ASAP

“Surprise!”

The girls burst into tears, walking into the restaurant beneath the loud sounds of poppers and party blowers, and enthusiastic clapping and cheers from the staff. Pink and gold streamers cascade around them, catching in their hair. They’ve changed out of their concert outfits into casual clothing, oversized sweatpants and hoodies. When they see that everyone in the room is wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “ASAP’s Debut Showcase” and the date, they cry even harder.

I make eye contact with a junior staff member and together we hurry to the back of the room to light the candles on the custom cake—a beautiful, two-tiered cake with blue and pink piped flowers and “Congratulations” in white lettering along the top. As we bring it out, the crew sings “Happy Birthday.”

As one, all six members blow out the candles. Youngmin’s got a hold of a confetti cannon, and it explodes over the room to more cheers.

“Thank you all so much for supporting us,” Sun Ye says, crying, but from happiness this time. “We couldn’t have done it without you. I know it’s been a tough few weeks... and years...” Her eyes travel to the girls who came from Dream Music. “The road will be difficult still, but because of this team, because of the other members who give me hope and inspire me to be a better leader, I look forward to the journey. Please continue to support us.”

Together, the ASAP members bow deeply.

The party isn’t scheduled for long, as ASAP has recordings booked for the weekend music shows, including EBC’s Music Net, but it’s important to celebrate as many moments as possible along the way.

“This was a good idea, Sori. I’m glad you suggested it.” Director Ryu stands beside me, champagne flute in hand. “We would have done something at the company, but this is better. And we have entertainment.”

The singing coach brought a karaoke machine with her, and Youngmin and a few of the boy trainees perform “Wake Up,” having, of course, memorized the entire choreography by heart.

“Do you know when my mother is coming?” I ask Director Ryu.

“Oh, she didn’t tell you? She couldn’t make it. She’s taking a few of the sponsors out to a restaurant.”

My stomach drops. She’s not... coming?

Director Ryu pats me on the shoulder. “I’m sure she would have liked to be here too.”

She thinks I’m disappointed, and I am. But I’m also... frustrated. Tonight would have been the perfect opportunity to speak with her. The successful debut of ASAP is a triumph for both of us. There couldn’t be a better time to approach her about Nathaniel and me. Now I’ll have to wait even longer.

The door opens. My eyes fly to the door in time to see a junior staff member enter.

Jaewoo already texted after I sent the invitation to let me know he couldn’t make it, since he’s still in Busan with his family, but Sun and Nathaniel should be here any moment.

Ten minutes pass—Jiyoo screams, announcing to the room that ASAP is trending #1 on all the major sites—then another fifteen.

“Are you waiting for someone, Seonbae?”

Hyemi stands behind me. I thought I’d been discreet, but apparently not.

“No, I’m just...” Her head is tilted to the side, watching me curiously. I change the subject before she sees anything else in my expression. “I saw you earlier with Ruby,” I say, naming the member I’d seen Hyemi holding hands with in the dressing room. “You seemed to be getting along.”

“Ruby-eonni is from Hong Kong and speaks English. We like some of the same TV shows and video games. She’s a big We Bare Bears fan.”

“Really?” I need to speak with Ruby more. “Congratulations, Hyemi-yah. How do you feel?”

“Like I could do anything. Like this is only the beginning.”

“It is! I’m so happy for you.”

“Actually, Seonbae, I’ve been meaning to tell you—” she cuts off, her eyes straying behind me. I turn around to see Sun walking through the glass doors, his jacket casually flung over his shoulder.

“Hyemi, will you excuse me?” I say and hurry over to Sun. “You’re late.” I look past him for Nathaniel, but there’s no sign of him.

“It’s good to see you too,” he drawls.

“Did you come alone?” Hyemi asks. I blink, surprised to find her beside me. She’s also asked the question I was about to ask.

Sun studies her, his expression opaque. “Would that disappoint you?”

She goes white, then pink.

“Leave her alone,” I say, my protective instincts kicking in.

Sun points to the cake. “Is that cake?”

“I’ll get you some!” Hyemi scurries away. Sun moves to follow.

“Nathaniel didn’t come with you?”

His eyes stray to me. “His mom called. He’s out front.”

I don’t stay to watch Sun get his cake, rushing out the doors.

The night air is cool against my skin, and I wrap my arms around my body as I search the outer courtyard.

I picked this restaurant because of its secluded location. It’s one of many buildings on a large, sprawling park with forests and creeks. Besides the restaurant, there’s also a coffee shop and a museum dedicated to a renowned architect.

I peek my head through the gate where a pathway leads to the parking lot. I don’t see any sign of Nathaniel. I don’t think I could have missed him. To the right, another path—the one lit by stone lanterns—leads into a grove of trees.

It feels only natural to follow this path. The sky is cloudless. Moonlight pours through the thin canopy, silvering the trees. The path leads to a small stone bridge that spans over a tiny creek. I can see the museum through the trees, lit from within, shining like treasure in the darkness.

“Sori?”

I turn.

Nathaniel stands at the other end of the bridge. He pockets his phone—he must have just finished his call with his mother. He doesn’t ask what I’m doing out here. Does he know that I came looking for him? Thoughts of my mother aside, something good happened tonight, and so I wanted to share this moment with the person who makes me the happiest.

I start walking toward him across the bridge, and then I’m running.

I launch myself into his arms. He takes a few steps back from the force, his arms going up to catch me. For a minute neither of us moves. I listen to his shallow breaths. His heart beats rapidly against my own.

His hand slides up my back, and I shiver in his arms. “Sorry we’re late,” he says. “Sun stopped to get gas. There were some fans...”

I shake my head. “Did you watch ASAP’s performance?”

“I did, on the car ride over. They were incredible. You should be proud.”

“It was all them. They were the ones that practiced relentlessly, put in the hours.”

“You did too,” he says, “or did you forget?” I lean back to see him smile, a glint of mischief in his moonlit eyes. “I saw you every night when you came back after practicing with Hyemi. You were not not sweaty.”

I feign hitting him in the chest and he catches my arm. His long fingers circle around my wrist gently, his thumb brushes against my pulse.

This isn’t the perfect order—I would have liked to have my mother’s permission first—but I can’t hold back any longer. It’s like what Hyemi said, about feeling like she could do anything. I feel the same way. My happiness gives me wings, making me brave enough to go after what I want.

After everything I’ve done for Hyemi, for my mother, I can finally do what I want...

Like in the pool, I stand up on my toes and bring my mouth to his.

The kiss is sweet, if brief. When I release him, I look up into his eyes. They’re half-lidded, gazing down at me.

“Do you mean it?” he asks softly. His fingers around my wrist tighten infinitesimally.

“I mean it,” I say. “With my heart, with my body, with my soul.”

His breath hitches, and then he’s kissing me. He lets go of my wrist to drag his hand through my hair. I tremble at his touch, gripping his shoulders to keep from falling. His hand lowers, pressing me closer until I’m flush against him.

My lips open beneath his. When his tongue slides against my own, I feel as if I’m melting.

His kisses are long and soft; mine are just as ardent. I could kiss him forever, except that I made a promise. Tomorrow, after I talk to my mother, I won’t have to hold back.

I give him one last lingering kiss, then step away.

He looks a little bereft, so I raise my hand to touch his cheek.

“I’ve wanted this for a long time,” he says, covering my hand with his own.

“For two weeks?” I ask, breathless. I think of all the times I thought he was going to kiss me.

He shakes his head. “Longer.”

My heart stutters. “Two years?”

He presses his forehead to mine. “I feel like I’ve wanted you for half my life.”

I groan. How am I supposed to resist him when he says things like that?

He kisses me, harder than before. I give in momentarily, but then break away. “We have to go back.”

“I was never there.”

“I have to go back. And you have to greet everyone. Don’t you want to congratulate Hyemi and the others?”

He sighs, dropping his head to my shoulder. “Can’t we just text them?”

I laugh, grabbing his hand. “Come on.” I tug him up the path, only letting go when we’re in view of the restaurant.

No one notes our arrival together except for Sun, who raises his champagne flute as if to toast us.

Spotting me, Hyemi hurries over.

“Congratulations, Hyemi,” Nathaniel says in English. He reaches out and ruffles the top of her head.

She flushes prettily, tugging at the hem of her hoodie.

“Hyemi-yah,” I say, remembering that earlier, before Sun’s arrival, she was in the middle of saying something. “What did you want to tell me?”

Her face turns an odd shade of scarlet. “Oh, I—” She glances at Nathaniel, then at me, panic on her face.

I frown. “What’s wrong?”

“It—it’s nothing.”

“Are you sure?” I press. If she’s having an issue, I want to help her.

“It’s about what we talked about in the practice room,” she blurts out. “Before we left for the drama shoot.”

“What we... oh!” My eyes widen. We’d discussed Joah’s policies on dating.My eyes dart to Nathaniel. Of course, she wouldn’t want to talk about her crush on Jaewoo in front of him. I really put my foot in my mouth.

“We’ll talk about it later,” I whisper, and she nods.

I usher her over to where the ASAP members are singing karaoke with Youngmin and a few of the junior staff members.

They glom onto Hyemi, and she ends up singing a song with Youngmin, then Nathaniel. I sit at a table with Sun, who, having found the champagne too sweet, has moved on to black coffee. Every time Nathaniel catches my eye, I look away, aware of our surroundings.

The party winds down. As everyone leaves toward the parking lot, I linger behind the rest.

“Sun’s expecting me to go back with him...,” Nathaniel says from behind me, his voice close to my ear. “I’ll make an excuse.”

I shake my head. “No, go with Sun. I need time to think.”

There’s a beat of silence. “Think?”

I realize how that must sound as if I’m second-guessing my actions tonight. I reach back, sliding my fingers through his. Sun Ye turns around to wave, and I wave back with my other hand. “About what I’m going to say to my mother tomorrow,” I whisper.

Nathaniel draws in a breath. “You’re going to talk to her? About us?” Now Hyemi’s waving as she gets into the van with the other girls.

“Among other things.”

Everyone’s walked through the gate of the courtyard except for us. Nathaniel pulls me to the side, out of view. Pressing me back against the wall, he kisses me. I slide my hand through his silky hair and taste the champagne from his lips.

“I really can make an excuse,” he says, when we part.

I laugh.

“Sori?” Secretary Park calls from the opposite side of the wall.

I lean forward and kiss Nathaniel on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

An hour later, snuggled in bed with my stuffed animals, I text Nathaniel. I’m home. Dream of me.

His response is immediate. Always.

As I’m putting my phone on the bedstand, I receive another text.

It’s from Hyemi. There was something I wanted to tell you earlier, but I didn’t get a chance. Please keep this between us. I’m so embarrassed, but I can’t hold it in any longer. I think I’m in love with Nathaniel.