It Takes Two (Kim Namjoon)

Prepped

just get through this and you're free from exposition!

***

The first thing I noticed was the way the room felt. It looked exactly the same as mine, but there were phones and laptops spread haphazardly on different surfaces that made it feel more like a home. There were also a few magazines scattered around, most of them with the band on the cover. Seven boys posed and dressed to perfection, with hair and makeup to match.

Initially, it took me a while to get used to the world of K-pop, but it seemed to display this certain kind of ingenuity and modernity that dragged me in as I studied over the months of the job application process. Though the engines behind the industry were fascinating, and though my musical tastes were varied and rarely restrictive, I couldn't help but look at the magazine covers with and worry that at some point I would have to find some type of indie or bluegrass group that could detox me from all the synthesized production I would face here. Besides, I poured over hundreds of photos of these boys back in the states, and I still couldn't tell them apart. My mouth twisted into a rare disgruntled frown that came only with the daunting prospect of work.

Haneul laughed at my expression. "Not impressed?"

I glanced away from the Billboard magazine I had placed my hand on. "No, not that at all. I just don't know...what to expect..." I trailed off, unable to find the right way to express myself in an unfamiliar language. So far, the most extensive speeches had been reserved for the team's manager, and Yumi and Haneul had supplied most of the conversation, requiring only short answers from me. Now that fatigue was starting to set in, though, I wasn't sure how impressive I would sound to these boys.

Another concern sprang to my mind, and I looked down at my clothes. Nope, definitely not impressive either.

"Ah, Yumi, maybe I should go change before we do this. I'm still wearing the same clothes from the plane," I explained, gesturing to my black leggings and extra large white sweater from Gap. My only redeeming factor was my Wonder Woman socks, which didn't match the outfit but didn't do too much damage either. Quickly, I redid my bun so that my flyaway hairs weren't as obvious.

She waved a hand at me, ignoring me completely and walking through the kitchen door. "Nonsense, you look fine. They'll see you looking like this most of the time, anyway." She wandered further down what must have been a hallway, and finally called out, "Boys!"

I heard a few responses called back, although they were too unintelligible for my poorly trained ears.

Haneul gave me another glance, noticing my fluttering hands that tried to make me look more presentable. "They're cuter in person, in case you were wondering."

I blinked stupidly, struggling to keep a blush from my cheeks. "I don't think of them that way."

"Hard not to. They truly are great guys, though. You'll adore them." He went back to picking at his nails, painted a matte grey. I watched his process, and smiled at his exasperated expression when he noticed the flecks getting caught in his light blue sweater.

"Oppa, thanks for being so nice to me. I was worried, before. With Minji and Manager Young." The word still sounded funny on my tongue.

"They're just sticks in the mud who have too much to worry about. Your face is too pretty to end up like theirs, so don't let it."

I smiled with the corner of my mouth. "You really think so?"

"Yes. Don't you think so?"

"I wasn't sure what Koreans would think of a short Mexican-American with tan skin and wide hips."

He rolled his eyes before focusing his attention again on cleaning his grey khakis. "Here in Korea, you're tall, but not so tall that finding a date will be impossible. Most people don't really care about skin color if they're smart, and your features, although different, are still cute. You won't struggle bringing a date to work parties, that's for sure."

"Thank you," I said, letting the smile reach eyes now. I could see the teasing in his face.

"You need to lose weight though."

I laughed, too pleased to be upset. "I've already lost ten pounds."

"Are you lighter than the lightest of the boys?"

"I made sure of it." Not that it mattered, anyway.

Haneul glanced over my legs, which would always be thick even when thin. "Hmm."

I snorted and smiled brightly, too amused to even notice that four people had entered the room.

"Viv," Yumi said to catch my attention.

My eyes swung away from Haneul, and I caught sight of the first members I would meet from Bangtan Sonyeondan.