Should've Held Onto You (CHA EUNWOO)

42 - 풋사랑

"What is this room?" I couldn't help but ask, gazing up at the high ceilings with my mouth slightly agape, never having been in a building with such intricate details. The room was filled with tables, lighting being dark but romantic, a stage with a grand piano against one wall, but we were the only ones here. The host gestured towards our table, a cream colored table cloth accented with maroon napkins and too many forks.

Dongmin stepped up before me, pulling out my chair for me, making me blush a little before sitting down, him pushing the comfy seat in behind me.

"Astro does everything in style," Myungjun grinned.

Jinwoo sat down beside his hyung and explained, "We rented out this whole room. We didn't want people from school or people who recognized us to disturb us." Then, as if he felt bad for saying that about his fans, he added meekly, "Not tonight."

I watched a man in a tux dramatically enter the room, sitting at the grand piano, and he immediately began playing soothing background music, and I felt myself instantly relaxed.

Once we all were seated- Dongmin on my left, Minhyuk on my right, then Bin, Sumi, Jinwoo, Myunjun, and Sanha- the waiter spoke, "Can I start everyone out with something to drink?"

"Do you guys have chocolate milk?" Sanha loudly asked, and I nearly facepalmed right then and there at his mature, attractive appearance and that cutesy, child-like voice he put on. When grumbling was heard, Sanha flashed everyone a wink and a peace sign.

From my right, Minhyuk sighed, "The kid's doing aegyo in an upscale restaurant.."

The waiter disappeared after taking our drink orders and telling Sanha that, no, they did not serve chocolate milk at this establishment, but was there anything else he could get him? Sanha settled for water with a lemon, saying that he liked how sticky his teeth felt after biting into the citric fruit.

"So do they do themes here? Homecoming in America this year was Aladdin themed," I brought up, wondering what to expect when I walked into the gymnasium.

Dongmin was quick to reply from my side, "This year's winter formal theme is 'Night of a Thousand Lights.'"

"So they can pretty much do whatever they want," Sumi added.

The group began discussing back and forth about the theme and what they were expecting, even mentioning last year's formal, but my gaze held on Dongmin, the words becoming submerged under a metaphorical ocean. How did his hair look so messily perfect? His lips were curled into a slight smile, deep brown eyes shining while looking around the circular table at all of his friends. He was so happy, and it filled my heart. His beautiful hands and long fingers played with the cloth napkin to his right, perfectly groomed fingernails scratching at the stitch work, jacket sleeves stopping right at his wrists, it being tailored exactly to him. Following his arm up, the suit fit nicely around his squared and broad shoulders, meeting at his ceramic, pale neck which I could only imagine placing light kisses on. Omo, what was his skin care routine?!

I hadn't realized they were trying to get my attention until Dongmin himself turned to catch me staring. My cheeks immediately flushed. "Miyeong?" He called, and I loved the way my name sounded on his lips.

"Sorry," I muttered, embarrassed, "What were we talking about?"

But they simply shared a laugh at my obvious checking out of the boy sitting beside me.

——-

When we arrived at the school, the student body was waiting outside the gymnasium eagerly, a mirage of tulle and flashy sequins entering my field of vision. Boys discreetly fixed their ties, and girls made sure every strand of hair was perfectly in place. I guess this was a big deal here- I guess I had underestimated it. Sumi had told me this is the only dance the school puts on. Proms weren't really a thing in Korea, so this formal was the only night like this these kids got. The windows around the door to the gym were blocked from the inside with black construction paper, making it impossible for us to catch a glimpse of the decor. We rocked up in style, as the boys all promised. I didn't really enjoy all of the staring happening from the onlookers, but the others relished in it, made for this scene. I was very aware of all of their whispering and stares as we exited the fancy vehicle, one shiny shoe at a time. For a moment, my brain flashed forward, a slideshow of images from this night becoming distant memories, old fellow students digging out yearbook photos for a Twitter post, people amazed that the famous Astro went to the school dance with someone like me. I was visibly shaken by the thought of how things could change in such a short time- of how soon things would have to change to protect this talented group. It wasn't until the doors opened promptly that I was pulled back to reality.