Stars

It was hot, sweaty, the stars were watching us and it was 1 o’clock in the morning. Bodies were rubbing against each other as we jumped up and down to VIXX’s last song for the night. “Thank you for coming to our concert!” shouted Ravi into the microphone. We all screamed with joy. “We were only able to come this far because of you Starlights! Thank you for your support!” said N. The audience screamed even louder. “Learn from us. We are here because of hard work and support. You can only get so far in life. Know that you can achieve your dreams no matter how distant they look, just put in the effort and believe in yourself. Effort and sweat never betray you.” Said Leo. We all “awwww’ed” at Leo’s wise words. “Now we will give out hugs to our faithful fans!” shouted Hongbin. The audience shrieked and cried. The guards at the stage shouted at the audience. “Move and form rows of 6! Move! Move! Rows of 6, people! Don’t push!” I squeezed against my friends. “I’m so happy you got tickets for all of us!” I shouted to my friend Sally. She shouted something back, but I couldn’t hear her over the screaming. I looked at my 3 other friends who were eager to get hugs; their eyes bulged out of their skulls, their pupils dilated, their shoulders were stiff, legs shaking. I was so exited as well! “I really want a hug from magnae Hyuk!” I screamed to Sally. She looked at me but didn’t respond; I guess she didn’t hear me.

"At 1:15 the hugging session is over!" Shouted the guards, "1:15, people! 1:15!" I heard cries from the crowd, as the fans at the back of the line knew they would not get a chance to hug the idols. I spun out my phone and checked the time; 1:06 am. The lines were in rows of 6, in front of each line there was an idol standing there. Hyuk, Leo, N, Ravi, Ken and Hongbin wearing handsome black suits. I was luckily standing in the line Hyuk was in front, Tanya and Adriana were standing behind me, Sally was in the next line and Julie was in the one after Sally. I poked my head out of the line and saw Hyuk, smiling and waving to the screaming girls approaching him then finally giving them gentle hugs. "We're almost there!" I shouted to Tanya and Adriana, "We'll make it by 1:15!" They squealed and jumped in the tight space. I laughed and checked my phone to see if we actually could make it, 1:10 am. My insides lit up, we could make it!

We were so damn close! 1:13 am and I was next! After a period of watching the other girls get hugs, I saw that you didn't have to hug the idol who was standing in line, you could hug anyone, but if somebody else was hugging them you can't wait for the idol to be vacant. My heart pounded as I got closer and closer to hugging Hyuk. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, the sensation made me smile. One more person to go! It was my turn! After 15 minutes of waiting! I looked him in the eyes to make sure he knew I wanted to hug him. He smiled and waved warmly. I smiled back and started towards him, but something ran past me. Sally squealed as she jumped onto Hyuk and nearly made him fall over. I couldn't wait for him to be vacant so I sighed sadly. Who should I pick? Leo was staring distantly into the sky. I smiled and walked up to him, "Hello, my name is Melinda." I smiled. He didn't smile back and glared coldly into my eyes. He sighed and opened his arms for me. I awkwardly accepted his invitation and wrapped my arms around him. I was short so my head rested against his chest, his heartbeat rung in me ears and his firm arms made me feel safe. I looked up into his eyes and we let go of each other. Eyes still locked, I smiled and thanked him. "No, thank you for being a supportive fan." He replied, I smiled at him. "I hope to see you again Melinda." I walked off to my group of friends who all received hugs. Sally and Tanya were crying with joy. "Hongbin is so hot!" Tanya was shouting as tears dripped from her eyes. Adriana was hugging herself, “Ravi!!!” she wailed. Julie walked up to me, “I was gonna hug Leo.” She said, “Oh, I’m so sorry! Its just, I was going to hug Hyuk but Sally got in before me so…” I didn’t finish my sentence when Julie cut me off. “It’s OK,” she said with a smile. “I hugged Ken instead.” We call calmed down and went our separate ways. I searched my bag for my myki card. Oh shit! I didn’t bring it! I blew air out of my mouth in frustration. I paced around; mum is going to be so mad! I searched her name in my contacts and called her. No answer. How am I going to get home now? I cant fare evade, that’s wrong! I gripped my hair and bend down, “What am I gonna do?!” I shouted. Home was an hour away, if I walked I would take twice as long, and it’s so dangerous at this hour. Still crouching on the ground, I attempted to call my mum again. Nothing. I looked around and remembered that there were still people here waiting to get home, and they were all staring at the weird girl who screamed. I cleared my throat and stood up, awkwardly smiled and walked somewhere I could be frustrated in peace.

I figured behind the stage would be empty so I went there. Trying to reach my mum again as I walked. “Come on mum, pick up.” I whispered to myself. As I approached the area behind the stage, I saw that there was somebody there. I stopped and hid against the stage so I could examine Hyuk. Still in his suit, he sat against the back of the stage with his legs crossed and was calmly looking up into the star filled sky. I sighed and found myself smiling at the sight of him, I wish I hugged him. Headlights approached, has the VIXX bus come to take him away from me? I shook my head at the thought, “He doesn’t belong to me.” I breathed. As the vehicle came closer, I realized that it was not the VIXX bus, but a black van. Even the windows were black. The black van skidded to a stop and the sliding door opened. Hyuk looked down at the van as a man wearing all black and a black balaclava ran at him with a bat in his hands. The magnae stood up, but it was too late. The man in black struck the idol in the stomach, Hyuk groaned. The man in black lifted the bat to strike again, and without thinking I raced towards him. My mind was confused and blank, but my body knew what it was doing. The man in black swung the bat into Hyuk’s stomach again and he fell to the ground. As the man in black raised the bat once more, I held onto his bat with my left and used my index and middle finger of my right hand to jab him in the eyes. He screamed and I didn’t give him time to recover. I kicked him at the back of him knee and he fell on one knee, I used the opportunity to snatch the bat and swing it. It hit him in the shoulder and he screamed louder and clutched his shoulder. I cursed under my breath and hoped that I didn’t break anything. I knelt next to the still recovering Hyuk. “Shit.” I heard someone say, I looked over my shoulder and saw 2 more men dressed in black and balaclavas run to their injured comrade. “Come on! We need to leave!” I shouted. I pulled at his arm to get him to stand. He coughed and managed to stand, “Can you run?” I asked, he nodded and we ran. “To the VIXX bus!” I shouted at him. He nodded again.

We flew into the bus and saw the other VIXX members relaxing. “Oh, Hyuk, I was just coming to get you.” Said N. Leo looked at me, I guess he recognizes me. I greeted him with a nod. “We need to go now hyung.” Hyuk huffed to N. “There are people after me.” The eyes of the members of VIXX widened. “Go.” N instructed the driver. The driver closed the door and stepped on the gas pedal.

Notes