The Idol who can't smile

Chapter 3.

With a furrowed brow, I stared into the mirror. I sighed and put on a smile once again, but it looked awful as always. Annoyed, I sighed once more. No matter what I tried, it just wasn't working. Whether I smiled with teeth, without them, or even just slightly smirked, none of these smiles looked genuine or even remotely nice.

I swallowed as the door opened. With wide eyes, I looked at Minji, who stopped in her tracks and looked at me. She glanced at me and then at the mirror. She blinked several times before she began to smile and closed the door again. She came closer to me, making me even more nervous.

"Whether you smile or not, you're still beautiful," I heard Minji say. My eyes widened as I looked at the taller woman. Her eyes roamed over my entire face. A small smirk played on her lips as she looked me straight in the eyes. Her hand landed on the sink, right next to my hip, as she leaned forward slightly. Automatically, I pressed myself more against the counter.

I swallowed. "Why do you suddenly want to smile?" Minji asked. Her face twisted in seriousness, but I couldn't focus on that right now. The closeness to her was making my heart race. It... was driving me insane.

"I... don't know. I want to smile at you and the others. I think it would be easier to calm you down or to praise you," I answered, and Minji's eyebrows raised. She licked her lips once. Her other hand now rested on the other side of the counter, right next to my hip. This brought her closer again. This time, I could feel her breath on my skin.

I visibly swallowed nervously. "Are you worried about that?" the taller one asked. Her eyes looked directly into mine. Her nose was almost touching mine. I felt warmth flooding my face. But I couldn't escape... I was trapped between the counter and her body.

I nodded slightly, barely noticeable. "Y-Yes," I replied. Minji smiled and let go of the counter. She took a step back. Her eyes slightly narrowed. She smiled as well. "Alright. Narrow your eyes a bit and lift the corners of your mouth. Not much, just a little," she instructed, demonstrating a smile for me.

My breath caught. I swallowed once again and tried it myself immediately. Minji looked at me, and shortly after, she chuckled softly. She looked to the side, her smile growing wider. I looked at her. My eyes narrowed, slightly offended. I took a deep breath. I reached for her wrist, causing her to look at me.

Her face turned into a serious expression. She looked at me. "Don't look at me like that, Y/n," she almost whispered. She licked her lips. My breath caught. It... was strange when Minji just said my name. She was even speaking informally to me. A slight shiver ran down my arms.

"How... do I look at you?" I asked softly. My head tilted slightly as I continued to look up at the younger woman. Her mouth was now slightly open as I gazed at her with curious eyes. I noticed Minji raising her hand, and in slow motion, her hand landed on my neck. She bit her lip.

"You... really should stop looking at me with those eyes," she said again. Her breath came in uneven bursts as her eyes flickered back and forth between mine. I swallowed. I sensed the tension, and my heart rate accelerated. I blinked slowly. Somehow... everything was moving so slowly right now.

The door opened with a quick motion, and almost instantly, Minji immediately backed away from me. My mouth opened as I bumped into the counter. Painfully, I held onto my hip. Minji looked at me with wide eyes. Her concern narrowed her eyes as she approached me again.

I immediately looked at Hanni. She looked at me with her mouth agape and then at Minji. Her eyes danced between us as her mouth hung open. I swallowed, feeling embarrassed. Almost in a rush, I passed by Hanni and quickly left the two women. My heart was pounding wildly in my chest.