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| May 1st, Friday, 2020 |

Everyone was aware of JYP's plans to make Stray Kids and FLASHLIGHT work together, but no one knew it would be that soon.

There was a special music show coming up and both groups were invited. These weren't big news as the boygroup always participated and the girls were rookies.

Still, they had just finished their first promotions, which meant they were barely one month into their career. Who could expect they'd collab with the seniors now?

And they weren't the ones deciding the units.

Boram, Jaein, Seungmin and I.N would showcase their vocals. Felix, Hyunjin, Lee Know, Remi and Annie would be in charge of dancing and 3RACHA would have their own stage.

Everything would be okay if only Annie and Lee Know weren't on the same team. Everyone knows these two don't blend well, why would JYP want them together?

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"So...everyone agrees?"

Lee Know was the one leading the conversation.

"Definitely!" "Yes!"

"Yep!" "Yeah."

They all answered, some more excited than others.

"The first thing we should do is divide the parts so we can think about the formations."

He suggested, getting a few nods.

"I have few things in mind, can I share?"

Annie asked, the others surprised to see her acting like that with the eldest.

She didn't know why though. Yes, she hated him, but she knew how to be professional when it was needed.

"What is it?"

"I know we're all all rounders, but we have the things we're most comfortable with, right? I feel better rapping, for example."

"Yeah, me too."

Felix answered.

"Okay, and?"

"BTS has three main rappers and I believe we also have three people that feel more comfortable rapping, no? Me, Lix and Hyunjin."

They all exchanged looks, questioning themselves if the girl was right.

"So, that already eases things up for us. Jimin has a higher tone, so I think we could give his lines to Remi. Jungkook's lines could go to you since you're a great vocalist and Taehyung's...Lix could do it since you two have deep voices, but if you don't like the idea then it's fine, it's just a suggestion."

Annie explained slowly so everyone could understand.

A few seconds of silence passed by before someone spoke again.

"That's not bad, we can figure the rest based on that."

This time, Annie was the surprised one, never would she expect to hear a "not bad" from Minho. But again, they were in public and there were a few cameras recording, probably for a behind video to be released after.

"Alright! Let's divide the parts so we can get to the choreography as soon as possible, we only have three weeks."

Hyunjin clapped to get attention.

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| May 19th, Tuesday, 2020 |

It was past 2 A.M, aside from the security everyone had left the company already, except forAhn Haerim. The collaboration stage with Stray Kids was in 3 (actually, two) days, but she still felt like there had things to perfect.

As usual, Annie was dancing with the lights off, the only illumination came from the hallway, but it was very subtle. Like most dancers, she felt good dancing in the dark, she felt free.

The door was also slightly open as it was broken and could only be opened from outside, so she had to use earphones to dance.

Why can't I do this right? Why is this so hard!? No, it isn't that hard, the others got it perfect already, the problem is me. Why did they even put me in the dance team? I should've performed with 3RACHA. I mean, I'm a great dancer, but I'd rock that rap stage.

Late night thoughts filled her mind as she danced to "ON" by BTS.

Annie was way too immersed on the choreography to hear the door closing, but she definitely noticed a figured at the door, lighting the room.

Both of them yelled.

"What the hell?!"

"Why are you here!?" "Why are you here!?"

The two asked at the same time, still startled.

"I'm practicing, why else would I be here!?"

Annie took one earphone off.

"Well, I came to practice too!"

He replied loudly.

"Why aren't you- Oh my God- you closed the door!??"

The girl rushed to where he was standing.

"Yeah?"

She sighed.

"Why can't I close the door? Just open it, what's the prob- What- Why doesn't this open!?"

He freaked out after not being able to open the door.

"Congrats, dumbass, we're stuck."

Annie walked back to the center of the room.

"What do you mean stuck!? Open this now!"

"You think I'd stay here if I had a choice?"

She gave him the "really? " look.

"I'm going back to practice, just pretend I'm not here, I'll do the same."

  After one or two minutes, Annie was back to struggling with the steps and Lee Know was sitting on the sofa, using his phone but also looking at the girl from time to time.

  Thirty minutes passed by and it seemed like he couldn't take it anymore. Minho angrily got up and went to her.

"It's really not that hard! You're moving your foot the wrong way. Twist it to the left, then go up to the right. Turn, hands to the front, right up, then go over to the left and down."

He spoke while showing the moves, Annie surprised, but paying attention.

"Ah."

So that was it?

"Try it."

Minho created a little distance so she'd be able to dance properly.

Annie stared at him for a few seconds, but soon started.

"No, again."

"Wrong, again."

She glared at him, but he didn't seem affected.

"Take the earphones off, I wanna see if your timing is right."

Without questioning, she took them out and put them inside her pocket.

Annie did the steps and got nods as response.

"I'm not that bad, I can get that right."

"Try the move from before again."

He really can't just be nice, right? He's annoying even when he's nice.

"No, like this."

Minho showed her the position and she tried to copy it.

As she failed to do so, he moved her hands himself.

"This. Now try again."

Annie danced to the same step for what seemed like the hundredth time, but now succeeding.

I made it!!

"There you go!!"

He shouted with a smile, getting awkward right after.

"Anyway, took you long enough. I'm going to sleep, it's almost 4."

Thank you...

"...and don't overwork yourself, I don't want to take care of you if you faint."

Minho laid on the sofa, his back towards the girl.

Annie put the earphones on again just to be sure she had really gotten everything right.

After resting and getting water, she heard Minho mumbling. Thinking he was talking to her, Annie went to him.

"What?"

"Don't- please, no..."

He mumbled in an anxious tone.

"What?"

Is he having a nightmare?

"Hey, are you ok-"

"Please don't go."

Minho held her hand.

Annie quickly tried to pull back, but when she realized he was still having a nightmare, she couldn't help but let him. It was her first time seeing the boy so vulnerable.

"It's okay, I won't."

"Don't take them, please, Sum..."

Sum? Sumin? No...right?

"I'm here, it's okay."

You helped me, the least I can do is stay.

Minho used his practice time to help her, even though he could've let her struggle and embarass herself at the stage.

So, maybe, just maybe, he wasn't that bad after all.

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