"Hey, are you using my matcha shampoo?" I asked, catching a familiar scent mid-face wash.
Oh, I thought I asked earlier? Or… did I forget? Sorry, guess my goldfish memory strikes again! It just reminds me so much of home! Hope you don't mind." Sun called out from the shower.
"No worries! Go ahead, use as much as you want. My mom sent a big bottle so we can all share."
"Cool!"
And hey, this stuff works wonders even on damaged hair. I didn't think everyone liked the smell of matcha, though… Wait, I thought you were from Seoul?"
"Well, yeah, but my mom's side is from Japan. Got me excited, too, about our world tour stops in Tokyo and Fukuoka in February!"
"I know, right? I can't wait to be back home, eating my mom's cooking!" I rinsed my face, dabbing it dry with a towel. Then I grabbed my cotton pad and dabbed on some Muji toner.
"All done! Enjoy your shower!" I said.
"Thanks, love! Appreciate the shampoo hookup!"
"Enjoy!" I smiled, grabbed the hair dryer, and headed out of the bathroom. It was super loud so I decided to blow-dry in my room, letting Sun relax.
---
Blow-drying my hair, I glanced around at the scattered clothes and random stuff. Less than a week till I leave for a distant place, without my Bonnie girls beside me. Hina wouldn't be coming, either. She'd stay to manage the others' schedules. Her younger sister was joining me for the trip, though. I hadn't met her, but from Hina's stories, she sounded way more laid-back. Fingers crossed!
Honestly, I'm a little nervous about doing this solo. I've always had my Bonnie sisters by my side, guiding and supporting me. Now, it's all on me. And while I'm anxious, a part of me is also excited for A-List Escape—you know, your typical dating show! Except here, it's only the most famous single celebs worldwide, competing in pairs to win the audience's hearts. Drama awaits, I guess!
All I wanted was a break after our exhausting North America tour! But a part of me was excited to take on this crazy new challenge.
"Ugh, can't make up my mind at all!" I muttered, only to end up chuckling at myself.
---
"Mimi! OMG, OMG! Guess what?" Vani's scream jolted me from my thoughts.
"What's up?" I shut off the dryer, my hair still damp.
"Hurry, everyone! You gotta see this!" Vani hollered.
Moments later, we all gathered in the living room. Sun hadn't even dried her hair yet, quickly wrapping a towel around her head. Liv and Birina came out looking confused, each holding a half-eaten jar of Chinese dessert that Liv had ordered from some place around Hollywood, probably Xiao Xian.
Onscreen was this young guy with wavy brown hair, looking elegant but charmingly humble. He seemed about our age.
"Whoa!! He's so cute!" Sun squealed. Vani put her hands over her chest, nodding in agreement.
"What's this show?" Liv and Birina asked in unison.
"Haha! It's The Late Night Show with Laila on Fridays," Vani said, buzzing with excitement. "But the big news is... Patrick, my fave actor, just agreed to join A-List Escape!"
"Oh, so Mimi's gonna meet her celeb crush on set!" Liv smirked, spooning up more dessert.
"Yes! One step closer to my idol!" Vani sighed dreamily.
"Oh please! Mimi's the one competing, not you!" Birina teased with a laugh.
"Well, we're all one, right? Bonnie's all going in spirit! And seeing Mimi on that show feels like a win!" Vani shot back playfully.
"But isn't he some kind of prince or royal?" Sun questioned, eyeing the screen suspiciously.
"Don't worry, my prince is down-to-earth. Super kind, even with his co-stars!" Vani replied confidently.
"If he's as cool as you say, gorgeous, kind, rich, and famous, what do you think, Mimi? Is he your type?" Sun turned to me with a sly grin, while Vani waited, wide-eyed.
"Umm... The show hasn't even started! There'll be so many people... I mean... It's hard to say..." I stammered.
"Oh, c'mon, guys! Mimi's the one going on, not us! And there'll be more guys! She'll have a line of suitors waiting for her!" Birina added, crossing her arms in mock scolding.
"I don't think I'm that amazing! Stop teasing me! Someone else should take my place!" I pouted, pretending to give up.
"No way! You're our fans' top pick, and even Hina wants you to represent us. You're our visual and most charismatic, girl! Plus, we've been feeding you all this great food to keep you strong, haven't we?"
"Right! Bonnie is making waves in Asia, but we haven't fully broken into the US-UK. A show like this could be huge for us, Mimi. You're our star!" Liv gestured a giant star in the air with her finger.
"Alright! I'll do my best for everyone and our Bonnie. And that guy is pretty cute, so I'll give it a shot! Mind sharing, Vani?"
"Ha! Told ya, you're totally smitten! I'll gladly share all my knowledge about him with you!" Vani grabbed my shoulders and shook me enthusiastically. I nodded quickly and smiled to make her stop before I got dizzy. We all laughed together.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Must be Hina with the glam team! Time to get you all set, Mimi!"
I nodded, hurrying back to my room for a final blow-dry. The others headed toward the door.