Chapter 12 – The Girl in a Movie

The team Bullet's last stop was Thailand. We filmed there for a week until the 28th. We had a simple celebration on the evening of the 24th for the Holidays.

It was not the first time that I spent Christmas away from my family, so I was used to it. I just video-called my mom and siblings, and sent greetings to my friends in my home country. I also greeted the guys of DAY6 and promised them to bring them an elephant each. Of course, it was a joke.

On the 25th, I was surprised to receive a call from Young Hyun. He mentioned that he was celebrating the holiday alone since Jae went home in LA while the other three went to their respective hometown.

"When are you returning to Seoul, anyway?" He asked.

I was in our hotel room that day, enjoying our one-day rest by watching Youtube videos.

I laughed at the video I was watching before I answered him. "On the 29th. We'll wrap up our shoot on the day before."

He must have noticed I was not giving him full attention because he asked, "What are you laughing about? You seemed happy."

I paused the video and listened to him attentively and wholeheartedly. "I'm watching something. GOT7's really funny, aren't they?"

It's the group's videos I was watching actually.

"Hah. And I thought you're our number one fan!" He exclaimed on the other end of the line. He did not sound angry, but he might have found it hilarious.

"Hey, I'm a Kpop fan," I said, defending myself, but I was laughing at his tirade. "I listen to different groups. It just so happens that you guys are my favorite band."

"Woah, jinjja. I really thought that we are the only one in your heart."

It sounded cheesy, but I was laughing at it. "Sorry, no one owns my heart."

"Not even me?"

The question caught me off-guard. It almost stopped me from breathing. But I tried to act normal despite the wild beating of my heart.

I forced to laugh. "Are you 'no one'?"

He laughed at the joke.

It was a joke, okay? Though I was hoping he would bite it, but he didn't.

"Ya, let's have a New Year date."

Wait, what?

I thought my heart exploded at that moment. I was not able to answer, frozen on the spot.

"Hello?"

It felt as if cold water was poured unto me. "Huh? Uhh, yeah, sure."

He sounded excited. "Okay! Just a simple friendly date, probably we can watch a movie?"

If that was an example of 'friendzoned', then I guess I was 'friendzoned'. I knew it. It was only a 'friendly' date. What should I expect?

It was still a week, but we already planned the New Year. I guess that's what happens when two people are alone in the New Year. They get alone together.

Okay, forget it.

After we wrapped up our shoot, we had a little celebration with all the casts and crew. The next day, we flew back to Seoul.

I stayed home until the 31st to rest. I would be busy again in the coming month for the post-production and the screening. Working in film production had always been a tiresome work, so I had to take a lot of rest whenever I could, so as not to compromise my health.

On the morning of 31st, I was woken up by the ringing of my phone. I did not check who the caller was and answered the call with my eyes closed.

"Hello?"

"Did I wake you up?" It was Young Hyun.

I checked the time and it was only eight in the morning.

"Yes," I answered honestly.

He laughed softly as if having fun teasing me. "I'll pick you up at six, okay?"

"Why? We can just meet at the cinema." I was still half-asleep, but I was already looking forward to six in the evening.

"What if you got lost again or you might be hit by a car?"

I snorted at what he said. "Araseo." (I understand.) "You don't have to treat me like a kid."

After the call and upon realizing what would happen, I quickly got up and looked through my wardrobe. Shirts, long sleeves, pants, more shirts, more long sleeves and more pants. Not the best wear for a date, right? (Although it was only a 'friendly' date.)

But I wasn't the kind of person who wears dresses or skirts. I always wore what was comfortable for me. Hmm…Anyway, why did I need to worry about what to wear? I did not have to impress him, right?

I just went back to bed and tried to sleep again, but the anxiety was killing me. So I got up again, ate breakfast and took a quick hot shower. It was cold, I knew, but I could not go out of the house without taking a bath.

After that, I went out to the nearest shopping center. I looked around the shops, but I could not find what I wanted. I felt frustrated. Then I saw this really sleek brown coat, perfect for going out in that cold winter. I just decided to buy it and a white long-sleeve shirt with black stripes. I decided to wear light blue collared long sleeves underneath, and partner those with washed-out jeans and black vinyl boots. It was simple, not flashy, and a bit trendy.

It was perfect though because Young Hyun was wearing simple get-up too: moss green parka, black statement shirt with a dark blue collared shirt underneath, black pants and brown boots. But what caught my attention was his statement shirt which said, 'I AM NO ONE'.

Familiar?

He arrived ten minutes early in a white car and was leaning on it, looking chic, when I got out of my apartment.

"Are you here for a commercial shoot?" I joked as I walked towards him. It was hard joking around when your heart was beating wild and fast.

"Jjang, you look really cool yourself."

I felt my face blush. "I am always cool," I just boasted to conceal my nervousness.

We drove to Lotte Cinema in his white car. He told me he just rented it for our 'date'. I even teased him about his driving skills.

He wore a face mask when we got off the car. When he did, I just remembered that he was a star…and I was just nobody whom he would have never met if I did not attend their concert. The reality made my heart ached, but I tried to suppress it so as not to spoil the mood.

We had not decided what movie we would watch yet, but we got in a mutual agreement when we arrived at the cinema: we'd watch the special screening of A Moment to Remember. It was a Korean drama film released in 2004. It told the heartbreaking story of a husband's love for a wife with Alzheimer's disease.

I could not understand, but I was really drawn to that movie. It was as if I could relate to the leading lady when in fact I had a good memory. I already watched it thrice and every time I did, I cried a river. It was so sad and touching at the same time. The movie actually helped me write such stories, though I had never film such one yet.

And we all knew Young Hyun had always been a bit sentimental when writing songs. He probably needed to watch such melodrama for their new songs.

"Do you understand it?" He asked me while the film was starting. He removed his mask when we entered the theater.

There were no English subtitles, but I knew I did not need one. I knew the film by heart.

"Actually, no. But I already watched it several times that I memorized the scenes and the whole story."

He chuckled. "It's the first time I'm seeing it."

"Oh, you won't regret it."

As usual, I cried again until the ending of the film. I did not know if it was actually because of the film or because there was still no response from Ms. Tina about my dream film or because I just realized how hopeless romantic I was, but I really cried a lot. Young Hyun even kept checking on me, asking if I was okay. He too had his eyes brimming with tears, but he didn't drop any of it.

"Ya, why are your tears so shallow?" He asked after the movie.

I was wiping my tears with tissue I bought outside the theater. "Just because." I looked at him. "You're also about to cry."

"Aniyo." (No.) He denied, but it was obvious. His eyes were red.

From the cinema, we went to eat in a nearby restaurant. It was packed with customers, but good thing he had already reserved a table for us. We tried very hard to be quiet, so as not to draw attention, but we could not help laughing at our own jokes. It was hilarious.

It was already past ten in the evening when we arrived at Seoul Tower Plaza. He said that he really wanted to bring me to Namsan Tower. The place was packed with people, locals and tourists alike. There were families, couples, friends…

I never liked going to crowded places, but that time, I did not mind.

Young Hyun covered his face with his mask again, but I could still see in his eyes that he was happy. Well, I was too. We toured the Tower until we got to where they put those lovelocks. If I went there on another day, I might have probably frowned upon those lovelocks. But because I was feeling good that night, I just let them be.

"Would you like to put one?"

I was shocked by his sudden question. "Me?"

He nodded.

I thought it was a joke, so I laughed. "I don't even have a so-called 'special someone'?" I made a quoting gestured.

He flaunted his shirt in front of me. "See this?"

I did not how to react. Should I take it as a joke? My hopeful heart kept telling me it was not, but...

Someone pushed me from behind and I stumbled forward. Thankfully, Young Hyun caught me, but it only made my heart beat more. We were too close that it made me uncomfortable.

I immediately pulled myself away from him and turned around to see who pushed me.

"Jeosonghabnida! Jeosonghabnida!" (I'm sorry! I'm sorry!) The woman apologized repeatedly.

I told her it was okay and then realized she was familiar. "Oh? Park So Eun-ssi?" I smiled at her.

She finally recognized me. "PD-nim! What are you doing here?"

I shrugged, "Just touring around." Then I noticed the guy she was with. "Your boyfriend?"

"Ah, ye." She introduced me to her boyfriend, then noticed that I was also with someone. "Your boyfriend too?" She asked referring to the guy beside me.

I laughed nervously and looked at Young Hyun. "Ah, n--" I was about to correct her when my companion cut in and shook hands with So Eun and her boyfriend.

"Young Hyun-imnida."

I stared at him with wide eyes. What did he just do?!

The couple left us because they had a reservation at the restaurant in that Tower. When they were already out of earshot, I faced Young Hyun to reprimand him. He could not just introduce himself like that. What if he had fans nearby?

But he did not even let me talk; instead, he held my shoulders and turned me around to the panoramic view of Seoul.

"It's starting," he said.

It was indeed. Fireworks began to light up the sky. It came from different areas of the horizon. The audience clapped and cheered in awe. It was beautiful. I had seen a lot of firework displays, but so far that one was the most enjoyable.

"Happy New Year."

I looked at Young Hyun and noticed he had already taken off his mask. We probably mirrored each other, with big smiles plastered on our faces. The only difference was I might probably look so in love while he was looking all friendly. Still, it was the one moment I would treasure for the rest of my life.