Ellie brushed her hair again, trying a different style.

Her hands shook badly and her stomach was in knots.

"Ugh" she groaned giving up.

She pulled her hair into a ponytail and grabbed her bag.

Today....she had to talk to him today...that was the plan.

You're coming right? Ellie's phone chirped with Dae's latest text.

Leaving my house now. She responded.

Since their first text exchange two weeks ago, Dae had begun texting her almost daily.

Nothing big, just the typical, how are you, how was your day, what's the weather like...etc.

She kept her responses light, not wanting to get into anything too deep in a text message. 

She was saving that for tonight when she'd finally see him face to face again.

^^ Can't wait to see you. Her phone buzzed. I've missed you.

Which wasn't a lie. Since texting her a couple weeks ago, Dae couldn't seem to get her off his mind.

He pulled up her picture again as he sat in his chair getting his hair done for their show that night.

When he'd first text her, he wasn't sure what he'd wanted to say,..but since then, it had become very clear to him.

He knew exactly what he wanted to say, and he would tell her tonight after their show.

Are you here? he text later as he sat on the couch in the waiting room, 15 minutes before the show was to begin.

"Come on Dae." Himchan called, pulling him from his thoughts. "Hurry up and get dressed."

Dae set his phone down on the couch and finished changing into his performance outfit.

He couldn't help but smile to himself.

Next to him, Himchan chuckled as he tossed his coat on the couch and began adjusting his in-ear. "Thinking about someone?" his hyung teased.

Dae smiled as he felt his face flush and his heart rate increase. 

"Mm." he nodded.

Ellie filed into the venue with the rest of the massive crowd that had turned out for BAP's show.

She was amazed at the number of people that had turned up. It was always amazing to see, because to her, Dae wasn't Daehyun the idol, he was just Daehyun, her best friend, the boy she'd grown up with, and fallen in love with. The boy she'd spent summers camping with, the boy she'd had mud fights with.

The boy who owned her heart.

Yet bumping about next to her were thousands of people, all here to see Dae and the rest of his groupmates.

She made her way to her seat, eager for the show to begin, not just to be able to see him perform again,because it had been quite awhile since the last time she'd been to one of his shows, but also because she was excited to see him face to face. She longed for one of his hugs, to smell his aftershave, to hear his voice....

It was only15 minutes to show time and the venue was filling up fast.

Ellie sat back in her seat and closed her eyes, a smile on her lips.

Just then she felt the vibration of her phone in her pocket.

Are you here? Dae text.

She smiled. I am. We're still meeting after right? She hesitated a moment before continuing. I have something I need to tell you.

She waited for a response.

After a couple minutes of no reply she put her phone away.

It was almost time for the show to start and she figured he was probably on his way to the stage.

Sure enough, a few moments later, the lights dimmed and the screen on stage lit up as music blasted from the speakers.

The venue filled with the sound of cheers as the boys' faces flashed on the screen one by one. 

And she'd be lying if she said her heart didn't skip a beat when Dae's face came up.

For now, she told herself, she'd enjoy the show and worry about their meeting afterward.

Everything went quiet as the VCR ended, then the lights came back up and flashed about wildly as the music cued and the boys came out onto the stage and began their first song.

Ellie felt goosebumps spread across her skin, making her shiver.

And there he was, right in the center.

She blushed as she smiled, so happy to see him for the first time in months, even if it was from a distance.

Over the next two hours, she smiled so much it hurt, and noticed for the first time in a long time, he was smiling too.

At times, during talking breaks, he peered out into the crowd, hoping to see her. He'd meant to ask where her seat was earlier, but he'd forgotten.

Just knowing that she was there seemed to give him extra energy during their performances.

The show was amazing and Ellie loved every moment of it. 

When it finally ended, the lights came on and the crowd began to disperse, slowly making their way up the aisles and out of the building.

Ellie looked about, unsure of what to do. 

Dae had said he'd text her afterward where they should meet.

She checked her texts multiple times just in case she'd missed something.

Hello Ellie came a text finally.

It was only two words, but it seemed strangely formal for Daehyun.

Hey. She responded.

What is it that you wanted to tell me?

Well...i wanted to tell you tonight in person. It's not something i want to do through text. Where are we meeting?

Oh.Um...There may not be enough time. We have a schedule. Last minute, you know how these things are.

She felt her heart sink, her good mood quickly fading.

He'd promised. Tonight they were supposed to talk.

Tonight she was going to tell him...

And she truly thought he wanted to see her too.

How could he say that so casually, like it was no big deal.

Daehyun... She started. 

I think you should probably just tell me here, i'm not sure when i'll get the time....

She bit her lip, feeling tears begin to well up.

She wanted to tell him face to face...she'd planned on doing it tonight, and it had taken a lot for her to work up the courage..partly being afraid that this news would affect things...affect what he had planned to say to her...affect how he felt about her...

She took a deep breath and looked about before responding.

Dae,... I think i'm pregnant. She text. 

She was upset and frustrated. It wasn't his fault. If the company told them they had to go, then they had to go. She knew he had no control over it.

And? he text back.

Her brow furrowed.

And?? It's yours Daehyun.

 She was confused. 

Why would he respond like that?

...You're sure?

The tears in her eyes threatened to spill over. How could he ask that?  Who's would it be if not his?

Daehyun, what is wrong with you, why are you behaving like this? She asked.

Come to the side door, left of the stage.

She wiped her face on the back of her hand, and sniffed as fear began to set in.

What was going on?

Was that it then? 

Was it what she'd feared? 

That when he'd said 'nothing' could destroy their friendship, he hadn't really meant it?

Or had he brought her here to break up with her, and now she'd just given him the perfect excuse...

went dry as the anxiety kicked in. 

He'd seemed so happy this morning when he'd text her...but now...

Had he changed his mind now that they were finally about to meet?

Or had he changed his mind because of the possibility that she was pregnant?

She sighed, trying to get her emotions under control as she finally reached the door he'd instructed her to go to.

She waited several moments as the venue emptied, and looked out at the floor strewn with confetti and water bottles.

After about 10 minutes, the door opened just enough for a head to peek out.

It was one of the managers.

"You...You're Dae's friend right? Ellie?" he asked.

She didn't like the way he said that...like he dispproved of her and Dae being friends.

"That's right, why?" Ellie asked.

"Come with me." he said taking her by the arm and leading her inside.

The door slammed shut behind them as he led her down the long hallway, their footsteps echoing off the walls.

She didn't like the way he was holding onto her arm, like she was some kind of criminal.

This whole situation just felt wrong.

At the end of the hallway he opened a door and the two of them stepped into a room.

Inside sat a man in a suit.

"Hello." he said.

Ellie looked about completely confused.

"Um...hi?" she responded. "Look i'm not a sasaeng or anything, i'm a friend of Dae's, you can ask him,...better yet, I can call him for you.."  Ellie offered thinking they must have thought she was some crazed fan after the boys.

The man in the suit looked up at her and held up his hand, shaking his head. "I know who you are, there's no need for that. Daehyun came to see me just moments ago. Apparently theres a ...situation? Look Miss...I'll make it quick, i'm short on time and i'm sure you have things to do." he said straightening his suit jacket and clearing his throat before looking into her face. "Being that you are a friend of Daehyun's, you should know how it is, being an idol, if something like this got out to the public it would destroy his career....and you don't want that do you?"

Ellie felt her pulse quicken as she sensed where this was heading.

"I...I wasn't going to tell anyone, i just wanted to let Dae know, ...it's only right. I'm not even sure I am pregnant, I just...I just wanted to talk to him."

"Sure, sure." he nodded. "But...here's the thing. I'm sorry...i don't know how else to put this..." He rose from his chair as one of his staff handed him a bag, which he pushed across the table toward her.

"Per Daehyun's request....we want you to take this money....leave. Go to the states or another country of your choice...and get rid of it." he said, his eyes darting to her stomach as he said it. "Disappear and never contact Dae again. Keep your mouth shut. So long as you do that, we'll have no problem. If you talk, if you try to claim that you are pregnant with Dae's child, we will deny it and take you to court and you will be destroyed...not to mention what the fans will do to you." he finished with a smirk.

It suddenly felt as if all the air had been from the room.

She couldn't breathe.

Couldn't think.

It felt like her whole world was collapsing around her.

Leave.

Get rid of it.

Ellie slowly began shaking her head. "Excuse me???"

"Take the money and.."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Where is Dae??" she demanded, tears forming in her eyes once again.

She turned to go to the door but was stopped by two staff.

"He doesn't want to see you. I'm sorry, I know this must be difficult, but we have to do what's best for our members.I told him i'd convey his message for him."

Ellie shook her head again. "You're full of it." she said. "Dae's not like that."

The man in the suit smirked at her. "Think about it! What do you think will happen if  an article is released saying that you claim to be pregnant with Daehyuns child? You think the fans will take this lightly? What will happen to Daehyun, or the rest of BAP if you are? Are you prepared to take the fall? You think Daehyun will want to be with you after you've destroyed his career? His dream? All because of your selfishness." The man in the suit shook his head. "Daehyun made it very clear. This is what he wants. This is the life he wants, and there's no room for you or a baby in it. You need to accept that and move on."

She was pushed forward to the table where some papers were spread out as the man in the suit handed her a pen. 

She shook her head slowly. "I want to talk to Daehyun myself." she said, barely above a whisper as the tears trailed down her cheeks.

"Sign the paper, and go home. Daehyun doesn't want to see you..you have to accept that."

She glanced at the papers set out before her...words and phrases popped out....

Leave

No contact

Restraining order

Liable

Harm

Imprisonment

Fine

 She shook her head again. This didn't make any sense. This didn't seem like Dae.

But then again...they hadn't seen each other in months...barely talked via text.

And she wasn't sure how he'd felt about her.

But it seemed to be positive. 

So confusing.

He had walked out after sleeping with her though, and wouldn't respond to her texts or calls.

Maybe he'd had a sudden change of heart, especially after hearing that she may be pregnant.

Maybe he feared for his career, for his groupmates...

But still...

To go this far?

Though his texts after telling him she was pregnant seemed pretty harsh.

Maybe that had done it.

Maybe the possibility that she was pregnant had convinced him he didn't want anything to do with her.

She shook her head, a choked sob escaping .

The man in the suit approached her, coming up to stand beside her, speaking softly.

"Think about Daehyun. If you really care about him, you wouldn't risk destroying his career. You know this is his life, his dream, his happiness. And you should understand that you could destroy it all. Is that what you want? This was all an accident. It shouldn't have happened, but after losing his father, it's understandable why it did. Do you really want to cause him more pain?"

She shook her head, her whole body shaking, her heart breaking into a million pieces.

"Sign it."