Naty considered passing on the spa day but changed her mind. She knew that no matter what she would be miserable yet doing "something" miserable was far better than laying in bed being miserable. The other benefit was sticking it to Tara and Ashley. She hoped her expenses were coming out of their pockets. She wanted to use her last chance of being petty.
It went too quickly though. Getting her belongings in order went too quickly too. Ashley and Pearl's words mingled together to give a choir of advice. Naty didn't know if she could actually listen. All that she knew was that she had a flight to catch.
A smile of greeting was all Naty could muster when Fred arrived. She was thankful for his quiet countenance as he ushered her to a sad departure. Naty wanted to feel bitter toward everyone but she could not hold a resentment to Fred. He was the one that got her to In-N-Out. He was the one that got her that beautiful moment with Chan.
In the car, Naty drowned herself in the void of Instagram posts and reels. She saved and catalogued all the ones she thought could apply to her. She took screenshots to save in her notes with descriptions of what she could do. Naty found it comforting how distracting it was of a process. That was until she came upon a reel of Bang Chan.
Tears began to well in her eyes at the looping video of him. Goodness, he was so much better in person. Naty felt a sharp sting at the fact that she had not said goodbye. The last Chan had seen of her was fighting with someone he considered family.
"Traffic," Fred mumbled.
It was then Naty realized he was deviating from the route. She saw the GPS recalculating but didn't think much of it. Instead, she went back to her phone in search of more distractions.
Naty felt a deep sadness at the realization that she didn't even have a picture with Bang Chan. There was no genuine memento of the time they had together. All Naty had was the memory of his hand in hers and the words forever imprinted on her heart.
She was being dramatic…or was she?
Naty felt a burning in her stomach. Pearl and Ashley had made solid points. The weekend proved not to be the best introduction of a romance. A litany of panic attacks definitely seemed like a bad sign. It appeared to Naty that Ashley had been correct. Naty was not strong enough and everyone knew it.
"Hey."
"Yes?" Naty asked, surprised that Fred had said anything to her.
"I was there at the airport when you both met."
"Really?" Naty recalled Chan had a bodyguard there but never knew who.
Fred nodded, "Chris noticed you as soon as you walked into the Lounge. Couldn't get his eyes off of you. He thought your Live there was charming, kept remarking how it was like watching himself with Stays. The man wouldn't shut up."
Naty laughed.
"When that old fart cleared out the room, he was right behind you. I warned him but he didn't listen. He just wanted to have a conversation with a pretty girl," Fred paused his story to focus on taking an exit, "While you two were chatting I was hounding him. 'WHERE ARE YOU?', 'YOU'RE GONNA MISS YOUR FLIGHT.' I was angry."
"I didn't know he was missing his flight!" Naty blushed.
"It doesn't matter. When that boy came back, he had wings. Now I've been to all the security meetings this weekend and heard all the dangers about you and Chris and scandals but no one remarked on the positives," the man merged back onto the highway.
"I was under the impression there were no positives," Nay couldn't keep her eyes off the side of his face.
"There are plenty. For starters, my job has been easier. The kids are always up to some sort of trouble I have to bail them out of but your presence has put them on their best behavior."
"Really?" Naty couldn't believe it.
Fred nodded, "And Chris has been so…chipper. He leans toward serious and watches like a hawk for mistakes. This time around? He's been so pleasant."
Naty couldn't help but smile to herself as she digested the words.
"I know it's that duo's job to protect their image but it's my job to protect their safety. I don't know much about anything but I think you're good for the boy's health," Fred spoke in a matter-of-fact way.
"I wish you had said this before we were halfway to the airport," Naty sighed.
"We're not going to the airport."
It was then that Naty saw the stadium in view. She screamed at the top of her lungs. Not even Fred's shouting about traffic taking forever for them to get to the security parking could shut her up.
Fred's prophecy of taking forever to park was definitely true. By the time they made it into the elevator the show had long started. The two remained quiet despite Naty's growing nerves. She imagined a scenario of Tara blocking her access to the seat she had made her home. Fred's presence helped to remind her that she was not facing Tara alone.
"Stay with me," Fred mumbled when the elevator doors opened. It was as if he could read Naty's desire to run off and find Bang Chan. The man guided her into the familiar box whose occupants doubled in size. Naty kept close to Fred as he maneuvered through bodies. The door was just in sight—
"What do you think you are doing?" came Tara's seething voice.
Fred immediately put himself between her and Naty, "I'm the one behind this."
"This show is already falling apart enough without her," the woman hissed.
Fred spoke quietly as behind his back he motioned for Naty to run for it. Naty needed no further instruction. Without opening the door too wide, Naty slipped out to the box seating just in time to hear Felix's announcement.
"Bang Chan just needs a little break for a moment. He just got a little burnt out so we're going to do a few songs and then call for him."
Through the crowd went a groan of concern to which Changbin shouted, "Don't worry! He is ohh-kay!"
Other members took turns to calm the crowd but it seemed nothing was working. Naty felt a panic go through her at the thought of what Chan could be going through to prevent him from going on stage. Her mind returned to the last time she saw him. That horrible conversation must have lingered into his entire performance. Everything she said, everything he said, everything Tara sa—
There! Perhaps that was it: what Tara had said. "How can you even call yourself a leader?!" It stung her just to hear it and the look on his face when she did. Tara must have broken his heart.
She didn't know if she was right but Naty had one chance to find out.
With a voice deep inside of her, Naty leaned over the balcony and began to scream, "BEST LEADER! BEST LEADER! BEST LEADER!"
At first there was just a silent confusion from the people around her but the Stays closest in the crowd began to follow the chant, "Best leader! Best leader!"
I.N. was the first to hear the chant from the stage and he point in the direction of the voices to show the other members. Seungmin quickly began to follow along, "Best Leader, Best Leader."
Jeongin continued to get the attention of the other members which was when Han looked up and saw Naty screaming from the box. The joy that exploded from his face as he waved frantically gave Naty the courage to chant louder. Jisung continued to point her out to more of the members and as he did more and more of the audience took up the chant. Lee Know ran backstage while the others chanted in their microphones.
The audience and the members on stage were in complete unison until suddenly everyone erupted into cheers.
Naty's eyes locked immediately with him as soon as he stepped onto the stage.
Bang Chan.
The distance was nothing between them. Naty melted from his little smile that looked so sweet and so bashful. Especially since it appeared that he had just been crying. The best leader chant began once again and Naty followed in a much softer voice. She wished she could say all the things she felt but their eye contact held more emotion than any conversation they could ever have.
The other members captured his attention and it was then that he finally addressed the crowd. She had never seen someone so truly dignified. He just appeared noble and striking, and magisterial in comparison to every other person she had ever seen—even to himself!
It was a sight to behold!
Naty took an exhausted seat and realized Fred was two seats away. He gave a solid nod of his head that Naty returned. The real show was ready to begin.
