x10 – Coming Closer

Stephanie had been waiting…and waiting….and waiting…and waiting. Today was the day Micky was supposed to be back. She didn’t know when… but she knew today was the day. She had finished all of her lessons and what not early so she could spend time with him but it was taking forever for him to arrive. Just as she was about to get up and go find someone to hang out with, she heard a van door open outside. Immediately, she rushed to the door and pushed it open. The bright sunlight shone into her eyes and she couldn’t see who was getting out of the van. Anxiously, Stephanie put her hand above her eyes and started scanning the area in front of her. Just as her eyes focused, she saw him standing there.

“Oppa!” she said excitedly as she ran to him.

Her arms quickly flung around him, squeezing tightly.
Micky returned the hug and then kissed Stephanie.

“I missed you…” He said, smiling.

“I missed you too.” She said, taking hold of his hand.

They walked into the building together and went to the commons area. BoA and Donghae were watching TV while they cuddled on the couch. As Micky and Stephanie walked past, BoA simply nodded when Stephanie greeted her. Donghae said and did nothing.

“I wonder what’s wrong with them…” she thought.

Micky sat down first and then pulled Stephanie down next to him. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer.

“How was your birthday?” Micky asked as he looked at her. She seemed tired.

“It was fun. Lina bought tickets for you and me to go to Magic Land but since you weren’t here, Kibum came with me. We went to dinner before the park too…He got me Dduckbokki.” She said, smiling as she remembered the night.

Micky’s mind flashed back to his restless night just hours before he got back. He reminded himself of the race. He reminded himself that he would win, no matter what. But, for now, he forced himself to push it out of his mind.

“Dduckbokki? Why Dduckbokki? Your favorite is Jjol Myun. What an idiot…” He scoffed.

“No…I like Dduckbokki.” She said.

“Stop lying!” Micky joked.

“I’m not…honest. I thought I told you.” She said, thinking about it for a second.

“I guess I forgot. I’m sorry…” He frowned.

“Aww…its ok. Just remember next time!”

The two of them chit chatted for a little while before boredom set in. As they sat there, mindlessly watching TV, Micky sat up and patted Stephanie’s knee.

“Let’s go see a movie. It’ll be part of your birthday present.” He said, smiling.

“Ok, but…I don’t even know what is out right now.” She replied, unsure if she even wanted to go.

“That’s why we should go. Let’s be spontaneous.” He insisted, squeezing her hand a little as he said it. In a desperate attempt to get her to come, he made puppy dog eyes.

Stephanie laughed. “Fine…let’s go.” She said, standing up and stretching a bit.

She noticed BoA and Donghae had fallen asleep so she just left without saying anything. For a quick second, she remembered the way they looked when she and Micky arrived. It didn’t make sense…

When they arrived at the theater, Stephanie had to zip up her hoodie and put on dark sunglasses and Micky pushed his hat down really low. They hadn’t thought about being out in public like this. All the other times they were lucky because anywhere they went was usually late at night or pre-planned, so they didn’t have to worry about fans. This was different, almost everyone at the theater was under the age of 16…which means that they most likely had heard about Micky and Stephanie and would probably cause a scene if they saw them in public.

“What do you want to see?” Micky whispered.

Stephanie looked at the big electronic display screen behind the box office and read the names. She hadn’t heard anything about most of the movies on the list. After reading over it a few times, she started looking at the posters that were displayed everywhere, advertising different movies. Only one caught her eye. It was an ad for some monster movie.

“Let’s go see that!” She said, pointing to the poster.

“Are you sure?” Micky said, frowning a bit at the idea. The movie looked boring.

“Yeah! Let’s go!” She said, smiling because she knew he’d see it.

“Alright.”

They walked up to the office, paid for their tickets, and then went inside. As soon as they got into their seats, Micky got up.

“We forgot candy!” he said, quickly jogging off.

“Hey! Where…” She stopped. He had already disappeared.

Micky waited patiently in line, his hat still low on his face. When he got up to the counter, he read the menu. After he found what he wanted, he looked at the cashier. Something was off… Micky soon realized that she was a fan…and she had found out who she was. It didn’t help that she was partially fanning her face and trying to hold in a scream. He leaned in close.

“What’s your name?” He asked calmly.

“Han…Han Na Young.” She said nervously.

Micky was ready to dish out the final blow so soon in this fight to keep his secrecy.

“Na young ah~” he said cutely. “If you help me fast and quietly, I’ll give you an autograph…so…can we keep this a secret?” He asked, hoping she wouldn’t draw attention.

“O-ok…” She said, straitening her posture. “What can I get for you sir?”

“I need a large water and….a medium popcorn…and……some of those.” He said, pointing to an orange bag in the candy rack.
Quickly, the girl got the requested items and gave them to Micky, her hands shaking the whole time.

“How much is it?” Micky asked.

“I-its….um…. $15.” She said.

Micky smiled as he pulled out some money and handed it to her.

“Do you have a pen?” He asked.

The girl dug for a second behind the register and gave him a pen.

While she was getting his change, Micky quickly wrote “Cutie Nayoung” on a napkin and signed his name.

“T-t-t-hank you!” She said as she handed him his change and grasped the napkin.

“No problem. Remember…secret, ok?” He winked at her and then took off.

“What did you get?” Stephanie asked, a little excited to see if he had good taste in sweets.

“Popcorn…water…and these.” He said, dropping the orange bag onto her lap.

“WHEN DID THEY START SELLING THE!?-“She yelled out and immediately stopped, realizing she might bring attention to herself.

“When did they start selling these? I haven’t had these in forever!” She said, opening the pack.

“A while ago…Last time I had them was when I still lived in America” Micky replied, snagging a few from her. He put them in his mouth and then grabbed a handful of popcorn and crammed that too into his mouth.

“Nomfings like chocralte, peanur burater, and pop corrr” he said with a full mouth.
Stephanie laughed as he spoke.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” She said.

She was a little surprised though. That was her favorite snack when she went to the movies with her best friend back in the states. They would always get this candy and popcorn. It made her a little homesick, but she got over it once the movie started.

—————————————————
“Ah! Great movie!” Stephanie said as she stretched during the credits. She looked at Micky. “Did you like it?”
“Yeah…it was okay. I’d watch it again…”

She laughed and grabbed his hand, pulling him up.

“Let’s go…I’m tired.” She said, wrapping herself around his arm. They slowly made their way out of the theater and put their disguises back on. Once they hit a safe distance from the theater, Stephanie pulled off her hood.

“What time is it?” She asked as they walked.

“Hmm…” Micky fished in his pocket for his cell phone. He pulled it out and flipped it open.

“7:48…” He said.

“That’s early enough.” Stephanie said, yawning.

“What? Early enough for what?” Micky questioned.

“Sleep! I’m tired!” She said, whining a bit.

“Haha…I see…”

When they got back to the dorms, they cuddled for a little bit and then said their goodbyes. Micky kissed Stephanie.

“Good night. Have sweet dreams~” He said, smiling at her.

“I will. Good night.” She smiled.

“I love you.” He said as she walked away.

Stephanie slowed down. After taking a deep breath, she turned around.

“I love you too…” She said.