Page 56 of Wish Upon a K-Star

T he Hallyu Wave Awards were once a bucket list goal of mine.

My stylist dressed me in a gorgeous ocean-blue dress with lace overlay that sparkles as I walk. I should feel like a princess attending a ball. Instead, I’m too numb to enjoy it.

I’m late getting ready because David was double-booked. And by the time I walk the red carpet, I’m the last to arrive.

An assistant hurries me inside and points me toward my table. I thank them, trying to sneak to my seat without causing any distractions. But a few feet from my assigned table, I freeze.

I knew who I’d be seated with. Since I’m nominated for my work on OCM , it makes sense that I’d be with Minseok. I thought I’d mentally prepared for seeing him again. But the mere sight of the back of his head makes me start to hyperventilate.

I try to do my breathing exercise, relaxing myself by zones. But it’s not working. Minseok shifts in his seat, starting to turn as if he senses my presence.

And, freaking out, I hurry away. I can’t talk to him right now, not in this state. I rush to the back and dip into the bathroom.

I hide away in one of the stalls, wondering how long I can wait here until my absence is noted. I pull out my phone, texting Hongjoo to tell me when I have to be in my seat for my award nominations. Then I close the top lid of the toilet and sit.

I make it over half an hour before my butt starts to become numb. I’m wondering if I should just give in and go to my seat when two women come into the bathroom, gossiping about the outfits.

“I didn’t realize poof sleeves were back,” one of them declares. “I wonder if I should talk to my stylist before the next awards show.”

“Did you see Kim Ana’s?”

“Yea, she looks gorgeous as usual.”

“Can you believe she’d even come tonight? Isn’t there a rule against criminals coming to these kinds of things?”

“Omo, do you think she really did it?”

“Who cares? She’s always been so high-and-mighty, thinking she’s better than everyone when she’s just a rookie. Serves her right.”

I flinch at the words. It’s a tone I’m too used to overhearing when people talk about my own scandals. It’s way too triggering, even if it’s not directed at me.

“Did you hear that some sasaeng is selling Ana’s trash online? People think it’s the same person who anonymously tipped off the police.”

The other girl laughs. “Maybe Ana’s company can buy the evidence back to keep her out of jail.”

This isn’t right; I should speak up. But something holds me back. A fear of getting involved and becoming the new target. So, instead, I take the coward’s way and flush the toilet to let them know they’re not alone. And immediately the gossip stops. When I push out of the stall, the two women are gone.

I feel a weird stab of guilt that I didn’t say anything. Haven’t I wished in the past that at least one person would stick up for me when false rumors were being spread? And now here I am overhearing gossip about one of my peers and I’m doing nothing about it too.

I wash my hands just to give myself a bit more time to collect myself.

When I get to my table, Minseok is gone. I can’t help but look around for him.

One of the sunbaes leans toward me. “He was taken backstage for the Best Couple category. They want all of you to stand onstage for it.”

That’s right. I close my eyes in frustration. Hongjoo did mention an interview, but I’ve been too busy stressing about seeing Minseok here to remember.

“Shin Hyeri-ssi.” An assistant PD hurries over. “I’m glad you’re back. We need you backstage, please.”

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry.” I hurry after him, feeling bad that I caused any sense of a rush.

Minseok is alone next to the other three couples who are nominated. I can tell, even from this distance, that his suit is perfectly tailored to fit his frame.

Standing there, backlit by the stage lights, he looks so handsome. And goose bumps rise on my arms despite myself. It hurts to see him waiting for me like that. Because a part of me can imagine his smile spread as I run up to him. I can even feel the ghost of his arms coming around me.

Instead, when he turns to look at me, his face is blank. It’s not until I’m only a few feet away that I see how turbulent his eyes are.

“Hyeri,” he says softly.

“Minseok,” I reply tightly; just getting his name out takes so much effort.

An assistant comes over to line us up and I welcome the distraction. Minseok and I are last. I feel like he’s too close; his arm is just centimeters away from brushing mine. I take a small side step away just as the music for the show swells, signaling that the commercial break is over.

The other couples enter the stage as they’re announced. And when our names are called, Minseok offers his arm. The other couples walked onstage arm in arm, and I know it’s probably expected of us too. But I’m scared to touch him. Scared of how it will make me feel to be that close. Reluctantly, I rest my hand on his arm, ignoring the electricity that rushes down my skin at the touch.

It’s just a few minutes. And you don’t even have to look at him.

The host, a well-known and beloved comedian, walks down the line to interview the couples. Minseok and I are the last in line, but I’m already anxious just waiting for our turn.

His free hand comes up to cover mine in the crook of his elbow. I tense slightly, and he lets his hand drop again.

“And finally, our youngest couple, Moonster and Shin Hyeri!”

There’s a huge cheer from the balcony where the fans are seated. Banners wave and I notice that some of them say Go ShinMoon couple! I’m surprised; I didn’t realize that we have fans like that.

It takes a while for the cheering to fade and the interviewer chuckles. “Looks like you’re one of our hottest couples and I’m not surprised. Your relationship on Our Celebrity Marriage is very heartwarming. Tell us, did you expect to be nominated for an award like this?”

Minseok leans in to answer. “Honestly, it feels like the first time WDB was a contender for first place on a music show. Except, I might cry more if we win this one.” He grins at the crowd as they burst into laughter.

“Hyeri-ssi?”

“I’m just really grateful that a show that’s been so fun to film has been received so well.” It’s a perfect reply, and not even one I needed pre-written for me. I know that Hongjoo would approve.

“We actually have a request for you, Hyeri-ssi.”

“Oh?” My nerves flare. The other couples weren’t asked to do anything. Is this because we’re the youngest? Like some kind of hazing thing? I force myself to smile.

“We’re wondering if you could finally call Moonster Oppa?”

I can’t help stiffening, my hand flexing involuntarily on Minseok’s arm. His hand comes up again to cover mine and this time I don’t do anything to stop him. The camera’s red-light focus is too glaring to do anything that wouldn’t be caught live.

I hope my smile doesn’t waver and I reply. “Of course. Anything for the fans.”

I turn to Minseok, and he loosens his grip to let me face him.

His expression is carefully blank.

The host holds the mic by my face. That’s probably for the best. My palms feel sweaty and if I try to hold the mic, it might go flying out of my grip.

Just the thought of saying it reminds me of the last time I called him Oppa. How happy we were together. I close my eyes and force away the memory.

I take a deep breath, clear my throat. “Opp—”

My throat constricts on the word, making the end an awkward squeak.

“Oh, I don’t know if that should count,” the host teases. “What do you guys think?”

“Again, again, again!” chants the crowd in the balcony.

I nod and take another deep breath. I can’t quite look Minseok in the eyes as I do this, so I stare at the tip of his nose as I force a smile, and blurt out, “Oppa!”

The cheers from the balcony are wild, and the host has to speak louder to be heard over them. “I think they’re happy with that one!”

I don’t even hear the rest of his words as he introduces the short snippets from each of our shows.

But I can feel my whole body tingling. My breath comes in shallow gasps. I’m about to start hyperventilating, and I need to get out of here. What will I do if we win? Can I get through an entire speech like this?

Minseok’s arm comes around my shoulders. I want to shrug it off, but I know I can’t. He leans down, whispers in my ear. “Just take a deep breath, Hyeri, it’s almost over.”

I want to say something pithy. To tell him that I don’t need his help. But in this moment, I don’t have the ability to do that. Instead, I obey, pulling in a deep breath. It helps. The world stops spinning.

“You okay?” Minseok asks.

I can see the worry in his eyes. It makes me want to cry. It makes me want to just wrap my arms around him and beg him to erase the last week so we can go back to being happy together.

“And the winner is…”