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“Huh? I don’t think—”
“I guess that’s normal. I’m a Leo, so I tend to get attached to people quickly. Maybe you just need more time.”
It’s like he can’t accept the fact that someone doesn’t like him.I guess it’s not a big surprise that an internationally famous K-pop star like Bryan thinks this way. He’s probably used to girls falling at his feet. But still...
“Bryan,” I try again. “I—”
“Hey, you two,” says Mr. Lee, interrupting me as he walks over to where we’re standing. I was so caught up with what I was telling Bryan that I hadn’t even noticed he’d gone ahead.
Mr. Lee’s accompanied by two other guards that must have come down from the summit. “It’s showtime. Put on your earplugs before we head up to the tower.”
“Earplugs?” I ask, still flustered by Bryan’s and my conversation.
Bryan gets out a small pouch from one of his pockets and gives it to me.
“Here,” he says. “These are brand-new.”
I open the pouch to find two earplugs still in their original packaging. I give Bryan a questioning look.
“You’re going to hear alotof screaming.”
I immediately put the earplugs in.
Since Namsan Tower is one of the top tourist places in Seoul, the square at its base is always pretty crowded. But it’s even more jam-packed now, so much that I can’t make out the steps that lead to the tower itself. Paparazzi have their professional cameras and mics ready, while fans carry signs that say everything fromBryanHanatoBryan is mine, go die!My brain swims from all the mixed messages.
At the sight of us, the crowd rushes forward. Mr. Lee and the other guards immediately step in front of us to create a protective shield. The earplugs don’t block all the sound, but it muffles everything, so I hear a dull roar rather than ear-splitting shrieks.
Bryan says something, but I can’t hear him at all. He must have realized I can’t understand him, because he grabs my hand and starts leading me closer to the tower.
When they see us holding hands, the crowd gets impossibly louder, so much that even with the earplugs, my ears start ringing. Out of instinct, I tighten my grip on Bryan’s hand. He gives me a startled look, but then his face melts into an almost boyish smile as we push through the crowd. It feels like a moment straight out of a Korean drama, except we’re not filming anything right now. And I don’t actually like Bryan.
Even though it’s freezing out, the full force of everyone squished around us is warming me up. The guards—who are doing their best to keep us safe—are sweating profusely, and so are the fans who are pushing against them in their attempts to get to us. Bryan’s hand, which initially felt nice in mine, becomes clammy. Although I can’t make out exactly what people are saying, I get hit by some of the spittle from the fans as they yell at us.
The worst part is that there’s no end in sight. I can see the tower peeking out from above everyone’s heads, but we’re so surrounded that I have no way of telling where we are in relation to it. I keep alternating between thinking we’re almost there to thinking that I’m just hallucinating it getting closer.
My vision blurs. I’m about to pass out when Bryan lets go of my hand. Panic shoots down my spine before I realize why. We’re finally here.
I’m face-to-face with the double-storied glass-walled baseof the tower, which has restaurants and souvenir shops. I remember reading in a travel guide once that Namsan Tower has a bunch of cute statues and other fun areas where you can take pictures with your friends and loved ones. Something tells me that Bryan and I won’t have time for any of those things.
Supposedly, you can get a good view of the city below from the tower, but I can’t see anything except the expectant faces of the fans surrounding us. We’re trapped with the tower behind us and the crowd in front of us.
Bryan gestures at his ears and takes out the earplugs. I do the same, momentarily cupping my ears with my hands so they can adjust to the noise.
Bryan waves. “Hi, everyone!”
Fans scream and jump up and down.
Bryan looks at me and gives me the charming smile that’s on K-pop posters all over the world.
We’re acting, his expression seems to say.This is all pretend, so play along.
And just like that, it’s like he’s pulled a switch. Regardless of whatever’s really going on between Bryan and me, one thing has always been true: we bring out the best in each other, acting wise. And today’s no exception. I let my lips spread wide into a fake smile of my own.
Just think of all this as acting practice, I tell myself. It’s the only way I can think of getting through the current situation.
“I bet you’re all waiting for this.” Bryan puts a hand inhis pocket and takes out a bright red heart-shaped lock. The lettersBYandHJ, our initials, are scribbled on it in black Sharpie, along with a plus sign that links us together.
I gasp in delight, like it’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.
