Heartstrings || Joshua Hong

Chapter 19

Joshua POV

"I'm gonna go use the restroom real quick, be right back" I said, leaving the group momentarily.

I let the cold water run over my fingers and looked at myself in the mirror. It'd only been four years since I'd returned to LA, my hometown, but so much had changed about me. My face had become more defined, my hair much better styled, and I just felt more comfortable with who I was overall. I'd found a way to express myself through song, dance, and performance, and I was doing everything I loved with my closest friends. I thought about all the friends and family I'd left behind and wondered if they'd even recognize this new Joshua, Joshua Hong of SEVENTEEN.

Drying off my hands, I opened the door and was about to step aside when I saw the members grouped in the hallway talking with someone we didn't know. I leaned forward to get a better view of who it could be, and nearly lost my balance when I caught sight of her. I froze to the spot. Everything was just too familiar: her lovely silhouette, voice, and laugh. I died a little inside as she chatted away happily not suspecting a single thing.

Why is she here, what is she doing backstage, how is she talking with my members right now, dang she's still as pretty as ever, what do I do if she sees me though, she's definitely gonna be mad if she sees me, I am so screwed, holy sh-

I closed the door in a flash and turned on the faucet again, splashing cold water on my face to calm down. I reassessed what had just happened and realized that she was probably hired as a musician for the show, which made sense since she said she would pursue a career in music. 

Woah, she made it then. Aw, I'm so proud of you, Rina...Ugh, what the heck, Josh, focus!

The chatter outside had died down so hopefully the coast was clear. If I were to run into her, I decided I wouldn't say anything so I wouldn't scare her and risk any awkward situations. Taking a deep breath, I left the bathroom. Of course, she saw me.

Shoot, okay, uhh...just walk by and act natural, don't give anything away, you got this-

"Josh?" Her voice came out, snapping me out of my thoughts. I blinked a few times, still stunned that after so many years, here she was. It was like being graced by the presence of an angel.

Except I was probably so dead now.

Rina POV

"Rina...H-hi...uhh...", Joshua's voice faltered. It didn't matter, though. I probably should've been angry, ready to dump out all my hurt and frustration on him, but everything just faded away. My feet hurled themselves forward and I crashed into him, burying my face in his chest to hide the tears that were about to spill. Joshua was startled for a second before wrapping his strong arms around my waist, enveloping me in a long, warm embrace that I'd missed for so long. I had so many questions swirling in my head in a chaotic mess, but in that moment, I felt like everything was, and would be, okay again. Joshua came back and my mind could finally be at peace again.

After a long time of just being in each other's arms again, I pulled back and finally took a good look at his face, now more strikingly handsome than I'd remembered if that was even possible.

"So," I said carefully, "how's it goin', Josh?" He paused giving me a weird look, and then we both laughed at how awkward the atmosphere was.

"Well, I couldn't be better now", he replied, smiling down at me. Then his expression turned serious. "Look, Rina, before you get mad or tear me apart, I have a lot to say and apologize for. You're probably still so confused an-"

"Yo, hyung, what's taking you so long, we have to get ready for rehearsal now!" a guy's voice came from behind. I turned and came face to face with a visual and giant, Kim Mingyu, one of SEVENTEEN's members. Dang, that boy was tall. "Ah, Rina-ssi, sorry...ohhh, wait a minute," he said, his mouth curling into a smirk as he looked at Joshua and I, "I see what's going on here, so sorry for interrupting. Hehe, good luck, hyung!" He left, giving a wink to Joshua. I turned back around and saw Joshua's face had turned bright red.

"Wanna talk after the show?" I said, biting back my tongue to stop myself from teasing him.

"Y-yeah...yeah, that'd be good. I'll come find you afterwards." Joshua still looked dazed. How cute.

"Alright. Good luck on your performance today, love you", I assured him, placing a quick peck on his cheeks.

"Thanks", Joshua said, returning back to normal, "Love you, too, Rina." His eyes were glistening.

--

A few hours later

"Wait, they didn't let you tell anyone at all??" I asked incredulously.

"That's what I thought! I was so shook 'cause everything happened so fast, but yeah, the man who scouted me told me that and next thing I knew, I was in South Korea training my butt off for nearly 24 hours a day. I couldn't contact anyone back home besides parents, too, since my phone got wiped", Joshua replied, shaking his head.

"Dang...well, my boyfriend became a K-pop idol. I can't even be mad about that, despite everything. You guys totally killed it tonight, too, I'm gonna stan," I said, laughing at how ridiculous everything was. We had changed into casual outfits and were sitting outside a boba shop, catching each other up about every little detail of our lives for the past four years. Joshua told me about how he was casted, how he'd decided to move to Korea, and countless hilarious episodes from his trainee days. I talked about stories from college life til now and everything that happened in between.

"Dude, did you know that Sera moved to Paris after landing a graphic designer job? The opportunity came literally right after she graduated, too."

"Woah, seriously?! I mean, there's no way I would've known, but that's super cool, good for her!"

"I know, right...honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing with my life now, though. I've just been freelancing around LA, but I kind of want something more permanent, ya know?"

"Hmm," Joshua hummed, taking a sip from his drink, "have you considered anything overseas? Maybe moving and starting something fresh?"

"Huh, are you suggesting I go back to Korea with you, or something?", I said jokingly.

"...Maybe." He smiled sheepishly, sticking out his tongue teasing me.

"Oh my, Josh, you know there's no way I can just get up and go." I looked up and saw him making sad puppy eyes at me, and almost choked on my boba.

"Fine", I conceded, "I don't know, I'll think about it, I guess."

Joshua leaned forward and planted a sweet kiss on my lips. "You guess?"

"Okay, okay, I will! Jeez..." I said, blushing at the sudden kiss.

"Yay", he cheered quietly, before going in for a much longer, deeper kiss. I kissed him back passionately. Every cell of my body felt alive.

Don't worry, Joshua, I'm already thinking about it.

--

A/N Hellooo dear readers, I'm back! So sorry for taking that unexpected break, but we're back and almost at the end now :o Thank you for sticking by and waiting patiently!