The evening had unfolded like a dream—elegant and surreal, full of people you never imagined would be part of your life, all gathered for the 2023 gala. You were seated at a table surrounded by Stray Kids, feeling completely integrated into their world. It had been just over a week since you moved in with them, and you'd found a natural rhythm in their social circles, becoming a part of their daily lives in a way that still felt somewhat surreal.

The atmosphere in the room was vibrant, filled with laughter and lively chatter. The gala was full of glamorous attendees, and the energy was infectious. You couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement as you observed the crowd—this was their world, not yours—but you were here, standing tall among them, your wings subtly tucked behind you.

As you surveyed the room, your gaze landed on an idol you recognized, someone with a friendly and approachable demeanor. She was making her way toward you, a bright smile spreading across her face as she got closer.

"Hey there, L/N-san!" Lisa greeted you warmly, her tone light and friendly. The recognition made you smile, and you stood up, preparing to bow in respect.

But before you could, Lisa gently caught your shoulder, her smile widening. "Please don't, you're royalty, you know," she said with a laugh.

You felt your wings twitch slightly, caught off guard by the compliment, but it made you smile even more. "Lisa, hey," you replied, a playful glint in your eye. She had always been kind to you, even when you'd felt like an outsider.

Just as you were about to say something else, you noticed a familiar presence approaching. Your heart sank a little when you saw Ji-woo and Hae-joo—or someone who resembled them—making their way toward you. They were dressed elegantly, but something about the way they walked toward you made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Here it comes, you thought.

Ji-woo flashed you a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she approached, taking your arm in a grip that was just a little too tight, too forceful. "Well, if it isn't our little star," she said, her voice sweet but with an undercurrent of something else. You could feel the thinly-veiled pettiness lurking beneath her words, but you chose not to react immediately.

Lisa's smile faltered slightly at the sudden interruption. "Uh, do we know you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone shifting to one of subtle skepticism. It was clear she wasn't sure who these two were, and the atmosphere around you shifted just a little, becoming charged with tension.

Hae, standing next to Ji-woo, shot you a smirk, her eyes gleaming with something not entirely friendly. "Yeah," she added with a hint of sarcasm, "we're her childhood friends, aren't we, Y/N?"

You could feel their eyes on you, trying to catch you in some way, trying to drag you back into a past you'd already left behind. Your pulse quickened as you kept your composure. You were no longer that same person, no longer someone they could easily push around or manipulate. But the game wasn't over yet. You weren't sure if it ever would be.

Taking a deep breath, you looked at Lisa, offering a calm smile before turning your gaze back to Ji-woo and Hae. "Yes," you said slowly, the weight of your words carefully measured. "We've known each other for a long time."

Ji-woo's grip on your arm tightened a fraction, but you didn't flinch. You had learned to hold your ground. The tension between the old and the new was palpable, but you knew, deep down, that you had changed.

You were no longer the girl who let them walk all over you.

Ji-woo's grip on your arm tightened as she yanked you away from Lisa with a force that felt almost predatory. "Now, let's go and meet Elijah; he would really like to meet you, you know," she said, her voice sweet but laced with something that felt far less friendly. Her words felt like an attempt to pull you back into a world you'd left behind—one where you weren't in control. You barely had time to process the action before you felt a strong hand land on your shoulder, pulling you back toward the safety of your friends.

"Hey, sorry to break this up, but you can't just steal our girl, you know," Chan's voice rang out, his tone firm but with an undertone of humor. He moved swiftly, his hand on your shoulder pulling you closer, as if marking his territory. His presence was like a shield, a sudden rush of protection that you hadn't realized you needed.

You glanced at Chan, surprised but relieved, as he stepped between you and Ji-woo. The other boys, sensing the tension, had also started to gather around, forming a protective circle around you. Their warmth and solidarity were immediate, like an invisible force that made you feel safe. Ji-woo and Hae-joo, on the other hand, looked completely thrown off guard. Their faces went pale as they stared at Chan.

"What?" Ji-woo exclaimed, her voice sharp, her eyes flashing with anger. "She's not yours; she's just leeching off your money!"

The words stung, and for a moment, it felt like your chest had tightened in response to the accusation. The bitterness in Ji-woo's tone was unmistakable, and it was clear that she wasn't just trying to pull you away—she was trying to drag you back into a version of yourself that no longer existed.

But before you could respond, Chan spoke again, his voice calm but unwavering. "She's not here for your drama, Ji-woo," he said, standing firm, his eyes locked with hers. "And as for the money—she's here because she wants to be. You're not going to guilt-trip her into going back to whatever you think she owes you." His words were sharp, but there was a quiet compassion in them as he kept his eyes on you, ensuring you felt supported.

Hae-joo crossed her arms, clearly unamused, but she didn't step forward. She knew the game wasn't in her favor anymore. And as much as she and Ji-woo probably wanted to tear you down, they hadn't expected Chan's swift defense. It was clear that they hadn't anticipated you having this kind of backup—this kind of respect and loyalty.

For a split second, everything went quiet, the noise of the gala dimming as the tension in the air thickened. But it didn't last long. You could feel your wings twitch slightly, and without thinking, you took a step closer to Chan, your hand lightly resting on his arm in silent gratitude. It wasn't just about defending you—it was about recognizing you, and not allowing you to slip back into the old role that Ji-woo and Hae-joo were trying to force upon you.

The boys gathered around you, standing as a unified front, each of them eyeing Ji-woo and Hae-joo with a mix of calm authority and quiet confidence. No one was going to take you from them. No one was going to push you around anymore.

Ji-woo and Hae-joo stood frozen for a moment longer, clearly trying to process the situation. Their plan to belittle you, to pull you into some twisted web of guilt and manipulation, had completely backfired. And as they realized they had no power here, their expressions soured even more.

"Let's go, Ji-woo," Hae-joo said after a tense pause, her voice dripping with frustration. "This isn't worth it."

But Ji-woo shot one last venomous look your way before she turned, her grip loosening on your arm as she stalked off. Hae-joo followed without another word, the two of them leaving the scene in a cloud of frustration.

You exhaled, feeling the tension lift the moment they were out of sight. The silence that followed was comfortable, the warmth of the boys' presence a stark contrast to the chilly confrontation. Chan gave you a reassuring smile, his hand resting lightly on your shoulder as he spoke, his voice softer now.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes searching yours for any sign of distress.

You nodded, feeling a smile tug at the corners of your lips. "Yeah," you said, voice steady. "I think I am now."

And just like that, the air shifted back to something lighter, something familiar. The tension faded into the background as the sounds of the gala surrounded you once more, and with the boys at your side, you couldn't help but feel like you truly belonged here.