Her mother always told her to work hard, so she did. When she was invited to birthday parties in the past, she would go but never for the whole time. It was always only a fraction of the total time, and most of it was unenjoyable for Hyebin. She did not know what it was like to be a joyful child, and she only knew what it felt like to bring home good grades to satisfy her mother’s standards. It was never something that struck her as weird, but she took it as a calling to just stick to the way she was raised- obey her mother, and the house would stay calm. Her mother worked hard to make sure she would succeed, and it was only fair for Hyebin to return the favor.

Yet as she stepped off the plane into the crowded airport of Jeju Island, it all seemed worth it. The confusion of other peers shouting, reuniting with friends, and being able to makes new ones was all around, and in this chaos she could feel anxiety build. Would she be able to last the years she had to go in high school? She was easily one of the youngest in her grade, and Hyebin felt lost. Here she was, surrounded by children just as smart, or smarter, than she was, and she was starting fresh. No one knew of her past, and it was all just a new clean slate.

“Can the Academy of Business and Finance please gather here?” One group of teachers shouted, and immediately a bunch of students grabbed their luggage and ran to the area.

“Will the students of Visual Arts come here, and Theater over there, and Musical arts in that area?” “Culinary and Hotel Administration and Hospitality, please make your way to this area!” “Computer Science, please move to this area.” More and more students ran as their academies were called. Soon the crowd seemed more organized.

“Can the Academy of Medical Science and Tech please gather over here?” Hyebin immediately grabbed her bags and ran towards the designated area. This was it. A time to start fresh for real- no over burdensome mother, and no people of her past to hold her back. She slowed to a steady walk, a smile plastered over her lips as she saw a group of people, around her age of 14 to 15, gathered awkwardly by a few teachers.

“Annyeonghaseyo! I’m Kim Hyebin, from Gangnam, and I’m turning 15 this year. I hope we can be friends,” she said with as friendly of a voice as she could make. She hoped it didn’t come out as unnatural as it felt, and it luckily didn’t. Soon the Medical students were warming up to each other, and to her.

“I’m Lee Youjung, and I’m from Gangnam too. We could be like, best friends!” Youjung said while linking arms with Hyebin. Youjung was a pretty girl- with her milky pale skin, and naturally brown hair and large eyes. Hyebin could already see other girls looking at Youjung with admiration, and guys looking at Youjung shyly.

“Of course! You’re so pretty,” Hyebin complimented sincerely, and Youjung laughed it off. Maybe it wasn’t so hard.

“Students of the Academies of Seoul, please listen up. We will now be making our way to the resort we are staying at here. Please be on your best behavior, and do not get lost. You will be placed in buses by the academy, so there are seven buses. No switching buses, and do not stand up in the middle of the bus ride,” the headteacher of their grade level shouted into a mic, and the students all chanted their consent at once. The warm spring hair was buzzing in the excitement, and Hyebin suddenly felt as though she was never more in place than she was here. Her previous anxiety was flushed away as she and Youjung talked about their favorite idol groups, dramas, and the airport fashion of their new school and grade level.

“I love your outfit! Is it all from the COEX mall?” Youjung asked. Hyebin nodded, smiling. She put a lot of thought into her outfit, even though it was simple. She had only taken short denim overalls, and matched it too a navy blue and white raglan shirt, like she had seen her role model Seohyun do once. She also wore simple navy blue shoes with slight platforms, giving her height a little boost.

“I did get most of it from there. We should go shopping when we get home,” Hyebin said with a bright smile. Youjung nodded. “But seriously unnie, your outfit is so much prettier than mine.” Youjung looked flattered, and did a miniature catwalk for Hyebin. She was wearing skinny jeans that made her long legs look longer, and a simple white shirt with a denim vest and sneakers. While Youjung was shorter than Hyebin, it was evident that Youjung had the better proportions.

“Should we invite some of the other girls to talk to us? I feel like you and I are just getting along too well without others,” Youjung said with a chuckle. Hyebin nodded, and she was looking around to see more of the girls, before being forced to stop.

“You should watch where you’re going,” a voice said to her. She looked up and found herself looking at one of the handsomest boys she had ever seen. His face looked stunning, but she couldn’t help but feel annoyed at his voice.

“Excuse me? You should too,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. Youjung just watched helplessly, knowing better than to intervene.

“Whatever,” the boy said, and he walked on, catching up to another boy of similar height. Youjung let out a small sigh.

“He’s so hot,” she said in a dreamy tone, while Hyebin let out a puff of air indignantly. Who was he to treat her so rudely?

“He’s so annoying you mean?” Youjung just rolled her eyes at her new best friend, before grabbing Hyebin’s hand, dragging her to the bus. They had a resort to go to.

“You have the next few days to get to know each other before the school year starts. Make a lot of friends, but keep in mind to always have a teacher with you. There are teachers at the beach, the golf courses, and a few other places. Stay behaved to the natives here,” the headteacher announced, and Hyebin found herself with her new group of friends. They were all nice girls, and all fun loving girls that were already established as popular within their grade before school even began.

“We should go to the beach! I heard that it’s beautiful here in Jeju,” Soorim said, while running a hand through her long hair. The rest of the group nodded, and split off into their rooms to change into swimsuits.

“Don’t you think it’ll be so fun?” Youjung asked. The two were roommates, and Hyebin couldn’t help but agree. While she was having fun now, the thought of the rude boy from before kept on floating back into her mind, and she had to keep pushing it back out. She changed into her bikini, and threw on a sweatshirt and running shorts to cover up, before running out into the hall to meet with the other groups. It was hard for her to feel like she fit in; for one, she never experienced popularity in school previously because she had worked hard to get into the school she was at now. The other reason was simply because the other girls were so pretty and skinny, while Hyebin knew she was not as naturally so- she was used to running long periods of time on the treadmill, as well as exercising regularly for her body to be the way it was. The normal fast Asian metabolism wasn’t there for her.

“Dang, you’re so fit,” Soorim said with a playful shove. “I wouldn’t be surprised if guys crowd around us to meet you.” Hyebin blushed, before shaking her head. No, she was an original wallflower, where no one noticed her in her old school. Her name was just constantly at the top rank in the grade, but no one cared if she was or wasn’t in school.

“Let’s go. Gotta spend some time in the sun for that Vitamin D.” Youjung sang in a sing-songy tone. The trio made their way for the beach, stepping out of the building. It was a seaside hotel, making it convenient. The beach was already teeming with students, all in their bathing suits and having fun. Guys were throwing frisbee and girls were laying in the shade, talking and giggling. It looked like a lot of fun, and Hyebin had no idea how she missed out on so much.

“Want to sit over there and watch the guys play volleyball?” Soorim suggested, but she was already making way for the spot. Hyebin shrunk a little as eyes seemed to fixate on her and her two friends- was this really what it was like to be friends with popular girls?

“Loosen up a little, Hyebs. You look so stiff,” Youjung said, nudging the girl. She nodded, before jumping a little in surprise as a volleyball flew out of nowhere, and landed next to her.

“Excuse me, can you- Oh gosh it’s you.” It was that boy again. Hyebin crossed her arms over her chest again, feeling annoyance rise inside of her.

“Oh, yeah, it is me. Problem?” She asked. He rolled his eyes, and Hyebin wanted to take back what she said about him being handsome before, but she couldn’t. Especially not when he was shirtless with his abs right there. He was definitely fit, and it was almost illegal for someone to be that good looking at only first year in high school. Hyebin shook her head slightly- how could she seriously be thinking this about the guy?

“I was going to say you were pretty until I saw who it was. So yeah, you seem to be a problem,” he said with a lopsided smirk. It wasn’t meant to be rude, she realized. He was just being friendly in his own way- an irritating way, but still trying.

“I’m Kim Hyebin, and I’m from the Academy of Medical Science and Tech. How about you?” She said as amiably as possible. She could hear Youjung and Soorim whispering about her and the boy, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to end this hostility.

“Koo Junhoe, and ditto. Although, you do seem a little young. Are you fourteen?” He asked. She nodded, and he smirked again. “Aw, what a little baby. I guess because you’re younger, you’ll have to listen to everything I say, am I right?” Hyebin rolled her eyes, before throwing the volleyball back to him. Junhoe caught it with ease, his stoic eyes never once leaving her face.

“I guess if you’re older, you’ll be dead faster, neh? Go back to volleyball.” She retorted, and he let out a chuckle, reaching out a large hand to ruffle her hair. She froze. It was the first time in her life a guy had ever done that, and she didn’t know what to do. It was definitely not something she was used to, and she felt as though butterflies were trying to tear her stomach open. She was still in a daze as he jogged back to his group of friends, and she sat down on the beach towel as she felt Soorim’s hand pull her down.

“Guess what I got?” Youjung said in a mischievous voice. Hyebin looked at her in a puzzled way, and Youjung took out her phone. There was a picture of Junhoe ruffling her hair, while she herself was staring at the sandy beach ground. “And guess who already posted this on Instagram?” Hyebin froze.

“LEE. YOU. JUNG!” Her voice shrieked loudly. Some people turned to look at the trio, while Youjung and Soorim were rolling around, laughing. They were obviously enjoying messing with the youngest of their group.

"Mianhe. I just couldn't resist. Hyebs, why didn't you tell us that you were a guy magnet? You two look so cute together. I already got everone in the grade to follow me, so don't be surprised when you two are the hottest ship. Now, what should the couple name be? Is it Junbin or Hybhoe?" Youjung said, still holding her stomach while she was out of breath from laughing. Hyebin sent her a peeved look. "Okay fine, I'm sorry. But trust me, you two are so cute. Please, he's part of iKON, the most popular group in our grade. Girls would be so honored to be in your position right now with Junhoe." Youjung said persuasively.

"What the heck is iKON? That sounds so dumb," Hyebin said, and Soorim did a face palm at her words. Were these boys seriously that known in their area? Of course there were always guys like that, but it was always way over her head previously.

"Seriously Hyebin, are you someone that lived under a rock? How do you not know of iKON? They've been popular in our grade since we were way younger. There's no way you haven't heard of them, no matter what district you're from. In fact, you and Youjung are both from Gangnam, and even Junhoe is from Gangnam." Soorim said. Hyebin shrunk back a bit at her words. Was Junhoe really from her district? She didn't even have a clue.

"Honestly? I was a wallflower. I don't know how to social," Hyebin said, trying to not cringe at the memories, or lack of. "I didn't ever go to the beach, or the carnival. I never had a boyfriend I truly loved, or a pet. I know how to play instruments, and how to draw, but I don't know how to live life more freely. I'm really clueless, so mianhae." Youjung and Soorim sent her apologetic looks, and the trio stayed silent, watching others play.

"Then let's start now." Youjung finally said. Hyebin looked up at her curiously. What was this girl up to now? Youjung and Soorim had previously talked about their own past lives before the Academies of Seoul; all their ex boyfriends, the fun, the parties. How they always had guys asking them out, and how they were always invited to parties they didn't care for. It was that excitement that seemed to lack in her own life.

"Soorim and I are going to help you relive your life. Hey look, its 11:11 am. Let's go make a wish that you can really relive what you missed out on, and get some lunch, okay?"

It was 11:11 am, and it was Hyebin's first time making a childish wish. And from then on, it was only the beginning of many.

--

AN:

Hello my lovely readers! I'm pretty busy, but I just fell in love with Junhoe from iKON. I can't say I'll be updating a lot, but I do want to make this story happen. I'm still pretty much a noob with AFF, so please give this story a lot of encouraging comments. And also, please upvote and subsscribe and I'll do my best to make this story as great as possible. I should try to get a poster for it as well, but like I said, I don't really know how to so I need to figure that out. Until next time <3