Our Baby Stay

2.

All of the older kids groaned in annoyance and protest at Soomin's order. When Soomin brought all of the kids between 4-6yrs old to the meeting room one at a time, but hadn't brought Raine, the boys kept glancing over at Raine in confusion. Was she not one of the youngest?

"Excuse me, did you forget that one?" Felix pointed to Raine. Soomin looked over at Raine. "Ah, no. She's next up actually. She's 7." "No way. I don't believe you." Changbin added. "Yeah well, you better start. She got here about 3 years ago when she was 5. We thought she was a toddler. She's... She's been through a lot I assume. I don't know much about her past." "What do you know?" Chan spoke up.

"Just that her mother was killed when she was 3. She spent 2yrs with her father, God knows where and doing what. They disappeared. Then we got her. She was dropped off on our doorstep malnourished, bloody and bruised with nothing but a paper stating her name and birthday. She won't talk about any of it. And she still flinches a lot and has panic attacks so it's obvious she remembers. It's all in her file." She said, handing him the file. "Bring her in." Chan spoke. Soomin nodded and went to Raine, speaking quietly with Raine for a moment.

Chan took that chance to meet the eyes of every member. He knew some part of them still didn't want to do this. He didn't want to do this. But some part of him was also excited. He hoped the others felt the same. He knew Felix did, as he had zoned in on the little Aussie Korean. He turned back to the file, reading what was in it along with the other 7 members while they waited.

"It's my turn.. Isn't it?" Soomin nodded. "B-but what if they don't like me... I ran into one of them... Literally... Just yesterday.." Raine quietly asked. Soomin smiled sadly before sighing. "All you can do is try, Kiddo. Come on. I'll walk you in there." She said as she helped Raine stand up, walking her into the room where the 8 boys were. Raine glanced up at them all before taking her seat.

When she heard the door click shut behind her, she held her breath waiting for their first question. She had been through plenty of these in her 2yrs here. Minho scoffed quietly as Chan cleared his throat. "Look up at us, Raine." When her eyes met his, he began. "Your name is Lee Raine. Your birthday is August 8th. You're... 7yrs old. You've been here for 2yrs. Before that is.... A mystery. You're small for your age." He added that last commented as he looked up from her file.

"What are your grades in school?" Felix spoke up. "U-um.. Mostly B's... I currently have one A and one C.." Her voice trailed off a bit as Felix nodded. "What's your favorite color?" Jeongin asked. "Black And blue." "Favorite animal?" Minho asked, knowing he needed to act like he cared. "W-wolves.." she answered quietly, getting a scary vibe from him. "I love all animals.. But wolves are my favorite.." She added.

The interview continued, none of them brought up her mother or father. By the end of the interview they all knew she was the one. "Ms. Hae. There's no need to bring in anymore children. We want this one." Chan spoke. Some of the other kids whined a bit while others went back to what they were doing previously, unbothered. Then a girl suddenly spoke up. "Why would you want her? She's worthless-" "I'd shut your mouth if I were you." Felix said, his face suddenly very close to hers. She was around 14yrs old and was the worst most self centered child in the orphanage.

Her eyes widened and she took a step back, surprised at his threatening tone. His eyes held rage. A storm brewing inside them. Chan put a comforting hand on Felix's shoulder and Felix snapped his head towards Chan, his eyes calming as they met Chan's. Felix stood back up straight and looked at Raine. "Go pack your things. Chan hyung will settle everything in the meantime."