A Rose Between Thorns

Chapter 41: Trigger

The night isn't over just yet.

I'm backstage with the guys, still a bit overwhelmed from their stunt at the end of the show. Gisselle is currently trying to fix my hair, creating thick curls at the ends. My makeup has been taken off for the hundredth time today, I've already lost count, and was replaced by a simple, more natural look. Not to mention my little preparation area is filled with bouquets of roses from the boys. I don't even know what I'm going to do with them all!

I feel a gentle kiss on my cheek, and I look up to see Jungkook smiling down at me. He takes the seat beside me as the stylist rushes over to fix his own hair. "So, how do you feel?" The maknae asks nervously.

"Honestly? Tired. Tired but happy," I add as Gisselle scoffs from above me.

"I'd say, you look like shit."

"Thanks, Noona. I totally needed to hear that."

"Your welcome."

Jungkook laughs as Gisselle and I banter a bit. We have a fan meet in a little bit to end the night off, so it's nice to relax beforehand. "To be honest, I'm a little nervous," I say quietly, looking at my reflection in the mirror. This is my first fan meet, since I've never been able to even attend one of theirs in person, much less be a part of it.

"Ah, don't be." Namjoon says from behind me, smiling at me from the reflection. "I requested to be right beside you to help translate."

"Normally in fan meets, the fans have the opportunity to go to each of us individually, but we can't do that in your case." The rest of the guys have gathered around us, Hoseok being the one who spoke up. "So fans will meet with both you and Namjoon together. Just until you become more fluent in Korean, okay sweetie?" He adds the last part upon seeing me pout in disappointment. I hesitantly nod as Namjoon pats my head.

I ignore the fact that Hoseok called me that as Gisselle finishes up with my hair, shooing Namjoon's hand away from my head. "Do not fuck with my masterpiece, sir!" Gisselle scolds, causing Namjoon to raise his hands and back away. We all start laughing at his reaction, and soon I'm called to get changed in the dressing room.

I change back into my normal clothes, which consists of a pair of skinny jeans and a white oversized button up shirt that I stole from Jungkook. The maknae didn't know about it, that is until I stepped out of the room.

"Ya, you little thief!" Jungkook says as I skip back into the room, already in a good mood. "You shouldn't take things that don't belong to you." Despite his words he can't hide the bunny grin on his face.

"I look so adorable though!" I reply, sticking my tongue out playfully.

The maknae raises a brow in amusement. "Why you little-"

Cue my escape! I book it out of the lounge, careful not to accidentally exit backstage as I run from the rabbit chasing after me. Being smaller than Jungkook, I easily navigate my way around people and objects, while he has to struggle not to run into them.

Soon enough I lose sight of him, and I quickly duck into an alcove of some kind. It reminds me of back in high school, when my theater friends and I would play hide and seek. I hide behind a partially drawn curtain, holding my breath so as not to make noise.

I hear footsteps fast approaching, so I'm careful not to move as someone enters the alcove. How did he see where I went? I ask myself, before something clicks in my potato brain.

Super Luck.

A hand appears around the curtains, and in my head I'm panicking a bit, wondering what Jungkook is going to do once he sees me. Only it's not Jungkook, but Taehyung who is staring at me with a huge boxy grin. "Noona, what are you doing here?"