My Bully, My Love | NCT Mark

20| Preparation

The five girls found themselves cramped in Seulgi and Mina's dorm room, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern as Mina sat on her bed, back against the wall, legs crossed. She wore a pained expression, her head resting against the wall as if in silent agony. Yeri, always perceptive, was the first to break the silence.

"A party?" she questioned, her voice filled with disbelief.

Mina nodded slowly in response, her expression grim.

"And what if you don't go?" Joy asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Mina, not in the mood to speak, simply looked toward her, her eyes conveying a silent message: bad things would come from her absence. With a sigh, Mina put her hands on her face, running them through her hair in frustration.

"I can't believe I'm being forced to go," she muttered, her voice muffled by her hands.

This whole situation didn't sit right with Joy, "but why does he want you to go? It doesn't make sense" 

"Hell if I know, maybe he wants me there to embarrass me." Feeling overwhelmed, Mina leaned off the wall and reached out, grabbing the closest hand to her, which happened to be Yeri's. She pleaded with her friends, desperation evident in her voice. "You guys have to come with me, or I'll die there."

Yeri's heart clenched at the sight of her friend's distress. "Okay," she agreed without hesitation, a small smile playing on her lips as she earned a sigh of relief and a grateful hug from Mina.

But Yeri's agreement was only half-hearted. She couldn't deny that a part of her wanted to see Haechan again. They hadn't had a chance to talk since their last lesson together last week.

"Are they still selling tickets?" Seulgi asked, her practicality breaking through the tension in the room. The girls exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of the answer however, Irene's face lit up with an idea, and she sprang into action, jumping up from Seulgi's bed, "You girls hurry and get ready," she said as she made her way towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Mina called after her, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"I'll be back!" Irene shouted over her shoulder as she disappeared out the door, leaving the girls to wonder what she had in store.

🐾🐾🐾

Yeri was back in her dorm room, seated in front of her vanity. As she gazed into the mirror, a mix of determination flickered in her eyes. She knew this party was the only chance she'd have to interact with Haechan outside the usual school setting. If she wanted to impress him, she needed to look stunning.

"This is it," she whispered to herself. "I need to look hot. I need to make him notice me."

With a deep breath, she started her transformation. She reached for her makeup bag, pulling out her favourite foundation. Carefully, she applied it, smoothing her skin into a flawless canvas. Next came the contour, defining her cheekbones and jawline, followed by a touch of blush to add a healthy glow. Her eyes, already large and expressive, were accentuated with dark eyeliner and shimmering eyeshadow that made them pop. Finally, she applied bold lipstick, a colour she'd never dared to wear before, red.

Satisfied with her makeup, Yeri moved on to her hair. She plugged in her straightener, patiently waiting for it to heat up. As she straightened her hair, she marvelled at how sleek and shiny it looked, falling perfectly around her face.

Once her hair was done, she headed to her closet. She rifled through her clothes, discarding several options until she found the perfect dress.  It was a shimmering light pink sequin mini dress with thin spaghetti straps tied at the shoulders. The deep V-neckline and wrap-style front added an elegant touch, while the ruched side and asymmetrical hemline showcased her figure with modern flair. As she moved, the sequins sparkled, making her feel like the star of the night. Satisfied with her choice, Yeri slipped into it, feeling the soft fabric against her skin. It was daring and unlike anything she'd worn before.

With a final look in her mirror, she couldn't believe what she saw. The girl staring back at her was a far cry from her usual self. She was beautiful, confident, and ready to be seen.

"Wow," she whispered, turning to catch every angle of her new look. She felt a surge of excitement and pride. Tonight, she would make Haechan notice her. Tonight, she would be unforgettable.

Yeri made her way to the school gates where Joy, Mina, and Seulgi were waiting.

Mina wore plain black jeans and a white long-sleeve shirt under a grey cardigan that stopped just above her waist. You could tell she didn't want to go. Joy was the opposite, dressed in a sparkly rainbow dress that shimmered in the streetlights, her long black hair curled to perfection. Seulgi, as always, looked stunning in denim shorts and a baggy white t-shirt tucked in. She completed the look with black Doc Martens, a black handbag, and her hair pulled up in a high ponytail adorned with a white ribbon.

"Sorry, I'm late!" Yeri called out as she approached the group.

The girls turned and gasped simultaneously.

"What are you wearing?!" Seulgi exclaimed, her eyes scanning her sister's appearance.

"Wow, you look incredible," Mina complimented, causing Yeri to blush.

"Oh, this old thing," Yeri blushed, looking down at her dress. "It's nothing," she smiled, though the effort she had put into her look was anything but. Yeri brought her arms around herself, feeling slightly uneasy from her sister and friend's stare, "where's Irene?" she asked, looking around and noticing her absence.

Mina glanced down at her phone. "I'm not sure, I've been trying to get a hold of her, but she hasn't been answering."

Just then, a sleek black luxury car with tinted windows pulled up beside them. "Hope you didn't wait too long!" Irene announced cheerfully as she rolled down the back window. "What are you waiting for? Hop in!" she urged, opening the door for the girls.

The group exchanged excited glances before eagerly piling into the car. However, Mina hesitated by the door. "Mark said he'd send a car to come get me..." She trailed off, feeling a pang of discomfort at her own words.

"Yeah, so what?" Irene shrugged, dismissing Mark's offer. "Forget about him and his car. Come on," she encouraged, flashing Mina a reassuring smile as she held the car door open from inside. With a relieved smile, Mina finally entered the vehicle. The interior was plush and comfortable, a clear testament to Irene's family's wealth.

"Where'd you go?" Mina asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

Irene smiled as she dug through her bag and pulled out five wristbands, earning gasps from the girls. "I thought they ran out?" Seulgi exclaimed.

"Yeah, well, the person who was selling them owed me a favour," Irene winked.

It wasn't long until the driver pulled into the driveway of a grand house. It stood tall and imposing, all its windows lit up from within. The chatter and loud music could be heard from outside, signalling the liveliness inside. Mina's feet pressed hard on the floor of the car as anxiety crept in. This was her first house party.

"Are we ready for this?" Joy asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

Yeri glanced at Mina, noticing her friend's tension. "Hey, you've got us," she reassured, squeezing Mina's hand.

"Yeah, we're in this together," Seulgi added, her voice filled with determination.

Mina nodded, trying to muster some courage. "Okay, let's do this."