Chapter 5

Monique sat down on the leather couch outside of Hyun's office with her legs crossed, sighing as she played with the zipper of the black jacket that J-Hope had given her the night before. Nervousness had settled in her nerves with the time she had spent waiting, soon, her finger twirled around one of the strings dangling at her neck. 

"You got here early." 

Her eyes glanced up nervously to see V with a bright smile on his lips, a duffelbag hanging from his shoulder. He wore grey sweats and a black shirt with white printing in Japanese, black Nikes and a pink sweatband around his left wrist. V put his weight on one side of his body, his free hand on his waist as he studied the girl with an unreadable look on his face, "What're you doing here?" He glanced at the jacket hanging from her small shoulders, "The jacket suits you!" 

She returned the smile to V and stood up from her place on the couch, still nervously rolling the black string around her thin finger, "I wasn't sure where to find Hyun, so I just waited here. Do you know where practice would normally be held?" V blinked,

"It would be at the dance studio, but we're having our practice there now." He tilted his head to the side slightly, "Are you sure you're supposed to be here today?" 

Monique blinked and picked up her duffelbag, "Either way, can you take me there with you? I'm already running late. Hyun will kill me if I'm any later." V chuckled and nodded,

"Of course." 

V took her by the hand and hummed, guiding her down the hall and up a staircase to bring her to the floor with the only dance studio available. She then followed him into the room to find the rest of the Bangtan Boys circled up, running around and laughing. When they heard the door open, they looked up and smiled when they saw V, but then confusion came up on their faces when their eyes landed on the female beside him,

"What're you doing here, Monique? Didn't you have your practice today?" Jin questioned, slightly confused and worried, "Was it post poned or moved? Finish early?" 

Monique chuckled at the sea of questions Jin was throwing at her, "This is the most talkative I've seen you, Jin-ssi." Jin crunched up his nose at the way she addressed him, making her laugh, "What? You don't like when I use honorifics on you, Jin-" She paused and smiled slyly, "Oppa." He smiled brightly at the word and hummed in approval.

"But hyung does have a point," Jimin piped in. 

"It was moved to here." 

The group turned to see Hyun leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed over his chest and a foot rested up, "You're having your dance practice right here, right now, with the Bangtan Boys." Monique's eyes widened, her eyes immediately looking around her at all the boys, both sides obviously confused, "You must learn their hardest choreography and master it by tonight as well as choreography for a solo teaser. I hope you're ready for the hardest day of your life, Monique-ah."

Monique offered a bright and confident smile, nodding as she pulled on a snapback, "That's not even a challenge, let's get started!" Hyun smirked at her confidence and nodded, taking a glance at his watch before looking back at Monique,

"Your practice starts now. J-Hope will help choreograph for your solo teaser as well as Jimin and Jungook. You have until 3AM to perfect everything." After assigning the task and challenge, filling in the details and instructions, Hyung left to his office on the other end of the building, leaving the group to look at each other,

"I'm so sorry if this is interrupting your practice and preparations for something else.." Monique looked down timidly, playing with the fabric that covered her hands, "I didn't expect something like this to happen- to make me a nuissance." 

Suga smiled before approaching Monique, patting the back of her shoulder in a supportive way, "Hey, don't worry about it. Our promotions are over, we're more than free and happy to help you in any way." The rest of the guys nodded in agreement, voicing their positive comments before sitting to one side of the dance studio, working on their own works or watching the four dancers. 

"You're doing great, but it's like this," Jimin continued to patiently correct Monique's minor mistakes, but she caught on quickly to every move and mastered each dance with little to no time.

"You're a natural, Noona!" Jungook smiled at her brightly, dabbing off some sweat after a good two hours of working on Boy in Luv, "It's not shocking you got in due to your dancing. " J-Hope nodded in agreement, also wiping his sweat with the inside of his elbow, 

"It looks like you'd be a solo artist, is there a name you'd like to call yourself for the stage?" Rap Monster asked curiously from his position on the floor, legs crossed Indian-style, "Like, Moni-Q or MoniBB?" 

Monique chuckled at the suggestions and shrugged slightly, "I've never thought about that. Any more suggestions you'd happen to have for me, Rap Monster?" She flashed him a smile, the question making him hum, tapping the pencil he had been previously writing rap lyrics with to his lip, "I'm unsure of what music I'd be making, but I like Little Moni." She glanced at Rap Monster for his opinion, only receiving a hum to show he acknowledged the suggestion,

"What about MQ?" He glanced at her, only to receive a crunched up nose and shake of her head, "Hmm, or.. -"

"Maybe just Monique?" J-Hope suggested, looking between the two with a shrug, "I mean, it's a beautiful name, simple, and it's her real name." Monique smiled at him and nodded with a hum, 

"I really like that idea." J-Hope smiled at her, running a hand through his hair,

"Alright, you've got all of our choreography mastered, now we have to make some choreography for your solo teaser." He tapped his chin and looked at Monique, "What kind of dancing do you do?" She chuckled and shrugged, 

"I do anything, really. But I really enjoy hip-hop style." J-Hope raised a brow with and amused expression on his face,

"There's no way you do hip hop- you're too... innocent looking." This time it was Monique's turn to raise a brow and cross her arms over her chest,

"Oh really. Should I prove it then?" The group of boys that were watching the encounter, quickly stood up and approached the two that were looking at each other intently, "Do you want to battle right here, right now, J-Hope?" J-Hope chuckled and eyed the girl, 

"Let's do it." 

The boys became loud at the announcement of a battle starting. Jungook ran to the sterio and connected his phone for the music, he turned up the bass and volume as high as it would go, "Ok, Hyung, you know the rules, whatever songs come on, the person has to dance to it no matter what! No playing dirty, and remember, this is for fun!" Jungook scolded, looking at Monique with a smile, "Noona, good luck!" 

Monique flashed a smile at the youngest and turned to J-Hope, waving a hand for him to take the floor when the first song began to play- Ron Brows 'She Don't like Me.' J-Hope let the beat run through his veins, popping and locking as well as breaking into his small performance. Monique analyzed each move with critical eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips, nodding slightly at her challenger with approval. J-Hope layed back on the floor and then pulled himself up with just his feet, continuing to do his popping and finishing off with a freeze- gaining cheers from the on-lookers.

The song faded out, symbolizing the beginning of a new song- meaning it to be Monique's turn now. J-Hope panted, trying to regulate his breathing as his eyes glanced at Monique who showed an unconcerned expression. Jungook smiled as the next song rang through the studio- a remix of Fifth Harmony's Boss. The boys watched in anticipation as Monique began to feel the beat almost immediately. Her boyd moved with the beat and rythm perfectly, The boys' jaws almost dropped as she then went to breaking easily and breathlessly. She waved her hair to and fro with attitude, her eyes not leaving J-Hope as she continued to dance for the length of the song, ending in a flawless split.

V hopped around, clapping his hands at the battle that just took place, laughing, "Hyung! You just got beat!" J-Hope attempted to protest, but the boys continued to brush him off and approach Monique, clapping and hugging her as she caught her breath,

"There needs to be a second round!" J-Hope continued to argue but then sighed as he realized he couldn't beat a girl, "Fine, fine, we'll do hip hop choreography for your teaser. But you better keep up." He waved a threatening finger at her with a smile playing on his lips, making Monique return the slight smile and nod,

"I wouldn't dream of anything else." 

The practice continued on until 3AM, and the four dancers were exhausted, "I think you're ready for whatever the company has to throw at you now, but I don't know what your singing voice sounds like." Jin hummed out as he helped J-Hope and Jungook pack up their gear. The mention of singing made J-Hope glance at the sweat-drenched girl who had her ponytail swinging back and forth along her back, the jacket he had given her tied loosely around her slim waist, her sweats and tanktop stuck to her like leather with each movement she did- watching her alone made J-Hope's throat dry, but he shook his head to focus,

"Yeah, I'd like to hear you sing some time." 

Monique glanced at the two boys and chuckled softly, "What're you two blabbering about now? You'll get the chance to hear me sing, don't worry." She flung her duffelbag over her shoulder after packing up, breathing in a deep breath, "I should head back, Amber's probably worried." 

The group of boys nodded in agreement, "Oh, we haven't eaten all day, if Amber's up for it, why don't we go for a food run?" Suga noted, propping himself up on his elbows as he layed on the floor, "There's a nearby shop we can stop by at. Besides, it's too late to have a woman walking around town alone." The other members nodded again,

"Yeah, Suga's right. It is too late, and I'm sure you're starving with all the dancing," Rap Monster responded and took the duffelbag from Monique, slinging it over his own shoulder with a smile, "It'll be a Bangtan honor."

Monique rolled her eyes playfully and fished her phone from her pocket, "Alright, alright. Let me contact the lama to see if she's game." She dialed the oh-too-familiar number, holding the phone to her ear and awaiting for Amber's pick up- but the line continued to ring, making her sign, "I think she might still be out with the members, they had a late concert today in Gangnam-dong." She left a voicemail and smiled at the group, "Alright, let's go get some grub, you're all starving your dongsaengs!" 

After a small conversation and finishing packing up their stuff, the group finally began to head to the nearby shop Suga had commented on, the scent of ramen filled the air, automatically making Monique grab at her grumbling stomach. She smiled and rubbed the back of her head as V looked at her with an astounded expression, "Sorry, I must've been hungrier than I thought."

Finally, the group had gotten to the shop and bought the treats and food they each wanted and sat outside across the street at a park. Monique hummed as she sat on a swing, biting into a steamed bun with bliss, sighing happily, but huffed air as the bun was hotter than she had expected. J-Hope, who sat beside her, laughed and shook his head as he slurrped up his ramen. She smiled at him and offered him a bite of the bun, which he gladly took, "You're an amazing dancer, you know that?" 

Monique hummed and shrugged, "I suppose, a lot of people say that, but there are better." J-Hope nodded slightly at the girl's humbleness and scratched the back of his head, 

"The group has made a connection with you already, it's interesting to see how much happier they are in your presence." Monique glanced at J-Hope and smiled softly, shrugging slightly once again, 

"It's nice to finally have someone else other than Amber. I mean, I love Amber, but sometimes, it's nice to have a lot more people who like to be around you. Amber is my best friend and the main reason I came to this country, but it's nice to have a part of my life that is my own... is that selfish?" Monique looked down at her bun, her shoulders slumping as she saddened. 

"Of course not," A pair of feet stepped in front of her and she looked up to see Rap Monster with a grin on his face. He grabbed the two chains holding the swing she was sitting on and pulled it up far enough to let go and let her swing back, only to be pushed forward by Jungook, "It's not selfish at all to want to feel loved by more than one person." 

"You'd only feel lonely," Jin agreed, leaning against the side of the swingset with his arms crossed over his chest, a baked bread tucked in one hand. He flashed her a gentle smile, "You're growing up, and it's only natural to feel the need to feel more independant and to explore." 

"Noona, we like you, and it's nice to see you with a smile. We don't have much experience with having girls around, but it's almost effortless with you," Jimin hummed as he sat in the swing beside J-Hope, who nodded at the comment. He looked towards Monique with a smile,

"See, you're not alone anymore. We took the path that you're taking now, but you're alone, you'll be a solo artist and there'll be moments you wish there'd be someone beside you, and that'll be us." 

"No matter how much you'd dislike it!" V piped in with a bright smile, drinking a sip of his vitamin water,

"We may be annoying sometimes, but you'll learn to love us." Suga stated matter-of-factly, waving his own bun at Monique.

She smiled gently and hopped off of the swing midair and approached Rap Monster who was in front of her and hugged him tightly, nuzzling her nose into the lingering cologne that was still present in his clothes. She hugged him as close as she could, she wasn't expecting to hug him, more of wanting to hug J-Hope the most, but it would've looked odd, and Rap Monster was right there, the closest, and all she wanted was a hug.

A moment passed before she could feel herself being wrapped around with multiple arms, holding her and protecting her. Everyone held her in a way she hadn't been held before, and it was just perfect. A warm feeling lit up in her heart as a few tears rolled down her cheeks- happy tears- and it was a feeling she hadn't felt since she had left her family back in America. This feeling became stronger as J-Hope nuzzled his nose securely against the back of her neck, V against her side, and when Jin ruffled her hair before hugging the last empty spot of her before Jimin, Suga and Jungook wrapped the entirety of the outside of the circled hug with their own.

It was the first time she had felt she belonged somewhere, and it wasn't just a lightly lit of happiness, it was a glow that took over her being and her senses in a matter she couldn't describe- all she knew was that it felt good, and most of all, it felt right. 

"Thank you..."