Chapter Text
translation: an honest heart is a kingdom in itself
Bang Chan volunteering to walk with Evelyn to the girls' dorms was sudden, but not unwelcoming. The boy’s excuse of wanting to get a soft drink before bed was a definite lie, but Evelyn would’ve never admitted to seeing past his lies. He must’ve had a reason to lie to her right? After all, they were best friends. He wouldn’t lie to her if it wasn’t necessary..right? Right.
Perhaps it was how late practice had ended. What with the changing of the sky into a sickeningly ink colour that she had grown to despise and the agency’s grandfather clock ringing, enlightening everybody around that it was already 2 a.m. It must’ve seemed prudent to both the manager and Chan that it wouldn’t be wise for me to go back on my own.
Something about the silence surrounding the two of us was unnerving. Perhaps not to the curly-haired boy beside me, who was humming the melody of the song we had just been practising for the showcase. Bang chan. I’ve liked him since the moment I stepped foot into JYPe. The moment he accidentally bumped into me, causing my bag to fall on the floor and its contents spilling out.
Something about Bang chan was just absolutely entrancing. Perhaps it was the way he adores touch and acts younger than he is. He can definitely be a little immature for a nineteen year old but Evelyn found it endearing regardless.
“Whatcha thinking about?” Bang chan asks the younger girl. They had always spoken in English when they were alone. And this was no different.
“Huh?” Evelyn asks absentmindedly. The previous dance practice was still brewing in her mind, her mistakes taunting her and staining her confidence. The feeling of them eating her up was one she had gotten very used to.
“I can basically hear you overthinking, Ev,” The concerned look in his eyes paired with a light smile always had a hold on her. With that look on his face she could’ve told him all the secrets in the world.
“Don’t worry, I’m alright. Just thinking of some new facial expressions for the showcase. The ones now feel generic and forced…” She trailed off as the memories of her winking in the mirror replayed again and again making her cringe.
"Nah, I think you've got it covered right now. You're really good at facial expressions, it's crazy." Somehow, just those simple words from him had managed to calm the brewing storm in her mind. Evelyn always felt better after talking to Chan. Maybe that’s why he wanted to walk her back to the dorms. Maybe he knew she needed his presence to keep herself together.
"Thanks, Chris," She said gratefully, finally lifting her gaze off the floor and onto him. The soft smile on her face slid off immediately upon seeing the new look on his face. A look of uncertainty, so intense it felt like he was attempting to read the inside of her brain.
"Chris?"
He hummed back nonchalantly in response, his gaze still locked with hers as she watched his gaze slip slightly downwards. Evelyn wasn’t the type of person to stare at people’s lips but Chan’s were different. Full, perfectly shaped as if god had hand-crafted his lips. I wonder how it would feel to have those lips on mine
A thought that had been intruding for the past year entered her mind again. It’s extremely unfair. It’s so painfully obvious he has no interest in her whatsoever and sees Evelyn Park as a little sister but no matter how many times she tries, her heart refuses to let the silly crush go.
It’s as if her body had a mind of its own. Causing her to lean into Chan slightly, her eyes filled with shock as she watched his body do the same. It’s only when she feels his lips on hers that she realises. It’s happening , she thought. Did he.. like her like she liked him?
And just like that, their lips moved together like conductors in a perfect symphony that they were both born to play. The kiss clouded her thoughts. Making her brain go fuzzy. And suddenly, it ended. She opened her eyes to be greeted to an empty corridor, the sounds of hurried footsteps echoing through her mind.