Wanted ||| Ateez

6

May had to cover her ears as the boys jumped up and down, yelling at the top of their lungs. Their manager had just come in to announce their world tour. She took a few steps back, fearing one of the flailing arms would knock her over, but she found herself laughing at the sight.

When they got it out of their system, the concentration spark came back and they sat in a half circle, discussing what they wanted to do, and what they wanted to come from the tour.

May took notes furiously, hoping something would come in handy. But really, they just wanted to grow together and meet their fans.

Ugh. They get so mushy sometimes.

"Alice?" The manager said, motioning for her to come with him.

"Yes, Sir?"

"This is where you are really going to be needed. This is the main reason why I hired you. You will be side stage for each performance, translating what they say for the audience. You need to be on top of your game, ok?"

May bowed, "Don't worry, I won't let you down."

He nodded in satisfaction and walked away.

Biting her lip, she glanced into the studio one more time and dashed to her room.

The phone only rang once before he answered.

"Wonderland." She said when he asked for the password. "Sir, I have something to report."

"Go."

"The group has been signed up for a world tour. We are leaving in a couple days. I don't think I'll be able to finish the mission in time before that happens."

"Why."

"There are too many people here. The target is never alone. And once the tour starts, it will be even worse."

"Do what needs to be done. Keep reporting in."

"Sir?" Silence. "I don't know their exact schedule. I don't know if I will be able to report in on time every day. If I could..."

"Report by midnight your time. That is the only leeway I will give you." The line went dead.

Thank you. I can't believe he said it was ok. She looked at her shaking hands. She couldn't forget...

---

May felt very out of place as they traveled to the airport. The members were surrounded by staff. She was nether part of the group, or really part of the staff, but instead somewhere in between.

Yeosang made a point to point out any historic buildings along the drive and helped guide her through the airport. If she got separated from him, Wooyoung found her and took her hand, pulling her along behind him. Until they saw their fans waiting for them.

They were gathered off to the side, holding signs wishing them luck on their tour. The boys broke into wide smiles and bowed to them, blowing kisses or making hearts at the same time.

May did her best to keep her face hidden, pulling her ball cap lower over her eyes. She knew she had to keep a low profile in public, never knowing if one of her enemies was nearby. When cameras came out, she turned her back to them and tried to move to the front of the group and out of the mob that was forming.

"Hey," Jongho said, reaching for her. She froze. "Don't go too far, this place is a maze."

She nodded once and turned her back to the fans and cameras, electing to go stand with the staff guarding the suitcases.

The process to get through security was long and tedious. There were so many people they had to wait on, May found herself tapping her foot impatiently.

At one point she did excuse herself to the bathroom so she could report in and let her boss know she'd be on a plane for the next several hours.

When they finally boarded the plane, she claimed a window seat and had to stop herself from groaning when the youngest member sat next to her, Yunho claiming his other side.

San sat in the row in front of them and he turned around, hopping up and down on his knees. "Can you believe it! It doesn't feel real!"

The others expressed similar sentiments, their excitement slowly filling the plane.

May scribbled in her notebook. Excited for trip... Happy to see fans... Still never alone...

When she felt eyes on her, she snapped it shut and looked at Jongho.

"Are we ever going to see what you're writing?" He asked, a teasing tone to his voice.

"No." She tucked the notebook into her jacket and crossed her arms.

"You don't like traveling, do you?"

She sighed, "It's not that exactly... I just don't do well in crowds." Oh, shut up. Why are you telling him this?

She stiffened when she felt him pat her head. "You'd better get used to it if all our shows sell out."

May groaned and buried her face in her hands, earning a soft chuckle from the boys next to her.

A few hours into the flight, she felt herself starting to doze off. She crinkled her nose and rubbed her eyes under her glasses. An attendant came by and passed out blankets and pillows. She placed hers against the window and curled up in her seat.

She could still here whispers coming from the boys not ready to sleep, but she was able to force them out.

May heard a scream. She spun around, looking for the source. It sounded so familiar.

More screaming.

"No! Leave them alone! Please, I'll do anything. Please don't hurt them!"

"Alice?"

May moaned. "No..."

"Hey, Alice?" The soft voice whispered in her ear. A hand shook her gently.

She hummed again, moving her head back and forth to settle in deeper into her pillow. She felt a strange heat against her face.

"Oh!" She sat up and looked around, taking a moment to remember she was on a plane. It was still dark, so she must not have slept long.

Blinking, she looked to her right and, even in the dark light, she met eyes with a very red Jongho. He looked just as flustered as she felt.

"A-are you ok?" He said, hesitantly. "You w-were muttering in your sleep."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry." She shook her head and hid her face. You idiot. Did you really shift so you were leaning into him? You should be ashamed of yourself.

"I-It's ok. I just wanted to make sure you were ok." He whispered, settling into his seat again and closing his eyes.

May didn't sleep the rest of the flight, and she had to force herself to not let her eyes wander to the sleeping boy next to her.