RIKA
"We'll be calling out all the names," Asher said, grabbing a piece of paper his manager had handed to him.
"Let's see… Olivia, Isabella and Sofia!" Asher announced.
What?? I paid for a VIP seat too…There has to be some kind of mistake.
"Looks like you missed someone," Rory laughed before reading my name out. "Uh... Rika? Please forgive Asher!"
Wait, what… He said sorry to me?? AHHH… This has to be the best day of my life!! I have to calm myself though.
All of the people with VIP tickets walked up to the stage and Asher and Luca held our hands, bringing us to the centre of the stage where the rest of the idols stood.
"Thanks for not forgetting me," I whispered to Rory.
"Don't think anything of it… It's literally my job," he whispered back.
"But, a VIP ticket… They're kinda expensive. I have to say I'm surprised." Rory tilted his head, playfully judging me.
Stay chill…
"I mean… when you have the money, you can spend it on stuff that doesn't really matter." I said, shrugging.
I faced the crowd.
"On stuff that doesn't really matter? Last time I checked… you were complaining because I didn't pay any attention to you," he mocked.
Ugh… where are my comebacks when I actually need them?! How should I react? Should I be mean…? Alright, let's try that!
"Have you ever thought that I'm a fan of NOVA? Not you specifically?" I asked, staring at him directly in the eyes.
"No…"
"Well consider it," I said firmly, turning back to the crowd.
"I don't have to, I know you're obsessed…" Rory said confidently, fully facing the crowd now.
OH MY GOSH! He's so fine…
"Well what if I am obsessed? Showing it won't get me your number, will it?" I said tilting my head slightly, looking at him again.
"Correct." He said, smiling at the crowd.
Then, he just left the conversation at that… I wanted to talk more… I can't believe I was standing on stage with him! Especially right next to him!! I can't waste this one chance I have.
"Hey," I whispered to him.
"What's up?" He replied quietly, sounding uninterested.
"Nothing, I just wish there was something between us," I said a bit too loudly, smiling and making eye contact.
"Yes, I totally agree." he said, smiling back.
HUH?? Wait, what?? That worked?!
"Really?" I asked, blushing.
"Yeah, a wall."
…
And that was the end of our conversation.
After being awkwardly rejected, all the VIPs were escorted off the stage and were able to watch the idols leave the stadium. I still can't believe I got to stand next to him on stage and he actually talked to me… I'm so happy.
---
THE NEXT DAY
I was walking though the huge city of Seoul, looking at all the buildings and bright lights. It was busy, as usual. I was on my way to the dance studio where I take dance classes, walking through the markets. At the corner of the street there was a tiny k-pop merch store I usually saw on the way to dance class. But this time it had a huge, colourful sign at the front.
"Fans will have the opportunity to be chosen as a date for one of the NOVA members at the exclusive "Star +1 event". The more keychains you buy, the greater your chances! Buy a keychain now, for the chance to join your favourite idol as their special guest!"
What?! Oh my gosh, this is my chance!!
I quickly walked inside the little shop and was greeted by the cash register. I politely bowed, smiling. There was a long table at the end of the store. And it had cute NOVA keychains!!
I looked around and it looked like most of Jake's and Gray's keychains were gone. They were selling out quickly—guess they were really popular.
But where were Rory's? They had all of them except his… Then, I saw a small sign that read:
"Rory keychains out of stock".
WHAT?? Oh, wait… At the bottom, in tiny writing, it said "Will be fully restocked by tomorrow!" Okay… It's fine! I just need to come here earlier tomorrow to buy all of them!!
I can't wait!! It would be such an honour to go to the Star +1 event! Especially as a NOVA's date… Basically, the event is for popular k-pop idols and groups. Some popular groups like Nyx, Hybe, LOVELYs and SMVSH always attend every year.
As I walked out the door of the tiny shop, I suddenly realised that I'm late for my dance class.
I hope I win this… It said that only five fans could win… I'm so nervous… If I did get to be one of NOVA's dates, I had to be a good dancer. I would be such an embarrassment if I sucked… Oh, but what would I wear?? I also had to find a good outfit. Man… I have to text my friend Evelyn for help right away! She's also a big k-pop fan!
I quickly pulled my phone out of my pocket.
{"Heyyy, have u heard the news?"} I messaged.
{"Yesss, and in another merch store, they're doing the same thing for the Star+1 event for other k-pop groups as well!"} She replied instantly.
{"Ohh, really? Which group merch r u going 2 buy?"}
{"Ru serious? Bruh, Amelia from Nyx!! She's so pretty! Tbh, I've already bought way too many…"}
{"Yay, well I hope we both get in lol!"} I replied before slipping my phone back into my pocket.
Evelyn is such a big fan of Amelia from Nyx… So much so, that at this point, Amelia knows her pretty well. I wish Rory and I got along well…
I walked out of the store, I would be back here tomorrow for Rory merch!
—
I rushed over to the tiny merch store I was at yesterday. As I walked in, I saw that a worker was already refilling the merch stands with new keychains. Perfect!
"Good morning!" I said, bowing politely.
"You're here pretty early, kid. We just opened up a few minutes ago," the worker replied. "Go ahead and take what you want! It's first in, first served!" She gestured to the keychains.
"I'm seventeen, not exactly a kid… But thank you!" I said, rushing over.
"No problem, darling!" She smiled before walking away.
Yes!! There's so many Rory keychains! I forgot to bring a bag…
I grabbed every single one, holding them all in my arms. Then, I walked over to the front counter.
The worker gave me a concerned look.
"That's quite a lot of the same keychains… You sure, sweetie?" The worker asked.
"Of course! Oh, and I'm not that much younger than you!" I said cheerfully.
"Mhm… Okay, that will be $80." She said, shaking her head.
I paid her, then left, carrying all my keychains in a giant plastic bag. In my opinion, this was worth every dollar. Now, I'd just have to explain it to my mother. Great…
The keychains came in cute, little boxes. When you open the tiny box, it has a small piece of paper at the bottom, placed under the keychain. On the paper, there's a QR code, which you scan to add your name to the draw for the Star +1 event. Then you'll be given a 5 digit code.
On the day that they announce the winners, it'll show the codes of the people that win on screen. You'll also get a message if you're a winner.
Waiting will be hard! Well, I better hurry over to dance class before I'm late!
Long hours went by… and by time dance class was finished, it was already dark outside.
Ugh… I'm kinda hungry.
Once I left the dance studio, I walked down the street to the corner of the road, looking for the convenience store. As soon as I walked inside, my attention instantly went to a tall, red-haired guy that looked my age. He was looking at the snacks, holding a pack of honey butter chips. He was dressed in all black and wearing a mask. He also had a bucket hat on, and was wearing dark sunglasses.
His face was fully hidden. Almost like he was trying to hide his face.
Feeling kinda curious, I really wanted to get closer and get a better look at him.
I walked over as he accidentally dropped his pack of chips. Using the opportunity, I quickly rushed over to pick it up for him.
"Here, you go!" I said, with a smile, passing it to him.
"Thank you."
Wait… I swear I've heard that voice before. Rory? Nahh, there's no way… His staff would buy snacks for him. It sounds exactly like him though…
"Is something wrong?" he asked, with a slight frown.
"No, nothing! I just feel like I've met you before," I said laughing it off.
He just nodded and walked off to look for more snacks.
Shrugging, I skipped over to find my favourite snack, Peperos. I looked through all the flavours: almond, strawberry, crunchy and more…
Rory's favourite is almond. I don't know if it'll help, but I'll get one for him, hopefully he'll like it!
I quickly paid for it at the counter, before rushing over to him. I stood on my tippy toes and tapped his shoulder.
He's so tall… He's like six foot, so much taller than me!
He turned around to face me, tilting his head. His arms were already filled with a small pile of snacks… I placed the Pepero on the very top of his pile of snacks.
I couldn't see his face, but I already knew he had the cutest confused expression.
I know for sure it's him now… I don't think he's realised how big of a fan I am… The fact that I can tell it's him, even though his face is completely covered, proves I'm a pretty big fan!
"Bye!" I said with a smile.
"Bye..."
—
A FEW DAYS LATER
The day I had been waiting for, for so long, had finally come!! Today they were announcing the five winners for the NOVA Star +1 event. It would all be done on livestream.
I quickly jumped onto my couch as soon as the livestream started.
"Hello to all NOVA fans! Today we'll be announcing the randomly selected winners that'll join NOVA at the Star +1 event!" The MC said with a big smile.
After a few minutes of talking and explaining everything, he was handed an envelope.
He opened the envelope excitedly. "Congratulations to Hannah, Hazel, Ava, Lucy, and the last lucky winner… Rika!"
I couldn't help myself, I immediately jumped up screaming.
Yay, I got in!! I knew buying so many Rory keychains would work!
*Beep beep*
A message popped up on my phone.
I opened it:
"Congratulations, Rika!
You have been selected as Rory's special guest for the Star +1 Event! As Rory's guest, you'll be wearing matching outfits—please wear an elegant black dress for the occasion. The event will be taking place in two days. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!"
So professional… I'm so excited! I love shopping for dresses! But I really need to find a dress soon… I have only two days. Hmm… a black dress? There's a really nice dress shop a few minutes down the road. I could walk over now? I saw some really beautiful dresses on display last time I walked past the shop!
I got dressed, then rushed over to the shop. Once I got there, I stood at the front of the shop, looking at the dresses on display at the big, front window. One of the dresses, a short, black satin dress with a semi-sweetheart neckline.
I quickly went into the store and walked over to the front counter.
"Hi, may I try that dress on?" I pointed to the black dress on display.
"Of course," she said as she went to grab it. After a few minutes, she came back, handing me the beautiful dress.
I went to try it on in one of the dressing rooms straight away. The satin dress clinged to me and the fabric was smooth and felt soft against my skin. The dress hugged my waist and every curve, and the length was just below my knee. It was so beautiful.
This was perfect.
*Beep beep*
"Hello, Rika! Please be ready to be driven to the Star +1 Event! You'll be picked up in one of our Rolls-Royce vehicles with your +1 date, Rory! Please meet us at the decided location! Don't be late! Thank you!"
I still can't believe this is real… I'll be driven to the event… with RORY… IN A ROLLS-ROYCE?! AHH… I'm so excited!!
I quickly paid for the dress. It was more expensive than I thought… but worth it. Then I ran home, planning the rest of my outfit in my head, as I ran. I needed something that would compliment my new dress.
Once I got home, I dressed as quickly as I could.
Posing in front of my mirror, in my black dress and a beautiful black purse to match. For shoes, I chose sparkly, golden heels and I also chose a gold necklace to match them.
I snapped a mirror selfie to post later.
I should post my experience at the +1 event. Maybe make a new instagram account? Maybe I could also meet some other NOVA fans online.
I decided to create a new account, and I chose the name ItzRika. Then I posted my mirror selfie. In the caption I wrote, "My pretty outfit for the Star +1 Event! I'm so excited to be one of the lucky winners and to be Rory's date!!"
But I wasn't expecting my selfie to get so much attention… Because when I opened my new account the next day, I was surprised by how many likes it had…
Wow!! This is crazy… I got so many likes… and a lot of comments too! 893 comments for a random selfie is insane!!
I read through all the comments.
"Girl, you look gorgeous!!"
"Your outfit is so pretty, I love it!!"
"You're so lucky!"
"Girl… As a big Rory fan, I'm so jealous!! Have fun!!"
I felt so happy… I can't believe I got over 100 followers for just a selfie overnight!
I looked at the time on my phone. It's only 8am… The event starts at 6pm.
Ugh… I can't wait for that long! I should do something to waste time… Maybe a dance cover to post on Instagram? Hmm… what song though? NOVA's new song "NOVA" is a pretty nice trend that's been getting popular recently.
I decided to record my dance cover at the studio that I take dance classes at. I wanted my cover to look good. I placed my phone on the floor and played NOVA on the speakers in the studio and practiced dancing. It took quite a while to master the dance, but in the end, I think I did it really well.
By the time I had finished and posted my cover, it was already 4pm. So I walked over to a store beside the dance studio, and bought some cool-looking sunglasses for the event, before returning home to get dressed.
In my gorgeous dress, I felt confident as I made my way to NOVA's company building. The building was so high, it looked like it was reaching the sky! The glass windows reflecting the sun, made the building look shiny. I waited in front of the building, putting on a coat to hide my outfit.
After a while, Jake walked out through the doors. He was wearing a dark red suit, with black shoes and dark sunglasses. He walked over, and stood right in front of me.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi, you look great!"
"Thanks! I would say the same, but your coat is covering your whole dress… it must be pretty short," Jake said concerned, quickly looking at me up and down. "The company has strict standards…"
"Shh, it's a surprise…" I said laughing.
He grinned. "Oh, by the way… ItzRika… Your account. I love it!"
"It's a NOVA fan account, right?" he asked, teasing.
"Well, I mean… Yeah, it is. Why?" I asked.
"Oh… I mean, maybe, we could take a selfie for you to post," Jake suggested, running his hand through his hair. "I bet your followers would love that."
I smiled and quickly nodded. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, and held it up for a selfie. I posed and smiled. He quickly took a step closer, and I took the photo.
I looked at the photo. It looked really good. He was looking down at me. It was cute and perfect.
"Is this okay with you?" I asked, showing him the picture.
He leaned in closer to see. "Yes!" he said with a smile.
I posted it straight away.
Then, suddenly, Rory walked out of the front doors. He walked over to me, making eye contact. He was wearing a black suit and he looked so hot!! I could feel my face burning red.
"What's wrong?" Rory said as he stood right beside me.
"Uh, nothing! You look… really nice." I said, trying my best to stop blushing.
"Thank you, so do I." He replied sarcastically.