Wild Child

Chapter 1

Two Years Ago

I yawn and close my eyes.

The sound of the guys fooling around and getting their hair and makeup done around me flood my ears, so I put in my air pods to drown them out.

I tap my foot listening to the tour playlist trying to prepare myself for the stage when all of a sudden, I feel a hand on my face.

I blink my eyes open and look around spotting Felix grinning from ear to ear.

"What?" I say pulling out an earbud.

He nods over toward the entrance.

"Looks like we have a new girl on staff."

I turn to look over my shoulder and spot a petite girl with a few red hairs sticking out the sides of her hat, rocking back and forth on her heels with our stage manager. She's wearing an oversized band tee with jeans and some older converses.

"What's she look like under that hat?" I say sitting up straighter. "Do we know her?"

Felix pats me firmly on the shoulder with a smirk as they both walk over toward us.

"I think you're about to find out."

The manager walks up to us and Felix waves before taking off in the opposite direction. I go to stand up, and the manager puts up a hand.

"It's fine Jeongin. This is Yoo-ri, your new makeup artist."

She bows slightly saying hello and I do the same.

"My new makeup artist?" I question.

"Yes, she is newer at stage makeup and what a better way to learn with the youngest skin here."

He points her to the table in front of me explaining setup and clean up before turning back to me.

"She will be getting you ready for tonight's show so I started her earlier, giving you time to get your hair fixed later. Any feedback please let me know and we can discuss with her between sets."

I go to speak but she interrupts.

"Um." she says quietly, fixing her hat on her head. "Would it be possible to get feedback during the process? I really want to do well."

I smile.

"That's no problem at all." I say before he can answer for me.

He nods and moves on to the next group messing around with a set of hair clippers behind us.

"Welcome. Are you new to JYP or makeup in general?" I say trying to catch a glimpse of her, but she turns and sets her makeup bag on the counter in front of us shyly.

"I-I'm new altogether."

She lines up a few palettes and disinfects her brushes before sticking them in the half apron at her waist. Her shirt gets in the way, so she tucks it neatly behind the apron.

"Ohh ok." I sit up properly in the chair to get a better look at my face in the mirror in front of us.

"What do you have in mind for the show?" I say trying to make small talk.

She stops moving.

"I-I just know they wanted-"

I stop her.

"Not what they want. What would you like to do for the show. I'll try anything but eyelashes." I chuckle.

That got a grin out of her.

Finally. Some personality.

She faces me and I look down at her. She looks up adjusting the brim of her hat to see me clearly.

I try not to react, but her face looks so small with that big hat on.

Interesting choice.

"I want to do something simple. Dark liner and flushed lips. She steps forward and moves some hair off my forehead. I close my eyes with a smile.

"I think you barely need anything, but I will put this on."

She shows me the compact when I open my eyes and I take it from her, opening it up.

"What's this?"

"Cushion foundation. It should stay on no matter how much you sweat tonight. It will make you look pore-less."

I nod impressed.

"I'm in good hands then. Shall we get started?" I grin.

She takes the compact back and nods.

-

"What a rush!' Hyunjin yells running past me backstage.

I jog behind him to our dressing area smiling and plop down on the couch, pulling my jacket off. Binnie sits down next to me and wipes his forehead.

"That may have been the best set we've done." he says with a happy sigh.

He cracks open a water, and I look around to see if there are more. There are but not cold.

I walk over and grab a bottle out of the pack and turn around.

"Oh sorry."

I take a step back and look down.

Yoo-ri is standing there with her book bag in hand with a water and brushes. Her sponge falls to the ground, so I pick it up and reach for her bag.

She steps aways.

"I got it. I'm sorry."

She fumbles with it almost dropping more of her belongings, so I jerk forward grabbing her elbow to balance her out.

"You're ok. Let me help you." I reach again and she looks up at me hesitantly.

"I insist."

She nods and I take her bag, walking it over to the couch by the exit. She sits and sets her things down and begins to store them away. I hold up the sponge and squeeze it with a smile.

"One more." I smirk.

She takes it and thanks me before zipping up her bag.

"Thank you. I was rushing to get out of the way before you all came back in. I have to work on that."

She slings her bag behind her back.

"No worries."

I sit down next to her and go to crack my water open.

"Don't you have a cold one? You must be hot after all the dancing."

I shake my head.

"There wasn't any left in the mini."

I point past her and she looks.

She turns back around and hands me her bottle taking mine.

"Here. Take mine."

"I can't take this. You're probably just as hot- I mean thirsty..."

I blush.

"I prefer room temp anyway." she gives me a small smile refusing to take it back.

We drink in silence for a few moments before she checks the time on her phone. I watch as the guys stretch and pack up a few things getting ready to change so we can head out.

"I should go. I'll see you tomorrow night."

She stands up and takes a few steps toward the exit.

"Get home safe." I wave after her.

She disappears through the doorway without a second glance. When I face forward, I see Chan smiling over at me and roll my eyes.

"What are you looking at?" I say nonchalantly.

He pretends to fiddle with his bag, looking down.

He's got it all wrong.

I scoff on my way over to change into my street clothes.

Nice girl.

Not my type.