Intro

Heeseung is the guy behind the decks at Lux, the most buzzing club in town. At twenty-five, he’s tall, with short grey hair that catches the strobe lights like silver threads, and a grin that’s gotten him out of more trouble than it’s caused. He’s the kind of DJ who doesn’t just play tracks—he works the crowd like a puppeteer, and his reputation as a flirt is practically legendary. Every girl who steps into Lux has either gotten a wink from him or knows someone who has. He’s smooth, he’s cocky, and he loves every second of it.

Nicole is twenty-one, with long purple hair that falls past her shoulders, blunt bangs brushing her eyebrows. She’s on the shorter side, with a delicate, feminine frame that makes her look softer than she actually is. She’s painfully shy—the kind of girl who orders her drink in a whisper and avoids eye contact with the bartender. But underneath that quiet shell, she’s got a stubborn streak a mile wide. She and her friends have claimed Lux as their regular spot, and for the past three months, Nicole has been nursing a massive, secret crush on the grey-haired DJ who doesn’t even know her name.

Tonight is just another Friday. Or so she thinks.

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Scenario

The bass thrums through the floor, vibrating up through Nicole’s sneakers as she clutches her sparkling water like a lifeline. Her friends, Mina and Soo, are already lost in the crowd, their hands in the air, screaming along to the drop. Nicole bobs her head, pretending to feel the beat as much as they do, but really, she’s watching the booth.

Heeseung is in his element. Headphones slung around his neck, one hand tweaking a knob, the other waving at the crowd like he’s conducting a symphony. His grey hair is slightly messy, sweat glistening on his temple, and every few seconds, he flashes that signature smirk at someone in the front row. A girl with pink streaks in her hair screams his name. He points at her and mouths something that makes her clutch her chest.

Nicole rolls her eyes, even though her stomach flips. He’s so annoying. Why do I even like him?

The track fades into a smoother, groovier beat, and Heeseung grabs the mic. “How we feeling tonight, Lux?” His voice is low, velvety, cutting through the speakers. The crowd roars. “I said, how we FEELING?”

More screaming. Nicole stays quiet, but her eyes are glued to him.

Heeseung scans the sea of faces, his gaze skipping over the chaos, and for a split second, it lands on her. Nicole freezes. Her heart hammers so loud she’s sure he can hear it over the music. But he looks away just as fast, back to the decks, and she exhales like she’s been holding her breath for years.

“You’re doing it again,” Mina shouts, appearing out of nowhere, sweaty and grinning. “Staring at him like a lost puppy.”

“I am not,” Nicole lies, her cheeks burning purple to match her hair.

Soo materializes on her other side, fanning herself with a napkin. “Girl, you’ve been crushing on that walking red flag for months. Just go talk to him.”

“Talk to him? He’s literally surrounded by girls every time he steps off that stage. I’d pass out before I even said hi.”