You're So Pretty
-Chapter I-
"I really hope it isn't going to be awkward...he should be here any minute" Onew says quietly.
"Yeah. I mean, what if he feels left out and stuff? I really hope we can make him feel comfortable" Minho replies.
"Guys, I really think you're worrying about this too much. Everything will be okay." Taemin says in an attempt to cheer us up.
I sigh loudly, then I brush my black hair out of my eyes. The clock says 10:34 at night, the expected arrival was 10:30. The guys and I are all sitting around the kitchen table in our dorm, waiting impatiently as the time we've all been worried about is here. Our manager told us a week ago that our four member band was going to have a fifth member. He said that this new boy was very excited to be joining us, and that we should give him a warm welcome when he arrives. Of course we're glad to have another member, but there's always that chance that things won't work out.
A knock on the door startles us all and we look at each other with anxious expressions before standing up and heading toward the foyer. Once there, Onew opens the door slowly to reveal our well-known manager, and a boy clutching a suitcase.
"Hi guys" Says our manager, "This is Kim Kibum, our new SHINee member. Why don't you introduce yourselves while I run downstairs to grab the rest of his things?"
"Sure." We all say in unison.
"Okay, I'll be right back." Says our manager before turning around and walking back downstairs.
Kibum slowly walks inside and sets down his suitcase to take off his shoes and coat. Once finished, he stands up and swishes his dark hair around nervously. "Hello, I'm Kibum. Nice to meet you. I'm really looking forward to getting to be in this band with you." He flashes a smile framed by dainty pink lips, and I can't help but notice how...pretty he is. Like, kind of girly. He's got a tiny figure and long, slender hands. His face is really structured with sharp cheek and jaw bones and cat-like eyes. He spots me staring at him and he blushes a bit.
Onew smiles that big, goofy smile and says, "So, why don't we take a seat on the couch and get to know one another."
"Sounds good." Kibum says.
We all settle down in the T.V room and Minho, Onew, Taemin and I introduce ourselves. We tell him about what being in the group is like and we explain our positions. Manager-hyung looks over at us everytime he enters with one of Kibum's suitcases to make sure everything is alright. Kibum explains that he moved here from Daegu and that he loves to sing, rap, and dance. After a while, all the tension melts away and we find ourselves giggling and telling silly stories.
Once an hour or so of chatting had passed, we decide to go to bed because it's getting late and we have to practice tomorrow. Before he leaves, manager-hyung tells us that he'll set up Kibum's bed and dresser tomorrow while we're out, and I learn that I will be sharing a room with him. I'll kind of miss being in a room by myself.
"Um, I can sleep on the couch if you'd like to use my bed tonight," I say to Kibum, "I just washed the sheets today."
"Really? Thanks." He smiles at me.
"Yeah, no problem. See you in the morning."
After brushing my teeth and putting on my comfy sweats and t-shirt, I grab a pillow and blanket and walk out to the couch. I plop myself down into the cool softness and close my eyes. I smile to myself, because I have to admit, I'm pretty happy that things went well tonight.
"Can we try it again? I still can't manage to get my part right" Taemin asks in a huff. The five of us have been practising the routine for "Love Like Oxygen", our next song to be released since our debut a few months ago.
Minho starts the music again and we go through the routine for what feels like the fiftieth time. I still can't believe that Kibum was able to pick it up so quickly and easily. He really is a good dancer, not stiff or awkward at all.
"Hey, do you think you and Kibum could go get a few towels from the room behind the other practice studio? We've used up all the ones here and I think we should take a break now." Onew says to me once we finish the run through.
"Sure." I say, wiping the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand. I look over at Kibum who is fixing himself in the wall to wall mirror.
"Alright, let's go." He says after a few seconds, then we both walk out of the room and into the hall.
"So, how do you like being in the group? It's a lot of work, huh?" I ask.
"I really like it. It certainly is a challenge, but it's a fun one."
"Yea."
We enter the empty practice room and Kibum flicks on the lights.
"The towels are in here." I say as we head towards the back room. "The light bulb is burned out, so we can just feel around and leave to door open to use the light that enters from the practice room."
Kibum nods and I twist the silver door knob and open the door. The room is medium sized and stuffy, and It's filled with dance clothes, CD players, chairs, microphones, and towels. We leave the door open and start searching the shelves in silence. Suddenly I hear the quiet click of the door, and the room becomes black. A feeling of panic fills my stomach as I then remember why we rarely enter this spare room.
"Dammit." I hiss.
"It's okay, I'm right by the door. I can open it up again." Kibum says casually.
"No, it's probably locked. I totally forgot that this door locks from the inside. We should have put a chair in the door jam or something." I hate when I do stupid things like this.
"...Oh." I hear Kibum twist the door knob, but it doesn't open. "Um, that's okay, I guess. I mean, the others will probably start to worry after a while and come get us right?" Kibum's voice breaks on the last word.
"Maybe. Wait!" I feel around the pockets of my pants in hopes of finding my phone, but I realize it isn't there. "Never mind."
Kibum lets out a shaky sigh, "I'm kind of freaked out. Where are you anyway?", he asks, "I can't see a thing."
"I'll try to make my way over to you."
I keep my hand on the wall and I take slow steps towards where I think he might be. Then I stick out my free hand and feel around the space in front of me. I take two more steps, then my finger lands on what I think might be his nose. I hear him giggle as I reach out with my other hand and feel the rest of his delicate face. His skin is so soft. I let my fingers trail down his neck and touch his collarbones...okay, what am I doing? My hand drops and I clear my throat.
"Did we even find the towels?" Kibum asks quietly.
"Right! I remember seeing them over there." I walk back over the where I had been searching before and feel around the shelf until I feel the fabric of the towels. "Here they are!" I sing as I grab a bunch of them. I make my way back over to Kibum again, walking a little bit faster this time. My foot gets caught on what feels like the leg of a chair, then a sharp pain runs up my knee as I hit the ground, sending the towels flying.
"Ow..." I groan, rubbing my knee.
"Oh my gosh, did you just fall? Are you okay, Jonghyun?"
His voice sounds closer than I thought. I try to stand up, but the painful sting gets in my way. "I'm okay, really." I crawl towards him and sit on my knees before reaching out to grab his legs for support. I feel his fingers touch my hair. "I'll help you. Where are your hands?" he asks.
"It's okay, I'm good. It doesn't hurt that bad."
"God, I wish I could see you. It'd be so much easier."
"Yea." I say.
Suddenly the door swings open, and the two of us turn our heads to find Taemin standing there with a puzzled expression on his face.
Oh God.
What that boy sees right now is me holding Kibums legs as I sit on my knees in front of him, and Kibum with his fingers in my hair. I just remembered that I said it doesn't hurt that bad, and Kibum asked where my hands were and said that it'd be easier if he could see me... This is going to be fun to explain.