The beach laid out before you, shines golden in the midday light. Capering down the beach are seven happy boys-turned-men. You wander behind them, after the crew, watching them run in the sun. 

The director shouts something and the crew disassembles and scatters into their different station. A path is cleared in front of me and a man runs towards you. You're unable to identify him due to the sun shining behind him but Yugyeom emerges, his trousers rolled up from paddling.

"What do you think?" He asks breathlessly.

"You sure are amazing at what you do," you reply honestly and a smile rivalling the sun shines on his face. 

"Kim Yugyeom! Who is this?" You turn to see the thirty-something years old director striding towards you. Yugyeom introduces you and it doesn't escape you how he takes a step closer to your side. The director looks you up and down, nodding when he finishes his appraisal. "I like her. Lets use her." Then he calls behind him. "Someone put some makeup on this girl and brush her hair!"

Without another word, he walks away and you turn back to Yugyeom. "Um, what just happened?"

The goofy grin on your best friend's face is almost puppy-like. "You've," he leans in and taps your nose, "just been cast in a music video." 

Your heart stops and you can't find the words to tell Yugyeom what is running through your head. He stands in front of you, looking adorably hopeful and any chance that you might of had to speak disappears.

"I'll go and tell the others," he says before turning back and walking to where BamBam is getting a touch up.

A hand touches your arm and you jump. A petite girl stands to the side of you, smiling encouragingly. You've seen her before. Then it comes to you. She's the head make-up artist.

You follow her over to a quiet corner while she cakes your face in products and runs a brush through your hair. Meanwhile you stand placidly, thinking. A music video. This shouldn't be such a big deal but you can't help feeling insecure.

"Excuse me?" The girl whispers in front of you. You look to meet her eyes and find them bright. Her enthusiasm is almost contagious and her smile reminds you of Youngjae's. "Don't be nervous."

You let out a ragged breath; shocked that this stranger can read you so well. "Sorry. I'm just... um sorry."

"You don't have to sorry but i need to put some colour on your lips which you're currently chewing like a gummy snake," she says and you release the lip you'd been chewing without knowing. A nervous trait. "Good. Now smile." So you do. "There we go. You look perfect!"

At her words, you're led away from her but another crew member and the next few minutes pass by in a blur of instructions and hair-fixing. 

"All you need to do is play around with each other boys and we'll try to get some good shots before we take a group one, ok?"

That's all they say before leading you over to where Jinyoung stands by the sea. The waves crash and you look around to see the other men in makeup. No sign of Yugyeom. You turn back to Jinyoung who repeats the make-up artist's words.

"Don't be nervous," he says, smiling and reaching for your hand. "Just pretend you're in love with me."

You can't help the laugh that escapes you before the music starts. Jinyoung pulls you to him and you try to meet his eyes without giggling, failing miserably but ever the professional, he takes your chin and tilts your head to his.

A face flashes in your mind and you struggle to identify it before it's gone and you're slow-dancing on a beach with Park Jinyoung (the young one). He distracts you by teasing you and his eyes become captivating.

The director shouts "cut!" after a few while and it's time to do the same thing with another member. Mark next, then Youngjae and BamBam. Between each, the makeup girl touches up your face.

Then it's Jaebum's turn and you're instructed to walk along the beach beside him, arms brushing. During his turn with you, he points out objects on the horizon. When the director shouts and he walks away, you turn to the ocean. Feeling calm in your heart, you release a sigh.

The director shouts once more and you turn towards the crew, when you spot the figure walking towards you. Jackson's lazy amble eats the ground between you. Your eyes watch him until a crew member catches you attention, gesturing to the picnic blanket of the sand. The instructions given to you for Jackson's shot were to lie on the blanket while he lies beside you. 

You turn back to Jackson. 

"Lets do this," he says in a calm voice and you can't help but remember his whisper in your ear after breakfast. Your beating heart increases in speed and Jackson extends a hand towards you. You take it, allowing yourself to be led to the blanket.

You lie back on the blanket, Jackson's eyes never leaving yours as he comes to lie beside you on his side, propped up by his arm.

"So how is your first music video?" He asks, as if you're not surrounded by cameras and people.

"It's... interesting," you reply, unable to deny the attraction you feel as you look at him. "I'm nervous actually."

"Why?"

"It's not like i'm a gorgeous willowy model. I... I feel the most insecure about myself when i'm with you guys." The words you wanted to say to Yugyeom flow from your mouth as if meant for Jackson's ears only. 

A gust of wind streaks through the air and a strand of hair is blown into your eyes. Tentatively, Jackson brings his hand to tuck it behind your ear. Your breath lodges itself in your throat and you struggle to breath for a moment, your eyes filled only with him.

"I want you to feel your best when your with me. Not your worst. So believe me when I say that you have nothing to feel insecure about." Jackson says softly, his hand lingering at the side of your head.

You lose your way in his eyes.

"Cut! That was brilliant!" The director's voice rings out about the sound of the waves and Jackson slowly moves away. The sun caresses your skin as you sit up and he helps pull you to your feet.

The intensity in his eyes steals your thoughts as you look up at him. 

"Remember what I said," are his last words before he walks away, passing Yugyeom who is walking towards you, ready for his shoot. 

You focus on your best friend. The reality of your feelings sinks in and you question the label you placed on Yugyeom a long time ago. Is he your best friend? Or something more? 

Yugyeom's pace increases and suddenly he's sprinting towards you. When he reaches you, he throws you over his shoulder and turns to run back to the sea. You beat on his back, laughing as he carries you easily.

The warmth of the sun covers your back until you're dunked into the water. Bringing your head and pushing your hair out of your face, you splash Yugyeom with all you might, initiating the first water fight you've had for several years. 

As you go to splash him once again, his hand catches your wrist and pulls you towards him until you're chest to chest. You see yourself reflected in his eyes and feel his hand come up to tenderly brush the same strand of hair that Jackson removed earlier, out of your face.

Yugyeom's eyes close as his face drifts towards yours and yours do the same in anticipation for his lips. Your blood buzzes and skin in on fire beneath the cold water as you wait for his touch but it never comes.

Instead a mass of water hits your left cheek and your eyes spring open to see the other members splashing you and Yugyeom. A carefree laugh escapes you as you watch Yugyeom dunk Mark under the water.

The eight of you spend the next ten minutes larking about in the water and you hurl yourself at Jackson who aims a torrent of water in your direction. He catches you easily, lifting and cradling you in his arms before tossing you into the water.

"Cut!"

You stand laughing, turning to Jackson but stop when you see his expression. He's looking over your shoulder and you turn to see Yugyeom with a similar expression on his face.

Nervousness dances through your bones and you wade towards Yugyeom. Forcing a smile, you reach up to ruffle his hair which snaps him out of his glaring contest with Jackson and the two of you follow the others towards the shore, convincing yourself not to look at behind you at the man you left in the waves.

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