NOTE: some of the NCT members information is adjusted to fit the storyline

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   Sixteen high school students sat in a circle. A lady, in her late twenties, was at the head of the group with a big smile on her face. She was the only one with it. "I'm so glad you all could make it," she started in a gentle voice. One boy already scoffed while crossing his arms over his chest.

   "I think we should start by introducing ourselves," the lady continued. "Hello everyone, I'm Ms. Choi, but please call me Haeun. I want you to feel comfortable here, so let's not be formal." She turned to her right, focusing on a cold looking boy. "Please tell us your name, age, hometown, and what brought you here. If you aren't comfortable talking about everything yet, that's fine. We're just getting to know each other today."

   The boy looked up from his folded hands to the faces of the group. "I'm Lee Taeyong...

   ... eighteen years old. I've lived in Seoul my whole life. I'm passionate about music, especially rapping. To be honest, it wasn't my choice to come here," Taeyong admitted. "My dad wanted me to come."

   "Do you mind telling us why he wanted you to come?" Haeun questioned with a slight tilt of her head.

   "He said because of my rebellious behavior." He thinks I'm still affected by him divorcing my mom, Taeyong finished in his head.

   "Thank you for sharing. I'm glad to see that you actually came from Seoul to here in Daegu for this two-week program." Haeun smiled warmly before nodding to the next person to go. "And you?"

   The girl pushed herself up to sit straighter. "Hi, I'm Seo Youngchu...

   ... I'm seventeen years old and grew up in Jeju. I came here because I want to get better, overall, in my life. Especially for my younger brother, who I practically had to raise. I hate having to leave him, but I feel like this can help me grow. I haven't really been my best."

   "That sounds very sweet. Thank you for sharing."

   "I was also hoping this support group would help me with my current relationship. My boyfriend and I have been going through complications."

   "Of course, Youngchu. That's what this program is for."

   Next was another girl. She looked fairly tall and shy. "I'm Choe Seul Sohye, but I usually go by Sashimi ...

   ... I'm sixteen years old and I lived in Bali, Indonesia with my parents until... I had to live with my sick aunt in Busan instead." Sashimi couldn't find a way to tell the full truth as to why she had to move with her aunt. She's never really told anyone since she didn't get along with most people at school. Sashimi spent most of her time getting into fights with the girls who bully her. "I have to take care of my aunt, and like Youngchu," she flicked her head toward the previous girl, "I want to get better... for the sake of my aunt. I also am in need of friends to help."

   "Well, we're all here to help."

   A shorter looking boy was next in the circle. He looked worn out and fatigued, but also gentle and caring. "I'm Moon Taeil...

   ... nineteen years old. I was born in Seoul, but moved to Daegu when I was younger. My parents wanted me to come to this group, hoping I could be happier knowing there are people out there that can be understanding." Taeil bent his head back to stare at the ceiling fan that spun lazily above their heads. Taeil breathed deeply before continuing. "I have Ewing Sarcoma. It's a type of bone and tissue cancer. Mine is most prominent in my right femur. My dad's business recently went bankrupt and he's struggling to find another job to earn money. As of right now, my parents don't have enough to get me the medication and surgery I need." Taeil's head came down with irritated looking eyes.

   "I'm so sorry to hear that." Haeun covered her mouth with her hand and gave him a sympathetic look. "I promise you that by the end of these two weeks, you'll find something to be happy about."

   Everyone turned to face the next girl. Her feet were propped up on the coffee table in the middle, one crossed over the other. She had a cookie in hand from the center piece that held different treats. The girl seemed to be the only so far to have touched them since the awkward feeling made everyone's appetite disappear. "Hey, my name is Kimura Yuri...

   ... I'm eighteen years old. Born in Nara, Japan, but moved to Jeju after my parents were murdered."

   The whole room fell into an even more intense silence.

   "I lived with my grandma while in Jeju for a while until she died from natural causes. Now, I go through foster care." Yuri took a bite of her cookie and quickly swallowed. "Really, I'm only here for the free food and the support these cookies bring me."

   A boy next to her with reddish hair bumped her arm with his elbow, but laughed nonetheless. Yuri cracked a smile to her friend. Her only friend. They met in Jeju and he was there to help her feel better through her grandma's death, even if Yuri didn't show her pain or admit to feeling hurt. The boy and Yuri took care of each other as much as they could and developed a brother-sister bond.

   "Yuri," Haeun started with a serene tone. "Why are you really here?"

   Yuri slowly lowered her feet from the coffee table, glancing around the room before her gaze dropped to her feet. "The foster care system... and I really want to know who murdered my parents, and why."

   Everyone in the room didn't say it, but they had little to no hope in her solving the mystery of her parent's murder. It seemed nearly impossible. Her past brought more tension in the room and made the atmosphere incredibly dense.

   Yuri's close friend cleared his throat, indicating he was ready to speak. "I'm Lee Donghyuck, but I go by Haechan...

   ... I'm seventeen and have lived in Jeju all my life. My parents didn't really give a shit about me, so I was kind of free to do my own thing, which included some bad decisions. My parents ended up dumping me into my aunt's arms. She put me in therapy and signed me up for this along with a special school for 'troubled kids'." Haechan air quoted the troubled kids and let out a short huff. "Honestly, I think I'm fine just doing my own thing."

   "Well, I'm glad you ended up here so we can help you through it all."

   The next boy was the one that scoffed at the beginning of the introductions. He leaned forward as the spotlight fell onto him. "My name is Nakamoto Yuta...

   ... I'm eighteen years old and live here in Daegu. I was born in Osaka Japan, and most people call me the Osaka Prince." A cocky grin surfaced on his face. "My parents wanted me to join because of my behavior and think it's caused by my childhood, but honestly nothing is wrong."

Haeun stuck her tongue against the inside of her cheek. "I hope you'll open up to us eventually, Yuta."

Yuta shrugged, turning it over to the next guy. "Hi, I'm Seo Youngho, but call me Johnny...

... I'm nineteen and grew up in Chicago until we moved to a small town in the outskirts of Daegu. My parents didn't approve of me leaving for this program because they're really protective, but I wanted to get help for my anxiety. I don't take medication for it because my mom doesn't like medicine. She looks too much into side-affects." Johnny's foot continuously tapped the ground. "I didn't want to leave by myself, but I'm an adult now."

"I understand. I'm glad you decided to reach out for help." Haeun sharply exhaled. "Alright, who's next?"