Agoraphobia

Chaewon was always scared of being in places that were packed with many people, especially with people she didn't really know. She would prefer to be alone.

And because of her phobia, she got not that many friends. Her cold appearance didn't help her either.

It's always her Eunbi unnie and her 2 dongsaengs from her company.

She didn't even expect she would be debuting together with the other 11 final line up members. Like from 3 members she knew to 11 members (including her Eunbi unnie).

How her phobia was eating her slowly. But need to get used to it I guess..

××

The 9 girls were on the way to the airport to fly to Japan for their promoting schedule.

While everyone could be seen excited and busy preparing for their Airport Fashion Show, here Chaewon being tensed up and couldn't help but feel worried.

Sure, they had done many performances in front of ocean of people before especially during their Produce 48 days, but knowing how fans could approach them any closer and easier than when they're on stages scared her. Thanks to the articles she read about the airport incidents that some idols had gone through.

Staring at the busy leader rummaging through her bag searching for her lipstick, her mind was somewhere else reminiscing the old days of the leader being a former idol. Probably she will understand the situation better...

After long self-debate whether to disturb her unnie or not, she decided to ask, "Unnie, will there be many fans at the airport?" Chaewon spoke, stealing the attention from the older girl.

Eunbi who was aware of her intention asking her such question, stopped whatever she was doing and faced the younger with a hint of worry, "Oh Chaewonie.. are you okay? Are you feeling it again? I'll let manager--" before Eunbi could get out from her seat, Chaewon pulled the older girl back to sit. "No, not at the moment unnie.. but hopefully I won't later." She said and muttered the last part. "I can't really tell you how many of them will come but I'm sure everything will be alright and you'll be fine. But I can accompany you later if possible.." Eunbi offered even she wasn't sure herself that she could really accompany the younger while as a leader she thought there would be many things to take care of too.

Chaewon knew how her unnie was being so sincere to help her out with her phobia but she could relate and understand how her own tasks itself as their leader were already too much to handle.

"No, no worries unnie.. You've got many tasks to do already... I'm just going to let you know... or the others if there's any matter" Chaewon said, trying her best masking out her unsettled feeling.

"Promise me you will, I just don't want anything bad happens to you okay?" Eunbi said while brushing the latter's hair. 

In the end, Chaewon could only nod while her mind was back busy to wonder what would happen later.

Without her knowing a certain visual member was all worried and curious after by accident listening to the small conversation between the Woollim girls.

××


A moment later, they already arrived at the airport. Before going out, Eunbi shouted to get all the members' attention.

"Kids, be ready.. and be presentable since there are...." She trailed off for a while checking the situation outside at the airport entrance gate. 'More than what I've predicted actually..' by instant she glanced to where Chaewon was sitting and was feeling a little relieved after knowing the young girl was still calm and relaxed at the moment. "A lot of them. So please behave and don't make a chaos," she warned and not to forget giving a special glare to Yujin and Yena "and don't get lost, always have a member beside you at least.. if there's anything happen, don't hesitate to let manager oppa or me or any members know." Minjoo who had been observing the small interaction between the Woollim girls (especially towards Chaewon who she had been worried about) froze and decided to look away when accidentally her gaze met with a pair of cold brown eyes that somehow were melting slowly.

Once the girls were ready, one by one, the girls exited the door acting all professional and elegant. (So much different from their daily life.)

Chaewon was the one exiting the last after Eunbi. She was hoping she could walk together with their leader but to her little disappointment, her unnie was playing her role as a leader to help manager oppa checking all the girls' document fulfillment and baggage so she walked ahead at the front with their manager. Eunbi could only mouth her a 'fighting!'.

Need to overcome her phobia alone this time, Chaewon released a deep sigh and began making her way to the entrance. But before she went ahead, she observed the other members from behind looking for any members who could be asked or willing to accompany her. Actually, she could just approach the girls but blame her ego, she was too shy and too embarrassed to do so. Once again, a disappointment sigh for herself being a coward. She decided to just walk alone at behind with her wild imagination began to consume her.

Continuous chanting of 'You'll be fine' for her own self-support while walking awkwardly and anxiously was never stopped until Minjoo who had stopped in her track called her, breaking her from her train of thoughts.

"Chaewon unnie.." the younger called while offering her hand and waited for the latter to catch up with her.

She didn't know her prayer would be answered.

"and don't get lost, always have a member besides you at least.. if there's anything happen, don't hesitate to let manager oppa or me or any members know."

And their eyes met.

I'm hoping you will help me overcome my weakness...'

'I will..'

'Thank god.. you're my life savior Minjoo'

Without saying anything, Chaewon didn't hesitate to grasp the younger's hand.

Minjoo smiled. 

While walking further into the airport, Minjoo could feel how nervous the older girl became as her grip became tighter.

Minjoo was worried, but trying her best to make the older girl felt relax, she asked, "Unnie, you okay?"

Chaewon was too focus on her surrounding that's slowly getting scarier, with the never-ending flashlights from the fansites' camera being thrown to her from her left and right, even from her front and behind that slowly adding more dizziness to her head that's already messed up from all the wild imagination of her phobia, a light squeeze woke her up from her daze. She let her gaze fell to the younger girl's eyes.

"Do you want me to tell Eunbi unnie?" Chaewon could feel how worried Minjoo was, and she was thankful for her concern. But involving their leader in this matter wouldn't do anything well. So she skipped the thought of having their leader taking care of her with her phobia.

"No, just stay close to me and don't let go of me.. it's already enough." Chaewon spoke and looked away feeling embarrassed after asking for such things.

Minjoo couldn't help but smile, "I won't until you ask me to"