Fame or Fortune - Choi Beomgyu

16

January 2024

After all the news came out, Youngie's friends were finally able to reach her. Chaeryeong didn't want to scare her away by bringing up the scandal, so she instead asked if Youngie and the boys could meet for lunch. Everyone agrees and they meet up at a small diner, Beomgyu and I.N. arriving first, then the girls coming in together soon after. Chaeryeong, excited to see Youngie after awhile, clings onto the girl's arm causing them to giggle while approaching the table.

They watch Beomgyu get up and walk past, presumably going to the restroom. Him and Youngie make eye contact and she conjures up a question to break the silence.

"Hey Gyu! Do you know what you're going to order?"

He mumbles out a response but she couldn't hear due to the slight distance. She releases Chaeryeong and takes a step closer, looking up at the boy. He places a hand on her back and leans down to whisper in her ear, his voice deeper than usual as he'd just woken up from a nap before the meet up. Youngie's breath stops as he stands back up and smiles before walking away.

Chaeryeong slowly approaches the girl whose seemingly frozen in place. 

"Huh? What did he say!" Chaeryeong pleads.

"I- I have no idea... " Youngie stammers causing Chaeryeong to burst out laughing.

Finally they sit down and order their food, the drinks are brought out and Youngie takes small sips of her own, playing with her straw as she didn't know what else to do with all of her friends eyes on her.

"Youngie, I guess the real reason we're all here, we just want to know, what happened?" Jeongin ask.

Youngie sighs before looking up to meet their eyes.

"You guys know I love and I trust you, but legally I can't say anything yet. To be honest I barely know what's going on... "

"Are you okay?" This came from Beomgyu, warming Youngie's heart as she remember their last conversation months ago.

"Yeah, I'm okay. It's hard being the mood maker when everyone around you is stressed, but I realize more than ever that's what my members need. And this, you guys coming out just to check on me, it really helps." She ends glancing around to see nothing but smiles on everyone's faces.

There's a little more conversation before the food comes out. Beomgyu and Youngie are both presented with burgers, which is what they ordered, though they both seem a little dissatisfied.

"I said no tomatoes!" "They forgot my tomatoes!" The two say in sync. They make eye contact for a few seconds before mindlessly switching dishes, causing the other two to laugh.

Beomgyu makes sure to keep eye contact with Youngie as he takes a few fries off of her plate and places them in his mouth. He realized that he had slightly more before the plate swap and wishes they'd just switched sandwiches instead. Youngie just smiles and rolls her eyes, smacking his hand when he goes back in for more.