The Meeting 6

Y/n's POV

Tae-hee suggests watching a film, his posture relaxed and cool just like I imagined him to be in real life. I am grateful for the opportunity to not be the centre of attention. The members have been talking to me for about half an hour straight, their attention all my way. As much as I feel flattered and stupidly happy with their interest in me, it is tiring to be put under all that pressure for so long.

Back at home, the people around me had grown used to my quietness. I love to sit at home on the sofa with my mum, the radio on in the background, just listening to her talk. I also love going to my best friend's house and lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling while she rants about the latest anime she has watched.

All of a sudden, I have been shoved out of my comfort zone, left to fight my way through a range of conflicting emotions and navigating conversations with the members. Maybe this will help me brush up on my social skills. Smiling, I shake my head softly at my patheticness, knowing that the other members were too distracted with choosing a film to question my every move.

Namgi says that he'll put English subtitles on, which makes me sigh in relief. I have studied Korean seriously for about 2-3 years, but I am not confident enough with my Korean to sit through two hours of dialogue, having to carefully translate everything in my head still.

As the room goes dark and the TV displays the film name, I relax into the sofa; feeling slightly more comfortable now that I am not in the spotlight. The blue light from the TV screen reflects on the different faces in the room, each focused on the intro of the film.

I look down at my hands, curled in my lap instinctively, and then back up at the TV before feeling my cheeks heat up and a warmth spread through my body as I think about all the times that I have dreamed of this moment.

The start of the film is dramatic and fast-paced, with an outlaw running away from the authorities. The criminal is a drop-dead gorgeous man of around 25, with black hair that is covered in sweat from running and has been pushed back to reveal his forehead, piercing dark eyes that seem to have the ability to look straight through you and a strong jawline that looks sharp enough to cut you.

He is wearing a leather jacket that has faded slightly and jeans with rips in and dirt all over, and he runs through the streets easily, his muscles contracting with every stride forward, his breathing loud and constant. He loses the police as he finds himself in the woods and settles down for the night.

The next scene is a jumpscare, something I had been completely unprepared for and that caught me off guard. Out of fright, I scramble backwards- straight into Jin-ho's arms without realising for a couple of seconds. When I do realise, my head whips around to Jin-ho, waiting for him to release me politely. However, Jin-ho doesn't seem to mind and so I stay in place, feeling my face turn red and unable to stop my fingers from fiddling with each other anxiously.

My attention now away from the film, I feel a strange aura surround me. The feeling you get when someone is watching you. I become even tenser in Jin-ho's arms, almost scared to move. I turn my head slightly, as to not disturb Jin-ho, and lock eyes with Ju-yung unexpectedly.

I am frozen. I daren't break eye contact but his intense gaze makes all of my senses flare ridiculously. He winks sexily at me before turning to the TV screen as though nothing had happened.

Wait. Ju-yung winked at me? And I'm sitting in Jin-ho's arms? The reality of the situation dawns on me and I'm afraid my heart will beat out of my chest, my pulse so loud in my head that I can almost not hear the film.

Jin-ho's POV

The film we are watching is one of our favourites. It is action-packed, romantic and keeps you second-guessing. After watching this film about 3 times at this point, I know where the jumpscare is so I only flinch a little, my heartbeat still quickening with instinctive fear. Y/n jumps backwards, however- right into me.

This makes my heart beat faster than the film could ever. Y/n tenses in my arms, evidently expecting me to push her away, but I just keep my arms around her and stare at the TV screen, pretending to not be affected, even though I am aware of the heat in my face caused by her.

She relaxes a little, but her breathing is shallow and I can feel her muscles twitch, trying to keep still. I smile to myself smugly. I guess I really am a ladies man. My ego inflates again, aware of her nerves and her embarrassment.

In the corner of my eye, I watch y/n's head turn slightly, and her eyes stop on something. Or someone. As smoothly as possible, I try to see what she is looking at. In shock, I realise it is Ju-yung, who is staring straight back at her. He winks casually and turns away.

My blood boils beneath my skin. How did he have the audacity to be that flirtatious, ruining my moment with y/n? Sighing quietly, I close my eyes momentarily, attempting to push away the negative feelings that are clouding my judgement.

Y/n stays in my arms the rest of the film and she doesn't object, or even move when I start to play with her hair. At some point, her small hand rests on top of mine, her fingers warm against my skin, making my heart beat a mile a minute. This girl has danced her way into my head and I can't even be mad at her about it. After all, it is just me being foolish and inexperienced with dealing with my feelings.

The characters on the screen kiss suddenly, a passionate, desperate longing between them after yet another near-death situation. I feel y/n tense again under my loose hold on her. My hand is on her neck and I can feel her pulse speed up, like a car on a quiet road. I am the car and she is the driver- driving me down a road I have never travelled down before.

Ju-yung's POV

Even though this is one of my favourite films, dramatic and romantic, something that never fails to make me sit on the edge of my chair in suspension, I can't take my eyes of y/n. What is wrong with me? Why does this girl drive me so damn crazy? I curse myself repeatedly for being so stupid and dysfunctional the second I am faced with a girl I find attractive.

Even sitting perfectly still, y/n seems to carry a certain energy that draws me in. Well, that could just be me exaggerating about her stunning appearance, but the point is that this girl has a certain power over me and I can't help but want to be near her. I need to stop letting my imagination run away from me.

I only met her today and so of course, I don't know her that well. She could have a hidden past, be a sasaeng or just flat out be dumb or only interested in our money. I remind myself of all these different things that y/n could be before all of my rationality melts as y/n turns and makes eye contact, surprised at my staring, but seemingly trapped. Throwing my dignity out the window, I wink at her as seductively (well that's what I hope it looks like) as I can and turn back to the TV screen, enjoying the feeling of knowing I have made y/n's thoughts race around her head.

Maybe I can entrance her just like she has me.

(1342 words)