Living With Stray Kids?

Chapter 1: A Wish

"Areum wake up! I'm not waking you up after this, I've been calling you for the past 5 minutes! You're going to be late for school!"

Groggy eyed and tired, I rolled over in bed. 

I don't want to go to school today,  I thought

Ignoring my body telling me to sleep more, I forced myself to sit up in bed. This was going to be a long day. I had a math test first thing in the morning, a French assessment third period, and band practice after school. I'd surely be exhausted after today. There was only one thing motivating me to get through it. 

The day I've been waiting for was finally here. A day I'd been waiting for so long. The day I could make my wish. The first day of October. I could hardly wait!

But of course, I had to first get through the school day. If I wanted to, I could make my wish right this second. However, my family made a huge deal about it, so I had to wait to get home after school. That way, they would be able to witness me making my wish, and see what I wished for as it was happening. Since I was the only one in the family who had this ability, probably the only person they knew who had this ability, I figured it would be selfish not to share it with them in some way. Even if it was only making my wish in front of my family, it was something. 

And so I finally got out of bed, and walked over to my bathroom, where I could start my day. I brushed my teeth, hopped in the shower, and got dressed after completing my skincare.

This is what I wore:

Ok! I was ready, and it was about time, my mom was getting impatient. I pulled on some socks and grabbed my coat and bag, I ran downstairs, bumping into my brother. He was half awake and half asleep. Perks of being younger, his school started later as well.

"Watch where you're going." he muttered

"No need to be so rude, I'm late." I replied

As I continued into the kitchen to get breakfast, I heard him call after me. "Don't be late today, you're making your wish!"

I made my way into the kitchen, saying good morning to both my parents. My mom was packing my brother's lunchbox at the kitchen island, and my dad was sitting in the living room drinking tea, while watching the news.  

I grabbed an apple from the counter. 

"Bye mom, bye dad!" I waved

"Don't be late today dear, you have to make your wish. Have you thought about what you want to wish for?"

I paused. How was I going to explain? I have been making wishes for my family this entire time, how was I going to tell them I wanted to make a wish for me? I just put on a smile and said "I think so", and I rushed out the door before she could ask me what it was. 

Today was a windy day, but the sun provided some warmth from the cool autumn air. I hurried along the smooth pavement of the sidewalk, running to catch my bus. I ran on just before the doors were about to close.

That was too close. I have to wake up on time tomorrow, I thought.

I finally reached school, and the day was not great. Let me give you a quick overview:

- I flunked the math test (forgot some formulas)

- I got stage fright during my French oral assessment

- I accidentally spilled chocolate milk on my white shorts

- I didn't bring my instrument to band practice, so I had to sit doing nothing for an hour.

I headed towards my bus, where I sat with my best friend on the way back. We talked about school, and I tried not to seem excited. I love my best friend, but it's not safe to have too many people know that you're a wish baby. My family are the only people that know. I felt a bit sorry for keeping such a big secret, but what was I supposed to do? I couldn't tell her, I couldn't risk anyone but her hearing and finding out.

Anyway, I'm just glad I'm back home. I can't wait to make my wish!

I entered my house, and as I entered the kitchen I saw my family sitting around the dining table. 

You have to tell them now, I told myself.

As I entered and sat down in front of the lit candle sitting in the middle of the table, my mom spoke up. "Areum, we've decided that this year, you can make any wish you want. We won't think of it to be selfish if you wish for something for yourself, you have been wishing for us for your past 2 wishes." 

I couldn't believe it. Had my mom read my mind? 

"Really?" I replied. "But you might not approve of my wish..." I hesitated before I continued.

"The thing is, I-I. I want to meet Stray Kids"

"You've gotta be kidding me right now" my sister groaned.

I got defensive. "Ok, you may not like them, but they mean so much to me. I want to meet them, and tell them that. Wouldn't you want to meet your favourite celebrity?"

"Yeah, but for only getting one wish every 5 years, I would think you'd want to wish for something else"

Surprisingly, my dad came to my rescue. "Ok, we agreed that Areum would be able to make her own wish this year. Let her make that wish, no matter how strange you think it is"

I hugged my dad, and made my way back in front of the candle.  You have to make the wish out loud, and then blow out the candle 5 seconds later for it to come true. A second later, and you lose the wish you've been waiting 5 years for.

"Ok, I think I'm ready" I said

"I wish to meet Stray Kids on 30 different days"

5

4

3

2

1

I blew out the candle.

Oh my god. I did it! I'm gonna meet Stray Kids!

That night I went to sleep thinking how lucky I was to be born a wish baby. I couldn't wait to meet Stray Kids! 

Little did I know how soon that would be.