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Was there a shooting star?
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🔸They say good things happen when you least expect them, and the weight of such moments can be utterly overwhelming🔸
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Crystal Valerie Beck
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'What's your purpose in life?'
What the fuck? Why would you think it is sane to ask somebody that? It sounds exactly like something my father would say to deliberately get under my skin.
'To achieve things you can't'
I typed the username with so much contempt, I could feel my self seething from the anger
'Do you think you sing well?'
Why are people so damn cruel?
'Do you think you life is going well, I mean, here you are spewing garbage when you could be striving to achieve what he has.'
There is this satisfaction that comes with replying these impudent fools
"So, today I'm going to be announcing the winner of the coupon." Alex scratched his head, a nervous habit, one I find endearing to the point of distraction. He's adorable, and i'm dying from the anticipation.
Like literally.
Why is he nervous about announcing the winner?
I saw a smile forming on his lips as he rubbed his neck when he said it.
"Kissmyeffingass" The person has the same name as me
Wait!
People don't have the same username on Instagram
I won?
It's a little uncomfortable to say the username aloud, especially since it's unexpected for them to act like adults. Some of them almost get canceled just for dating; if I were an idol, I would have quitted as a trainee
I just don't possess a single ability to keep me patient for so long.
'Is it me?'
I typed, my heart racing.
'What did I win?'
I asked, since he hasn't yet mentioned the most important part.
"You should see it in the email we sent to you"
he said, as though I'm standing right in front of him. I nodded, even though he can't see me.
"Wait you haven't seen it yet"
He said, realizing I wouldn't be asking if I had. It's unusual for him to be replying to me today, they have never responded to me.
"Everything you need should be in your email, it was sent this morning"
He explained, his British accent lending a touch of formality.
"I hope you check it now"
He concluded
'Okay, thanks hyung'
I squealed, hastily pulling up my email. This is the first time they've done something like this, so I'm bursting with excitement to see what I've won. Is it a free concert ticket? A meet-and-greet with the group?
My eyes dart across the latest message from KWBE, the agency.
'Dear Valerie, we are pleased to inform you that you are the winner of the coupon. You are invited to participate in a show for five months with NeoX. The boys are ecstatic to meet you and share the screen with you. Kindly send your reply within the next twenty-four hours, and we will contact you to provide further details. Please keep all information confidential until the agency makes an official announcement.
Congratulations once again on your win.'
Is this some kind of joke?
Is this real?
The email seemed unprofessional, like something I would write.
Living with my idols?
This is every fan's dream.
My phone had been buzzing nonstop with notifications since the agency announced the winner. It was all coming from my fan account the one I created to indulge my K-pop obsession without linking it to my real identity.
I started that anonymous account after deciding to get a bit sarcastic and stand up to some of the rude anti-fans online. I gained a lot of followers for calling them out, some of them from people who just come to threaten me in my DMs. And others, it's just excited fans praising me. Either way, the notifications sometimes drive me crazy, and it is somehow ten times worst today
My real Instagram is completely separate no K-pop content at all. I made sure to open that account with a different number, just to be extra careful. I'm very paranoid about being stalked by crazed fans.
But now, all these messages are from curious fans wanting to know what I've won.
They'*ll go berserk if they find out what I won. Has anything like this ever happened before? I can hardly believe it. They need my reply in the next 24 hours, but I have no idea what to do. Should I even tell my family about this? Would they even let me go?
It all still felt surreal, like a Lucid dream but this time I don't want to wake up, unsure of how to proceed. This is such an unexpected opportunity, but I'm nervous and overwhelmed. I guess I'd better start typing up that reply before the deadline passes.
I feel like there is pressure so much pressure that comes with replying at the time they asked me to but who knows if a chance like this will ever come around again? but it conflicts with my dad's wedding in two months. I won't be able to attend the wedding if I decide to take this opportunity
Attending the wedding being the last gift I'm giving him
My heart was still racing as I stared at the email from the agency, unsure of how to proceed. Over seven million people entered this contest ”how could it be me? I've never been this lucky. And the fact that it's a TV show means I'd be on national television. Would my mom even allow that? She has always been so protective of me.
I don't know how I ended up downstairs, lost in my thoughts. Suddenly, my brother Tim startled me in the dark. I jumped, landing on the chair with my hand on my chest. "What the hell, Tim?" I yell. "You're supposed to turn on the light when you're in this part of the house! Are you trying to give me a heart attack or something?" He just laughed at me, this jerk.
"You're such a chicken," he teases. I'm not about to start an argument over being a chicken, knowing him, this would escalate, and I have something more important on my mind. Even a fortune cookie couldn't have predicted this.
I wanted to tell him about this crazy opportunity, but I"m still trying to wrap my head around it. A show with NeoX? It's every fan's dream. But it comes at the cost of missing my dad's wedding, which, to be honest, isn't that important to begin with. I don't know what to do. I have less than 18 hours to decide, and I'm completely torn.
"Tim?" He looked at me. "Let's say you bought a coupon, and what you won is a chance to live with a boy group you adore." He looks confused. "Is this one of your 'what if' fantasies?" he asks, just to be sure.
"Well, I'd do anything to miss Dad's wedding," he admitted. It's not a good reason, the wedding won't go on for weeks.
I know he hated our father, he bore the brunt of it firsthand. I can't blame him for being a jerk to him sometimes; our father has done enough damage to our self-confidence and mental health.
"You're going to be on TV, you're going to leave your family behind for months, and you're going to have to stop working to save up for college. Would you still go?" He nodded enthusiastically. "I'd think about the fame and the publicity I could get. Is it a big group we're talking about?" I nodded, intrigued by his answer so I can sabotage him if he decides to go against me later.
Yes, there's fame involved, and that scared me. Yes, I could make money by doing anything online with the right publicity. "Everything you're saying is weirdly specific. Did you win a lottery?" I attempted to look puzzled, but I'm sure I just looked constipated instead since my brother is staring at me like I've grown two heads. "Who, me?" I blew raspberries before bailing, stubbing my pinky in the process.
This toe gets banged more than I do
"Ouchy, who put the stairs here?" I can feel my brother shaking his head with a crooked smile on his face. "In my defense, I didn't know the stairs were there." I heard him snort, but I didn't look back at him; I just limped my way up the stairs.
"Valerie, the staircase has always been there," he muttered after his laughter dies down. Why would you laugh at someone else's misfortune? I freaking hate my brother. "You decided to talk, and a simple sorry can't come out of your mouth? What the absolute hell, brother?" He chuckled some more, muttering things I can't hear under his breath. "I didn't see it there," I defended myself again, hoping to make him stop laughing, but it only intensifies. "I hate you."
I was buzzing with excitement just thinking about the coupon. There I was in America, and they were all the way in Korea. Was I really going to fly over there? Was this some kind of elaborate prank or a dream? Would I wake up tomorrow and find that none of this had ever happened?
Perhaps I was overanalyzing. My answer should have been an unequivocal yes, even without consulting anyone. Sure, I had my life planned out, but it was far from perfect. My current path was exhausting and arduous; I worked so much that my body often struggled to keep up.
No, this wasn't a dream. I had come home from work, collapsed onto my bed, grabbed my laptop, and started watching Alex's live stream on Instagram.
It was already 1 a.m., I was eagerly awaiting my mom's return from work. Usually, I was fast asleep by the time she got home, only stirring occasionally to check if she had arrived safely. But tonight, I was wide awake, anticipation coursing through me.
Finally, I heard the front door creak open.
Without hesitation, I leaped off my bed and sprinted toward the door. "Mom, you're back!" I exclaimed. She looked taken aback to see me up and about, and I couldn't help but notice how frail and exhausted she appeared.
Seeing her like this, growing more fragile each day, her energy depleted, it broke my heart. This opportunity could change everything for us. It was the right decision; I just needed to convince her.
"Hey, sweetie," she replied softly.
I rushed to her side, taking the heavy bags from her hands. "How was work today, Mom? I hope you didn't have to deal with any rude customers." I asked "because you could tell me their names and I will gladly kick their flat butts." As if I could kick butts
She offered a tired smile, but it quickly faded. Something was off. Even on her worst days, she always tried to keep a cheerful facade when she came home. Could the news of Dad's wedding have been affecting her more than she was letting on?
"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked gently.
She hesitated for a moment before sighing deeply. "It's nothing, Valerie. Just a long day."
I knew better than to press her when she was like this, so I decided to change the subject to something that might lift her spirit or at least distract her.
"Mom, something crazy happened today," I began, my excitement bubbling up again.
Her eyes perked up slightly, curiosity replacing some of the weariness. "Oh? What is it?"
"I bought this coupon online," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady. She knew all about my love for K-pop groups, especially Aone and NeoX She had even let me attend their concert last year without much fuss.
She furrowed her brow, alearly trying to piece together where this was going. "You follow so many groups, dear. Is this about that Alex boy or... what's his name? Hyun Joon?"
I giggled at her attempt to remember their names. "Yes, Mom. Alex from NeoX."
Her face lit up with recognition. "Ah, yes! So, what did you win?" I bet she was feeling all victorious for getting it right "it is time you got something back with all the money you've spent on them," she joked
"so what did you win?" I cleared my throat ready to receive a wave of no when I tell her what I had won "a trip," she turned to face me "for a few month," she was still listening diligently "on a variety show," she must have pieced it all together
Her eyes widened in shock, emotions flickering across her face, surprise, disbelief, joy, and then concern.
"And before you say anything," I quickly added, "this could be the perfect opportunity for me to do something I truly love."
She exhaled slowly, processing the information. "I haven't said no," she replied softly.
"I know it is sad and all to let your child go but this is going to be a perfect opportunity," I dialed it back realizing what her answer was, "but you are going to say no?" she shook her head no
What? "I can go?" She noded "if you are sure it is the right decision," she added "and if you are sure it is legit and not a scammer." how could she have said yes just like that, I was here having a crisis with my self and she just said yes without even thinking about it, how is that possible
"why mum?" she looked over to me "like you said it is a perfect opportunity for you," that doesn't make sense, she is supposed to oppose to it and then I beg her like my life depended on it "where is the fun in you just agreeing to it." A smile tugged at her lips "were you expecting me to say no?"
I nodded emphatically. "Absolutely, and I've already verified that it's legitimate, not a scam or anything."
Overwhelmed with gratitude, I threw my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. "Thank you so much, Mom."
She held me close, and I could feel the weight of her exhaustion but also the strength of her love. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself and stay safe."
"I will, Mom. I promise."
As I pulled away, I noticed tears glistening in her eyes. Before I could say anything, a voice interrupted me from the hallway.
"You were the one who won a trip?" my brother Tim asked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
I rolled my eyes, not in the mood for his antics. "Didn't anyone teach you that eavesdropping is rude? I swear, we can't be from the same mother."
He glared at me, unfazed by my jab. "We'll talk first thing in the morning," he declared.
I sighed, knowing this wouldn't be an easy conversation. "I have to be at the diner by 6 a.m., Tim."
"I'll be home all day," he replied stubbornly.
Great. Just great. Tomorrow was going to be a long day filled with debates and arguments. One thing about Tim
he never lost an argument.
But no matter what he has to say, my mind was made up. This was my chance, and I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers.
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