The Star and the Fangirl - A Lisrene Adaptation (AU)

Chapter 9 - Nicknames

"These fries... Mmph! Are probably the best fries I've ever had!" Lisa spoke with a full mouth. She knew it was rude but she couldn't help it.

"I'm glad you like 'em!" Irene too spoke with a full mouth and they both chuckled while enjoying the food. "They really are great" She added. Lisa is so great! I can totally relax when we talk, she really seems like someone I could hang out with if we only lived in the same country. She's so quirky, yet so adorable. And we can goof around like we've known each other for longer than an hour.

I know I shouldn't. I know it's wrong. I know it will only lead me to disappointment, but I could get used to hanging around with Irene. Like, I feel we're connecting, not just on a star-fangirl level, but on a friend to friend level. But I really can't think about it too much, can I? After this event, everything will get back to normal, she'll have a music career, I will have my career, so yeah... I better enjoy these moments while they last. Lisa mused as they were both being silent for once, dipping their fries into ketchup. 

I really enjoy this silence. They both thought, as they ate their food. 

"Irene! Hey, sorry it took me longer than I thought, there was an ACTUAL LINE at the music shop...yeah!" Chanyeol came into the club once again.

"Oh, no! No problem, Chan, we're still on time!" Irene said with a full mouth again. Then she stood up and waved to him while saying: 

"Come over here, I want you to meet someone!" Lisa was blushing slightly. She's introducing me to her friends?! This is really something else!

I want you to meet Lisa! Lisa Manoban!" Irene said happily.

"Oh! Manoban? I don't think I've heard of that last name." Chanyeol said with a smile while offering to shake his hand toward Lisa.

Lisa stood up as well and shook his hand with the biggest smile she could come up with. She was shaking again. Another star from Korea just met her.

"I'm Lisa." She said happily.

"I'm Chan!" Chanyeol replied with an even bigger smile than before.

"You haven't heard of it because she's not from around here!" Irene added with a smile.

Chanyeol was quick to pick up.

"Oh! Oh...! Is she... No! No way! IS she the fan that was supposed to come all the way from Thailand?" Chanyeol's face lit up from the excitement.

"Yes she is!"

"Yes I am!" both Irene and Lisa said those words emphasizing the pronouns.

  "Oh wow! That's so cool! You were the talk of the day today after Irene's radio show. She couldn't stop talking about how someone from "all the way from Thailand" is coming to see her show."

"Oh wow...I...I don't know what to say." Lisa spoke, nervously giggling and looking towards Irene.

"Well, its true, I really appreciate my fans, no matter where they come from. But this was something different!" Irene replied happily.

 "Also, I just wanted to say that I really like EXO's music as well, and I'm really happy you're going to perform "Love Me Right" tonight." Lisa added.

"Oh! It's an honor to meet another fan, once again!" Chanyeol couldn't stop smiling.

"Hey Irene, Chan! If everyone is here, we should get back to the rehearsals and mic checks!" A voice was heard from the stage. Irene and Chanyeol laughed becuase they knew how management could really insist on doing everything right away.

"Coming!" They both replied happily. Chanyeol went to the stage, while Irene turned her body towards Lisa.

"I have to go now. You sure you're going to be okay, alone here?" She said with a caring tone in her voice.

"Oh yes! don't worry! This day is so great and overwhelming, I think I need to be alone a bit to collect my thoughts!" Lisa nervously giggled. I need to be alone, really?

"Oh Lisa, you!" Irene smiled. From her face, Lisa concluded that Irene took Lisa's words about being alone as a compliment and she didn't worry anymore.

"Anyway, I have to go now! See you later Lisa!" Irene said with a triumphant smile, like she was ready to rock the stage right at the rehearsals.

"See you!" Lisa sighed, feeling relief.

This actually went well. Now I just have to wait for the concert. I have some food, I can order a drink. Yeah, I think I'll be fine.

Irene's rehearsals continued, and she wanted to get everything right. She also wanted for the other people on stage to sound right, so she would get up every five minutes to check and see if everyone sounded good. She was pleased.

After about half an hour she came off the stage and walked towards Lisa, smiling from ear to ear.

"That was... I don't even know where to begin, you're such a professional!" Lisa complimented her.

"Thank you!" Irene replied gratefully. "Lisa... we still have a couple of errands to do, behind the stage things and everything, so I will be leaving you for now until the concert starts." She said in a sad tone.

"Oh!" Lisa was surprised that Irene said that in such a sad manner. "No, you don't have to worry about me Hyun! I will be happy here, waiting for the event." It then dawned on Lisa that she actually just gave Irene a pet name. She felt blood rushing through her cheeks.

"Hyun?" Irene was surprised, but kept a smile on her face. 

"Oh! I'm so sorry. It just slipped, I-"

"What are you apologizing for? It's just a nickname hahaha. I'm just surprised since moments before I was "Irene Bae", and now I'm "Hyun." Irene laughed hard. "You're so funny Lisa."

"Hehe" Lisa chuckled nervously.

"Well, okay then... Lili" Irene paused before she said the nickname, and when she said it, she giggled. Lisa couldn't believe what just happened but she giggled along. Irene then continued: "See you later!"

"See you!" Lisa ended on a smiling note.

"LILI! SERIOUSLY?  HOW ADORABLE CAN SHE BE?