𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐊 | hvc

𝙭𝙭𝙭𝙞𝙫.

𝘅𝘅𝘅𝗶𝘃. 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗳

"Hi! Glad you could make it!" An uneasy smile rest upon Nabi's face once she locked eyes with Jiyeon. Truthfully, her friends were really the only ones who could have convinced her to even make it all the way to the door leading backstage. Their excited squeals hadn't ceased since they'd heard about their special privileges and despite already being at their destination, excitement continued. Their arms linked with Nabi's, pulling her tense body into the discreet doors after receiving the security guard's okay.

The three smiled at Jiyeon however Nabi's was less genuine. Worry and panic couldn't leave her mind. Thoughts of having to act sane around the boy after realizing her feelings soon clouded her mind the further she walked. It came to the point where she began failing to register the conversation of the three next to her.

Her eyes remained glued to the ground until a voice interrupted her, rather energetically. "Yeon!- Oh! Hi!" Nabi recognized the tall man as Mingyu, a prominent figure in the recent pop-culture news. His face, along with Jiyeon's, had been tacked everywhere, impossible to escape. It was not the first time she'd had an encounter with him, the last being almost a yea ago, but still, his authority felt rather intimidating. 

Idols were extremely important people in the entertainment industry contrary to the job's initial impact. They had fanbases that could make or break a person, career, and business. With one word, things could go south. And what was even more dangerous? Popular idols. Mingyu was one of those, and his reign included every year since his debut. This aspect, and of course the fact Nabi was already on edge, contributed to the rather "strong" aura he gave off.

However, his cute jog up to the group of friends sent a different impression. He clapped his hands enthusiastically and the man who appeared behind him did the same. They turned to each other with wide, almost mischievous, smiles.

"Lovely to meet you...again!" The tall man exclaimed, taking her hand and forcefully shaking it.

"Nabi right?" He asked however the question seemed rather base-level. Almost as if he knew exactly what her name was, only asking to create conversation.

Nabi nodded, finally letting go of Mingyu's hand. She had yet to send a large smile but the mild smirk was good enough.

"So glad Vern invited you!" Immediately the second boy was nudged harshly by Mingyu and side-eyed by Jiyeon.

"Kwan she isn't supposed to know that we know that!" Mingyu whisper-yelled however wasn't exactly exceptional in the whisper aspect.

Jiyeon slapped her forehead. "The one time I trust him." She mumbled.

"I-" The two boys turned to Jiyeon with eyes wide open.

"Sorry that was um nothing!- wait." he paused, looking intensely behind Nabi, coercing everyone to do the same. As if finding a missing puzzle piece, Nabi finally figured out why none of her lovely friends had made any comments. And most importantly, why the hell it was so quiet.

She turned back to the idols, shaking her head in dismissal. "I don't even wanna know where they went, honestly."

The three nodded in understanding. Her friends weren't weirdos or anything so she had no worries. Likely, they were enttranced by some poster or, knowing them, vending machine.

Just as she finished speaking, footsteps increased from the hall directly to her left. Jiyeon, who faced it, held a smile of pure relief, raising her eyebrows amusingly toward the boys.

They immediately nudged one another with excitement, wiggling their eyebrows so much that Nabi forced herself to examine the vicinity for a reason.

"Nabi!" A voice called, one she both wanted and dreaded to see. She turned and sure enough, there he was. In all his glory.

For some reason, the sweat trickling down his black tank top was a LARGE contrast to the way the socially awkward boy normally appeared. His hair, despite being messy, still looked gorgeous and the chains adorning his neck were a fashion choice Nabi internally wished he had made earlier. But of course, all she could focus on was the excitement on his face. He was restricting himself from completely running to her but the happiness was evident knowing that she'd actually attended.

Luckily, the 3 boys behind Hansol had shuffled out conveniently along with the other two idols and Jiyeon. Where they'd gone? Who knew. But the clear mischief on their faces was undeniable, even for someone like Nabi who was totally and completely focused on the boy in front of her she still was able to notice them.

Once he'd finally made it about two steps away from her, he looked around hesitantly before giving her a big smile. "I'm, uh, really happy that you were able to make it!" He exclaimed, his tone cheerier than usual and his fingers fidgeting with his nails. The boy wasn't exactly sure why he was so worried that she wouldn't show, but truthfully, he didn't even know how he would've felt if she didn't. In a way, he began to become slightly hopeful. Her being her meant she wanted to see him, that indicated she at least was comfortable with him, right? His slightly negative attitude prevented him from believing his feelings would ever be reciprocated but a path to friendship was proving to be tangible.

She smiled, refusing to look at him directly. "Of course. And you were great out there. Seriously."

The two continued to awkwardly stand in silence, not sure what to say until the boy finally spoke up. He needed to say something or else this meeting would go by and nothing would get talked about. The idea was random, but he decided to say it nonetheless."You know what, this venue has a really cool spot I found out about while looking around yesterday. Would you maybe wanna...check it out with me?" The offer was awkward but touching nonetheless. She looked up, staring at his caramel-brown eyes and the long eyelashes that adorned them.

She stepped a bit closer to him. "Yeah. I'd like that."

Instead of a verbal response, Hansol could only smile. His members would likely tease him for how happy he was but luckily for him, they were far away. Or at least...to his belief.

In a moment of adrenaline, he gently grabbed her hand before pulling away in surprise. "Sorry um, do you mind?"

Nabi looked around once again. Her therapist had told her to begin trying new things, including actually going for her desires and goals. It was about time she practiced that, right?

Her smile was cheeky and shy as she looked down at their hands only a few inches away. She simply grabbed it, looking up at Hansol. "Not at all."