MIN LEELA// Stray Kids 9th Member

* 20th Birthday *

   (I know this part takes place in 2024 instead of 2022, but since three days ago was both mine and Leela's 20th birthdays, I decided to write about it and then resume the 2022 parts. I hope you guys will enjoy this)!

   It was currently March 16th. A very special day in the lives of Stray Kids. It was their maknae's 20th birthday. A huge milestone for them as well as her. It was a huge day.

   Truthfully, the boys were emotional. They had watched Leela grow for seven years. She was only 13 when they first met her. Within those seven years, she grew into a young woman, and became a legendary idol in the process. She wasn't the little girl they knew anymore, and they all felt like crying, but mostly Chan considering he practically raised her.

   For Leela, she never thought she'd live past 20. Or even reach that age. Due to the troubles she endured when she was younger and things that continued during her career, she thought she'd be dead long before hitting the age that marked the end of her teenage years. In a way, she felt so proud for proving herself wrong. But she also felt a little emotional, since she was no longer considered a teenager. Her age wouldn't have "teen" anymore, and she was growing up and slipping away from youth.

   Leela was busy that day, so the boys took that opportunity to prepare a surprise party once she arrived. She never usually thought about celebrating her birthday, but the boys always wanted to celebrate her. They rented out a huge room and decorated it, with some overreacting.

   "SHE IS NOT GONNA CARE IF THE BALLOON IS CROOKED, HYUNJIN!" Minho shouted. "IT NEEDS TO BE PERFECT!" Hyunjin responded, while standing on a chair. They had bought balloons shaped into the number 20, and Hyunjin was determined to make it straight. "Hyunjin, if you spend too much time on that, we won't finish decorating!" Chan jumped in. Hyunjin sighed in defeat and got down from the chair.

   They were eventually able to finish decorating, with Hyunjin finally making the balloons straight, much to Minho's annoyance. They invited people Leela was close with, including ATEEZ, The Boyz, among others. Once everyone arrived and everything was set, Leela texted Chan that she was finished with her schedules and was on her way home. However, Chan lied to Leela and told her she had one more schedule located in the room where the party was being held. He ended up telling her to dress up, and lied that the schedule required it. Leela didn't question it.

Leela's Outfit

(Look at me using myself as an example. This was three days ago on my birthday 😂)

   It didn't take Leela long to be done, and she texted Chan she was on her way. Once he received that text, he told everyone and within a few minutes, they were all hiding, ready to surprise her. She walked into the room, a little confused why it was dark. Before she could react, she heard shouting.

   "SURPRISE!!!" Everyone yelled as the lights turned on. "OH SHIT!!!" Leela screamed out in surprise, covering her mouth with her hands. "Happy birthday, Leela!" Felix exclaimed. "Y'all didn't have to do this!" Leela expressed, her cheeks turning a pinkish color. "Yes we did!" Seungmin countered. "You're their maknae, of course they have to spoil you." Hongjoong piped in. "What the fuck are you doing here?!" Leela asked, just now noticing the idols that weren't her members. "Celebrating you!" Seonghwa said, blowing into a party horn.

   Eventually, the party begun, with many idols talking with Leela and telling her that they couldn't believe she was now 20. Leela giggled every time with a shrug. Truth is, she couldn't believe it either. It felt weird to say she was no longer a teenager.

   After awhile of talking, eating snacks, amongst other party shenanigans, they heard a glass being tapped. They looked over and saw Chan standing on a chair. "First off, thank you guys for coming to this party! We all share great bonds with Leela, and it feels great celebrating her. So, I wanna make a speech to her." He started. "Oh dear." Leela said, causing everyone to laugh.

   "Ever since I first saw you perform, I knew you were extremely talented. I knew I wanted you in our group. Never did I imagine that that decision, would be the best decision I'd ever make in my life. Seven years ago, you brightened our lives with your presence. You were just 13 then. A little baby. Being seven years older than you, I knew I had to protect you. You practically became my child, and I will forever be honored with the title of being your father figure. We went through troubling times in our career. Times that were very horrible. But that doesn't overshadow the wonderful memories we have. You're 20-years-old now, and I thank my lucky stars that I watched you grow into the strong and powerful young woman you are. I love you so much, Leela. Happy birthday." Chan spoke, tears beginning to flow towards the end.

   Leela was sobbing now, and felt extremely loved. She walked over to Chan, who got down from the chair. She hugged him tight, which Chan reciprocated. "I love you, Channie." Leela whispered. "I love you more, Leelee." Chan whispered back. A lot of tears were shed in that room, but then the party continued. They celebrated the young girl they all knew, who reached a huge milestone. Although many people were emotional about her growing up, they were all happy to see her grow. She shined brightly everyday, but on this day, she shined brighter than the stars, as she proved herself wrong. She made it to 20. She made it.

   (There we go guys! This is probably not a great as I hoped, but I hope you guys like it. Thanks for reading)!