932Please respect copyright.PENANA2fDKQgevfL
After the little incident we had with Sam yesterday, it turned out that Collins knew from the very beginning that we were the cause of her not attending the meeting. Lee had told him the whole truth after all and he was just waiting to get back to the hotel to talk to us about it. Including G-Dragon. The blame was mostly on me because I thought of the idea in the first place. The others got away with it scott free, even G-Dragon. On my part it was completely unfair that I got blamed for everything alone.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAnmEjuRwBwp
As for Sam, she was completely mad at us for what we did. As usual, she pointed her anger towards G-Dragon and I. As much as she was upset with us, I was just glad she was okay. And so were the others. Though I was a little worried about G-Dragon and Sam's relationship. It looks like I just made things a lot harder for G-Dragon this time around.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA68NNzJCYmj
Today, we had gone for dance practise early in the morning at YG. Soon afterwards, we were supposed to meet the organising team that were planning for the special event.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAa3G8VWH5aN
We had a number of things to do today. As much as there were things to do during the event, we also had to perform and that meant more practice. Sounds tiring indeed.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAXlmko0hibG
We the Toxins headed for one of the large scale rehearsal buildings outside the main YG building. There we found BlackPink waiting by the entrance. They all screamed with glee upon seeing us and ran towards us. Most of us knew why.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAJJdFGtgzMD
"Sam, you're okay!" Lisa reached Sam first and hugged her. Sam hugged her back and the other three BlackPink members surrounded her into a hug too.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAGZ0b8g1dMN
"Good to see you," said Sam with a smile on her face. The four BlackPink members broke away from her. "I really missed you, girls. You've no idea."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAWlCvbW1sWx
"We were so worried about you when we heard about your little accident," said Jisoo. "But you're fine, right?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAnrPHbdb06P
"I'm okay as ever."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAq2XJGyCyRM
"So, aren't you going to give any of us a hug too?" I asked.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA2O0NHaRw58
Jennie rolled her eyes at me. "After what you did, it's pretty hard to do so," she said as she twirled her hair.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAtTvzU1Mx60
"Really? Just because of a simple lie?" I rolled my eyes. "We did all that so that none of you would get worried."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAmh7oRtDm1C
"Well, you were still supposed to tell us. As serious as it was, we deserve to know because we're your friends," said Rosé.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAtaGT5rrwz4
"You're right," said Christine. "And we will never stop apologising because it was wrong of us to lie to you."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAEnWq7FuvhP
"True," said Mike. "I would also say the same. We're truly sorry."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAxxBxEaK7tW
"Me too," said Daniel. "I wouldn't like what happened to my sister to ever happen again."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA4BU6ZzTodX
"Awww, so sweet," said Lisa as she looked at Daniel. "You deserve my hug."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAK8LIm95EBP
Lisa went over to hug Daniel and he was caught completely off guard. I could clearly see him blushing like the cute little boy that he is.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA2YAhW0VrPk
"I think you, Mike, deserve mine," said Jennie, and she went to hug him. I noticed a tiny smile on his face.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAHwSgx9HrJy
"Christine deserves mine too," said Jisoo. And likewise, went to hug Christine.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAPYw0DCMCkJ
So that left me with Rosé.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAkgzuRizVL0
"Aren't I going to receive a hug?" I asked, looking at her.
932Please respect copyright.PENANASB09150yvA
Jennie folded her arms and looked the other way, completely ignoring me. Sam looked at me, wanting to laugh. She clearly saw all of this funny and I on the other hand, felt irritated. I threw Sam a look but she still wanted to laugh so bad that she turned the other way and covered her mouth.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA0WvqnAcPAN
"Whatever," I said rolling my eyes like I didn't care. "I don't deserve one, anyway."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA2CpJe7Rjuf
"Look who just showed up alive and kicking," came Mino's voice behind me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAn59kzHPqXO
Sam and I turned around and there was Mino with the rest of WINNER coming towards us. Mino already had his arms outstretched and reached Sam first to hug her.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAOYLpfmW3Aq
"Hi, Mino," said Sam as he hugged him back. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the two of them as I twirled a strand of my hair.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAonMp1LIASe
"How are you doing?" he asked as he looked at Sam. "You had us all worried."
932Please respect copyright.PENANARwFft58KPn
"As you can see, I'm fine," said Sam as she rubbed the right side of her forehead. Her bruise was barely even noticeable. It healed up pretty quickly from yesterday.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAqAbjHkrHgj
Seunghoon came and quickly pushed Mino aside just to hug Sam.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAGtO0vbGQSK
"Wow, chill out, hyung," Mino complained as he stared at Seunghoon. "You could've hurt me."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAiWjFiZSM2f
"I missed you so much, Sam," said Seunghoon, still hugging Sam and not caring that he almost knocked Mino over.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAYUkQuWU9Dr
"Seunghoon, I'm fine," said Sam. "You can stop hugging me, you're squeezing me too tight."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA9skvwspWpJ
"Oh, sorry." He let go of Sam and smiled at her.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAnHgRqTavQR
"It's good to have you back, Sam," said Seungyoon.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAqtskwOZAdn
"Ya, it feels good to be back," said Sam.
932Please respect copyright.PENANATTFnXK1cwp
"So, are you excited about the news?" Jinwoo asked.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAOFUCeVWfVc
"About BTW? Definitely. I think it will be so cool to have both BTW officially announced and the music video being released on the same day."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAUjX7LPV5yY
"Hey, girls," greeted Mino as he waved towards BlackPink.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAbNwog6nqTQ
BlackPink also waved at him and to the rest of WINNER too. WINNER also ended up greeting the other Toxins. I couldn't help but feel I was being totally ignored today and that was almost setting me up in flames.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAWOBYCatbzR
"Hello, people," I said waving my hand in the air to grab everyone's attention. "Are we all forgetting someone here?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANA6sPXmCsTT4
Nobody said a word as they all looked at me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAre21HEYLp5
"Isn't anyone going to say anything?" I asked. "You've all been ignoring me like am a nobody when I'm definitely somebody."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA6JeIOFY1Iy
"We know, Zoey," said Sam. "We aren't ignoring you."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA32mcXF0Urg
"Oh, ya? Then tell me what everyone else is doing? BlackPink don't want to hug me at all and WINNER didn't even say hi to me!"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAINx1wFifmD
Everyone else except Sam and the other Toxins, started muttering among themselves and they made their way into the studio building. The three other Toxins followed them, leaving Sam and I outside.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAMUVG0mPccC
"What's wrong with everyone today?" I asked as I watched them go. "It's not fair that people still blame me for what happened to you."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA4tldqX6mYz
"Well, you still can't deny that it was all your fault," said Sam as she looked at me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAyAJZvxpEGl
"Ya, I know. I regret ever doing that to you, better yet, lying to everyone else about your accident."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAUATlW6gvFC
"Maybe you should apologise."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA02D2gL4wBw
I closed my eyes in frustration and opened them again. "I did so yesterday."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAXMRRbV44N4
"Maybe you should continue doing so until they feel sorry for you. It's just like what the others did earlier."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAWXxQxhHoCi
"You guys are so unfair. You're giving me a hard time just because of an 'accident.' Did you see the way Mino ignored me today? It's so unlike him."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA5Bl3CVUqaG
Sam gave me a sad smile. "I know it's hard. But just know they don't hate you. They are just upset. You will see that they will come around."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAKa3Ylz3AyH
"And do you hate G-Dragon for what he did?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANARD7IgtCKm5
I noticed her blush and was planning to divert her eyes the other way, but surprisingly, she still kept them fixed on me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAs0mGhPv35B
"I don't hate G-Dragon," she answered. "What he did was totally weird and wrong, but I can't keep a grudge on him forever when I know all this was practically your fault."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAOGQVprFocQ
"Don't try to blame me for this all over again. Are you still upset because of what he did to us last time with BTW?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANArpq9xCbatS
Sam looked towards the clear blue sky in thought. She looked back at me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAyzEYMKGKRK
"I don't know anymore," she said. "I want to say that I'm still mad at him for that, but now, I can't really tell what I'm mad at him for."
932Please respect copyright.PENANADfP5bqgglh
"Huh?" That statement sent me spinning in circles. As much as Sam is one of the smartest people I know, sometimes she would talk jibberish that you tend to wonder if she's acting weird or you're just the dumb one. And I don't like being the dumb one.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAKY1bQvvTEC
"You didn't get it, did you?" Sam asked, looked like she noticed the confusion all over my face.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAOUiXGyMQAs
"No, Professor Glasson, because that made no sense."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA4rGyesG85U
She sighed. "You're right. You'll understand later on. Come on," she jerked her head to the side, pointing to the trailer. "Let's go."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAWkzs4qreML
We started our way in through the huge metal door when I asked:
932Please respect copyright.PENANALaZ0o3Smfi
"Does that mean you forgive him?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAbsaD2nW2KY
"Forgive him for what?" Sam asked as soon as we were inside.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAxhrxqUQZKm
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. You said you do hate him but you don't know what for and then you say you can't hate him forever, so, it's so confusing."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAV5wddlc1zX
"Don't stress yourself on the subject. Even I don't know what I said."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAf1NyYJQjkN
I rolled my eyes at her. "You're so weird."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAlLIxHNFHX0
"I know," she said with a smile as she looked at me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAt7qRNDRdQp
We approached the others standing in the massive studio space. There were people around the place setting up a construction set for the event. I couldn't wait to see how things will look on the final day.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAimlIuDJ72h
When we got to the others who were also looking around the construction set, we noticed that BigBang were among them too.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAAq68iWswRZ
"Sam? You're here," said Daesung after he turned around and noticed the two of us approach.
932Please respect copyright.PENANALKaquKjbpm
Sam waved at Daesung and soon the whole BigBang members looked our way.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAPe1df1Z6ul
"Ah, my panda is okay," said Seungri with so much excitement as he came over and held Sam in his arms. He lifted her off the ground and spun her around.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA1SRyhRDQCg
Sam laughed with joy, her laugh echoing around the place as Seungri continued to spin her around. She told him to put her down. Seungri did as he was told. Sam still couldn't stop laughing.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAqxQSktLBP3
"Don't you ever do that again," said Sam in between laughs.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA1zXUIM4HC8
"I missed your laugh, that's why," said Seungri. "It's good to have you back, my panda."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAuNoZHYqbo0
"I just missed everything about her," said TOP. "Her laugh, her smile, everything."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA2XrWfESPVM
I noticed Sam blush and said, "you really know just how to make me blush, Choi. It isn't fair."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAEJx3wpSWud
"Ha, but you're so cute when you blush," said Taeyang.
932Please respect copyright.PENANACMvCAMbIle
"Too cute," said Seunghoon.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAQYinWtvOCR
I shook my head at what was happening in front of me but I couldn't help but smile when I saw Sam smiling. I realised that yesterday wasn't quite the same without her and I am glad that she was back.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAPrSAB6BjAY
I noticed G-Dragon standing alongside Mike looking towards the set construction. The two seemed to be talking about something and it felt strange that G-Dragon hadn't acknowledged Sam's presence like everybody else had. I walked over to him and held his shoulder to grab his attention.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAU0T9Fjn3cb
"Oh, hi, Zoey," he said as he turned around to look at me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAxsOlp0N114
"Finally!" I looked up to the wide dome shaped ceiling in relief. "Someone has finally said hi to me this morning."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAl7Sr7ktW3D
"What's wrong? No one has greeted you?" G-Dragon asked.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAKnO4QZpVGG
"Apart from my group members and you, everyone's completely ignoring me today."
932Please respect copyright.PENANApsxXXP4QHZ
"They are just upset," said Mike. "I bet Sam has already told you that."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAxYLIoCcO4D
"Ya, she did. Trust me, this feels weird on so many levels. Are you experiencing the same thing, GD?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAy7oR929Gzl
"No," G-Dragon answered. "Apparently, everyone said hi to me."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAy6Cnz8TKBl
I rolled my eyes. "Typical. So, what do you think the set is going to be like?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAwtE1gIhzhj
Mike and G-Dragon looked back at the set being worked upon.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAUtkHjdrSIM
"No, idea," said Mike. "GD and I were trying to figure it out too."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAaH6kF2BEFN
"It's going to be so awesome," I said as I saw the main stage with other structures being set on it. At the moment, you couldn't really tell what they were yet.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAVY7uznufBU
"Hey, I noticed that you haven't said hi to Sam," I said to G-Dragon. He turned to look at me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAfn1rAjx1T3
"Is that a problem?" he asked.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAqqESP4n718
"Well, you've always liked her and cared about her. Yesterday, you almost looked like you were about to kill yourself when she fell unconscious."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAYDccROAOuv
"True. But I bet she's still mad at me. So, I would rather stay out of her way for now."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA2MggowI79t
"Are you seriously going to do so?" Mike asked with an eyebrow raised. "The way you always look at my sister tells a different story. You won't be able to hold yourself away from her that long. Not when Seunghoon looks at her the same way you do."
932Please respect copyright.PENANASNN090jGzh
"Since when have you been a love expert?" I asked looking at Mike.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAkioFD1EwEi
"I only observe," Mike answered. "I'm not a love expert."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAwjjCCfB486
"But Mike is right though. Seunghoon is your competition, GD. And he isn't the only one."
932Please respect copyright.PENANABpUPMf5ZBq
G-Dragon and Mike turned to look at me with questioning looks on their faces.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAzIPZrdumxn
"What do you mean he isn't the only one?" G-Dragon asked.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAFvEio0lqUf
"Oh, I won't tell you," I said playfully as I laughed.
932Please respect copyright.PENANATQ5yktGIVD
Mike nodded his head at me and had a smirk on his face. "I think I know who she's talking about," he said.
932Please respect copyright.PENANALOSNrAxPeX
I liked the fact that Mike also knew, since he was just an observer after all. And it's hilarious seeing that look on G-Dragon's face. Maybe then he would wake up and realise that Seunghoon wasn't his only threat. I also wasn't going to tell him that he was up against some of the BTS members who couldn't stop staring at Sam the whole time we were having fun at the arcade the other day. And since I was in contact with EXO, some of them couldn't stop pestering me when they were ever going to meet Sam in person.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAjS6RCWOr4T
Speaking of EXO, I received a message from Suho last night, saying that they were going to have a concert today and they invited The Toxins. I hadn't told the others yet because I wanted it to be a surprise. The only people I told about this was Collins and Lee. Collins agreed that we can go after we were done here at YG since the concert was taking place this evening.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAonJnOGBpWY
"I don't like it that you two are acting suspicious," said G-Dragon.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAhUU51ih4oy
"Oh, never mind us," said Mike with a smirk on his face. "All we were trying to do is warn you that you shouldn't be surprised when another person apart from Seunghoon asks her out one of these fine days."
932Please respect copyright.PENANABLtdEfOgVX
"True," I said. "So, you better pull up your socks if you want to be the only guy Sam will ever remember when we leave this place."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAD8iB8WHdAb
G-Dragon gave me a weird look and I so much as wanted to laugh out loud, but Sam approached us and none of us hadn't noticed until she was close.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAdxVy1cOPgv
"Hey, the organisers are here," she said. I noticed her look at G-Dragon. "Hi, GD," she greeted him.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAfqjOTU4IpY
Mike and I had both of our mouths open in shock. Sam actually said "hi" to G-Dragon. Well, that was the talk of the day.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAME8wp4SHLE
I noticed G-Dragon blush for a minute and for a moment, he seem to hesitate until he finally spoke up, "hi, Sam. How are you doing today?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAiKgFGy1Wpu
"Never better," she replied. "We better get going."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA1KMjpWOTux
She didn't smile at him but at least that was a sure start that she might not be mad at G-Dragon like she said is. She didn't look upset either. Looks like someone was playing stoic today. I had to admit, I didn't expect her to greet GD at all.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAddU58SDpR0
She quickly made her way to join the others who were gathered around in a circle with the organisers. At the moment, they were going through what we discussed yesterday so that Sam wouldn't feel left behind. The three of us who stood away from the others, slowly made our approach.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAtbG52l59gw
"Let me just say, I didn't expect Sam to even say a word to you, GD," said Mike.
932Please respect copyright.PENANACFlYFPceJe
"Tell me about it," I said as I gave G-Dragon a wink. "Looks like she's one step closer to to forgiving you."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA0Db3j8WYUi
"Well, I feel she's a million miles away from doing so," said G-Dragon.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAauH8wskZUu
"Oh, please! You might have messed up that time with BTW and with the awful surprise yesterday, but it's clear to see that she can't stay mad at you forever."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAXxT7iJMvfk
"Mike, Zoey, GD," came the voice of one of the female organisers, Ji Yeon. A pretty slim bodied woman with an attitude. She's one person I wouldn't like to be on her wrong side yet it looks like I'm starting to do so already. "Pay attention. We wouldn't be repeating this all the time, you know."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAF8WBG21RZ2
"Sorry," the three of us muttered at the same time like naughty kids caught doing something wrong in class.
932Please respect copyright.PENANApQc8KGAGQC
There were four organisers spearheading this event. Ji Yeon being the only lady. The other organisers were okay and didn't seem so strict. Ji Yeon on the other hand, seem like a handful. To top it all off, she was our dance instructor for the event alongside a young man Ji Nun. Bummer. Ji Nun I can handle. But Ji Yeon, I might as well fear for my life.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAl20oKNN2xw
We went over the routine they had planned out for us and that took almost an hour. What I wasn't really looking forward to, was the dance routine because of Miss Sharky. Ya, I nicknamed Ji Yeon Miss Sharky. She seemed that way to me anyway.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAOLwb1tnD4V
When it came to the dance routine, each group first had to perform their own song, that meant we each had our own dance routine. Then in the end, we would all come together as one big group and dance together.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAnUCH3zAzW5
One by one, we each had to pick a song of a group's choice. Then the two choreographers will take us through with the routine. BlackPink went first and I had to admit, the girls really knew how to make it work, though Ji Yeon wasn't really impressed and suggested some changes. She was a perfectionist, no doubt about that.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAQqq1WNsL5V
Each of the groups went through their dance routine and each had a recommendation from Ji Yeon that changes had to be made here and there. I had to admit, it was so not cool, especially when it came to us The Toxins because I thought the routine to our song was perfect. I mean, the song we danced to was a major hit and people loved the video mostly because of the dance moves.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAqYMJKLMvyo
We were soon had a lunch break and the four groups were all hurdled up in a circle. Luckily, the organisers had also left for their own lunch break.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAHIx00nC3V0
"This is so unfair," I complained as I sat on the floor after taking a sip of water. "Did you see how that lady said she wasn't impressed with our dance moves? I was totally hurt."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA9sA8kCOwCi
"We all were," said Lisa. "Trust me, learning those moves killed me the first time and they still do till now."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAo0LmqyFzwF
"I've to admit though," said Seungyoon as he rubbed his neck. "She is pretty tough."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAp5PAcom1SS
"At least someone has finally said it," I said. "I felt if I spoke out first, people would hate me for it."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAFLJajpYjun
"Seriously, Zoey?" Sam asked as she sat right beside me with an eyebrow raised. She knew why I said that and I pretended to ignore her.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAwbJF5p8J0E
Soon after lunch we went straight back to practising. This time, the two choreographers took us in with what they had planned for us to do that day. I had to admit, the whole thing felt like a process and we had to go through it a number of times. We weren't even done with the whole routine and it was already time up for the day. There would be more of it tomorrow and to be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it just like I never used to look forward to the next day of school.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAq4xkMevrsQ
After hitting the showers, I found Sam and Christine in the changing room, already dressed up and waiting for for me. I had decided to take forever in the showers because I wanted us to be alone without BlackPink around.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAD8o34v9vjk
"Gosh, you take forever, Zoey," said Christine as she sat on one of the benches in between the lockers placed on either side. "The other girls even left and I bet Mike and Daniel are waiting too."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAAfIFdE3FLA
"That's the thing," I said as I dried my hair with a towel. "I wanted it to be just us Toxins."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAjv1skMAiv6
"What? You're planning to raid YG?" Sam asked.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAuL0aesA4GA
I smiled at Sam. Sometimes her sarcasm always cracked me up.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAIFi3rdCDyt
"No, silly," I answered. "Though that does sound like the perfect plan. But apparently, Yang Hyun-suk scares me to death it's impossible to raid over his empire."
932Please respect copyright.PENANARxlpB8nkwi
"True," Sam and Christine responded at the same time.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAJIuGDQy2k2
"Then why did you make us wait this long?" Christine asked. "It's close to evening now and I bet everyone else has already left."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA7bOuQwp4OD
"Oh, I won't tell you just yet," I said with a grin. "You just wait and see."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAEWgTTsofQJ
"I hope it's worth it," said Sam.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAnwrOdKZT33
After I quickly dressed up and was ready to go, we walked out of the girl's changing room and found Daniel and Mike waiting for us in the hall.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAZIu18ak2Sz
"Hey, hope you guys didn't wait that long," said Sam and then she turned to look at me. "Zoey took forever to get ready."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAgirz2jn1g1
"Next time, we should leave her all alone," said Mike. "Waiting for her has proven to be a burden sometimes."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAf3rwthE023
"Thank you for that theory of nonsense, Mike," I said. "But, there is a reason why I wanted you all to remain here a little late."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA4iZSoavaaR
"What now?" Daniel asked. "I hope you're not planning on some prank."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAz4Rk1YAb2c
"Pranks are only for April Fool's Day. Let's go downstairs and you'll see."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAdz3bDXkId0
We left the corridors to the changing rooms and we found ourselves down at the lobby. The place was almost deserted except for the receptionist by her desk and Lee who was waiting for us at the door.
932Please respect copyright.PENANALA0f68hnfO
"Hey, Lee," I said to her when we got close. "Did you get what I asked you?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAf4Nsn1NevC
"Yep," said Lee and behind her laid a medium sized card box. She lifted it up from the floor and she looked at us with a smile on her face.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAIU3l8qhCH0
"What's in there?" Sam asked. "I just hope it's not another Pikachu costume. This time, I'm not the one wearing it."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAP8z3qvagyz
"It's not another costume," I said. "Just open it and see for yourself."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAXBJKCuNYM4
Sam gave me a questioning look and went on ahead to open the box. She gasped when she saw what was inside.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAwHJwwhwCx5
"No, freaking way!" she said not believing her eyes as she pulled out a flashlight. It wasn't just any other ordinary flashlight.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA96Wb833Tov
It was an EXO lightstick with the EXO logo on it.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA4GyfuUs9Nb
Christine also gasped and she soon reached inside the box and pulled out another EXO lightstick. The two girls looked at each other with bewilderment.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAhKMkRNjL62
"Oh, cool, an EXO lightstick," said Daniel as he also came round to get one for himself. "Where did you get this, Lee?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAQelplNNlDO
"I believe Zoey has something to tell you," said Lee as she looked at me.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAjYWvNaxEUM
I rolled my eyes playfully. "I don't know how I'm going to tell you this," I started, "but EXO invited us to their concert."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAXUwmqwwlzQ
"Tonight?" Christine asked.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAXedkiRQ4Tt
"Yep."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAvhbIGib69f
The both of us screamed with delight as we jumped up and down.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAHw1eudNB0L
"This is so cool!" Christine said out loud. "We're going to an EXO concert."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA0hHWNzvPbE
"Seriously, this feels like a dream come true that it's actually happening," said Sam as she continued looking at the lightstick.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA9eAsiCcbbu
"I wanted this to be a surprise," I said. "They really can't wait to see you all in person and they thought inviting you to their concert was a perfect start."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAZdu7ZOxoFn
"I'm going to meet EXO," said Christine as though she was going to run crazy. "This can't be real."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAr6PsuE9S6t
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Mike asked as he came over to Lee and got a lightstick from the box. "Let's go!"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAkINWVo0abr
We all quickly walked out of the building and entered the SUV waiting for us in the parking lot. I had to admit, I was so excited like everyone else that we couldn't help but light up out lightsticks in the car. I bet those you drove past us would think there was a disco party going in the car. It didn't matter though. We were going to an EXO concert!
932Please respect copyright.PENANAGkQMKn0IYv
We arrived at the mass media centre where the concert was to take place. We found long queues outside and many EXO-Ls (fans of EXO) all looking excited and vibrant. Almost every EXO-L had a EXO lightsticks. And some had banners and t-shirts with either pictures of EXO on them or words written 사랑해 엑소 (Saranghae, EXO) (We Love you, EXO).
932Please respect copyright.PENANA19Alx3VGJ6
We went through the back of the building. Luckily, the fans hadn't noticed that The Toxins were around or else that would have caused a hell of a frenzy.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZbiO80Cu8
When we got round back and entered the building with security, we were taken to the one of the dressing rooms and we were told to wait there for EXO.
932Please respect copyright.PENANALQYXPLnbiK
"Oh gosh, oh gosh," muttered Christine who hadn't sat down the entire time we came in the dressing room and was pacing up and down. "I finally get to meet EXO in real life."
932Please respect copyright.PENANA5mifJFLlZ7
"Can you please sit down?" Sam suggested. "You're going to get a whole lot of us nauseous.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA6Dnn0Y5RK8
"Sorry," said Christine as she stopped pacing. "I just can't help myself."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAmgKnDmNIjn
Lee who sat next to Sam near a dressing mirror rolled her eyes. "If only Collins could see you now."
932Please respect copyright.PENANApuTQsmbmAR
"Well, he really shouldn't have let all of us go," said Mike. "I mean, those who could maintain their composure should have come and the others that can't, to remain behind."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAX86uMkQ1O3
"So that you can get to enjoy the concert yourself?" I asked. I shook my index finger at him. "No way. It's because of me that they invited us."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAArmwMYQhHx
"No, I bet the reason why they did this is because they wanted to meet all of us in person," said Daniel who sat beside his brother. "You already met them at the mall and kept in contact with them since."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAaf6vk7Uzce
I rolled my eyes at him and looked at Sam. "He is becoming like you each and every day, you know. A know it all."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAVFwsXRJlGc
"Runs in the family," said Sam with a shrug.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAb0uGHfyOhp
"When is the concert going to start anyway?" Christine asked as she started pacing again.
932Please respect copyright.PENANADxwPk3eKaJ
"Goodness, Christine," said Lee. "Be patient. I bet they want to see you guys first, so chill."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAKHRe0UD351
As soon as Lee said that, the door to the room flew open. I gasped when I saw who walked in and at the same time, Christine and I screamed so loud with so much excitement.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAKeSgp0KcWY
Suho first walked in the room and the rest of EXO came in. They were all dressed in white. White slacks, white jumpers and stunning white sneakers. They looked like adorable angels. No, let me rephrase that. Adorable and hot angels.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAogWHpfCS9N
Christine who was closet to them hugged Suho first. She was so excited and so was I. I went over to hug Chen who came in next.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAGfFDnZiBUC
"Hey," said Suho after Christine stopped hugging him. "I'm glad you all came."
932Please respect copyright.PENANArxtbeDRIcd
Then all of the sudden, there was a loud shout out. And this time, it came from EXO. The next thing I knew, I saw Chanyeol, Sehun, Kai, Xiumin, Lay, D.O and Baekhyun dash past me heading for Sam. They were all happy and excited to see her for sure. They all surrounded her in a hug and I could see Sam almost on the verge of fainting from all the hugging.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAXeGvacTXMb
"Okay, enough, guys," said Suho after he saw how Sam was struggling with most of the EXO members all surrounding her.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAzeK8s3U0N5
But the boys didn't seem to listen to their leader though. They were still so excited as they laughed still not believing that Sam was actually in front of them. Looked like most of them liked her just like I had anticipated.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAbNO2eAlehR
"Okay, so not fair," said Chen. "We want to hug Sam too."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAMNJ2ARPXbD
"I thought you would next say that," said Sam. Somehow, she managed to wiggle her away from the other seven EXO members. They were shocked when they found her outside the circle they had made around her.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAnSNSjuvrHh
"How did you do that?" Chanyeol asked with a shocked look on his face.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAb4DLpbUUcJ
"That's a black kitty secret," said Sam as she smiled at them.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAtVdQfzKPFs
"Now, it's our turn to hug you," said Chen as he happily ran over to Sam and they both hugged each other.
932Please respect copyright.PENANADJFhTlIImb
Suho went over to hug Sam next. The rest of the other EXO members went on to greet the rest of us Toxins and Lee after realising that the rest of us were in the room.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAcYKfWI9s9K
"I'm so glad you're all here," said Suho. "The managers will be so excited to see that you're finally here."
932Please respect copyright.PENANATRVfj7glIY
"Trust me, it's such an honour that we're even here," said Daniel.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA5HNv0L14yF
"This night is going to be awesome," said Kai.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA9sog1VfjX2
"It already is," said Christine as she stared at Kai all dreamy eyed.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAQBcgnh1TR2
"I did just as I promised you," I said addressing EXO. "I brought The Toxins to you."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAsUT7rutCvd
"Especially Sam," said Sehun as he hugged Sam from behind and he didn't look he planned on letting go for a long time. Sam rolled her eyes in irritation but at the same time, she couldn't help but smile.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA21QZt4t36C
"It's not fair that you get to hug Sam twice," said Lay with an annoyed look on his face.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAs1L1Wi8n12
"I am the maknae after all," Sehun pointed out.
932Please respect copyright.PENANALCWQ4FWr46
"Maknae or not, Lay is right," said Baekhyun. "I also want to hug her too."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAEj47ZQcUia
"Whoa!" Sam protested raising her hand to cool everyone down after breaking away from Sehun. "We can do all of that after the concert, don't you think? Right now, I think you better go on stage."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAOqWb4s3evX
"Really?" Xiumin asked with a funny look on his face.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAAaXdJqXRTn
A knock came at the door and when Suho told the person to come in, it was one of the organising crew telling them that it was time to go.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAVXpoaQMw8o
"Told you," said Sam with a smirk.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA82IQgGdTJy
"Wow! Are you sidekick or something?" D.O asked as he looked at her with bewilderment.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAxyNUe2FT2v
"Well, almost," said Mike. "Sam's full of surprises sometimes."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAmM7gOmlDe8
"Can't wait to see what other surprises are there in store for us," said Chanyeol who stood beside me with a huge a smile on his face.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA76fc0VRk2S
"Okay, we better go," said Suho. "You guys will be taken in the front row."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAfZcsJVgieW
Christine couldn't help but yelp. "I can't believe I get the front row seat at an EXO concert," she said.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAZ31fWI6f7g
I rolled my eyes. "It won't be the first time you're ever in the front row, now, would it?"
932Please respect copyright.PENANAYgqOe0Lg2M
"Okay, let's go," said Chanyeol as he clapped his hands together. "Wish us luck."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAdF0bzqbUpf
Sam rolled her eyes. "You don't need it. Trust me."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAdBhQV0xlLk
"I'll trust her on that one," said D.O, giving her a smile.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA8zy9HPDBy2
"Make sure you raise those lightsticks high for us," said Suho.
932Please respect copyright.PENANATrDw0POW0V
"Oh, don't worry, we will," said Lee, waving her own in the air.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAcHiq288vjS
All the EXO members quickly ran out of the room. I had to admit, they looked really excited. Not only were they performing tonight, but we The Toxins had found the time to attend their concert.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAst2DIdYzQM
Soon after they left, two security guards came to escort us backstage. We found the concert hall full of EXO fans all screaming with excitement. I couldn't help but feel excited with them as they waved their EXO flashlights in the air.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA2kXru26P27
We were taken to the front roll right in front of stage. There were six seats reserved just for us. This was the kind of special treatment I liked. We had a clear view of the stage in front of us. And luckily, the hall was dark, except from the stage lights, so the time we got to our seats, not one EXO-L noticed that the Toxins were even around. I bet it was better this way. Though it wasn't going to last, that's for sure.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAy2AIUKJw1J
The concert soon went underway and there was aloud outburst from the fans when EXO appeared on stage. Including us Toxins. We waved our life EXO lightsticks, giving those boys in white our full support.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAaYWcJ4JvxK
They opened the concert with the song "Monster" which was my personal favourite. They killed it on stage and some of us even danced to the song even Lee who stood right beside me. We Toxins danced anyway, since that's what we just love to do.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAPgTt3ef87y
The next song they performed was "Lotto" and I couldn't help but sing the song out loud. My Korean is horrible that's for sure, but I sang my heart out anyway as I waved the flashlight in the air. I bet every EXO-L sang along too because the concert hall was filled with raised voices as EXO sang the song.
932Please respect copyright.PENANACJ1HLyhDD1
At the end of it all, the six of us had our shoulders around each other swaying side to side as we sang to the last part of the song. I had to admit, it felt great.
932Please respect copyright.PENANALXDYqTyYJ6
The concert had gone on for an hour. As much as I felt tired from all the dancing and since we were standing almost the entire time, I couldn't figure out why I was still energised to cheer for EXO on stage. I bet the others were trying to figure that out too because we had a pretty busy day with practice but we were still going on like the party was just getting started.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA2iIoTOVnsC
A good thirty minutes later, EXO started to be interactive to their fans and started to joke around on stage. I had to admit, it was kind of cute the way they did it and the fans, most especially the girls couldn't help but scream. I also couldn't help but scream too. Luckily we had Lee who understood Korean was able to translate for us what they were telling their fans. I got a few Korean words at some point so it wasn't really that hard afterwards.
932Please respect copyright.PENANALZvAzj8WAc
Then, something happened. Suho on stage had announced that The Toxins were in the building and that kind of set an exciting uproar among the EXO-L. And that apparently made a few fans behind notice us in front of them that they screamed so loud. They pointed out that we were here and to make things even more dramatic, the stage light shone on us. The whole place was in an uproar when our faces were shown on the jumbo screen on stage.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAoUGLFumZz8
Suho and the rest of EXO came down the stage and came to where we sat and escorted to us on stage. Lee decided to remain behind but the other EXO members weren't going to take no for an answer. Suho led Christine up on stage, Chanyeol with me while Mike and Daniel didn't need any leading to because they followed us. As for Sam and Lee, the rest of EXO escorted them up on stage.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAZsjBb2Ri1D
As much as I wasn't afraid of being on stage, today felt different. I couldn't tell why. Maybe it's because I was here only as a fan of EXO and not Zoey, a member of The Toxins. I bet the others also felt the same though they all looked really excited.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAaFQBf9EqBi
Sam got the mic from Suho and greeted all the fans, first in English then in Korean. That sent the fans in another exciting uproar. If it came to EXO, they all looked at Sam with surprising looks on their faces.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA9UtrJ3iBCI
"Wow, is it me or did you really just speak in Korean?" Chanyeol asked, with an unbelievable look on his face.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAcpikpEGcxS
"네 (Ne) (Yes)," Sam replied with a smile on her face. She looked adorable with that smile of hers.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAUkpWPKxdGk
We all had a formal chat with EXO on stage that the fans enjoyed it and couldn't help but scream in delight, especially since most EXO members were acting all clingy on Sam and randomly asking her questions. Even the personal ones. And since she doesn't have a boyfriend, I'll be expecting a long line of gifts from her would be suitors tomorrow.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAO26jhZ1rQL
The fun part of being on stage was singing out EXO's song. They had made a little game for us to see if we really knew most of their songs. Which we did. Since those me to go first, I refused to sing "Lotto."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAOHi2RJbACg
"But why not?" Sehun asked as he laughed.
932Please respect copyright.PENANARegWzY09Tp
"My Korean is horrible," I said as I shook my head. "I'm Zoey and I'm not going to embarrass myself. I know the song, but I would rather sing it with no one around."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAQPRFECy031
"But you were singing the song with us in the crowd," said Mike.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAeIYv4iD5dl
I threw Mike a look. "You're so annoying."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAc5OW7W7Ns2
"Just sing the song, Zoey," said Christine. "Just sing the part you know really well."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAH9eCXHYe6y
"No way."
932Please respect copyright.PENANAiOplUSPKoL
"Zoey, please," Sam pleased, giving me the puppy dog look.
932Please respect copyright.PENANASTQ925HeHc
Everyone else on stage started to plead along with her. Including the fans. Arrrgh! I always hated it when the fans urged me to do something I didn't want to do.
932Please respect copyright.PENANA5SqCETFmk1
I finally gave in and sang. It wasn't the best of singing since I could sing out a few Korean words right, but anyway, I ended up laughing at myself in the end and so did everyone else. It didn't feel embarrassing. It was actually hilarious.
932Please respect copyright.PENANATo9WpX8IuS
The rest of us Toxins soon started to sing out other EXO songs they admitted they didn't know the words to and I had to admit, it was so funny. There was so much drama and laughter on stage, even coming from the fans.
932Please respect copyright.PENANACoEO3xOu0P
Sam and Lee were the only ones who really aced it when it came to singing. Since Lee already knew Korean, it was already out of the question. It was surprising that she could sing quite well and a lot of us were really impressed.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAu0QidB7mZp
After the little game, EXO decided to go back to singing with the remaining time and us Toxins and Lee went back to our seats. Now that the fans knew where we were, some came over to take pics with us. It was so much fun and we even got to interact with them.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAkgpQ0gWkh7
When the concert was finally over, some of us couldn't help but groan. I personally, didn't want the fun to stop but anyway, it was fun while it lasted. I'll never forget this experience of waving the EXO lightsticks while I sang along with the rest of the EXO-Ls. While we headed back stage with the security guards, I couldn't help but feel a certain detachment from the fans.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAcv9DDzPdba
I was going to miss this, no doubt about it. It felt so good to support EXO with the EXO-Ls that I felt I was one myself.
932Please respect copyright.PENANAiignuPeW5f
I smiled. Maybe I am.
932Please respect copyright.PENANABCD0Vwjb0O
932Please respect copyright.PENANAGmaEQZLYBZ
ns3.12.165.112da2