Jae: Defender of Lost Phones

Chapter 3

It's been a few weeks now that I've started hanging out with Jae. I finally paid him back his two meals, and we haven't stopped talking since. When we have the chance, we'll hang out between meetings at ASC or we'll text. I'm actually really enjoying my internship and getting to hang out with Kevin and Jimin, and even serving the guests food after the show is fun.

This week on ASC, the writers will be using an idea that I came up with. They seemed to think it was a good one, but I'm nervous that it won't work out as well as I think it might. I was carefully placing the scripts containing my idea in their appropriate places when Jimin, who was early for the meeting, called me over.

"So Mya, are you and Jae like a, like, like a thing now?"

"A what?"

"You know like a thing. Like," she glanced around the room to make sure no one was in earshot, "dating?" She whispered.

I could feel my face turn bright red.

"I knew it! I knew he liked you ever since he defended you. HA, Kevin owes me $20." Satisfied with herself, she gets up to look for Kevin.

"No, no, no wait! We aren't. We aren't," I looked around "dating. I think you misunderstood."

"What? He totally likes you. I can't believe that jerk hasn't asked you out already?"

"Well I haven't had the chance now have I, Jimin? I've only been having concerts every other day." We both freeze as Jae walks in and mercilessly flicks Jimin on the forehead.

She rubs the spot and walks off embarrassed.

Now it's just me and Jae in the room.

"Let's go get snacks from the pantry, Intern."

Jae and I walk silently to the pantry. Once inside I start collecting snacks and he closes the door behind us. He raises his arm to his neck nervously.

"Well, leave it up to Jimin to ruin things. I promise I've been wanting to tell you sooner but things got busy and-,"

He starts tugging on his collar.

"It's a little warm in here, don't you think?"

"Not really," I reply even though I can feel sweat starting to bead at my temples.

He clears his throat.

"So anyway, these past couple months of knowing you have been great and you're a really cool girl, Intern. Every time I'm at a concert, I find myself wishing you were there to see me perform. I realized...I like you. So, I was ah-... wondering if maybe you'd, you know, want to be my girlfriend?"

I drop the snacks I'm holding and we both bend over to pick them up at the same time, banging our heads against each other.

"Oh my gosh, Mya! Are you okay? I'm sorry!" He holds my head with both hands inspecting it for bumps. His worried eyes travel across my face.

Our eyes meet.

I gulp.

He quickly stands up and politely puts his hands behind his back.

I finish gathering the snacks and stand upright again. After a bit of an awkward silence, I finally gather the courage to speak.

"Jae, I..." I hesitate. Suddenly a million thoughts flooded my head.

Is this really happening? Why does he like me? I'm not even famous or talented or pretty. Does JYP have dating bans for bands? Will he get in trouble if he gets caught? Will our relationship be public?