Just then, there was a knock on the bathroom door. “Uh, Hobi?! You’re up next.” It was Jimin‘s voice. Interrupting Hobi’s moment. Hobi was going to put them all off for this sweet girl.
But before he could say anything, she lifted her head and turned around to grab a paper towel and wipe her nose. “It’s okay. You’re here to work. I know. I’ll be fine. Just show me where I can watch you.” She smiled tremulously at him.
His arms were still encircling her. He didn’t want to let her go. “Are you sure? I can put them off for a few minutes.”
She shook her head. “No! Don’t! I’m – I’m fine. Really.” She threw her paper towel away. “See? I’m fine.”
He glanced down at her precious face. “You’re more than fine. You’re so cute!” On an impulse, he reached out and pressed the tip of her nose with his slender forefinger. “All right. Let’s go. Jimin will show you where you can sit.”
Jimin had led her to the front row. She sat waiting, expectant and a little shy. Six young men and a crew of other people were all looking at her curiously. She tried to block them out as Hobi strode out onto the stage. For a while, as she watched Hobi dance and sing, she was distracted from being the center of their attention. But when he had completed his song, she felt like they must all be whispering about her. She wanted to crawl under her seat. Why had she agreed to come? Ah, yes. Hobi. One look from those pleading eyes, and she had been putty in his hands.
Suddenly, a young man with shockingly bright blond hair sat down next to her. He steepled the fingers of his hands together. Then he leaned his head towards her; though, he kept his eyes trained on the stage.
He spoke roughly into her ear, “It’s all right. They’re not really all staring at you. It just feels like they are.”
She turned her head to look at him. His nose and chin were rounder than Hobi’s, but he, too, had a pleasing profile. And kind eyes. Though, as they turned to return her gaze, she recognized something sorrowful in them. This boy had sad eyes. She wanted to reach out and touch his hand and reassure him that everything was going to be all right. But from where would she get such assurance? She couldn’t even tell herself that.
Suddenly, the corners of his mouth lifted in the sweetest smile. But his eyes were still sad. “I promise. No one will bite you. Though, Tae might nibble on you a bit. But he’s harmless, really.”
What a strange thing to say!
She simply stared at him with wide eyes. Then he grinned at her, revealing white teeth and a swath of pink gums. “Sorry. I gotta go! I’m up next!” He stood up and bowed to her with a deep flourish. “Nice to meet you, Sakura!”
Then, he was gone.
“But I didn’t even get your name,” she spoke to no one in particular.
