[four] chapter 4

04.

"I made a list," Jenny said. "You and I have a lot to do together."

"OK," I said. "Like what?" I was sitting on my bed, crosslegged and playing with the bottom of my shirt. Bad habit.

"Take a look."

Mission: Layla Popstar

1. The Look! - clothes, makeup, hair, nails, skin, workouts

2. The Press - events, meetings, radio shows, talk shows

3. The Act - photo shoot, talking skills, acting skills, recording, rehearsing

4. The Execution - booking shows, signings, meet and greets, charity events

"And how long is step 1 going to take?" I asked, hanging back the paper.

"The longest," Jenny sighed.

I frowned. "What's wrong with what I wear?"

"Everything," Jenny said. "I've made a list of contacts for fashion lessons."

"Ugh."

"Don't give me that attitude," she said. "This is crucial to your success."

"It's not like I'm starting a new trend."

Jenny grinned. "Oh, but yes you are," she said. "You so are."

--

That evening, Jenny went to meet George and Beth for something I did not quite understand. She rattled on and on about all the preparations, but I was only half listening. I still wasn't sure about the whole thing, and wanted just to have a second to breathe and calm down. Jenny just kept on emphasizing that there was so much work we had to do... it was overwhelming even to think about it, or even hear her talk about it.

But finally I did get a moment to myself and I walked around the house. It was, in fact, a gorgeous house. I had just made it down the stairs to the main floor when I heard laughing in the living room. I sneakily walked back up the stairs and peeked from behind the turn.

Jae was sitting on the couch with a big smile on his face. With her back facing me, a young woman sat across from him. I could see her fancy clothes all the way from where I stood. I could see her long, wavy hair down her back. She sat with such posture. Jae honestly had the biggest smile I had ever seen on.

Suddenly, my hairclip fell from my hair. I reached forward to grab it, but tripped and my foot landed right on my hairclip, making a cracking sound.

"Shoot," I muttered.

"What was that?" I heard the girl say from the living room.

"Nothing," Jae replied quickly.

I reached down and grabbed the hairclip and made it up to my room. I opened my hand to reveal the broken pieces of the hairclip. It was one of my favorites, with a sparkly star on it. Disappointed, I left it on my nightstand.

--

"Morning," I said, yawning.

"Good morning, Layla," Mary said as she handed me a plate. "I tried to make a more American styled breakfast for you this morning."

I grinned. "Thanks, Mary," I said. I took a big bite out of the sandwich she made. "It's guffd."

Mary laughed. "Don't talk with your mouth full."

I swallowed and smiled. "You sound like my mom."

Looking up at me, Mary replied, "Is it hard being away from home?"

"Yeah," I said. "I'll get used to it soon enough, I guess."

"Call them," Mary said. "They probably worry about you."

"I know," I said. "I do call them. Every night."

Mary smiled. "That's good," she said. "Keep close ties to your family, Layla."

"Thanks," I said, taking a sip of coffee.

Suddenly, Jae stumbled into the kitchen. "Coffee," he said.

Mary began to pour coffee for him but I bursted out laughing.

"Oh. My. God," I said.

Jae glared at me. "What?"

"What are you WEARING?" I said.

Jae looked down at his outfit. He was wearing a hamtaro onesie.

With a hood.

That had...

Ears.

He crossed his arms and looked at me pointedly. "So what?"

I grinned. "So, hammy it is, huh?"

Jae reached for his cup of coffee. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know what?" I said, taking my plate and cup. "I don't want to know."

"Know what?"

"Why in the world a grown man is standing in the kitchen in a hamster suit," Jenny said as she came in, laughing. "I heard, but never thought it was really true..."

Jae glared at the both of us. "I am this close to kicking you out."

I put my plate and cup on the dining table and sat down. "And I am this close to telling everyone where you live. We're back at square one, hammy."

"Don't call me that," he said.

"Jae," I corrected.

He looked at me pointedly again.

"...Oppa," I said reluctantly, glaring at him.