Chapter 1

Hyun and I run down an empty alleyway, lit by the neon lights that glow everywhere in Seoul. A group of yelling fans follows us.

    "I am NEVER going out to get boba with you again." Hyun says as we take a sharp turn into another alleyway.

    "Why not?" I ask, smiling and innocent smile. Hyun glares, but he's smiling as he punches me lightly on the shoulder.

    "Because you have the discreetness of a polar bear in the Rainforest." He says. "And plus, you can't help doing that weird swagger walk thing."

    "It's called being cool." I say, "Which you obviously can't do."

    "Hey," Hyun replies. "We're both K-Pop Idols here. And plus, you can't do this."

He pulls out his phone and presses a button on the screen. Our gold Tesla pulls into the alleyway. The front right window rolls down, and Hyun's robot, (he made it himself!) Borg, is sitting there in the driver's seat.

    "Hop in." Borg says. You my think it sounds like a 1920s toy, but it actually doesn't. It sounds remarkably like a real human boy.

    "Your such a nerrrd." I say to Hyun as we jump in.

    "But: I'm a cool nerd. Right Borg?" Hyun replies.

    "Of cores." Borg replies, not taking it's eyes...er...sensers of the road.

As we drive down the road tward our huge skyscraper, (The tallest building in Seoul!) me and Hyun agure about who's cooler. As we near our building, I see something's different about one side. The first side has our logo on it: A recerd with our band name:

"OUTCASTS" on it. The things that are diffrent thought, are on the other side of the building. It used to have nothing on the outside, but now it has the logo of a girl band. It has a heart with grafiti all over it with a crack in the middle and the words: "EVER AFTERS" inside the heart.

    "WHAT. IS. THAT." I say, pointing at our building.

    "That is your home." Borg answers.

    "I KNOW that. WHAT IS THAT?" I say again, pointing at the "EVER AFTERS" logo.

    "That is the EVER AFTERS logo." Borg replies again.

    "WHY. IS. IT. THERE?" I ask Borg, my voice a octive higher than usial.

    "Because the EVER AFTERS have gained so much popularity that they get to use part of your building." Borg answers as if it's

obvious.

    "I didn't know that's what happened." Hyun says.

    "Usually, that's not what happens." Borg informs us. "But sense you have so much space that your not using, the girls can use it."

I don't say anything when we pull into the garage, even when I see the EVER AFTERS's Toyotas; a type of car I really like. I don't say anything when we walk into the elivator, which is playing our hit song, "Play Me Loud". But I do say something when we walk into our living room. All ten of the EVER AFTERS girls are sitting on our couch, playing Super Smash Bros. Their laughing and cheering. They pause the game when we walk in. They stand up to greet us and introduce themselves. One girl, who I'm suspecting is the lead singer walks in the front of the group and is the first to talk.

    "Hello." She says. The girls smile, wave and say icky things like, "Nice to meet you." and "Hello!" The lead singing girl hushes them and turns back to us. "I thought that a proper introduction should be in order." She says. She's tall and lean. She has long, flowing black hair that was pulled into a ponytail at the back of her head. She has green eyes and a stern expression. "I'll go first. I am Sori. I'm the lead singer of this group. I'm twenty years old. And my name means 'voice' or 'sound'."

    "I'll go next! I'm Dahee, the lyricist of EVER AFTERS! And I'm sixteen years old. My name means 'much joy' or 'great happiness'!" Dahee is about five feet tall. She has dark blue hair that is put in a braid. She has blue eyes. She is living up to her name, because the whole time she's talking, she's hopping up and down and grinning. It seems like she can't hold still very well.

    "Hi, I'm Jeong, I'm also a lyricist for EVER AFTERS. I'm eighteen years old. And my name means 'quiet and gentle.'" Jeong says quietly. She has blond hair with a streak of teal. Her hair down loose, fanning over her sholders. She has brown eyes and is about 6 feet tall.

    "안녕하세요, I'm Min-ji, I'm the rapper of the EVER AFTERS, I'm nineteen years old, and my name means 'clever wisdom.'" Min-ji has fierce green eyes, long brown hair that is pulled into a dragon braid that goes all the way past her hip.

    "안녕, my name is Mishli, I'm also nineteen years old, and I'm also a rapper for the EVER AFTERS. My name means 'beautiful kingdom' or 'admired dynasty.'" She has tan hair that is pulled into two buns at the back of her head, brown eyes, and a powerful expression.

    "Sup'! I'm Seo-ah. I'm eighteen years old, I'm the visual of EVER AFTERS. My name translates to 'Popular' and 'elegant.'" Seo-ah has dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a happy expression.

    "Hi, I'm Kwan, I am the lead dancer, I'm twenty years old, and my name means, 'strong girl.'" Kwan has long, flowing, jet-black hair pulled into a pony-tail, brown eyes, and a powerful expression.

    "I'm Wol-ah. I'm sixteen, and the choreographer. My name means 'Moon-child' or 'charming moon.'" Wol-ah says. She has short cyan hair cut to her shoulders, and green eyes. Her mouth is a charming smile.

    "I'm Noe. I'm seventeen, I'm also a rapper, and my name translates to 'thunder.'" Noe has her blond hair loose, fierce hazel eyes and her mouth pulled into a playful smirk.

    "Hi! I'm Mi-seung. I'm seventeen years old and I'm also a choreographer. My name means 'Beautiful victory.'" Mi-seung has long black hair that is pulled into a two long braids, and blue eyes.

    "What are your names?" Dahee asks us.

    "Aren't there supposed to be five of you?" Seo-ah asks.

    "There ARE five of us." I snarl, stepping forward.

    "But their just eating dinner." Hyun says, putting an arm out and pushing me back.

    "Can you go get them?" Sori asks Hyun.

    "Sure. Just wait here." Hyun says, pulling me towards the kitchen.

After we find the other three, we come back to the living room.

    "I'll start." I say. "I'm Jun. I'm the lead singer of the OUTCASTS. My name means talented, handsome, or outstanding. I'm twenty years old."

    "Hi, I'm Hyun," Hyun says, waving shyly at the girls. "I'm the Maknea of the OUTCASTS. My name means clever, smart, and brilliant. I'm seventeen years old. My stage name is Loon."

    "I'm Jea. I'm the rapper of OUTCASTS." Jea says. He glances at me, as if to ask, do I have to do this? I nod my head. he sighs and continues. "My name means 'talent' or 'ability.' I'm eighteen years old and my stage name is J-Us."

    "I'm Yool, the lyricist for the OUTCASTS. I'm nineteen years old, and my name means rhythm. My stage name is V." Yool says, looking at each of the girls with loathing in his eyes. At least I'm not the only one who thinks it's unfair that they can just take part

of our home.

    "Hey, I'm Bin. I'm the visual of the OUCASTS crew. I'm nineteen years old, my name means refined, cultivated, or elegant. My stage name is D.O." Bin says, a smirk playing on his lips.

    "Nice to meet you!" Dahee says, looking at me as if debating to give me hug. After a moment of thought, she puts out her hand in front of me, as if I would shake her hand. I glare at her.

    "It's nice to meet you too." Hyun says, moving in front of me and shaking her hand. Dahee's grin widens, which I did not know was physically possable.

    "Whatever." I say, walking towards the elevator. "Let's go to bed guys." Hyun hesitates, glancing at the TV, where the game of Super Smash Bros is paused. "NOW." I say. Hyun stiffens, sighs, and walks towards the elevator. We walk inside and the door

slide shut, blocking me, Bin, Jea, and Yool's glares.

Chapter 2

The elevator doors hiss open, and we walk out into the hallway. I'm the one to break the silences.

    "Hyun, what was that back there?!" I ask, turning on him.

    "I was being polite!" Hyun responds, srinking down. "Unlike some pepole I know." He mubbles under his breath.

    "Those girls invaded us." Bin snarls, his brown eyes full of hate. "Just because there cute, or there playing a video game you like, or WHATEVER, doesn't mean you get to turn you back on us." He says, turning and walking down the hallway to his room.

    "Wait." I say, he Bin huffs and walks back to us. "We need to show these girls that we're the alfa's. We need to show them that even though their here, doesn't mean they get to disturb our peace."

    "We need a plan." Me, Bin, Yool, and Jea say.

    "For however long they stay here," I start.

    "We give them silence." Yool says, finishing.

    "Just what I was thinking." Jea says. We cheer and clap hands. We don't notice Hyun sneack back to the elevator.

Chapter 3

I wake up to cheering and laughing.

    "What the heck is going on?" I ask to no body in particular. I slug out of bed and check my clock. It's 1AM in the morning. I shove on a shirt and grummble all the way to the elevator. I press the "Dining room & Kichen" levle button. The elevator dings and the doors close, and a minute later, open for me to see the most horiffic scene in my life. The girls are cheering and laughing as Hyun and Sori are doing a face off on Super Smash Bros. Wait. Hyun?!

    "What is going on here?!" I yell. The girl's glance at me and continue to cheer. I clear my throat. "I SAID" I bellow, "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!?!" The cheers and laughter stop. Sori looks at me. She pauses the game.

    "We're having fun." Sori says, standing up and walking twards me. "If you don't want to, go and pout in your room." Her voice doesn't raise, it stays at the same pitch, but she's terrifying. "Your the leader, right?"

    "Yes I am." I say, puffing out my chest. "And you--"

    "Need nothing to do with you if you don't want to be nice or have fun." Sori says, turning me around and pushing me back twards the elevator. "Leave me and my girls alone." She says the the elevator doors slide shut.

    "Who does she think she is?!" I ask out loud as the elevator goes up. The elevator dings as if it knows the answer, and the doors slide open. I storm out, stomping to my room. Jea steps out of his room right as I open my door.

    "What's going on down there?" Jea asks me, rubbing the sleep

from his eyes, annoyance in his voice.

    "Their playing Super Smash Bros." I growl. "And Hyun's down there with them."

    "What?!" Jea whispers, his eyes wide open. "I'll give the kid a talking to." He says, cracking his knuckles.

    "Hey, hey calm down."  I say. "He's still a part of the group."

    "We'll just have to keep a close eye on him" Jea snarls.

    "Agreed." I say. I step through my door and shut it behind me.

Chapter 4

During a silent breakfast, I pull Hyun to the living room where the others are already waiting.

    "What?" Hyun asked as I dreaged him away from his gyeran-mari. "Why do you have to interrupt me eating?" He asks, reaching for his food.

    "Because," I say, pulling on his arm harder. "We need to have a little chat."

    "Stop. Right. There." Sori says. She's standing right in front of us, arms crossed. I don't say anything, I just try to shove my her. She dosen't move an inch. Or a centimeater at that. She doesn't shove me back, which is what I was expecting, she just moves out of the way, takes my hand off of Hyun's arm, and hands Hyun his breakfast.

    "You can sit with my girls." She says to him, her eyes sofning. "I think Dahee wanted to show you something."

    "Thanks." Hyun says, scurrying over to the girls like a little mouse. "And YOU." She says, turning to me. "That is NOT how a band member treats another bandmate." She says. "Bandmates are more than just friends. They're people who have the same interest in music as you. They support you, not try to make them a bullies like you are. Hyun's like your family. Bandmates are suppose to make a harmony." She says, her voice like cold stone. "And all I hear," She says, her eyes firce. "is feedback." Without another word, she turns to sit with the other girls.

Chapter 5

I storm into the living room.

    “Where’s Hyun?” Yool asked as I stomp in.

    “With the girls.” I say, flopping down on the couch. The boys snarl.

    “I knew he would turn on us.” Bin says.

    “Are the OUTCASTS done?” Jae asks, a thing everyone is thinking, but he’s the one the dares to say it out loud.

    “NO. It can’t be. It’s not.” I say defiantly. “We just have to get him back on our side.”

    “How are we going to do that?” Yool asks.

    “Sori said that bands are supposed to make a harmony,” I say. “And she said that all she hears is feedback.”

    “How. Dare. She.” Bin, Jae, and Yool growl.

Chapter 6

I hear laughing from the other side of the wall. I slink out of the room and peer into the room next to ours. Jeong is sitting on the couch, hunched over a sketch pad, her hair spilled around her. Wol-ah sat beside her, her fingers tapping to the rhythm of the music playing as Dahee crushed boss after boss on Super-Smash Bros. Hyun sat on the floor, leaning on the coffee table. Him and Wol-ah where talking, and I strained to hear what they were saying over the beeps, boops, and Arrgs of the video game.

    "...Is Yool always glaring like that?" I hear Wol-ah's voice ask.

    "No, usually he's pretty cool about everything." Hyun's voice replies. "Everyone's just being protective and tuff to try to intimidate you."

    "I've been more intimidated by a fire ant." Wol-ah's voice

laughs. "Jun looks like he's going to sneeze when he glares at us."

    "Oh." Hyun's voice says. "How...how are not intimidated by him?"

    "That was the first thing Sori taught us." Jeong's shy voice says as she continues to draw. "She knew that other boy bands and other girl groups would try to intimidate us, so the first thing she taught us was not to be intimated and to be confident." Jeong finishes. They stop talking for a moment, absorbing this. The sound of Jeong's pencil stops, and she whispers, "Like it?"

    "Wow, Jeong." Hyun says, and I could imagine him goggling over Jeong's drawn trash. "That's really impressive."

    "Thanks." Jeong says, flipping to a new page and continuing drawing.

    "And that's why Jeong designs our album covers." Wol-Ah's

voice says. "She's really good at it."

    "Did she desin your logo?"

    "Yeah, we all decided on what it could be, and she was being quite the whole time, and then she asked for a piece of paper and a pen and we go them for her, and after a few seconds, boom, she had it. And it's been that ever since."

    "Wow." Hyun says. "Hey, could you tell me how you girls formed a group together?"

    "Sure." Wol-Ah says. "Sori and Kwan have always been really good friends, and as kids, they loved writing songs and music and dancing, and when they turned twelve, they enrolled in a K-Pop idol school, and a few years later, they finished and decided that they didn't want their group to be just them, so they started

looking for more girls. I used to be a single airtist, I had a few songs, but never many listeners."

    "What was your stage name?" Hyun asks.

    "Crescent Moon." Wol-ah answers. "Now, continuing. But Sori had an ear for me, and she was actually one of my few listeners. So she found a way to contact me, and I liked the sound of what she wanted, so I joined her group."

    "I was another student at the K-Pop school they went to." Jeong says softly. "Kwan and I worked together in one of the classes and clicked. So, she asked if I wanted to join her and Sori's girl group they were building. I said, yes. And I've been with them ever since."

    "I was best friends with Jeong--I still am--and Jeong suggested ME to Sori and Kwan, and so they came and asked me, and I said

YES, LIKE DUH! ONE HUNDREAD PERCENT! And so here I am!" Dahee says, her eyes on the TV screen

    "I always had a thing for making music," Min-Ji says, walking into the room and sitting next to Jeong and peering over at what she was drawing. "And I also was an independent airtest. I had a few hundread listeners, so I was feeling pretty good. But then one of my freinds told me about Kwan and Sori making a group together, and I thought that was really cool, so I joined. And I brought a lot of my fans with me, so when we started making music, we already had a few hundred listeners."

    "That was quite nice, I'll tell you that for free." Mishli adds, walking in and sitting on the floor.

    "Oh, tell Hyun how you joined!" Dahee cheers, pausing her game and sitting very close to Jeong. I see Jeong smile softly as 

she continues to draw.

    "Fine." Mishli said, smiling. "It's a funny story, actually. So, Sori was at the store, just getting some food for her and Kwan, and she heard me singing a few isles down. She found me and asked if I wanted to join her group. I said yes, and I'm so glad I did. I aways wanted to join a group, but I never knew how to get myself out there. There were so many singers that were so much better than me, right? So I never really tried to get myself out int the world, but when the chance came, I took it, and I'm so glad I did."

    "Same here." Noe agrees as she walks in. "I was just preforming at a fair and luckily, Kwan was there, and after I finished my song, she found me backstage and asked. I said yes, and I couldn't wait to meet everyone."

    "Kwan and Sori actually found me by my YouTube channel. I