"I'll leave it to you guys. Lana ssi you have until," Manager Lee looked at his watch, "9, so about an hour and a half. Ye dur ah, hwaiting!"
He exited the room and left me alone with the members, who were staring at me. I couldn't see them in the eyes. It was too much to bear. They were like bright lights shining on me. I felt warmth started creeping on my cheeks.
Please don't get red now Lana, pull yourself together!
"So, should we get started?" Namjoon raised his eyebrows and asked.
My daze was broken by Namjoon's voice.
Right, I'm here as their English instructor, not their fan. I have to do my job well.
"Sorry, I was just collecting my thoughts." I raised my vision to meet their gaze.
This needs some getting used to.
I tried very hard to suppress the hysteria inside me and got into my teacher's mode.
Breathe Lana, you can do this, just imagine them as you regular students.
"Alright then, let's get started. As you already know, I'm Lana Goen. Since we're probably around the same age, you can just call me Lana."
"Woah jinjja? Someone our age as a teacher, this is going to be fun."
Jung Hoseok.
"She must be smart."
Park Jimin.
"Ah in case you don't know, I do speak Korean so thank you Jimin. But please only talk to me in English during class." I gave him my sweetest smile but inside I was actually screaming.
Arrghhhh! I'm talking to Jimin! If this is a dream, please don't wake me up.
"Ah nee," Jimin smiled sheepishly, while the others chuckled.
"So, for an ice breaker, I figure we should take turn to ask questions in order to get to know each other better. In English, of course."
I scanned their faces and some of them started to squirm in their seats, scratching their heads. Namjoon was the only one who looked confident.
"Let's start with RM."
"Ah ok. So.. where are you from?"
"I was born in San Francisco, California. My parents were originally from South East Asia though, how about you?"
"I was born in Ilsan and moved to Seoul when I joined Big Hit."
"Great! Now let's move on to Jin?"
"Ah me? Ok. Mmm.. how old are you?"
"I'm 22 years old. Just a note, I don't mind being asked, but in western countries please don't ask the age of someone you barely know because it's considered impolite."
Jin earned a "whooooo" from his mates, causing him to retort, "Ya, I really don't know what to ask."
"It's ok Jin, like I said I don't mind. Ok, so who's next? Should you give it a try V?"
"Yes! What's your favorite movie?"
"I love Shawshank Redemption, which is a quintessential American movie. As for the newer ones, Inception."
"Shaw.. mworago hyung?" Taehyung turned to Namjoon for answer, out of habit.
"Shawshank Redemption. It's very nice, you should watch it one day when you have time. What movie do you like V?"
"Ah I love.. About Time. It's an English movie, do you know?"
"You mean British movie? No, I haven't seen that one, I'll put it on my to-watch list. Thank you V. Next, Suga?"
"I really don't know what to ask," he looked at his friends for help.
"Music," suggested Taehyung.
"Hyung, I am going to ask that, don't use it," shouted Jungkook from the other end of the table.
"Molla. What is you favorite song?" Suga asked, earning a "Hyuunnggg" from Jungkook.
"Well, my favorite song is 'We Don't Talk Anymore' by Charlie Puth and 'I Can't Make You Love Me' by Bonnie Raitt.
I can't exactly say 'Save Me' by BTS, can I?
"What about you Suga?"
"My songs." The rest of the group giggled at his deadpan display of confidence.
"Hahaha, that's awesome. Ok, now it's your turn J-hope."
"Do you like dance?"
"Oh yes, I like watching people dancing," watching you to be exact, "but I can't dance. I'm as stiff as a piece of wood, haha. Next, Jungkook?"
"Mmm.. mmm.. what are your hobbies?"
"Reading and writing about random stuffs, what are yours Jungkook?"
"Taking photos and videos."
"That's amazing. I believe you're the last one, right Jimin?"
Saving the best for last, I turned to look at him and he was smiling awkwardly not knowing what to say.
"All of you have taken the easy questions already. Hyung, help me please?" Getting nothing from Namjoon, he started to blush slightly.
"Geu ge mwo ji. Ahhh, nan jinjja molla. Who you like in BTS?"
The others went "Whoaaa" "Jimin" and laughed at his question.
The inner me shouted "PARK JI MIN" at the top of my lungs. On the outside though, I kept my composure and said, "I'm not sure since this is my first time meeting you guys, I'll let you know once I've figured that out okay?"
Okay Lana, that was too flirty, stop it!
Before anyone could say anything, I continued, "Okay, now that we've known each other a little bit better, let's continue with our material for today."
After the class was over.
The guys left the room after saying their 'thank you's and bowing their heads, moving on to their next schedule. I was surprised at how normal they were once you talked to them. Yes, in real life they were still handsome, still insanely attractive, but without all the makeups and stage costumes, sitting there listening to me in class I sometimes forgot that they were the mega star, the biggest boyband in the world. If they had any arrogance in them, they certainly didn't show it today.
I was collecting my stuffs when my train of thoughts was broken by a knock on the door. Thinking that it was the security urging me to get out, I answered, "Nee chamsimanyo, I'm leaving." As I lifted my head, to my surprise, it was Namjoon who stood before me.
"Oh RM, did you forget something?"
"Ah Ms. Goen.."
"Please just call me Lana."
"Oh okay, Lana I need to ask you a favor. Could you.. would you be able to give me private lessons?"
"Private lessons? You mean without the other guys?"
"Yes, 'cause I'm the speaker in the group, so I think I need to learn a lot more than the other guys. Can you help me?"
"Well, you have to ask your manager about that. I'm not authorized to make any decision."
"Oh, I see. Okay then, I'll talk to my manager and let him contact you. Thank you." He shot me his famous eye-smile and showed me a glimpse of his dimples.
Lana, stop staring! Move!
"Sure, no problem. Thanks for today, you guys were awesome." I smiled awkwardly back at him. "I have to go now before the guard thinks I'm up to no good. See you next time RM."
Not wanting Namjoon to sense my uneasiness, I walked so fast that I stumbled on one of the chairs' rotating legs. BAM!
I fell on all fours and my stuffs were scattered on the floor.
"Oh my God! Are you okay?" Namjoon approached me and helped collect my things.
I seriously wanted to plunge into a hole if there was one. It was so embarrassing falling in front of your idol when all you ever wanted was to build a nice cool image in front of him.
"Yes yes I'm fine. Sorry, haha, I'm not usually this clumsy, but yeah.. haha. Thanks."
I grabbed my stuffs and dashed out of the room without waiting for Namjoon's response. I could feel his gaze on my back but I didn't dare to look back, 'cause then he would see my bright red face.
Oh my God, just when I thought I was doing a great job. What would he think of me now?