"Fuck." I looked out the large panels of the apartment complex.
Paparazzi. Everywhere.
Someone must have seen me out and alerted the media. Sounds of camera shutters echoed against the glass and bright flashes illuminated the building. Scarlett was still in the elevator, about to step out, when I pushed her back inside, using light force.
She stumbled back, and I quickly wrapped my arm around her waist to help her catch her balance. I began to spam the buttons to close the elevator doors and take us back upstairs. Security was holding the doors to the building so that the paparazzi couldn't follow us inside.
"What the hell?" She shrieked as I used one arm to hold her against the wall, preventing her from leaving the elevator as the doors finally shut. I moved my arm away and turned to face her. I was met with a confused, scared, and upset Scarlett.
"Hyunjin what the hell? What are you doing? I have to get home." She said, frustrated. I could tell she was scared. I mean, come on, a guy she barely knows just pushed her against the wall and is not letting her leave his apartment. Her fears are valid.
I didn't want her to think for a second that I was going to hurt her. But I had to keep her safe. If the paparazzi got any photos of me and her out together, the media would start dating scandal rumors. I couldn't subject Scarlett to that.
The elevator dinged and I snapped out of my anxious thoughts. "I'm so sorry. Please, just trust me. This way." I took her hand and guided her back to the apartment. Luckily the boys still weren't home.
I looked down at my phone to see I had a message from Chan.
"Just got done at the gym. We're heading out to grab a quick bite then we'll be back." I read further. Delivered 8 minutes ago.
I didn't have a lot of time. I needed to think fast.
I guided Scarlett into the apartment and closed the door behind me, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Care to explain? I mean, what the hell is going on?" Scarlett snapped. I didn't blame her.
"I'm really sorry, I wasn't trying to hurt you back there. I understand if you're scared. The thing is...we...can't leave yet."
She raised her brows in confusion, prompting me for an explanation.
I sighed.
"Okay...so...um..." I stumbled over my words. "I'm Hyunjin. Hwang Hyunjin." I admitted. She blinked at me in confusion. I looked at the ground nervously.
"...and?" She seemed lost. "I'm...Hwang Hyunjin...? From Stray Kids...?" I furrowed my brows a bit, finally looking at her in the eyes. She just stared at me.
"Huh? What is that? Hyunjin...with all respect, I really don't have time for this. I'd like to go home." She began to walk past me. I was so confused. She really didn't know?
"Wait! You-y-you can't!" I grabbed her wrist rather harshly, causing her to whimper. I felt a surge of guilt rush through my body, but I knew I couldn't let her leave. It was for her own safety. If she went out there, those cameramen would surround her and prompt her for questions.
"What the fuck!" She pushed me away, clearly terrified. I backed away. "Is this a joke?? You're scaring me Hyunjin!" She began to get tears in her eyes. My heart sank.
"O-okay I can explain I swear." I gestured for her to sit by me on the couch. She hesitated, but finally followed. I sighed.
How do I explain this without sounding stuck up? I always preferred keeping my idol status hidden when people didn't know. I liked it that way. They got to meet me as...Hyunjin. Just Hyunjin. Not Hyunjin from Stray Kids, Hyunjin the Visual, Hyunjin the main dancer, just...Hyunjin. It was nice.
But I didn't have a choice now.
"I'm an idol. Like, a K-POP idol. I am a part of the group Stray Kids...?" I stated, putting a questioning tone at the end. She shook her head, letting me know she hadn't heard of us.
She really didn't know. It wasn't just some act to get close to me.
I was a bit surprised, but in a pleasant way. I felt I could trust her.
"Paparazzi have been alerted about my whereabouts, and sent here. They were right outside the lobby downstairs." I explained. "If they saw you and I walking together, your name would be smeared by the press. Dating scandals are very serious in this industry...it isn't something you want to be a part of." I sighed. "That's why I had to bring you back up here before anyone saw you."
She sat in silence for a moment, before giving a reassuring nod. "Interesting." She said simply.
"I've only lived in Korea for about 2 years now. I don't know much about K-POP. I never knew you were an idol. That's pretty cool." She gave a cute smile. I could tell she didn't see me differently; she didn't seem to view me as above her or beneath her. She just saw me as...a person.
It felt nice.
We sat in silence for a minute, until I remembered Chan and the boys would be back soon. I had to figure out a way to get Scarlett home safely without going back downstairs. For all I knew, those paparazzi would camp outside all night to get some shots of me. After all, I am on hiatus; pictures of me right now would make for great media slander.
"I'm going to contact security to see if there's another way we can get you home. Wait here." I gave a warm, reassuring smile before dialing my manager and waking to my bedroom. I peeked out the crack of the door to see Scarlett, sitting on the couch and looking around, innocently observing the apartment. Her eyes moved to our trophy case, where we kept our awards. Her jaw dropped as she walked over to get a closer look. I grinned.
She's cute.
"Hello, Mr. Hwang?" I heard from the other end of the line. I snapped out of my trance and cleared my throat. "Yes, hello, I am calling to request security to escort me and a guest out of the building. I would like to request a vehicle as well."
After getting my requests approved, I had to think of a way to disguise Scarlett. She wasn't Korean; she had deep, green eyes, rich auburn hair down to her waist, and two beautiful moles decorating her face; one on her cheek, the other near her eyelid.
I rummaged through mine and Felix's drawers. We shared a room together, so I was used to his stuff being mixed in with mine. I found an oversized hoodie of his, and grabbed a bucket hat laying on the dresser.
If she wears a mask and keeps her head down, this might work.
I walked over to her and instructed her to put on the clothes I picked out. She followed and slipped on the hoodie, which was adorably huge on her. It covered her figure, so she could conceal her gender.
She stuffed her long red hair into the bucket hat and secured the mask on her face. "Look at the ground for me." I gently instructed. She shoved her hands in her pockets and looked at the ground.
I couldn't help but grin.
"Perfect. You look great Scarlett. Or should I say,
Felix."
-
AHHHHHH let's hope Scarlett's disguise workssss!
It's my birthday tomorrow!! I'm excited but also...not? Lmao birthdays just aren't as exciting when you're an adult. But I'm happy to have made it another year. The big 20; I'm no longer a teen 😩
I'll try to update later this weekend !
Word count: 1270
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Once More
Fanfiction"I know we said we'd end this at the start of my comeback..." he paused for a moment, gently taking me by the hand and stroking my palm with his thumb. "Could we maybe do it once more?" - A Hyunjin FF. ⚠️While this story involves real idols, all pe...
