Chapter Text
Chapter 1 - One Lucky Draw
You lay shuffling around in your bed. It’s 1:03pm, you haven’t slept a wink. Far too plagued with the thoughts of tomorrow, with countless worries swirling around in your mind. You adjust how you are laying for what feels like the hundredth time, pleading to yourself to please just go to sleep.
You’ll be catching a plane tomorrow at 4am. It all still felt so surreal. You lazily reached for your phone, checking the confirmation email once more.
Was it really you that won that raffle? Was this your reward from the gods for all the hardships you’ve faced?
— 1 Month Prior —
You’re at your favourite coffee shop with your best friend, casually chatting with one another while scrolling through your phones. This was the type of company you enjoyed. It was simple, you didn’t have to try too hard to be overly talkative, and you could just relax with them.
All of a sudden you hear your friend let out a high pitched squeal, and your head jerks up to them to find out what’s wrong.
“Oh my god, oh my god, OH MY GOD!!” Emma held out her phone to show you it, shaking it around. Grabbing it from her to stabilise and read it properly, you looked at what made her so excited. It was a post from JYP Entertainment.
“Do you see it?!” She asked impatiently, practically jumping up and down in her seat. “They are holding a raffle for an all expense paid trip! To meet Stray Kids, be around them for an entire WEEK! Oh my god I am going to faint, just the thought of meeting them gives me goosebumps!”
You chuckled lightly as she kept blabbering about what she’d do if she won. Picking up a bite of cake from your plate, you put it into her mouth, trying to get her to pause for a moment.
“Emma, breath. I’m glad you’re excited but don’t get your hopes up. I mean, there are millions of fans and you can only sign up once. Just think about it, the chances are next to nothing.” You attempted to rationalise things to her, to get her to see your point of view.
You had a pretty simple way of thinking. You never let yourself get your hopes up, since more often than not it leads to disappointment. Emma would say you're boring because of that, but it was your way of life.
Emma gave you her signature look, the one she always gave when you spoke this way.
“That totally just ruined my vibe.” She deadpans as she grabs her phone back. “The reason you don’t get to do anything exciting is because you never even try. It’s called taking a chance Y/N. Who knows MAYBE if you had taken the chance last month you would have gotten that big promotion you never shut up about, but no, Jess got the job instead. Despite the fact you offered so much more value than she did.”
You felt the little jab and rolled your eyes. You couldn’t say you were mad though, because deep down you knew she was right. In her own weird way, she was trying to help you.
A thought popped up in your head, like a light bulb turning on for the first time.
“Alright, since you’re so confident in taking chances and all. We’ll both enter this raffle, if one of us wins I’ll work as a model for you. If neither of us win, you admit I was right and drop this. Deal?” You reach your hand across the table to her as you finish speaking, a smirk perched on your face.
Her face lit up in excitement when you mentioned working for her. She had been begging you for years to work under her name, so as soon as you extended your hand she shook it harshly.
“Deal!” She exclaimed, causing others to turn their heads, slightly annoyed with how loud she was being. You quickly cover her mouth, nodding an apology to those who looked over.
“Okay, okay, just calm down a little, people are starting to get upset.” You slowly removed your hand as she settled down.
“Fine, but no backing out. You’re the one who thought of this deal, now you have to stick to it!” She gave you a serious look, like she knew she would win. You always kept your word, but doubted you’d need to. To be honest, the only reason you made this deal was because you were certain she’d lose. However, if by some miracle, one of you won, you’d keep your promise and join her agency. Maybe buy your first ever lotto ticket too.
You both signed up for the raffle and went back to chatting like normal, the only difference was the conversation switched to being more K-Pop oriented. You noticed it was a much shorter sign up period than normal, especially for how big the prize was. It only gave fans 24 hours to sign up before the results would be announced at 11am KST the day after.
Emma and you came to the conclusion pretty easily that it was probably so that they had less bot accounts trying to rig the raffle. After you two were finished hanging out you left the shop, saying your goodbyes to one another and agreeing to keep each other updated.
The following two days went by in a flash, so quickly in fact that the raffle completely slipped your mind. It was now 7pm on a Saturday. You were lounging on our couch in pyjamas, rewatching old SKZ Code videos.
All of a sudden your phone starts ringing. It’s an unknown number, an international one at that. You tried to think of what it could be, deciding to answer it despite knowing it was probably a scam caller. You were glad you chose a phone plan that covered global numbers with no extra fees.
“Annyeonghaseyo, (Hello) is this Miss.. Y/N L/N?” You noticed the pause in his speech, assuming he was most likely reading off a paper.
“Yes, this is she. May I ask what it is you’re calling about?” You straightened your back and sat properly on your couch, feeling as if the call was much more formal.
“I am calling to inform you that you have won the fan interaction raffle. Would you still like to participate?” He paused, waiting for you to respond. Your jaw drops hearing him speak, thinking it was some sort of prank. Then it hits, you remember your deal with Emma.
“Just a reminder, the trip would be fully paid for, you don’t need to worry about your lodging fees or anything.” He continued, assuming you were considering pricing, that’s why you were so quiet. When there was still no response he broke the silence once more.
“Miss L/N?” Finally, you snapped out of your thoughts.
“Oh! Yes, yes, I would absolutely like to accept!” Your feelings were mixed from the whole situation, confusion, excitement, joy, and panic.
“Alright, two more things, is it okay if we post your FANS account as the winner? Also, would you be willing to allow cameras during your week? Just showing off what you do and such.” He paused in between each question, clearly trying to show both were optional.
“Yeah, of course! I’m okay with both. Anything for my fellow Stays.” A small smile grew on your face as you started processing what was happening. All you really realised was ‘shit I just lost the bet.’
“Okay, thank you so much. We will be in touch with you in the following days, I can’t guarantee what time so please keep your phone on you. Have a good day Ma’am.”
“Thank you as well, have a good day sir.” He hung up the phone and you sat there in shock, trying to fathom how you were both the luckiest and unluckiest girl in the world.
An hour passed, and a FANS notification appeared on your phone. It was a post from the official account, tagging you as the winner of the raffle. That’s when everything finally sank in. The phone call was really real, you really did win. Immediately you replayed the entire conversation in your head. Every word, the tones, his responses.
“I must have sounded so silly to him! ‘Anything for fellow stays’?! Why did I word it like that? It’s not like I’m someone important!” You mentally kicked at yourself as your phone started exploding with messages, all from Emma. You ran your fingers through your hair, taking a sharp breath and sighing heavily.
She was overreacting as always. Sure, you just won an opportunity fans only dreamt of. You didn’t even majorly care for it. You just wanted to prove a point to her.
🎉Em: YOU WON AND DIDN'T TELL ME?!
🎉Em: I thought we were besties!!
🎉Em: How long ago did you find out this crucial information?
🎉Em: Answer me right now Y/N!
🎉Em: Omg
🎉Em: Wait-
🎉Em: This means you’re going to meet Stray Kids!!!
🎉Em: YOU’RE GOING TO BE MY MODEL!
🎉Em: Seriously!! I KNEW IT! It’s fate!
🎉Em: What are you going to wear when you meet them?
🎉Em: What do you want to do with them?
🎉Em: What if one of them falls in love with you?!
🎉Em: You are totally girlfriend material, you would totally be perfect for any of them.
After you caught up with her excessive messages you decided to respond, unravelling your hair from your fingers.
💤Y/N: Calm down lady! You’re acting like you’re the one who won the thing.
🎉Em: I have every right to act like this! You’re going to meet the best group like ever AND after you’re going to work for me!!
💤Y/N: Okay, you know this would be so much easier if you just called me, then at least I could answer one question at a time.
🎉Em: Oh! Yeah! You’re right! Okay I’m going to call you, make sure you have something on.
🎉EM: Or don’t, I won’t mind either way 😉
You let out a soft chuckle as you read her message. She never ceased to make you smile. Her personality was so unique that you could only describe it as eccentric, but it was in the best ways possible. Emma called you causing your phone to ring out loudly. You braced yourself for a whole lot of squealing and screaming. Though you did pick it up, it was your idea after all.
“AHH! Y/N tell me everything!” Emma demanded right as you answered. “Wait- Hold that thought, let me turn this into video mode.”
You clicked the facetime and smiled innocently at her. She was laying down on her queen sized bed, wearing her favourite green satin pyjama shirt and hopefully, her matching pair of shorts.
“Okay, uhm.. Where do I start?” You decided to summarise as much as possible.
“It wasn't crazy or anything. I was just rewatching SKZ Code on my TV when I got a phone call from an international number. I picked it up and well, yeah, the dude said I won the raffle. He asked if I wanted the prize, I said yes, he said he’d reach out soon. Oh, but he did mention there might be cameras for something to shoot a special video.”
“Y/N- Wasn’t crazy? WASN’T CRAZY?! You’re going to be in a VIDEO, with STRAY KIDS!! You could get famous from that alone!” You gave her a glare through the phone, feeling much too tired to deal with Emma being this loud.
“Emma, I get you’re excited, but please quiet down.” You pleaded as you rubbed the creases of your eyes with your thumb and pointer fingers, getting rid of any sleep in your eyes.
“Sorry, you’re right, I’m too excited for you! Alright, I won’t press for more details, just make sure you take advantage of this opportunity!”
“By doing what exactly? I don't want to sound like some crazy fangirl.” You shudder at even the thought of what some so-called fangirls do when given the chance to interact with idols.
“No no, just, maybe gently hint at your social media handles? Or mention the fact you’re going to start modelling?” Emma gave an innocent smile, always an alluring trap for anyone who doesn’t have as much experience being around her.
“Nice try, that face won’t work on me. How about this, if they ask me then sure. I’ll mention it, but I’m not going to use them. I just-” You briefly pause as a seed of doubt slowly blossoms in your mind.
“They might not even WANT to talk to me. Who knows.. Management might be forcing them to do this. I wouldn’t want to make them listen to me talk.” You looked away from the phone, eyes falling down towards the floor.
“Y/N. I will not have this self doubt mumbo jumbo! Anyone would be lucky to hang out with you! Hell, I’m the luckiest girl in the world. Getting to be friends with someone as amazing as you! If they don’t want to talk to you? Then they aren’t worth your time.” Her tone alone made it obvious she wanted to bury you in hugs right then and there.
You gave her a small half forced smile, Emma’s comforting words concealing the thought away in the back of your head for now.
“Fuck.. Am I seriously going to meet Stray Kids? What do I wear, WHAT DO I PACK?! An entire week in Seoul with them? I might even have to pick out what we do! Oh god- There is too much to think about!” Emma chuckled lightly through the phone, happy you were finally starting to react normally to the thought of meeting them.
“There is my Y/N. How about.. We go shopping? I can make their jaws drop from your beauty?~” She spoke casually, but underneath her voice was laced with charm to persuade you. She absolutely loved dressing you up, she’d do it anytime you let her. You had to admit though, she was amazing at what she did.
“Oh I don’t know. It’s just so expensive these days. Can’t we use what I have now?” You wanted to go but with the massive inflation spike recently, your bills to pay, and the fact you now had to call work tomorrow to quit? You knew you couldn’t afford how much you’d end up buying with her.
“If you go shopping with me I’ll pay. I can write it off as a business expense for work once you return. Though, of course that means I get to buy extra for you once you return. You’ll also have to let me post everything online!” You didn’t take too long to think about it; it was a pretty obvious answer after all.
“Okay fine, but let me buy lunch when we go. I’d feel too bad even if we just split the bill since you’re buying clothes.”
“That’s fine by me, I get to take your photos! You never let me do that. This is going be so much fun! I’ll get you all dolled up, you’ll look stunning! Let’s meet tomorrow in the park, underneath the old willow tree. I’ll be there at 10am. Got it? Got it.”
“Understood Em, I’ll see you tomorrow, bye!”
“Byeee!” You and Emma waved goodbye to each other as the video ended.