Page 32 of Flip the Script


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I wave at her. Her entire face lights up as she walks over to me.

“Hey!” Minjee says. “Glad you could make it out. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas to you, too! Wanna take a selfie together with the tree?”

“Yeah! It’s so pretty this year!”

She takes out a selfie stick, and we take several photos, alternating between various poses that range from goofy to glamorous. It feels like we’re back to being just two relatively anonymous high school students instead of costars in one of the most-watched Korean dramas of the year.

“These are so cute!” Minjee exclaims, looking over the pictures on her phone. “Wouldn’t it be so funny if we both posted these on Instagram tonight, meredaysbefore it’s revealed that we’re rivals who hate each other on the show?”

“Oh my gosh, let’s do it.” I smile at the suggestion. “I’ll do it if you do.”

“Okay, it’s happening. I’ll send you the photos. Let’s do it later, though, when we’re back at home. We don’t want everyone on the internet to know we’re here right now.”

“Good call.”

We make our way down the stairs to the path along the stream. Compared to the overwhelmingly bright lights of the Christmas tree in the plaza, the ornament- and tree-shaped lights of the path are dimmer but not any less beautiful. Shimmering bridges and Christmas light–covered arches illuminate the path, and tons of gift- and gingerbread house–shaped photo ops line the stream. Most people are too busy taking pictures of their loved ones to notice Minjee and me, so we’reable to walk in peace and snap more of our own photos along the way without anyone stopping us to ask for autographs.

Guitarists busk at the edges of the path, and with the holiday music, giddy laughter, and excited chatter of children and couples alike, it really feels like we’re walking through a winter wonderland.

The silence between Minjee and me feels comfortable, and I’m more at peace than I’ve felt in a long time. We spend most of the time looking at the various decorations along the stream, but occasionally our eyes meet. When Minjee grins at me, I feel so happy in a way I can’t even begin to understand.

“Hey,” Minjee says when we reach the subway station. “Thanks for coming out on a holiday. I know how important family time is to you.”

“No problem,” I reply. “How have things been for you back at home?”

She shrugs and looks away, staring at a little kid walking by holding both his parents’ hands. “The usual. My parents act like we’re all as close as their on-screen families when we’re out in public, but when we’re at home, we’re all in our own rooms and hardly talk to each other. We don’t even acknowledge each other during mealtimes. We’re all just staring at our phones.”

I reach out and squeeze Minjee’s shoulder. My parents and I don’t get to spend much time together nowadays, either, but when we do, we treat every minute like precious gold. I can’teven imagine how things must be like for her.

“Well, if you ever want to come over after the shooting day, let me know. My parents aren’t always home, but I’m sure they’d love to have you over again whenever they are.”

Minjee puts her hand over mine and gives me a surprised but grateful smile.

“Thanks,” she says. “I’d really like that.”

I’m walking home from the subway station when I get a call from Sophia.

“Hope you had a good Christmas,” she says as soon as I pick up. “Sorry for barging in on you on a holiday like this, but I’ve been talking with Bryan’s team throughout the week, and we agreed that you and he should go on another date again this coming Saturday, on New Year’s Eve. I know it hasn’t quite been a whole month since your first date with Bryan, but last week’s ratings were pretty disappointing. And we thought it’d be good for you two to go on another date and announce that you are officially an item since the first episode with Minjee comes out on Saturday as well. It’ll hopefully generate more drama and interest to help the ratings.”

I don’t know what question to ask first. I finally decide on “You talked with Bryan’s team throughout the week?”

“Yup, I exchanged numbers with Bryan’s manager. We’ve been texting.”

“Oh, okay. And Bryan knows about all of this?”

I wonder if that’s why Bryan sent me that random Christmas text earlier today.

“I’m assuming so,” Sophia says. “Ms. Ahn is a bit catty and a bit too old-school in her business methods for my tastes, but I don’t think she’s the type of manager that goes behind her clients’ backs.”

I think about how much of a confusing whirlwind things have been between Bryan and me for the past couple of weeks. Sure, he seemed friendly the last time we were on set, but that was while we were working. I have no idea where things stand between us beyond that.

If Bryan and I were friends, I’d text him right now and ask how he felt about the whole situation. But I don’t feel comfortable messaging him anymore, especially not after what happened after our first “date.”

I’ll ask him in person when we meet up on Saturday, I decide.

“Mr. Kim also agreed that you and Bryan should go on another date this weekend,” Sophia adds.

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