was already approaching me when I heard her voice, "Hoseok oppa, you okay?" concerned eyes looking at me.

"Oh! yea yea of course. You did really well today, Lisa! I think I'm becoming your fan already." I said with an exaggerated pout, slightly teasing her. But seriously though, I lowkey am.

She laughed at this which made me chuckle as well,  oh well her smile is contagious. She took her bag from the floor and started walking to the changing room.

It's now or never.

"Wait, Lisa!"

she looked back and even walked back to where I was. "What's the matter, oppa?"

"um, I was just thinking if maybe we could exchange contact numbers? I mean, I might have to leave before you come back from the changing room and um I thought we could be casual friends after --"

She chuckled before she held out her hand.
what?

oh right, my phone! I quickly retrieved it from my bag and handed it to her.

She dialed her number and handed my phone back to me, smiling. "of course, I'd love to be friends with you too, oppa. Feel free to contact me anytime" she dared to wink at me before she turned around to go change.