CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR :
"Let's go home," Namjoon chuckled as he placed his arm around the younger girl's shoulder,
He laughed again when he saw the deep pout in the vocalist's lips, her brows knitted together as he separated her eyebrows using his fingers,
"Don't sulk or else I'll really stop putting extra cookies on your school lunch," Namjoon said as Jaerin's eyes widened, a bright smile creeping up to her lips, making the rapper smile again.
"Promise me you will still put cookies on my lunch next year." Jaerin stopped walking and stretched out her pinky finger to Namjoon, which made the rapper halt his steps and stare at the outstretched pinky finger of his younger member,
Namjoon hummed, "I won't," He said as Jaerin shaked her still stretched finger gently, telling him to intertwine his pinky with hers to lock the promise,
Childish but Jaerin loved it,
"Pinky Promise?" Jaerin said as Namjoon heaved a sigh, interlocking his long pinky finger into hers as the vocalist beamed a bright smile,
"You're such a kid," Namjoon chuckled as they continued walking back to the dorm, half of it is the rapper scolding the younger that she should really stop sneaking out, they have an image that they're protecting, one wrong move and everyone will definitely find a hole that'll make them go down,
. . .
"Jaerin, I'm sorry!" Taehyung greeted the two members as he engulfed the youngest female into a big hug,
Jaerin's eyes widened with shock but soon faded as a smile crept up to her lips as she also wrapped her arms around Taehyung's body,
"It's okay. I shouldn't have disrespected your opinions, I'm sorry, too."
The members smiled at the two as they maked up and apologized for their mistakes,
They knew each other the longest even though it's just a simple act of the kindness towards each other, it's stucked to their hearts forever.
First impressions never leave someone's mind,
The night soon flew by, the members ate happily, talking and conversing with each other and some of it was another round of scolds and nags to the youngest member my being careless,
She cares for others yet she can't take care of herself and it made the members a little upset, she should take care of herself too, not just the people around her.
They did their usual routine, showered and slept soundly, recharging their energy for the next day.
They find practice tiring yet fun, it's sometimes stressful as they want to polish their choreography more even though it's close to perfection.
No mistakes, emotions are displayed, they want to do their best so that they'll be praised with their hardwork.
Haters are there but just like what Hoseok said, as long as they stick together, they're going to be fine.
They lifted each other's spirits up whenever they're down, they taught each other what they're in need of, they helped each other like a family they are.
It's just hard to believe how eight different individuals with different personalities became the family they are now,
The teamwork they have is overflowing, they don't hesitate to help each other out,
Though some only see it, the greatness of the team, no one can predict the future unless you came from a different dimesion,
They just strived harder to achieve their dreams as debuting is only a step, they're still far from the dream that they always dreamt of,
They strived hard without knowing the possibilities that might happen in the future, they might not make it but as long as they're together, they're bulletproof.
Moments passed and Jaerin's birthday passed again, this time they gave her a gift that made her extremely happy and special;
"Happy Birthday, Maknae!"
The members greeted the only female of the group as they all pat her back just like what they always do,
"Thank You, you don't have to." Jaerin said as she looked at the smiley yellow balloons that's hanging around the dorm, they have to practice today and they're late but they have to celebrate the youngest's birthday,
They went to the agency together, Jaerin is extra smiley together as she's already fifteen, the same age as Jeongguk but he's turning sixteen on September so the vocalist is definitely going to enjoy the remaining days where she's the same age as her bestfriend,
The birthday prank that they did to her last year is still fresh on her mind, she doesn't have any idea that she'll be pranked that day.
They practiced and practiced the whole day until they can't move their limbs anymore, sprawled out on the floor, catching breathes and panting.
Jaerin kind of forgot that today is her special day as she's so immersed and focused on practicing, she didn't let her birthday get on her way.
"Let's go home and call it a day," Hoseok said as everyone nodded, sitting up while groaning as they collected their things, preparing to go home after the long day.
Jaerin sighed as she messed her already dishevelled long hair, making it messier as they continued walking home.
Once they arrived home, they took turns in showering but they purposely let Jaerin shower first, she didn't took it as a sign that the members have a surprise for her, she saw it as something the members would do as she practiced extra hard today.
"Yah, Jeongguk-ah give it to her after she finished showering, okay?" Seokjin said as he started preparing the ingredients that he would need for the birthday meals,
"Taehyung, Hoseok, distract her, make sure she doesn't have any idea that the foods are for her birthday."
"Namjoon, Jimin, grab the cake from the pastry shop,"
"Yoongi will help me prepare everything." Seokjin assigned everyone with their tasks as all of them nodded,
"Hyung, why am I the one that's giving her the gift? I don't know how I'll give her." Jeongguk whined but the oldest ignored him making the youngest pout,
Once everyone is done with showering, they proceed in doing their tasks, making sure that the youngest won't get any idea,
"Jae!" Taehyung called as he stood in front of the doorstep beside Hoseok,
"Why?" They heard Jaerin's voice from the shared bedroom followed by a loud mixed laughter of her and Jeongguk, they're probably goofing around again.
"We're going to the groceries, do you want to come?" Hoseok said as he silently laughed, he knew Jaerin loved going to groceries as she can buy foods she love,
"Yes, wait for me!" The vocalist's footsteps were heard as she slightly stumbled, afraid that the members might leave her.
The three members walked to the nearest grocery store, masks placed under their chin in case paparazzis mob them, but they highly doubt that paparazzis will mob them, but they kept masks to be safe.
"What do you want to get, Jae?" Hoseok asked as she walked beside Taehyung who's also following the rapper like a child waiting for his Mom to get on the candy amd chocolate aisle,
"Banana Milk for Gguk and Chocolate Milk for me," Jaerin said with a smile as Hoseok nodded, listing it on his mind for his two dongsaengs,
"I'm envious of your relationship with Jeongguk, I know you longer but you're closer than him." Taehyung pouted jokingly which made the younger vocalist smile,
"You have Jimin though, and besides, us four are like the bestest of friends, it's just your soulmate is Jimin and mine is Gguk! But not in a girlfriend-boyfriend type though," Jaerin giggled as her eyes sparkled when she saw Hoseok put the flavored milks into the cart,
Taehyung shrugged, agreeing to what Jaerin said as they followed Hoseok everywhere until they have to stop to pay for the groceries,
Meanwhile at the Bangtan Dorm,
Jeongguk is trying to help the older Hyungs to whatever he can do, Seokjin would ask him to do simple things like getting the salt from the cupboard, making him taste the meal if it's good enough or if it needs salt or if it's too salty,
Namjoon and Jimin got back from the pastry shop a few minutes after the grocery trio left,
Jimin holding the cake box as they placed it inside the refrigerator for the meantime so that the frosting and icing won't melt,
The small living room slash dining room is already decorated as they already did it the morning before they went to practice,
Smiley balloons everywhere and is sticking to the ceiling and floor, triangle banderita hanged on the ceiling brightly, a pattern of her favorite colors,
Seokjin placed the dishes on the table as they waited for the trio to arrive as Jeongguk held the wrapped gift, rolling it around using his fingertips but stopped when Seokjin scolded him as the oldest received an apologetic smile from the youngest,
"Happy Birthday!"
They celebrated the night with beaming and bright smiles, laughters echoing throughout the small dorm that they live in.
They find happiness in small things,
"You bought a gift for me?" Jaerin's voice is small as Jeongguk gave her the wrapped present as the members nodded, waiting for her to tear the gift open.
"Thank You," She said before tearing the gift wrapper gently, a smile spreading on her lips when she saw a familiar rectangular box,
"You guys bought me a new pair of shoes?! And a baseball cap?!" Her eyes widened as she took out the shoe box that contained her brand new shoe,
"Hm, the pair you're wearing is old and the soles are already loose and a baseball cap because you want it," Seokjin explained as she stood up and bowed politely, almost folding herself into a half,
"Thank You!" She said once again as she stood straight, wearing the baseball cap that fit exactly on her head,
"You don't have to wear the talking shoe anymore!" Jeongguk laughed as Jaerin stuck her tongue out to the her fellow maknae,
She'd always wear the baseball cap wherever she went, to the agency, to the convenience store, she sometimes wear the hat even though she's just inside the house,
The pair of Converse sneakers that the boys bought her is now her favorite pair of shoes, she didn't threw the old one as it held so much memories and it's very sentimental,
So much things have happened with the group, the roller coaster to success is one sure bumpy ride but they're going to make it.
They were only eight but they knew they're going to grow manier as weeks and year pass,
As days pass they're becoming stronger, not letting the haters get into them, they're going to let them because they know they'll get tired of hating them when they did nothing wrong,
They're just eight innocent kids trying to live their dream, trying to make their doubtful parent proud, trying to heal everyone thru their lyrics and song.
They want to touch the hearts of many thru their gifted selves and talents, they want to show everyone that they're not losers and they're not quitters,
They're going to show everyone that they're mistaken, that they're going to break the music industry.
They're going to show everyone that they made a mistake in making fun of the group,
© staerryniights
— kookarchives