Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
All the girls are escorted out while the guys just stay there and look ready to eat paint chips and slam their heads against the wall.
I walk up to Rae and squeeze his shoulder. “You good?”
He jerks away and shoves his hands in his pockets while Grace gives him a sad look. I’m glad he has her as a friend even though I’m pretty sure the slight crush still remains.
Lucas whispers in a low voice. “Do they expect us to actually go in there and eat snacks with them? No way in hell I’m subjecting myself to that. They aren’t filming any of that.”
I sigh and cross my arms. “Legally, they can’t.”
“Sure…” Sookie snorts, surprising everyone.
Especially me. I can’t believe how bad I needed to hear his voice.
Grace reaches out, “Sookie—“
He brushes her hand aside and gets up.
“—I’m going to take a walk.”
Chapter Seven
Ari
Sookie’s words are heard by the Director Simon. He looks up from the papers he’s examining.
“Go get some fresh air but just remember you only have a fifteen minute break.”
“From hell.” Jay whispers under his breath.
The way he says it sends actual chills down my spine, despite me wanting to kind of laugh over it.
So far, the other idol group seems to have been stunned into actual traumatized silence. I’m shocked, really, considering the last encounter with them and how arrogant they were. But things have definitely shifted.
Lucas walks over and slams a hand down on Suho’s shoulder. “Yes, baby bird, you’re about to get thrown to the wolves. How does it feel to be objectified sexually but have like no real experience? Terrifying? Kind of make you want to run away with your little feathers floating around your head? Get used to it and buckle up, that was just the beginning.”
I want to chime in and tell them to strap in because from experience I know just how bad it’s going to get. And it’s going to get bad. They’ll be exploited to the extreme for their album releases and legally there is nothing I can do about it other than just make sure everyone stays safe.
The Maknae of the group actually leans down on his haunches and covers his face with his hands like he doesn’t know what else to do. He looks so young in his school uniform I actually feel bad for him. He didn’t ask for this… well, he did ask for the fame and money part—but this is entirely different.
But we all know that you never truly get it until you’re in it.
“Bro,” Lucas shakes his head and laughs. He has no mercy for them. “You gonna cry?”
Suho shoves Lucas in the chest. “No, asshole, he just has a girlfriend.”
I freeze.
Everyone goes silent.
Ji-Woo slowly looks up, part of his dark hair covering his face. “Great timing. Thanks for that, shitface.”
Jay elbows Kai. “He cussed.”
Kai sighs and runs both hands through his hair nearly messing up his dark man bun. “Yeah, we heard. Everyone heard.”
“Whatever.” Ji-Woo gets up and stomps off.
All Lucas has to say is. “That sucks.”
“Eat. Shit.” Ji-Woo shoves against Lucas chest and goes in the opposite direction.
Rae crosses his arms. “I give you guys like maybe two years tops before you disband, you can’t just curse in front of staff.”
I awkwardly try to clear my throat.
Rae rolls his eyes. “Sookie’s never done that before.”
Eric shares a look with Chul then shrugs. “Maybe he’s just tired of shit.” He grins, knowing he said it loud enough for people to look up and give all of us side eye.
My job is going to be hard reigning these guys in. People always leak things out and the last we need is negative gossip about the groups who are supposed to be best friends and mentors to the new younger group. And the bullying…
Shit. See now I’m the one cursing.
I point at each of them individually, Grace included. “Behave, and Grace.”
“Yup.” She grins, then her smile falls when I glare.
She holds her hands up. “I’ll reign them in too, don’t worry.”
“Good girl.” Lucas winks at her.
I cover my eyes. “NOT what I meant!”
I walk off to some chuckles from both groups which is a bit surprising, only to see Sookie outside leaning against one of the many balconies.
He looks serious.
Much too serious for someone his age
But then, he’s never really felt his age. He’s always seemed so much older, wiser even, with all the feels.
I clear my throat so he knows I’m approaching and stand beside him without looking in his direction. “You good?”
He’s silent, then lowers his gaze to his hands which are bracing the balcony, only to lift his head back up and jerk in my direction. He’s so handsome, it’s unfair. His eyes always seem shy when he’s talking to fans, but when he talks to me it’s like he sees not just everything, but wants me to know he sees right through everything.