Stranger // NCT LUCAS

Euphoria

Initially, I was anxious. 

I kept waiting for some kind of sign, for what I don't know. That lasted for like two minutes, then I decided to just enjoy the last song while it lasts. They performed black on black as a finale and it was as awesome as I had expected.

I waited for some sort of eye contact but that didn't happen. Lucas was still wearing the outfit I'd given him but Jaemin was wearing the red glasses and Yuta was wearing the jacket (the boy had to cover up). I clicked as many pictures as I could to remember that this had actually happened.

I gave up hope, that there was something more left. Maybe I was being just a little greedy. The song ended and they had all thanked us and bowed and went backstage. Show was over.

I took exactly one step, when a staff seemed to be waving at me. Slowly I made my way to her. Indeed she was waving at me. So what did I do? I waved back. Duh.

She face palmed and then walked over and pulled me aside. I looked at her confused and she pointed towards backstage. She removed a pass from her pocket and put it around my neck and pushed me in the direction I was supposed to go.

I'm not sure how stupid I seemed for them to send two other staff to guide (man-handle) me back stage. I don't fully comprehend the language, I'm not dumb.

I was led to an empty dressing room where I waited for half an hour or so. I assumed this had something to do with Lucas not returning my clothes.

I had enough time to think about what had just happened. I wasn't sure if I had imagined some of my moments with Lucas. Had my brain somehow exaggerated whatever had happened? Was there a little something between us? Or is that what I simply wanted to believe?

15 minutes into waiting, a lady came and offered me water and candy. I thanked her and said her hair looked pretty. Be nice to strangers and accept edibles that they give you, Survival 101. Check.

Every five minutes, the same lady came in and checked in on me. At first, it was endearing. After a while, not so much. Now it seemed more like they were making sure I didn't steal anything. The 7th time she came in, I wanted to scream 'YOUR HAIR LOOKS LIKE GRASS. Haha.' Just to break the silence.

Once I came to my senses, I realised I looked like I had been partying for days (on the streets) and feasted on glitter. I reached for my makeup wipes, then recalled that Lucas had my bag.

Luckily, I was in a dressing room, which meant makeup wipes had to be there somewhere. After another one of her check ins, I spotted it and started wiping my face. I managed to undo the nest in my head and turn it into a bun. Much better, now I looked like a drunk ballerina.

It's impossible to not hear an 18 member squad collectively talking. Or so you would think. I was aggressively wiping the glitter off my arm (you know how glitter is) when I heard someone laugh and ask in Korean 'Is she okay?'

I looked up to face all the 18 members who had all changed into casual clothes now. There happened to be only one she in the room and that was me. I froze.

'Lucas, don't be too late.' Taeyong said smiling as the rest of them proceeded to leave. 

'Of course Lucas chose a pretty one.' Jaehyun teased as he walked past us.

 'What can I say? He is the International playboy.' Johnny added. 

'Casanova' Ten objected. 

Haechan and Jaemin pushed Lucas towards me and laughed as they left.

Lucas stood in front of me, clearly embarrassed. 'Ah.' He scratched his neck.