Being a leader has never come naturally to me.

Nabi, Jesstina, and Yuna chose me because they thought I was levelheaded. I could be calm and reasonable when making decisions for the team. I could lead from behind, as our manager Kristine likes to say. It took me a while to get comfortable with my role, but over time I saw myself getting used to leading. I enjoy it—being a steady pillar that the girls can rely on.

And now... for Jungkook to rely on.

Practice continues with Jungkook stealing the spotlight each time, and I would be angry if it wasn't for his obvious talent that shines through in each dance or vocal performance. Our teachers adore him, and Jesstina continues her banter, while Nabi confides in him for romance advice.

Jungkook and I are on, unstable ground to say the least. He is over trying to be cordial to me, when I obviously have some sort of vendetta against him. He never offers to cook ramyeon for me again, and our conversations are stilted at best.

It feels like I handled this incredibly wrong—Jungkook joining our team.

And now it's time to take control.

It's a late night at the HYBE building, and we are finishing up our choreography for our second single on the album, "Greek God." It's a contemporary number, filled with lots of turns and flourishes that definitely takes all of my concentration to execute.

"Great job girls," says Heart Seonsaengnim, clapping. "And you too, Jungkook."

Jungkook gives a little bow before Nabi and Jesstina all but collapse into each other. I know that Jungkook will probably head off to film some BTS content, while Nabi, Jesstina, and I are meant to ride home together.

Instead of following Nabi and Jesstina out, I signal them with my hands, hoping that they can read my mind after years of living together. Jesstina raises her eyebrows, but Nabi grabs her gingerly and leads her out the door. When our teacher leaves, it's only me and Jungkook left.

"Can I speak to you?" I say, my voice annoyingly shifting higher.

"Sure," Jungkook says, but his mouth and jaw shift in a subtle way where I know he's guarded.

My whole plan goes out the window. Originally, I wanted to confront him about how I've been treating him like a nemesis, apologizing in one smooth go. Usually, that would be my levelheaded move—the quality that made me a leader in the first place.

But this is Jeon Jungkook that we're talking about. Everyone would go weak in the knees next to him and forget about all the little speeches that they've prepared.

"We're debuting very soon," I tell him.

"Yeah." Jungkook shuffles a bit to the left, playing with the stylish fray on his black t-shirt. "There are only a few weeks left to go."

"I was thinking...." Just apologize, Karma. Don't make things complicated. But the part of my brain that is supposed to be thinking rationally is turned to mush. "You know, the girls day that we had was really eye opening. But I don't think you're fully prepared to debut in a girl group."

"Oh?" He looks curious now—maybe because I'm about to challenge him.

No apologizing now, apparently. My mouth runs faster than my brain. "As the leader of the Fates, I think I need to shape you. You aren't going to magically turn into a girl, but there are some things that you can learn."

"I'm willing to learn if it will help the Fates in the end," Jungkook says. His dark gaze sends shivers from the top of my spine to my tailbone. "What do you have in mind?"

"Um." I can't let go now—I'm fully committed to this plan of mine. "We'll start with your walk. And your talk."

"Walk and talk?" Jungkook says. "I can do that."

"Sure," I say. "For walking, you should follow me. We'll go in a straight line."

I stand in front of him and line myself up with the mirror. I walk how I usually walk, but I'm sure I'm a bit awkward. Jungkook stumbles on the fourth step and almost careens into me.

"Watch it!" I say.

Jungkook looks sheepish before a scowl enters his expression. "I was doing the best I could. Walking like a girl isn't easy."

I walk in a circle, then a straight line. Jungkook follows along. Every time I glance at the mirror, I see the concentration forming a line between his brows. It would be adorable if I wasn't so on edge.

"I think you've got it down," I say. I turn around and place my hand out, signaling him to stop. He does, but just barely. If he moved closer by just one inch, I'd be touching his chest.

"Now we're supposed to talk?" he says, backing off a bit. "What am I supposed to say?"

"Say this," I say, coming up with the dialogue on the spot. "My best friend is Karma, and I've known her since forever. When I'm with her, we like to curl each other's hair and do online shopping for houseplants."

He crinkles his face before letting out a bark of laughter. "I'm not saying that."

"You have to," I say. "It's part of the training."

"Fine." Jungkook takes a deep breath. "My best friend is Karma, and I've known her since forever. When I'm with her, we like to curl each other's hair and do online shopping for houseplants."

His little emphasis almost makes me crack up in laughter. I tap my foot against the floor, as if reminding my heart to keep beating from each patter against the hardwood. Jungkook sweeps his hair back and appraises himself in the mirror, as if he's judging himself on whether he really could be a convincing member of the Fates.

"Good job," I say.

"Will we have other sessions like this?" Jungkook says. "I think I would prefer Nabi or Jesstina to teach me."

It's not quite a betrayal, but his jab hurts nonetheless. I guess I didn't do a very good job at accepting him.

"We'll have other sessions," I say. "But I think it's best if you learn from me."

*

Session follows session. Every time we end our practice for the day, I stay back several minutes to help Jungkook release his feminine side. It's hard for me to explain the element of what actually makes a woman—because it's so much more than the generalizations and stereotypes. But I give him an element from each of us—me, Nabi, Jesstina, and even Yuna.

His walk and talk changes, but along with that is his view on what it means to be in a girl group. To empower women all around the world.

You'd think this training would draw me closer to him. Instead....

"You have to stop telling me all these things I need to change!" Jungkook shouts.

We're standing in the vocal practice room, so the sound echoes all the more. Alone, his voice is booming and unstoppable. I've never heard him yell before.

"I'm just—"

"Just what?" he says, exasperated. He sweeps back his hair and bites the inside of his cheek—I can tell by the way his mouth shifts slightly.

His cologne doesn't make it any easier to focus. I smell sandalwood, and it mixes with the natural, library-like scent of the vocal room. "I'm just trying to shape you into a member of the Fates. It's hard when you haven't been with us for these past two years... not to mention your obvious boyishness."

"I'm wearing a wig and a dress for our performance," he says, turning his head as if he can't bear to look at me. "And you still think it's not enough."

"If these sessions aren't helping," I say, "I'll stop them."

Jungkook grows silent, a frown deepening. "I still want to learn from you, but maybe stop being so judgmental."

That night, Nabi, Jesstina, and I talk about our debut date barrelling toward us. We are filming the music video next week for "Weavers." And then after another week of filming various things for our debut, we'll be thrust into the limelight. That leaves us fourteen days to polish up everything, which includes making sure our team performs effortlessly.

"I really think you should sit down and just have a talk with Jungkook," Jesstina says, keeping her voice to a whisper.

"He doesn't want to talk to me," I say. "I just think we'll always be at odds for the time he's a part of our group."

"That's not good," Nabi says.

The room we're sharing has two twin beds and a floor mattress. We all take turns, and although I miss the other room, the girls and I are closer than ever. Nabi decorated the walls with color-changing light strips and fake flowers, while Jesstina added navy bed sheets and matching pillows. My contribution? A massive desktop that I use for gaming.

"Maybe I can play some games with him?" I say, throwing it out there.

"Awesome idea," Nabi says, snapping her fingers. "What do you think, Jess?"

Jesstina hums. "Now that's something I can approve of. Should we go to the PC bang right after we finish work tomorrow?"

"I...." What have I gotten myself into? "Okay?"

A/N: Do you think Karma's in the wrong here?

I'm super excited for the PC bang scene! We love to see our pro gamer in action.