An Idol for the Omega

Chapter 8: A Favor

Jae

"One... two... three... four... and five... six... seven... eight...

and one... two... three... four... and five... six... seven... eight."

Slowly, the other members of J.A.M.M.I.N. and myself move around the practice room in sync. Our choreographer is keeping time off to the side in front of us as we work on the latest dance to our mini-album that's soon to be released.

We have a couple of live performances lined up, but still have the production of making the video next week. We move through the steps in half-time, refining our synchronization with each other now that we all have learned the dance. We've learned the choreography for all of the new tracks that have been recorded and edited to perfection, but this will be for our lead track.

After what feels like hours, and probably is, a break is called. Food will be delivered soon, too, as the boys and I slump down against the mirror and guzzle down some water. Sweat already soaked through my clothes a while ago and I'm down to just some shorts and a sleeveless tank, as are most of the others. These practices are some intense work-outs.

While the rest of the guys stretch out and chat among themselves, I pull my phone out of the bag, intending to call Alec-hyung. The last time I had a chance to call was almost two weeks ago and he was so busy, he couldn't barely stay on the line for a minute. Between his clinic and our recording schedule, I think the last time we really had time to speak was almost two months ago, after my supposed 'scandal'.

The whole group had been sequestered in our dorms for a whole week after that. Even my phone was held onto for a few days by the company while they strategized their media damage control. Thankfully, the guys hadn't been mad at me, or blamed me, but I had to put up with a lot of teasing from them. I still put up with a lot of teasing about it, actually.

It all happened when I'd ducked into to a coffee shop on my own, shooing the assistant that had been sent with us that day to wait in one of the vans. I'd felt a headache coming on and just wanted my good friend, caffeine. I'd waited in line and received the blessed cup when trouble, apparently, started.

While leaving, I bumped into Shin Eun-Hee. As in, the Eun-Hee, lead vocalist of the four-women group, Ramen. She must be from the neighborhood, because she wasn't coming from work and was without an assistant herself. J.A.M.M.I.N. and Ramen have appeared on several variety shows together and I even co-hosted with their lead rapper at one appearance. Politely, we greeted each other and discussed work for a few minutes before parting ways.

It wouldn't have been a big deal, except that there was a reporter in the very same coffee shop. Of course, he got a picture, too. It was spread online later that afternoon and all over tabloids the next day. There were so many awful puns about which one us was asking the other over for ramen.

The company agreed with me that it was shady, the publication hadn't even given my producers an option of commenting before they started posting without their own outlandish story. We were still put on a communications ban and kept under wraps until the story could be straightened out and some new scandal was on the front pages.

When I'd received my phone back, there had been the expected missed calls from my parents and some friends, but also over fifty missed calls from hyung. Worried that there was a problem over in the states, I called him immediately.

I was relieved to find out that everything was fine and he was just worried about me. That relief quickly turned to surprise as he grilled me for all the details of the 'incident', including what I'd actually talked to Shin Eun-Hee about and who else had been there with me. I wondered, then, if this is what it's like when I ask him about how things are going with his boyfriend. If so, it's really annoying.

At least he's actually dating that over-protective gorilla. I felt like I got the third-degree just because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I sort of made an agreement with myself not to hound him over the details with his boyfriend anymore. If he was happy, then I'll just have to trust his judgement.

Leaning back more comfortably against the mirror, I pull up and press call on Alec's contact. It only rang a short time before picked up.

"Yeoboseyo," Alec greets me.

"Anyoung haseyo, hyung."

"How have you been, Jae?" I can hear his gentle smile through the phone.

"I've been good. Are you busy, hyung?" I look at the clock on the wall and mentally do the time difference calculations I should have done sooner. Oops, it's only seven in the morning there. "Did I wake you up?"

"No, no, we've been up. I'm not busy, Chris is making breakfast and I don't have to go into the clinic for a few more hours."

I've spoken with Alec enough since his last visit to Korea to not be surprised that he's with his boyfriend so early in the morning. I know he still has his apartment, above the clinic, but no matter whose house they're at, they're going to be together.

"Actually, Jae, I have been meaning to call you recently." Hyung continues, his voice takes on a hesitant tone, raising some of my alarms.

"What's the matter? Is anything wrong?" Hyung scoffs over the line before answering.

"Everything's fine," he says calmly. "Don't worry so much. I kind of just wanted to ask you for a favor."

"Anything," I state immediately. "Whatever you need, hyung."

"Anything? Even if it's weird?"

"Anything. No questions asked." I'm not sure what Alec could ask that would possibly be weird.

"Maybe I should get that in writing first."

"Hyung! Just tell me. If it's something I can do, I will do it."

"Okay, do you remember my friend, er, Chris's family member?"

It would be harder to forget. I can still feel his body clinging to mine for some reason. Also, I can easily picture how he looked pressed down to the airport floor or when he was snarling at hyung's giant of a boyfriend while I was pinned to a wall. Also, I don't know why, but I can easily picture the way his curls bounced while he waved goodbye to me.

I shake my head to clear away the thoughts. It's as if the weirdness of the situation somehow imprinted crystal-clear details onto my brain. I'll find that at the strangest times I'll remember how sweet he looked in his crisp shirt and tie. Then I'm left wondering why I would find that sweet, almost cute.

"Yes, I do! I remember that kid." I quickly blurt out, realizing that I still hadn't answered yet.

"Great! That 'kid' is turning twenty-three soon and I was going to ask for help with his gift."

"What? Twenty-three?" He barely looked over eighteen! Not even when his hair was pushed away from the clear, smooth skin of his face let alone when the curls were tumbling over his delicate cheeks. I remember that they calculate birthdays differently over there and I struggle to figure out if that still makes me older. I think it does, but I can't be sure right now.

"So, you want something autographed or what?" I definitely didn't forget how fanatical the kid-, ah, guy, was about me. Like nothing I've ever seen.

"No, I don't need anything autographed, and I don't want any fan merchandise. I need something more personal."

"Okay," I drag out the word. "Just name it, hyung." Wait. He doesn't want, like, my boxers or anything, right?

"I want you to express delivery me one of your shirts. Or a blanket. Just something that you have worn or slept with, without washing it. Oh, and it needs to be sealed up really tight! If you've sweated a little in it, that will be perfect!"

What the fuzz?