|fourteen|

|ChanHyuck's POV|

"Is that—strawberry milk!" JiSu hops up and hurries toward me to grab hers.

"I figured since we're getting ready to finally debut—you guys might want to take a walk down memory lane. You started with strawberry milk and instant noodles and now you're eating expensive steak to celebrate your hard work." I hand the others their milk and sit back down in my seat.

"Thank you. It really does mean a lot, ChanHyuck." NaHee places her hand on mine and smiles sweetly.

"Don't worry about it. Once you guys debut, you'll be paying me back in more ways than one." I reassure her as I watch them enjoy their milk.

"I wonder what it's like at one of the big companies—was it hard Aera? You were in a different company the longest." JuHee sips at her milk as she turns to Aera.

"It wasn't horrible. JYP is a really nice guy. He's just busy. I just felt out of place. Everyone else was so good at everything when they got in. They didn't have to focus on one thing in particular—I did. I guess they just grouped us all together and I got lost in the cracks. I don't regret signing with JYP. I made a lot of friends. It also led me here." Aera looks at all of us as a gentle smile crosses her face.

"I have a surprise for you guys." I reach into my backpack and carefully pull out five small gift bags. I place them on the table in front of me as the girls look at me concerned.

"You spent more money on us? Haven't you spent enough already?" SunMi mumbles as she shakes her head in disappointment.

"I would spend every penny I make on you guys if you'd let me. So just let me spoil you today, alright? Now, don't open them until I tell you to." I chuckle as I place each bag in front of its designated owner.

"It isn't something that's going to pop out at us, is it?" JuHee hesitantly pokes at the tissue paper.

"No, I wouldn't do that to you guys—or would I?" I tease as I place my hands on JuHee's shoulders.

"Now I'm starting to think you might." JiSu picks up the bag and holds it next to her ear before shaking it lightly.

"Let me say something then you can open it, okay?" I chuckle as the girls nod in agreement.

"These past nine or so months have really been a rollercoaster for all of us. We were thrown into things none of us knew how to handle. We learned and grew together as a team. We went through a lot of difficult times. There were a few months you had to practice in the dark without heat. I had to pick up some part time jobs to keep things going, but it was worth it. Every time I see you smile, I feel like I did exactly what I was hoping I could do. I wanted to make the man I looked up to's dreams come true. He saw potential in each one of you and he wasn't wrong. You're all so different yet had the same dream. You put so much hard work and dedication into something so many kids your age fail at. You cried, bled, and sweat to get to this moment. When I look back and see you all sitting on the cold floor of the dark practice room at three in the morning sleeping—I see myself. I see the little boy I was years ago. I had the same dream you had, but I wasn't told I had potential. I didn't have anyone at my side to support me. I knew from that moment that I couldn't let you keep living like that. So, I took every penny I had left to put today together for you. I'll admit, I didn't have enough to pull it off, but I had a few people offer to help. The gifts in front of you, aren't from me. I may have picked them up at the store, but I didn't put any money toward them. I wish I could've, but my pockets are reaching their end. I want you to open these then read the cards." I do my best to keep it as short as possible while still saying everything I wanted.

I glance at the girls to see tears in each of their eyes. SunMi swallows hard and weakly pulls the tissue paper out of the bag. She sets it down delicately and reaches inside to pull out the small box. The moment she opens it, tears pour down her face. She sets the box down and rubs at her eyes while the others take their necklaces out and help each other out them on.

SunMi just stares at hers crying. She doesn't try to take it out of the box. She doesn't lay a finger on it.

"I can't—I can't accept this." SunMi manages to spit out.

I ignore her and take it out of the box. I place her hair over her shoulder as I secure the necklace around her throat. She reaches up to touch it, finally acknowledging it belongs to her.

"These necklaces are meant to remind you that you're a team. You are all perfect in every way. There's five points on a star and there are five of you. The diamond in the middle is the one thing that's going to help you achieve your dreams—your fans. Inside the bag is a small card for each of you. It's one of thousands back at the house. You didn't know how much of an impact you made just by being you. Tonight, I want to celebrate each one of you individually before uniting you as one. So, once you eat, we'll upload a picture of you to your Twitter and you'll have a fan meet here. You'll get to spend time with the people who are going to help you fly." I explain as the girls all stare down at their necklaces in shock.

"You mean—there's a lot of them out there? Fans?" JuHee whispers as she rests her head on Aera's shoulder.

"What about our social media? There aren't that many fans following us." JiSu mumbles as she turns to me confused.

"I don't think you realize how big the number of people following you actually is. It may not seem like much when you compare it to a world known superstar who's been in the business for years, but it's a good chunk of people." I remind them that just because they may not be able to compare themselves to the millions of followers some people have, it doesn't mean they aren't popular.

"One fan is more than enough for me." SunMi whispers softly as she delicately caresses the star pendant on her necklace.

"You guys are more than enough for me." NaHee gets to her feet and does her best to pull us all in for a hug.

"You guys have to be hungry—are you ready to eat? I'll go check on the food." I manage to slip out of NaHee's hug prison and hurry toward the kitchen.