#shineeve

“That’s good, that’s good.” He nodded. Clapping his hands, he leaned forward, placing his arms on the desk. “I don’t want to waste your time, so let me get right into it. There’s going to be another season of Produce 101 coming up and Mnet asked me if I had any trainees I’d like on the show and I thought of you.” He pointed at her.

“Um, that’s–”

“I know that you’ve been going through some stuff recently,” he interrupted, “and you probably don’t want to do a survival show, but–” he shrugged his shoulders, leaning back in his chair again– “I figured you could use a distraction.”

Eve nodded slowly, playing with her fingers. “When does it start shooting?”

“Sometime in February or March. It won’t start airing until later, though.” He played with his rings, staring at the trainee. “How about you think about it? Come back to me in… a week?”

“Yeah, okay.” She stood up from her chair. “Thank you,” she said, bowing before she left.

“And what did you say?” Somi asked.

“Nothing,” Eve answered. “He said he’d give me a week to think about it. So, I’m going to think about it.”

The two girls were at a Korean BBQ place, having agreed to meet for dinner. Eve had just told her friend about the offer Jinyoung made her.

“Unnie, you have to do it!” Somi said, making herself another lettuce wrap. “You’d blow the roof off the place, you’re one of the most talented people I know.” She shoved the wrap into her mouth.

Eve watched over the meat as it cooked. “I don’t know.” She sighed. “I just don’t feel ready.”

Somi rolled her eyes exasperatedly. “That was your excuse for not going on Sixteen. I’m beginning to think you don’t want to debut.”

“Yes, I do! I just want to make sure that when I present myself to the world, I’m at my best.”

“Unnie, there’s no way you can be at your best as a trainee. You’re going to learn more as you’re in the industry,” Somi told her. “Have you told your brother?”

Eve shook her head. “I forgot to tell him yesterday and he’s in practises for SHINee’s upcoming concerts.” She said, assembling her own wrap. “I told my parents and they said they’ll support whatever I choose.” She stopped moving, staring Somi in the eye. “My dad very unsubtly said he wants me to say yes.”

Somi burst out laughing, clapping her hands. “Your dad knows what I’m talking about! Unnie, you are too talented to not make your debut.”

Eve hesitated to eat her wrap. “I… whatever!” She exclaimed, showing the wrap in her mouth. “Enough about me,” she said as she chewed. “What’s new with you?”

Somi groaned. “Just trying to negotiate with PD-nim about my solo debut. The usual.”

Eve chuckled, all too aware of her friends’ struggle with seeing eye-to-eye with their CEO. “I think you might just convince him one of these days.”

“You bet?” Somi asked, a hopeful glint in her eyes.

Eve nodded. “Yeah. And if he doesn’t budge, I’ll fight him for you,” she promised, causing the younger girl to smile.

“Thank you, unnie.”

Eve rolled her eyes, a smile gracing her face. “Yeah, yeah. Eat more.” She put more meat on Somi’s plate.

The next day, Eve walked to the elevators of the SM Entertainment building, dragging her school bag as she walked and entered the first one that opened. She went to the floor that SHINee’s practice room was on, knocking on the door when she arrived. There was silence on the other end and then–

“Come in, princess!” Minho shouted.

She entered the room, letting go of her bag when she closed the room. “I’ve arrived,” she said, doing jazz hands. The four men were scattered in the room: Minho by the speakers, Taemin on the bench, Jinki lying starfish on the ground and Kibum staring at himself in the mirror, going over choreography. Her eyes roamed the room some more, looking for a fifth man, but stopped once she remembered.

“We see that.” Minho chuckled.

“Your hair’s so messy,” Taemin said, pointing at her sad excuse for a ballet bun.

She ran her hand through it. “We ran through every dance five times today and did extra strength and conditioning. Teacher Haeun wants us to do the dances in our sleep! Since it’s the senior’s last performance as students, she wants it to be our best one ever.”

“Right!” Taemin exclaimed. “You’re graduating this year!”

“Finally!” She groaned, making Taemin laugh.

“Make sure you don’t work too hard,” Jinki warned, raising his arm in warning.

Eve saluted. “You got it.” She chuckled as he laughed. Looking to Kibum, she shifted on her feet. “Oppa, can I talk to you?”

Kibum stopped going over the choreography, turned around and looked at her. “What’s up?” He asked, walking to her.

She shook her head. “Nothing major. I just need your advice.”

“I can also give you advice!” Minho shouted, walking to the siblings. The three of them sat down on the floor near the door.

“So,” she started, “JYP PD-nim said that he wants to put me on the upcoming season of Produce 48, but I don’t know if I should.”

“Do you want to?” Kibum asked her.

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I think about going on the show and I’m scared. I think about not going on the show, and I’m filled with regret.”

“When do you need to answer him?”

“Um…” She checked the date on her phone. “Three days.”

“I think you should do it,” Taemin spoke up from across the room. He walked to the trio, Jinki following behind him, and sat down with them. “You’ll obviously come in first place and debut.”

“You’re way too talented to still be a trainee,” Jinki added.

She pursed her lips in thought. “You think? Because Somi said the same thing, but I don’t know.”

Kibum lightly shoved her shoulder. “Yah! What’s the worst that could happen? And don’t take that as an invitation to start listing out bad things,” he said, stopping Eve from doing exactly that.

Minho squeezed her leg. “You’re just overthinking it.”

“That’s literally all I do,” she said.

“Close your eyes,” Jinki instructed, tapping her incessantly when she didn’t immediately obey. “Take a deep breath.” He waited for her to do as instructed. “Squeeze your hands. Now, roll your shoulders back. What’s your favourite colour?”

“Pink,” she answered.

“Song?”

“1 of 1.”

“Do you want to do the show?”

“Yes– Oh.” She opened her eyes, looking at the oldest member. “Oh.”

“Hyung, you’re like a wizard,” Kibum commented, shifting away from his member. “But now that you know, are you going to do the show?” He asked his sister.

Eve nodded slowly, thinking it through. “Yeah. I think I am.”

Taemin whooped. “Yeah!”

She sat on her heels, leant forward and wrapped the members in a hug. “Thank you ahjussi’s.”

Minho reached up, wrapping his hand around her wrist. “No problem, Nabi.”

Eve knocked on Jinyoung’s office door, entering when he let her. Looking up from the papers on his desk, he smiled at her.

“I assume you thought it over?” He asked.

She nodded her head. “Yes, I did and I would like to do the show.”

His smile got bigger at her words. “That’s great news! I’ll tell the executives.” She nodded, turning to leave the room, but stopped at the sound of his voice. “This is really great. I’m… I’m planning on debuting a girl group,” he told her, “and I wanted you in it, but I wasn’t sure if you were ready. But this will be a good opportunity to test you — see if you’re ready.” He looked down at the papers on his desk. “Your debut in the group will depend on your performance on Produce 48,” he said, “so make sure to do a good job.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, gulping. She couldn’t deny the amount of pressure she felt too do good in order to debut in a permanent group.

He smiled at her once more. “You may go,” he dismissed.

Eve nodded, leaving his office. She walked to the elevator, going down to the practice rooms for her lesson. As she approached her room, she pulled out her phone.

[nabi’s ahjussi’s]

nabi [18:34] i told PD-nim i’d do the survival show

keybutt (ahjussi #3) [18:34] yeah!!!!!!!!!!! woohoo!!!!

taem (ahjussi #5) [18:34] fighting nabi fighting!!

flaming charisma (ahjussi #4) [18:34] we’ll make sure to support you!!!

Eve stifled a laugh when Jinki sent a dancing gif. She turned her phone off, putting it in her dance bag. As she entered the room with the other trainees, she told herself she’d work harder than anyone in the entire trainee system to secure her place in the new girl group.

tagging: @seolboba // @ateezivy // @ateezjuliet // @cafemilk-tea // @smh-anon // @alixnsuperstxr

“Isn’t this too much?” He asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I asked my hairstylist what I’d need and I just brought everything she said.”

He nodded, watching as she continued organising the hair products.

“But–” she looked up from her work– “where are the other ahjussi’s?” She looked around the empty practice room.

“They went to a café,” he answered.

“All three of them?”

“I don’t understand it either.”

Eve shook her head, going back to work. She finished up a few seconds later.

“Okay. I’m ready for you.” She placed a pillow on the floor for him to sit on. He moved to sit, shifting so he was comfortable.

“What hairstyle are you going to do?” Jinki asked as Eve started brushing his hair.

“Pigtails,” Eve answered. “Simple and cute.”

Jinki reached behind him to touch the hairdryer. “Then what’s this for?” He asked with a laugh.

Eve huffed. “I don’t know. Unnie said I should have a hairdryer just in case. So I brought it just in case!”

“Okay, okay.” Jinki nodded. “Don’t get too worked up.”

Eve playfully rolled her eyes. She picked up a spray bottle filled with water. “Unnie said it’s good to work with damp hair,” she explained as she sprayed Jinki’s hair.

“Did you not use water when you did your hair for dance?” He asked.

She nodded her head. “I did, but I’d also use hair spray when I needed to get rid of wisps.”

She swapped the spray bottle for a rat-tail comb, sectioning out his hair. Taking one of the hair ties off her wrist, she messily tied the bottom section to keep out of her way. She picked up the comb again, sectioning his hair down the middle.

“Is this the centre of your head?” Eve asked, holding the comb over Jinki’s forehead.

Jinki thought for a second. “A little to the left.” Eve moved her hand half a centimetre. “That’s it!”

“Okay.” Eve redid the middle part, trying her hardest to keep the line straight. She messily tied the right section off so she could do the left section. “How’s rehearsal’s going?” She asked.

Jinki hummed. “No complaints. It’s nice to be with all the members again.”

“Taemin ahjussi has started being a menace, right?”

Jinki chuckled. “It took him five minutes to start being himself.”

Eve giggled as she tied the left section. “Yeoksi, my partner in crime is back.”

“You haven’t seen him yet, have you?”

She shook her head as she admired her work. “I’ve been busy,” she said.

She untied the right section as they continued talking and brushed it out. Eve did her best to make sure the pigtails were at equal heights on Jinki’s head. As she started tying his hair, the door opened and the other SHINee members entered.

“Nabi!” Taemin exclaimed, getting ready to run to Eve.

“Wait!” She shouted as she finished tying Jinki’s hair. She used one of the brushes to brush away some of the wisps then handed him a mirror so he could see himself.

“It looks so cute,” Jinki gushed. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” Eve packed away her things then stood up. “Okay continue,” she told Taemin.

“Nabi!” He exclaimed again, running to her.

“Taemin!” She exclaimed as she also ran to him. They met in the middle of the practice room in a hug. “Never leave ever again,” she said when they pulled apart. “These people are so boring,” Eve complained, throwing Kibum and Minho brief glances.

“Yah!” Minho whined.

Taemin nodded in understanding. “It must’ve been so hard. I’m the only fun one!”

“Yes! They kept being boring like ‘You can’t do that, it’s dangerous’ and ‘That is almost definitely illegal.’”

“I’m back now, you can have fun again,” Taemin comforted, patting Eve’s head. “You’re a redhead,” he pointed out, playing with Eve’s hair.

“You’re a blonde,” she said, touching his hair.

“Did you do Jinki hyung’s hair?” Kibum asked, fiddling with Jinki’s pigtails.

“When did you get over there?” Taemin asked, pointing at his member. “I thought you were still at the door.”

“I walked here,” Kibum deadpanned.

Eve nodded her head. “I did his hair. He grew it out and I had to take my opportunity before he cuts it,” she said, her voice breaking off at the end as she pretended to get emotional.

“Do my hair too,” Minho said as he walked to the bench. He started unpacking Eve’s bag. “Why is there a hairdryer here?”

Eve walked to Minho. “My hairstylist said I should bring it just in case, so I brought it just in case,” she explained. She pointed at the pillow Jinki was still sitting on. “Sit please.”

Minho pushed Jinki off the pillow, causing the older man to groan. Jinki pushed himself up to a standing position, softly kicking Minho to the side as he walked to Taemin.

“What have you been up to since I was away?” Taemin asked Eve as he and Jinki started messing around.

Eve picked up the spray bottle as she answered, “I had comebacks with ITZY, filmed a drama, did a variety show with Jinki ahjussi, had my solo debut–”

“Nice!” Taemin cheered.

“–fainted on stage–”

“Not nice.”

“–was on hiatus, came back from hiatus, went on tour and that’s about it. Oh, I also started a variety show, which reminds me–” she pulled Minho back by his hair so he was looking up at her– “you guys need to come on it when you have your comeback, please and thank you.” She released his hair before picking up the rat-tail comb to section off his hair.

“That’s So Evie?” Minho asked.

Eve hummed. “Most of the comments under Jinki oppa and Kibum oppa’s videos are asking to have SHINee on the show.”

“Of course we’ll go,” Kibum said as he sipped his coffee. “Just talk to our team about it.”

Eve paused as she tied the bottom half of Minho’s hair. “Have your comeback first.”

Minho laughed as Kibum responded, “I’m just saying! For when we do come back.”

“Okay,” Eve said as she parted Minho’s hair down the middle. “Why did all three of you need to go buy coffee?”

“Key didn’t trust me to get his order right,” Minho answered.

“And they both didn’t trust me to get their orders right,” Taemin added.

Eve continued working on Minho’s hair as they all talked. She smiled as Taemin told them about his cats’ newest habits. When Eve was done with Minho’s hair, she tapped his head.

“Thank you for the service,” Minho said as he observed his hair.

“I take cash or card,” Eve told him, holding her hand out. Minho laughed as he shook his head.

“I’ll pay you later.”

Eve nodded, stretching her arms out. “You better. Otherwise I’ll report you.” She looked at Kibum and Taemin, who were lying next to each other on the floor. “Next customer?”

Taemin shook his head. “My hair isn’t long enough.”

“Neither is Minho’s and look at him.” Eve pointed at Minho, who was comparing his hair to Jinki.

“I’ll grow my hair out and then you can do it,” Taemin said.

“Okay. Key?”

“I’ll also do it next time,” Kibum said with a sigh.

“Cool.” Eve packed up her things. “Can my clients pose for a picture?” She asked, pulling her phone out of her sweatpants pocket.

“Yes hairstylist-nim,” Jinki responded. He and Minho stood side by side with their arms wrapped around each other as they posed for Eve’s picture. They then ended up taking selfies with all the members.

“Okay, I have to go now,” Eve said after Minho placed her down on the floor from where she was perched on his shoulders for the last picture. “I was graciously given two hours to be here and disturb your schedule, so bye.” She hugged all the members goodbye before fetching her bag from the bench.

“Bye Nabi!” Jinki waved as Kibum walked her to the door.

“Bye. I love you!” She said, making a finger heart over her shoulder as she left.

“We love you too!” Taemin shouted.

tagging: @seolboba // @ateezivy // @ateezjuliet // @smh-anon // @alixnsuperstxr // @cosmicwintr

“Of course we are,” Jinki said.

“Well wonder no more. Because I am going to tell you now,” Eve said, then kept quiet and looked down. The boys passed looks on the couch in confusion.

“Are you telling us now or..?” Minho asked.

“Just give me a second to be dramatic please.” Was she starting to get nervous? Totally. Did she want the ground to swallow her whole? 100%.

“Oh, sorry. Take your time.”

“Thank you,” Eve sighed. “I have big news to tell you.”

“I’m so hungry,” Kibum complained, absentmindedly playing with Garçon.

“You should’ve had breakfast. This news is very big. I don’t think you guys are ready for it,” Eve said, stalling as she felt her heart start beating faster than normal.

“You’re making me scared.” Jinki looked at the other members quizzically.

“That’s crazy because I’m also scared.” Eve raked her hand through her hair and started tapping her foot.

Kibum stopped playing with Garçon and looked at Eve, noticing the tremor in her voice. “What is it?”

“Well, as I said before, it’s big news,” Eve said as tears welled in her eyes, silently cursing her nerves for getting the best of her.

“Ah, why are you crying?” Minho asked as Kibum got up and hugged her, kissing her hair.

“I don’t know!” Eve groaned and wiped her eyes. Kibum rubbed her back comfortingly, looking over her head at the two boys on the couch.

“Are you okay?” Jinki asked.

“Yeah,” Eve took a deep breath and stepped out of Kibum’s embrace, looking at the three men in front of her before letting her eyes land on Kibum. “Ihaveaboyfriend,” she muttered under her breath.

“Eh?” Minho asked, leaning forward to try to hear her better.

“I have a boyfriend,” Eve repeated louder, still keeping her eyes on her brother, who just looked at her blankly.

“Like a male friend? Many people have those,” Jinki said, looking at Minho and Kibum questioningly.

Eve chuckled dryly. “No, oppa. Like a boyfriend. You know, romantic partner?” she added the last part when she noticed the boys still looked confused.

Kibum was the first member to understand what she was saying and lightly punched her arm. “Yah! Is that what you were so scared to tell us?”

“Yeah, I mean you guys overreact every time a male so much as looks at me so… I don’t know,” Eve sighed defeatedly, putting her hands on her hips. “I thought you guys might be upset, or disappointed or something.”

“Ey, that’s just to annoy you,” Minho said as Kibum led her back to the couch, holding her hand. She was now between him and Kibum. “We don’t actually mean it.” He reached over and nudged her shoulder.

“Yeah. That’s just us being overprotective of you with the intention of annoying you,” Jinki adds.

“Thanks,” Eve said dryly, accepting the tissue Minho gave her.

“So,” Kibum started, singsongingly, “who’s the lucky guy? Is it the one you told me about?”

“Yeah, it’s him.” Eve playfully rolled her eyes as a light blush coated her cheeks.

"”Wait, wait, wait. Kibum knows who he is? That’s unfair!” Minho complained.

“How is it unfair? We’re siblings! We gossip and update each other about our lives! Don’t you do that with your siblings?” Kibum retaliated.

“Well, I do, but I want to know what’s going on in Nabi’s life.”

“Don’t worry ahjussi, I haven’t updated Kibum oppa about it ever since he told Taeyeon unnie, who then told Hyoyeon unnie, who told Sooyoung unnie, who told Tiffany unnie. And they all one by one gave me advice on how to deal with my crush,” Eve said as Kibum looked away in shame and Jinki laughed.

“Wow! You really can’t be trusted with secrets,” Jinki said from the end of the couch.

“I don’t even remember telling her!” Kibum defended himself.

“That’s so funny — hilarious even — but I just want to know who your boyfriend is,” Minho interrupted, causing Kibum to reach over Eve and pinch him.

“I don’t know if you know him. He’s San from ATEEZ. He’s really funny and kind and sweet. He asked if he could be my boyfriend and I said yes,” Eve said, tucking some hair behind her ears.

“He asked if he could be your boyfriend?” Jinki asked.

“Yep.”

“Not if you would be his girlfriend?”

“Nope.” Eve shook her head.

“Wow. people are really stepping it up these days.” Jinki rubbed his hand over his face.

“I approve!” Minho exclaimed. “Him asking to be your boyfriend is the best thing I’ve ever heard someone do, seriously. And we all know that you wouldn’t say yes to him without thinking things through.”

“Thank you, ahjussi,” Eve chuckled.

“Did you tell your members? And the company?” Kibum asked, still holding Eve’s hand.

“Yeah. They weren’t surprised in the slightest,” Eve answered, leaning back into the couch.

“Who else did you tell?"” Jinki asked.

“No one else. I’m gonna tell mom and dad either today or tomorrow. But I wanted to tell you guys first because, believe it or not, I care about what you losers think.”

“So sweet,” Kibum said dryly and dropped Eve’s hand, causing her to laugh and lean on Minho instead.

“Once again, I’m shocked by how much you’ve grown,” Jinki said. “It makes me feel like I’m a dad.” He wiped away fake tears.

“The whole lot of you are so dramatic. No wonder I turned out like this.” The boys laughed at her, Minho jokingly nudging her in the ribcage.

“Next time you have news to share with us, how about you don’t call us at 6am on our day off?” Minho asked.

“I’ll try my best,” Eve said coyly.

“You know we’re gonna support you no matter what you do. As long as it’s not illegal, though,” he added seriously.

“Taemin ahjussi would,” Eve muttered under her breath, causing the three older males to roll their eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. You demon children like to cause trouble,” Jinki said, causing Eve to laugh.

tagging: @lunarxsun // @ateezivy // @ateezjuliet // @cafemilk-tea